1 Chronicles 9

Here are rehearsed the chiefest of the tribe of Juda, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, that being returned from the Babylonish captivity, came to dwell at Jerusalem, vers.1,&c. As also the Priests and Levites, and how they executed their office in the Temple at Jerusalem, Whereunto is lately rehearsed the Family Saul, 35.

1. And all Israel were numbered in Genealogies, and behold, they are written in the book of the Kings of Israel; and those of Juda were carried away to Babel for their transgression.

2. Now the first inhabitants that (came) into their possession, into their cities, [From this verse beginneth the Register of those, that after the Babylnish captivity returned home into their own land] were the Israelites, [to wit, the common people among the Israelites] the Priests, the Levites, and the Nethinims. [Nethinims, that is given up. These were Gibeonites, who had freely and willingly given up themselves to the Israelites, to be their servants and bond men for ever, Jos.9.21. See also Ezra 8:20. Neh.11.3.]

3. But at Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Juda, and of the children of Benjamin: and of the children of Ephraim [i.e. Of the ten tribes, that had severed and divided themselves from Juda: As also many of this tribe had joined themselves to Juda, that they might partake with them in the pure Worship of God. See 2 Chron.34 6 32.] and Manasseh. [they dwelt at Jerusalem, to wit, after that they were returned out of the Babylonish captivity, with King Cyrus his consent.]

4. Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Perez the son of Juda. [Nehem.11.4. These, and many likewise of those that follow are rehearsed; but some with other names then are mentioned in this Chapters.]

5. And of the Silonites [Heb. Of Siloni; that is, of the family of the Silonites] was Asaja the first-bern, and his children.

6. And of the children of Zerah was Jeuel, and their brethren [i.e. Kinsmen: so also below ver.9,25. And elsewhere] were six hundred and ninety.

7. And of the children of Benjamin were, Salla the son of Mesullam, the son of Hodava, the son of Hassenua.

8. And Ibneja the son of Jerobam, and Ela the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri: and Mesullam the son of Sephatja, the son of Reuel the son of Abija.

9. And their brethren according to their Families, nine hundred and six and fifty: all these men were heads of the fathers in the houses of their Fathers.

10. Now of the Priests, Jedarih, and Jachim.

11. And Azarja [Otherwise called Seraja, Nehem. 11.11. where these Priests and Levites are again rehearsed, with alteration of some of their names] the son of Hilkija, [see of this man 2 Kings 22:8. It’s he that found the book of the Law] the son of Mesullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the Ruler [he was the first among the priests after the high Priest] of the house of God. [i.e. in the temple, as v.13.]

12. And Adaja the son of Jeroam, the son [i.e. kinsman, or cousin, as appeareth Neh.10.11.] of Pashur, the son of Malchija: And Masai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzera, the son of Mesullam, the son of Mesillenith, the son of Immer.

13. Besides, their brethren, heads in the houses of their Fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore: Valiant champions for the work of the service of the house of God.

14. Now of the Levites were, Semaja the son of Hasub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hasabija, of the children of Merari.

15. And Bakhakkar, Heres, and Galal, and Mattanija, the son of Micha, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph.

16. And Obadja the son of Senaja, the son of Galal, the son of Asa, the son of Elkana, dwelling in the villages of the Netophathites. [These villages lay in the tribe of Juda, as appeareth by 1 Chron.2.54.]

17. Now the porters, [It was their office daily to open and shut the temple, and to look that no man did enter into the Temple, of those that by order of the law were barred from it] were Sallum, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren, [i.e. kinsmen] Sallum was the head.

18. Also hitherto at the Kings gate [This was gate of the temple, thorough which the King entered into the Temple, 2 Kings 16.v.18.] East-ward, these [To wit, that are named, v.17.] were the porters among the camps of the children of Levi: [i.e. they were the chiefest that kept their turn among the Levitical porters. See below v.22. etc.]

19. And Sallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren [i.e. kinsmen] of the house of his Father, the Korahites, were over the wood of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tabernacles: As their Fathers [to wit, the Kahathites, Num.4.4.] in the camp of the LORD [that is, in the wilderness, where God carried the Levites as an host, and camped them even round about the Ark] had been keepers of the entry, [to wit, into the holy and most holy place in the tent of the Lord.]

20. As Pinehas the son of Eleazar was in time past leader with them, with whom the LORD was. [See Num.25.11. etc.]

21. Zacharja the son of Meselemja was porter at the tent of the Congregation. [Understand this thus, that this Zacharja was chief of the waiters or keepers, for there were many waiters or keepers, v.19.22.]

22. All that were chosen (to be) porters at the thresholds, were two hundred and twelve: These were put into the genealogy according to their villages: David, and Samuel, and Seer [i.e. Prophet. See the annotate. On 1 Sam.9.9.] had confirmed them in their office. [Heb. properly, in their truth, faithfulness, so likewise v.26. That is, in the office that they were entrusted with: And it is so called, because in the execution of such an office, faithfulness and truth is required, 1 Col.4.2. of Davids ordaining and settling them in their office. See bel.cha.26.23,36. When Samuel did this the scripture no where mentioneth. Some are of opinion that it was done when the Ark was brought out of the land of the Philistines, 1 Sam.7.]

23. They then and their sons were at the gates of the house of the LORD, in the house of the Tent, [Some do here distinguish the house of the LORD from the house of the tent: so that by the house of the LORD should be understood the tent, which David had pitched by his house, where the Ark of the covenant stood: And by the house of the Tent they understand the tabernacle at Gibeon, 2 Chron.1.3,5. And 1 Kings 3:2. etc.] by the wards. [to wit, every one in his course, relieving one another every seven days. See verse 25.]

24. These porters were at the four winds, [i.e. at the four corners of the world] toward the East, toward the west, [Hebr. toward the sea, which lyeth west-ward of the land Canaan] toward the North, and toward the South.

25. And their brethren [i.e. kindred, kinsmen] were in their villages, coming in moon the seventh day from time to time [i.e. into Jerusalem to wait upon the worship of God in the Temple, when one went off, another came on, always from seven days to seven days] (to serve) with them. [to wit, with the chief men or Rulers, of whom is spoken above vers.1. and 21. These chief men or Rulers dwelt always at Jerusalem in the Temple.]

26. For in that office [See v.22.] were four chief porters that were Levites: And they were over the chambers, and over the treasures of the house of God. [see the order and division that was made concerning this, 1 Chron.26.1.]

27. And they continued all night round about the house of God; [this is, they had their nights rest in the chambers that were round about the temple. See 1 Kings 6:5.] for the guard was upon them, and they were over the opening, [To wit, of the Temple] and that every morning, [Heb. and unto morning unto morning; that is, every morning.]

28. And (some) of them were over the vessels of the service, [To wit, of the holy service] for by tale they carried them in, and by tale they brought them out.

29. For there were (some) of them appointed over the vessels, and over all the holy vessels: and over the mealflower, and wine, and oil, and frankincense, and spices.

30. And (some) of the sons of the Priests were the preparers of the incense of the spices. [That is, those that prepared the incense were the children of the Priests, not of the common or ordinary Levites. How these spices for the incense were ordered, and what ingredients were required to make up the incense. See Exod.30.34.]

31. And Matthathja (one) of the Levites, who was the first-born of Sallum [See above v.17. and 19.] the Koraite, was in the office over the work that is boiled in pans. [Heb. the work of pans. See Lev.2.5. and 24.v.5.]

32. And (some) of the children of the Kahathites of their brethren were over the bread-(loaves) of preparation, [Hebr. over the bread of order, or ordination: meaning the shew-bread-(loaves) which were twelve in number, Exod.35.v.13. so that here the singular number is put for the plural] to prepared them on all Sabbaths. [Heb. on Sabbaths on Sabbaths. See Exod.25.30. Lev.24.5. etc.]

33. (Of) these [To wit, Levites] are the singers, heads of the fathers [that is, of the Fatherly houses] among the Levites in the chambers [understand here the chambers of the Priests, which were by the temple] free from service: [to wit, from other services] for it was (or lay) upon them day and night, to be (employed) in that work. [as if he should say, forasmuch as they were always to be busy with singing, or making, or ordering of songs, according to the order made by David, 1 Chron.25.1. therefore they were also exempted from other services and employments.]

34. These are the heads of the Fathers among the Levites, heads in their families: These dwelt at Jerusalem.

35. But at Gibeon there had dwelt Jeiel the Father of Gibeon: [To wit, in Sauls time. And thus the writer of this book commeth here again to the relation of the pedigree and family of Saul and his posterity, of whom he began to speak above chap.8.29.] (now his sisters [above chap.8.29. it’s said, his wifes: which may be taken in such a sense, as Abraham said, that Sara was his sister, Genes.20.2,5,12.] name was Maacha.)

36. And Abidon was his first-born son, then Zur, and Kis, and Baal, and Ner, [not the Father of Abner, but another Ner, for this man was not Kis his Father, but his brother, 1 Sam.14.52.] and Nadab.

37. And Gedor, and Ahjo, and Zacharja, and Mikloth.

38. Now Mikloth begath Simeon. These also dwelt at Jerusalem, over against their brethren, with their brethren. [See above chap.8.32.33,34.]

39. And Ner begat kis, and Kis begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-Sua, and Aminadab, and Eshaal.

40. And Jonathans son was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begat Micha.

41. Now the children of Micha were Pihon, and Melch, and Taerea. [Understand withal, and Achaz, out of the following verse. See chapter 8.35.]

42. And Achaz [This Achaz was also a son of Micha] begat Jaera, and Jaera Begat Aleneth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri begat Moza.

43. And Moza begat Bina; whose son was Rephaja, whoso son was Elasa, whose son was Azel.

44. Now Azel had six sons, and these are their names, Azrikam, Bochru, and Ismael, and Searja, and Obadja, and Hanan: These are Azel sons.