Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 9

Introduction

A.M. 2804. B.C. 1200.

The chief of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, who returned from captivity and dwelt at Jerusalem, 1 Chronicles 9:1-9 . The priests, 1 Chronicles 9:10-13 . The Levites, 1 Chronicles 9:14-16 . Their various offices in the temple, 1 Chronicles 9:17-34 . The family of Saul, 1 Chronicles 9:35-44 .

Verse 1

1 Chronicles 9:1. They were written in the book In the public records, wherein there was an account of that kingdom, and of the several families in it.

Verse 2

1 Chronicles 9:2. The first After the return from Babylon. That dwelt in their possessions That took possession of their own lands and cities, which had been formerly allotted them, but of late years had been taken from them for their sins, and possessed by other people. Israelites The common people of Judah and Israel, called here by the general name of Israelites, which was given them before that unhappy division of the kingdoms; and now is restored to them, when the Israelites are united with the Jews in one and the same commonwealth, that so all the names and signs of their former division might be blotted out. And though the generality of the ten tribes were yet in captivity, yet divers of them, upon Cyrus’s general proclamation, associated themselves, and returned with those of Judah and Benjamin. Levites These took possession of the cities belonging to them, as they had need and opportunity. Nethinims A certain order of men, either Gibeonites, or others joined with them, who were נתינים , nethinim, given to the priests and Levites for performing the servile offices of the tabernacle or temple: accordingly the LXX. in this place render the word by δεδομενοι , persons given. Thus Joshua gave the Gibeonites to be hewers of wood, &c., Joshua 9:21; Joshua 9:27. That they might attend upon their work without distraction, they had certain places and possessions given to them, which they are now said to repossess.

Verse 4

1 Chronicles 9:4. Ammihud That there is so great a diversity of names between this catalogue and that Nehemiah 11:0., may be ascribed to two causes. 1st, To the custom of the Hebrews, who used frequently to give several names to one person. And, 2d, To the change of times; for here they are named who came up at the first return: but many of those in Nehemiah might be such as returned afterward, and came and dwelt, either instead of the persons here named, or with them.

Verse 7

1 Chronicles 9:7. Sallu the son of Meshullam Who is mentioned, but described by other parents, (Nehemiah 11:7,) or at least by persons under other names. Possibly these were his more immediate, and those his more remote parents: or he might be begotten by the one, and adopted by the other. For it is certain that men are sometimes, in Scripture, called the sons of those that adopted them, or whose right of inheritance fell to them.

Verse 9

1 Chronicles 9:9. Nine hundred and fifty-six They are reckoned but nine hundred and twenty-eight in Nehemiah 11:8, either because there he mentions only those that were by lot determined to dwell at Jerusalem, to whom he here adds those who freely offered themselves to it; or because some of the persons first placed there were dead, or removed from Jerusalem upon some emergent occasion.

Verse 11

1 Chronicles 9:11. The ruler Or rather, a ruler in the house of God Not the high-priest, who was Ezra, (Ezra 3:8,) but a chief ruler under him.

Verse 13

1 Chronicles 9:13. Able men Hebrew, mighty men of valour; which is here mentioned as an excellent qualification for their place; because the priests might meet with great opposition in the discharge of their office, in the execution of the censures upon all impure persons without exception, and in preserving sacred things from violation by the touch of forbidden hands.

Verses 16-17

1 Chronicles 9:16-17. The villages of the Netophathite Or, Netophathites: which were in Judah, 1 Chronicles 2:54. Here they now dwelt, either because their proper cities were not yet built; or because they were not yet numerous enough to replenish them. The porters were, &c. Whose office it was to keep all the gates of the temple, that no unclean person or thing might enter into it.

Verse 18

1 Chronicles 9:18. King’s gate In the east gate of the temple; which was so called, because the kings of Judah used to go to the temple through that gate. Under this gate he comprehends all the rest, which also were guarded by these porters. In the companies Or, according to the courses. They kept the gates successively, according to that method into which the Levites were distributed, for the more convenient management of their several offices, among which this of the porters was one.

Verse 19

1 Chronicles 9:19 . Tabernacle Namely, in time past, when the tabernacle was standing, before the temple was built. Their fathers The Kohathites. Being over the host of the Lord When the Israelites were in the wilderness, encamped in a military manner round about the tabernacle, with whom these were then placed. Keepers of the entry Of the veil by which they entered into the tabernacle; which he calls the entry, because then there were no gates. The meaning is, that all things were now restored to their primitive order; and the several persons took those offices upon them, which their ancestors had before them.

Verse 20

1 Chronicles 9:20. Phinehas was ruler over them That is, over all the porters, and other Levites and priests before mentioned. The Lord was with him to direct, and assist, and bless him in the discharge of his office, which seems to be here observed to encourage his successor, and consequently all the priests and Levites of this time, to go on courageously and resolutely in their work, not doubting but God would stand by them as he had stood by their fathers.

Verse 21

1 Chronicles 9:21. Zechariah was porter Chief porter, namely, in the time of David, as the following verse shows. Of the door of the tabernacle The door which led out of the priests’ court into the tabernacle, in which the ark was placed. Before the temple was built, they had a mean and moveable tent which they made use of in the mean time. They that cannot yet have a temple, let them be thankful for a tabernacle, and make the best use of it. Never let God’s work be left undone, for want of a place to do it in.

Verse 22

1 Chronicles 9:22. These were reckoned in their villages Where their usual residence was, and whence they came to Jerusalem in their courses. Whom David and Samuel did ordain In the times of the judges there was much disorder both in the Jewish state and church, and the Levites came to the tabernacle promiscuously, and as their inclinations or occasions brought them. But Samuel, observing they were greatly increased, began to think of establishing order in their ministration. And these intentions of his, probably, were communicated to David, who, after his own peaceable settlement in his throne, revived and perfected Samuel’s design, and took care to put it in execution.

Verse 23

1 Chronicles 9:23. They and their children had the oversight Namely, in David’s time. Of the tabernacle This is added to explain what he means by the house of the Lord: not that tabernacle which David had set up for the ark, but that more solemn tabernacle, which Moses had made by God’s express command; which in David’s time was at Gibeon; in which God was worshipped until the temple was built. By wards By turns or courses.

Verse 25

1 Chronicles 9:25. Their brethren were to come From their several villages to the place of worship. After seven days Every seventh day the courses were changed, and the new-comers were to tarry till the next sabbath day. From time to time with them To be with them, with the chief porters, who always abode in the place of God’s worship.

Verses 26-27

1 Chronicles 9:26-27. These Levites were in their set office These were constantly upon the place, in the execution of their office, that they might oversee the inferior porters in their work. Were over the treasuries In which the sacred utensils, and other treasures belonging to the temple, were kept. They lodged round about the house of God They were not permitted to dwell in the villages as their brethren were, but were obliged to constant residence in the place, because their office required it.

Verses 30-31

1 Chronicles 9:30-31. The sons of the priests made the ointment This is added to show, that though the Levites were intrusted with the keeping of this ointment, yet none but the priests could make it. Over the things made in the pans Was to take care that fine flour might be provided, that when occasion required they might make cakes in pans.

Verse 33

1 Chronicles 9:33. And these Others of the Levites; of whose several offices he had spoken before. Are Or rather, were; which is understood all along in the foregoing and following verses. Remaining in the chambers That they might be ready to come whensoever they were called to the service of God in the tabernacle. Were free From all trouble and employment, that they might wholly attend upon their proper work; which was either composing or ordering sacred songs, or actually singing, or teaching others to sing them. Day and night Continually, and particularly in the morning and evening, the two times appointed for solemn service. Thus was God continually praised, as it is fit he should be, who is continually doing us good.

Verses 34-35

1 Chronicles 9:34-35. These dwelt at Jerusalem Upon their return from Babylon they were not suffered to choose their habitations in the country, as others were, but were obliged to settle themselves at Jerusalem, that they might constantly attend upon God’s service there. Whose wife’s name was Maachah In this and the following verses he repeats Saul’s genealogy, that he might make way for the following history.