Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 6

Introduction

1 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 6

The sons of Levi: the line of the high priests from Aaron to the captivity, 1 Chronicles 6:1-15.

The families of Gershom, Merari, and Kohath, 1 Chronicles 6:16-48.

The office of Aaron and his line unto Ahimaaz, 1 Chronicles 6:49-53.

The cities of the priests and Levites, 1 Chronicles 6:54-81.

Verse 2

Izhar, called also 1 Chronicles 6:22; compare Exodus 6:21.

Verse 5

In the days of Uzzi it is supposed that the high priesthood was translated from Eleazar’s family to Ithamar’s, for some cause now unknown, in whose line it continued for some successions.

Verse 10

He it is that executed the priest’s office: so did all the rest, but it is implied that lie did it worthily, he filled his place and valiantly discharged his office in Uzziah’s time; of which see 2 Chronicles 26:17, &c. Or this he may relate to Johanan, otherwise called Jehoiada, who is so highly commended for the good service which he did to the house of God and of the king; of whom see 2 Kings 11:0.

In the temple that Solomon built; in Solomon’s temple; so called to distinguish it from the second temple, which was built or in building when these books were written.

Verse 14

Seraiah, who was slain by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, 2 Kings 25:18,2 Kings 25:21.

Verse 16

This he repeats, as the foundation of the following genealogy of those Levites who were not priests.

Verse 19

Who are distinguished and named from their fathers. And the following catalogue is thought to contain the successive heads or chiefs of their several families until thee times of David, by whom they were distributed into several ranks or courses.

Verse 20

i.e. His grandson, by his son Shimei, as appears from 1 Chronicles 6:42,1 Chronicles 6:43, the names of father and son being oft used in scripture of more remote progenitors or successors.

Verse 24

Uriel, called also Zephaniah, 1 Chronicles 6:36, where also

Uzziah here following is called Azariah.

Verse 25

Elkanah, the son of that Korah mentioned above, 1 Chronicles 6:22, as is manifest by 1 Chronicles 6:35-37 and by Exodus 6:23,Exodus 6:24

Verse 26

Elkanah; this was another Elkanah, son or grandson of the former Elkanah and either the son or brother of Ahimoth last mentioned, or of Amasai.

Nahath, called also Toah, 1 Chronicles 6:31, and Tohu, 1 Samuel 1:1.

Verse 27

Elkanah; the father of the prophet Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:1, who therefore follows here.

Verse 31

These are they, whose names here follow.

The service, Heb. the hands. Hand put for ministry or service, which is commonly performed by the hand. Thus God is frequently said to speak or command things by the hand (i.e. the ministry) of Moses. Compare 2 Chronicles 29:27.

After that the ark had rest; which was in David’s time, 2 Samuel 6:17.

Verse 32

The dwelling-place of the tabernacle, or, the tabernacle of the tent, as the same Hebrew words are translated, Exodus 39:32; Exodus 40:2,Exodus 40:6.

According to their order; which David had appointed by the Spirit, as it follows in this book.

Verse 33

These, to wit,

Heman here mentioned; and Asaph, 1 Chronicles 6:39; and Ethan, 1 Chronicles 6:44.

Shemuel, or, Samuel the prophet.

Verse 39

Asaph is here called Heman’s brother, both by birth, being of the same tribe and father, Levi; and by his office and employment, which was thee same with his.

Verse 44

Ethan, called also Jeduthun, 1 Chronicles 9:16, 2 Chronicles 35:15, and in the titles of divers psalms.

Verse 48

The Levites; such of them as had no skill in singing were otherwise employed.

Verse 49

Having mentioned the work and employment of the high priests, he briefly rehearseth the names of the persons who successively performed it.

Verse 54

Or, this lot or portion which here follows. Or, the first lot, as appears by the sequel.

Verse 57

They gave the cities, or, out of the cities; the Hebrew eth being put for meeth, as hath been oft noted.

Verse 60

Whereof eleven are here numbered, and two more added to them, Joshua 21:13.

Verse 61

Which were left, over and above the priests who were of the same family of Kohath and tribe of Levi.

By lot, ten cities, or, by lot (with a full point, for there the sense ends).

All their cities were ten cities, as it is expressly said, Joshua 21:6. These words, all their cities were, are to be understood out of the former verse; which is not unusual in the Holy Scripture. And so this sacred writer explains himself, 1 Chronicles 6:66, &c., where eight of these cities are named, whereof only two are taken out of this half tribe of Manasseh, 1 Chronicles 6:70, the other two being named, Joshua 21:21, &c., where these things are more plainly and fully declared.

Verse 62

To the sons of Gershom; understand here, cities were given, which is also understood 1 Chronicles 6:61, and expressed 1 Chronicles 6:64.

Verse 64

To the Levites, i.e. to the tribe of Levi, consisting of priests and other Levites.

These cities, which are numbered or named in this chapter.

Verse 65

They gave, to wit, to those Levites of the family of Kohath who were priests, as appears both by 1 Chronicles 6:57, &c., where the cities given to the Aaronites are said to be taken out of the tribes here named, even out of Judah (under which Simeon is comprehended, because his lot lay within that of Judah) and Benjamin; and by the next verse, where the other Kohathites who were not priests are called the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath, by way of distinction from those of them to whom this 1 Chronicles 6:65 relates.

Which are called by their names; which are expressed by their names above, 1 Chronicles 6:57, &c.

Verse 66

Of their coasts, or, of their borders, i.e. of their country contained within its borders, as that word is oft used, as hath been noted before.

Verse 67

They gave; either the Ephraimites; or rather, the children of Israel, as it is expressed, 1 Chronicles 6:64, who gave part out of Ephraim, and part out of the half tribe of Manasseh, as it here follows. But the Ephraimites could not give away any cities belonging to the Manassites.

Unto them, i.e. to the residue of the Kohathites last mentioned.

Of the cities of refuge, or, the cities (i.e. the city, the plural number used of one; of which frequent examples have been given before: see 1 Chronicles 7:3,1 Chronicles 7:12,1 Chronicles 7:14) of refuge. Or, cities, (the construct form being put for the absolute, of which there want not examples in the Hebrew language,) the city of refuge. As to the names of these cities, divers of them are differing from those names which were given to them, Joshua 21:13. Nor is it at all strange that the names of places should be changed in so many hundreds of years as were between Joshua and this time. And to the cities themselves, this is further to be observed, that they are dispersed among all the tribes, partly that Jacob’s prophecy might be fulfilled concerning the scattering of Levi. Genesis 49:7; and partly that every tribe might have teachers among them, by whom they might be directed in and quickened to the observation of God’s laws, upon which their safety and happiness wholly depended.