Verse 12. Wards-Hebrew, having wards answerably to their brethren the other Levites, who were divided into twenty-four courses, as the priests also, and the porters were.

charge of the treasures.

18 At Parbar westward, four at the A. M. 2989. causeway, and two at Parbar.

B. C. 1015.

19 These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

b

20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

7

21 As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli. 22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD.

23 Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites :

24 And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.

Chapter xxviii. 12; Malachi iii. 10. Heb. holy things.
Or, Libni, Chap. vi. 17.- -9 Or, Jehiel, Chap. xxiii. 8; xxix. 8,
Chap. xxiii. 16.

Obed-edom, (verse 15,) one at the south gate, and
the other at Asuppim, where possibly the sacred
treasures, mentioned verse 20, &c., were laid up, and
therefore a particular guard was necessary. See on
verse 15.

Verse 13. They cast lots, as well the small as the
great-Determining the times and places of their Verse 18. At Parbar westward—Or, As concern-
service, not by age or dignity, but merely by lot. ing Parbar, which was another gate, or some build-
According to the house of their fathers-A several ing on the western quarter of the temple. Four at
lot being allowed for each several house. For every the causeway-Which led to Parbar. And two at
gate-That it might be known to whom the care of Parbar-At the gate or house itself; by which it
each gate was more especially committed.
may seem that this was a place of some import-
Verses 14, 15. Zechariah his son, a wise counsel-ance, either the vessels of the temple, or some
lor-Which is noted as an excellent and useful ac- part of the treasures of God's house, being kept
complishment for his office, in which there was there.
need of wisdom as well as courage, as may appear
by the description of their work, verse 20, &c. See
the note on verse 6. The house of Asuppim-Or,
of gatherings; probably so named from the assembly
of the elders, who met there to consult about the
affairs of the temple.

Verse 16. With the gate Shallecheth—A gate of the court, so called, as some think, because the ashes and filth of the temple were cast out on that side,|| which was the most convenient for that purpose, because that was a private quarter, the great ways to the temple lying on the other sides. By the Causeway of going up-By which causey they went up toward the temple. Ward against wardAs one gate was over against another, the west against the east, and the north against the south, so one ward was over against another.

Verse 17. Eastward were six Levites-For that, being the chief gate of the temple, required a better guard. Toward Asuppim-That is, the house of Asuppim, as it is called verse 15, where also it is said to be on the south side; on which there seems to have been a double guard, both belonging to

Verse 20. The treasures of the house of God, and the treasures of the dedicated things-These seem to be two different kinds of treasures, the former containing the sacred vessels and other treasures, which by God's command were appropriated to the maintenance of the house; the latter only those things which had been freely given or dedicated to God.

Verse 23. Of the Amramites-Or, Concerning the Amramites, &c. The meaning is, the persons following were of these, or the most of these families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct, whence it is that we read no more of them in the Scripture, but only in this place, and Num. iíí. 27, or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.

Verse 24. Shebuel, the son of Moses-That is, descended from Moses; was ruler of the treasuresThe chief over all the treasures mentioned before or afterward, as his very title shows, which is peculiarly given to him, and to none of the rest. This is the sole honour that we read of hitherto conferred upon any of the posterity of Moses.

Those that were officers and

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I. CHRONICLES.

A. M. 2989. 25 And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and & Shelomith his son.

d

26 Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

27 11 Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.

28 And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.

judges in the country.

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sons were for the outward business A. M. 2989.
over Israel, for 'officers and judges.
30 And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his
brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven
hundred, were 12 officers among them of Israel
on this side Jordan westward in all the business
of the LORD, and in the service of the king.
31 Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the
chief, even among the Hebronites according to
the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth
year of the reign of David they were sought for,
and there were found among them mighty men
of valour at Jazer of Gilead.

h

32 And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom King David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and

29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his 13 affairs of the king.

d Chapter xxiii. 18.

11 Hebrew, Out of the battles and spoils. e 1 Sam. ix. 9. Chap. xxiii. 4.

12 Heb. over the charge.

13 Heb. thing.

Chap. xxiii. 19.- b Josh. xxi. 19. 2 Chron. xix. 11.

Verse 27. To maintain the house of the Lord-building the temple, or toward the sacrifices and Hebrew, To strengthen it: either to make that other holy ministrations, should be gathered and building strong and substantial by these and other received, and faithfully sent up to Jerusalem; and to charges; or, rather, to repair it when it should be see the execution of all the laws of God among the built; for which they might the rather take peculiar people. In the service of the king, &c.-They served care, because it was likely that every one would the king in the execution of his decrees, by which contribute to the building of the temple, and there the several rights of the king and people were estabcould be no want for that use: but few would pro-lished. And as the king was the principal person vide for the repairs of it, when by the injury of men or time it should receive any damage.

Verse 28. Whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, &c.-Who is particularly named here, and verse 26, because they were chiefly committed to his trust, he being, it seems, a person of eminent wisdom and faithfulness. Verse 29. Chenaniah, &c., were for the outward business-That is, the business without the city of Jerusalem; which neither belonged to the singers nor the porters, whose business was within the city. For officers and judges-To be assessors with the ordinary judges in the several cities and towns, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights, was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites, being the established interpreters, must needs be the most proper judges of things depending thereon.

Verse 30. In all business of the Lord-In all things which concerned the house or worship of God; to take care that such moneys as were given toward 288

intrusted with the execution of God's laws, so these Levites chiefly were his eyes, by which he saw his people's transgressions, and his hands, by which he inflicted due censures upon them for their miscarriages.

Verse 31. In the fortieth year of the reign of David-His last year, in which he made all the orders of families and officers recorded in these chapters. We should be so much the more diligent in doing good, as we see the day approaching. If we live not to enjoy the fruit of our labours, let us not grudge it to them that come after us.

Verse 32. Two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers-Which is a very great number to be employed about two tribes and a half, when all the rest of the tribes had only one thousand seven hundred, (verse 30,) besides those under Chenaniah, of whom see on verse 29. But the reason hereof is plain, because the tribes without Jordan, being more remote from the king's court, and from the place of public and solemn worship, needed more than ordinary help to instruct and keep them in the practice of true religion, and the worship of God, and obedience to their king.

2

Of the twelve captains

CHAPTER XXVII.

CHAPTER XXVII.

in their monthly courses.

The captains for every month of the year, 1-15. The princes of the several tribes, 16–24. The officers of the court, 25–34.

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B. C. 1015.

NOW the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

2 Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

3 Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4 And over the course of the second month was 'Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.

12 Sam. xxiii. 8; Chap. xi. 11.

Or, Dodo, 2 Sam. xxiii. 9. *Or, principal officer, 1 Kings iv. 5.

NOTES ON CHAPTER XXVII.

Verse 1. Now the children of Israel, &c.—After the settlement of sacred affairs, we have here an account of the manner in which the army, or militia, as we may call it, was disposed. It was distributed into twelve legions, each consisting of twenty-four thousand men, who were commanded by one of the chief of the fathers; under whom there were captains of thousands, such as we now call colonels; and then under them captains of hundreds. Each of these legions attended one month, for the security of the king and kingdom; at the end of which they were dismissed, and another legion, with their general, succeeded: so that their course came but once in a year, and that only for one month, which was no considerable burden to them. That served the king in any matter of the courses-In all the business in which the king had occasion for these persons. Which came in and went out, &c.-Who, being armed and mustered, were to wait upon the king, at Jerusalem, or other places, as the king should see fit. By this order near three hundred thousand of his people were instructed and exercised in the use of their arms, and fitted for the defence of their king and kingdom when it should be needful, and in the mean time sufficient provision was made against any sudden tumults or irruptions of enemies. And this monthly course was contrived that the burden of it might be easy, and equally distributed among the people.

b

6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.

7 The fourth captain for the fourth month. was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was & Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

b 2 Sam. xxiii. 20, 22; Chap. xi. 22, &c.- 2 Sam. xxiii. 24; Chap. xi. 26.- d Chap. xi. 28.

of the host-Whose several names here follow. The meaning is, he was chief in dignity and precedency, but not in power and authority; for these captains were equal in power, and Joab was their general.

Verse 4. And Mikloth also was the ruler-Either, 1st, The captain of this course after the death of this Dodai, as Zebadiah was after Asahel, verse 7. Or, 2d, His lieutenant, or deputy, in case of his necessary absence. Or, rather, 3d, One of the officers of his course; who seems here to be particularly named, as a person then of great note and eminence.

Verses 5, 6. Jehoiada, a chief priest-Or rather, a chief prince, as the Hebrew word 2, cohen, often signifies. For it is certain neither Benaiah nor his father was high-priest or second priest. In his course was Ammizabad his son-Who seems to have been his father's lieutenant, because his father was captain of the king's guard, (2 Sam. xviii. 18,) and therefore needed a deputy in the one or other place.

Verse 7. Asahel the brother of Joab-As Asahel was killed before all Israel had acknowledged David as king, it is likely that this course was called the course of Asahel, in honour to his memory, it being commanded by his son. Poole, however, thinks that the foundation of this project was laid while David was in Hebron, and that then his forces were divided into twenty-four courses, under twenty-four chief commanders, whereof Asahel was one, only that the number of his forces was then much less

Verses 2, 3. Over the first course was Jashobeam than that which is here mentioned: but, he adds, Of whom see 2 Sam. xxiii. 8; 1 Chron. xi. 11. Of when David was fully settled in his whole kingdom, the children of Perez-Or, of Pharez, of the pos- the design was perfected, and his soldiers were interity of Judah, Gen. xlvi. 12. This seems to be increased to this number, Zebadiah his son after tended of Jashobeam, and to be mentioned as a rea-him-That is, after his death, of which see 2 Sam. son why he was the chief. Chief of all the captains ii. 23. And in his course were twenty-four thousand

The princes of

A. M. 2989.
B. C. 1015.

e

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10 The seventh captain for the || 18 Of Judah, 1 Elihu, one of the bre- A. M. 2989. seventh month was Helez the Pe- thren of David: of Issachar, Omri lonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his the son of Michael: course were twenty and four thousand.

11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was fSibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was * Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 13 The tenth captain for the tenth month. was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

h

14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was 3 Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:

k

19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Oba|diah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: 20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

21 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner :

22 Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began About to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of King David.

4

B. C. 1017.

B. C. 1015.

25 ¶ And over the king's treasures About was Azmaveth the son of Adiel : and over the store-houses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Je

17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of honathan the son of Uzziah: Kemuel of the Aaronites, Zadok:

26 And over them that did the work of the

-Not Asahel's, for in his time they were not so nu-Benjamin he counted not, 1 Chron. xxi. 6. Because merous, but Zebadiah's his son.

Verse 16. Over the tribes of Israel: the ruler, &c. -These were the princes of the tribes, the constant rulers of the tribes; who seem to have had a superior power to these twenty-four captains, and therefore are named before them, being probably the king's chief counsellors and assistants in the great affairs of his kingdom.

Verse 22. Of the tribes of Israel-Of the most of the tribes, not of all: for Gad is omitted, probably because that tribe was joined with the Reubenites under one prince.

Verse 23. David took not the number from twenty years old and under-But only of those who were above the age of twenty years, or (which is the same thing) those that drew the sword, 1 Chron. xxi. 5. Because the Lord had said, &c.—And therefore to number them all, both above and under twenty years old, had been both an infinite trouble and a tempting of God, or a questioning the truth of his promises.

Verse 24. Joab began to number-Namely, all from twenty years old and upward, as David commanded him. But he finished not-For Levi and

there fell wrath for it against Israel-While he was doing the work, which was one reason that made him desist. The Hebrew however is, And there fell, &c. Though David numbered them with caution and limitation, as was observed before, yet this did not hinder God's wrath from falling upon Israel for this sin. Neither was the number put in the chronicles of King David-An account of the number, as fai as he went, was given by Joab to the king; but the king, being sensible of his error, would not have it recorded in the public registers of the kingdom, as other things of daily occurrence were. Yet the memory of it is preserved in these books, to teach all posterity not to put their trust in the arm of flesh.

Verse 25. Over the king's treasures-Of gold, or silver, or other things of great price, which, for greater security, were kept in Jerusalem, and in the king's palace; and thither the tribute-money also was sent, and committed to Azmaveth's care. Over the store-houses in the fields-Of the fruits of the earth, or that share of them which belonged to the king, which were laid up in the fields, or cities, or villages, or castles, as there was convenience and occasion.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

A. M. 2999. field for tillage of the ground was || maelite: and over the asses was Jeh- A. M. 2989. Ezri the son of Chelub: deiah the Meronothite:

30 Over the camels also was Obil the Ish-ral of the king's army was 1 Joab.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

David declares to a general assembly of the states summoned to meet him, that God had appointed Solomon to succeed rum, and to build the temple, 1-7. Exhorts the people and Solomon to cleave to God, 8-10.

materials for the temple, 11-19. Encourages him to begin and finish the work, 20, 21.

AND David assembled all the prin- || tribes, and the captains of the compa- A. M. 2989. ces of Israel, the princes of the nies that ministered to the king by

and had served his generation according to the will Verse 1. David assembled all the princes, &c.—of God. But now the time draws nigh that he must A great deal of business David had done in his day, || die, and the nearer he comes to his end, the more