_A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015._ The Levites that were appointed to be porters, 1 Chronicles 26:1. Those that were appointed to be treasurers and store-keepers, 1 Chronicles 26:20. Those that were officers and judges in the country, 1 Chronicles 26:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For God blessed him_ With a numerous posterity, and other blessings, for his respect and affection to the ark. The increase and building up of families are owing to the divine blessing. And a great blessing it is to have many children when they are like these, eminent in the service of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They were mighty men of valour_ This clause is divers times mentioned, because their office required both strength and courage: for they were to shut the doors of the temple, one whereof was so great and weighty that in the second temple it required twenty men to open and shut it. They were also to... [ Continue Reading ]
_His father made him the chief_ Not in inheriting the estate, (this was forbidden by the law,) but in this service, for which he was better qualified than his elder brother.... [ Continue Reading ]
_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.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They cast lots, as well the small as the great_ Determining the times and places of their service, not by age or dignity, but merely by lot. _According to the house of their fathers_ A several lot being allowed for each several house. _For every gate_ That it might be known to whom the care of each... [ Continue Reading ]
_Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor_ Which is noted as an excellent and useful accomplishment for his office, in which there was need of wisdom as well as courage, as may appear by the description of their work, 1 Chronicles 26:20, &c. See the note on 1 Chronicles 26:6. _The house of Asuppim _ Or,... [ Continue Reading ]
_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... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 1 Chronicles 26:15, where also it is said to be on the south side; on which there seems to have been a double guard, both belonging to... [ Continue Reading ]
_At Parbar westward_ Or, _As concerning Parbar_, which was another gate, or some building on the western quarter of the temple. _Four at the causeway_ Which led to Parbar. _And two at Parbar_ At the gate or house itself; by which it may seem that this was a place of some importance, either the vesse... [ Continue Reading ]
_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... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 on... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shebuel, the son of Moses_ That is, descended from Moses; _was ruler of the treasures_ The 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_To maintain the house of the Lord_ Hebrew, To _strengthen_ it: either to make that building strong and substantial by these and other charges; or, rather, to repair it when it should be built; for which they might the rather take peculiar care, because it was likely that every one would contribute... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith_, &c. Who is particularly named here, and 1 Chronicles 26:26, because they were chiefly committed to his trust, he being, it seems, a person of eminent wisdom and faithfulness.... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 deter... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 building the temple, or toward the sacrifices and other holy ministrations, should be gathered and received, and faithfully sent up to Jerusalem; and to see the... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 Chapter s. 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... [ Continue Reading ]
_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, (1 Chronicles 26:30,) besides those under Chenaniah, of whom see on 1 Chronicles 26:29. But the reason hereof i... [ Continue Reading ]