Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 9

Verse 1

in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Not the existing books of Samuel and Kings, but another book, being a collection of matters from them. Referred to in 2Ch 16:11 ; 2 Chronicles 25:26 ; 2 Chronicles 27:7 ; 2Ch 28:26 ; 2 Chronicles 32:32 ; 2 Chronicles 35:27 ; 2 Chronicles 36:8 .

Israel. Punctuate and read "Israel: and Judah was carried away", &c.

transgression = defection. Hebrew. ma'al .

Verse 2

the first inhabitants: i.e. after the reoccupation on the return from Babylon, under Zerubbabe], Joshua, Nehemiah, and Ezra 454-400 B.C. See App-50 .

the Israelites. Hebrew "Israel": i.e. the "Israel of God". Compare Nehemiah 11:3 . See note on "Israel" (Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 ). Called "Israel", although only the return of Judah and Benjamin. See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .

Levites = the Levites.

the Nethinims. Taken from the people in proportion of one in fifty to assist the Levites (Numbers 31:47 . Ezra 8:20 ).

Verse 3

Jerusalem. As distinct from the Land (1 Chronicles 9:2 ). Compare Nehemiah 11:1 .

children = sons.

Ephraim, and Manasseh. So that others beside Judah and Benjamin were included in the People now known as "Jews". Compare Ezra 6:21 .Nehemiah 10:28 , Nehemiah 10:29 . See note on 1 Kings 12:17 .

Verse 5

Shilonites = Shelonites. Not from the place Shiloh, but from Shelah the son of Judah. Compare 1 Chronicles 2:3 .Numbers 26:28 . Nehemiah 9:5 . So that some from each of the three lines of Judah were included, viz. Pharez, Shelah, Judah.

Verse 6

their: i.e. Uthai (1 Chronicles 9:4 ) and Asaiah (1 Chronicles 9:5 ). (Jewish.) six hundred and ninety. These were the sons of Zerah. The 468 in Nehemiah 11:6 were sons of Perez (i.e. Pharez).

Verse 7

Sallu. At the head of the Benjamites (Nehemiah 11:7 ).

Hasenuah. In Nehemiah 11:9 called Senuah.

Verse 9

nine hundred and fifty and six. In Nehemiah 11:8 we have 928. The dates of the enumeration are independent and not identical.

Verse 10

Jedaiah, &c. Compare Nehemiah 11:10 with Nehemiah 12:6 .

Verse 11

Azariah. In Nehemiah 11:11 the same enumeration, but Seraiah. This is explained in 1 Chronicles 6:12-14 above.

the ruler of the house of God. Applied to the high priest: at this time Ahitub (1 Chronicles 6:11 ). Later it was Joshua the high priest (Ezra 3:2 .Zechariah 3:1-8 ; Zechariah 6:11-13 ). Compare 2 Chronicles 31:13 ; 2 Chronicles 35:8 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the (true) God. App-4 .

Verse 12

Adaiah. Compare Nehemiah 11:12 .

Maasiai. Compare 1 Chronicles 24:14 and Nehemiah 11:13 .

Verse 13

a thousand and seven hundred and threescore. In Nehemiah 11:12-14 , it is 1192, which must have been before the priests had settled in the priestly cities.

very able men = mighty men of valour. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 14

Shemaiah. Compare Nehemiah 11:15 .

Verse 16

Asa. Some codices, with two early printed editions (one margin), and Syriac, read "Asaph".

dwelt in the villages. Till the priestly cities were rebuilt.

Netophathites. Compare Nehemiah 12:28 .

Verse 17

porters = gatekeepers. Compare Nehemiah 12:25 .

Verse 18

hitherto. Referring to the ancient practice.

the king's gate. Leading from the royal palace to the Temple.

Verse 19

Korahites. The descendants of Korah. Compare Numbers 16:0 ; Numbers 26:9-11 ; and see Psalms 42:0 ; Psalms 44:0 ; Psalms 45:0 ; Psalms 47:0 ; Psalms 48:0 ; Psalms 49:0 ; Psalms 84:0 ; Psalms 85:0 ; Psalms 87:0 ; Psalms 88:0 .

gates = thresholds.

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel . See App-40 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 20

Phinehas. Compare Exodus 6:23 .

in time past: i.e. previous to the writing of this history. 1434-1383?

Verse 21

door = entrance.

Verse 22

two hundred and twelve. These were for the Tabernacle (1 Chronicles 9:21 ). In Nehemiah 11:19 , it is 172, excluding those in the villages. Not the 4,000 of 1 Chronicles 23:5 , or their ninety-three heads (1 Chronicles 26:0 ), which were for the future Temple.

their genealogy = [Was registered] in their villages. There is no record of this. But Samuel stood at the head.

did ordain = founded Compare 1 Chronicles 23:1-6 . Compare Acts 3:24 .

Verse 23

wards = watches, twenty-four quarters. Hebrew. ruach = winds.

Verse 26

chief. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 . Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint and Syriac, read "mighty men of the gates".

set office = trust.

chambers = = storehouses.

Verse 27

opening thereof, &c. = were over the key. Compare Judges 3:25 .Isaiah 22:22 .

Verse 28

ministering vessels = vessels of service.

by tale = by number.

Verse 29

and the fine flour = and over the fine flour.

spices. Compare Exodus 30:22-38 .

Verse 30

made = compounded.

Verse 31

in the pans = on the flat plates.

Verse 32

every sabbath. Compare Exodus 25:30 . Leviticus 24:5-8 .

Verse 33

these are the singers. Referring to verses: 1 Chronicles 9:14-16 , and Nehemiah 11:22 .

free = exempt from duty.

Verse 35

in Gibeon dwelt. Verses 35-44 are an abridgment of 1 Chronicles 8:29-38 . Could not suitably be introduced there. Reserved to be inserted here, to lead up to Saul's death in 1 Chronicles 10:0 .

the father of Gibeon = parent-family of Gibeon: Jehiel, &c.

Jehiel. Had another name, "Zoror", in 1 Samuel 9:1 . See note on 1 Chronicles 8:33 . 1 Chronicles 8:39 Ner begat Kish. See note on 1 Chronicles 8:33 .

Verse 44

Azrikam, Bocheru. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint and Syriac, read "Azrikam his firstborn".