1 Chronicles 9

1 Chronicles 9:1-23

On their return from the captivity we have an account who dwelt at Jerusalem, 1. The Israelites, ver. 2—9. 2. The priests, ver. 10—13. 3. The Levites, and other Nethinims, ver. 14—26. 4. After is the particular charge of some of the priests and Levites, ver. 27—34. 5. A repetition of the genealogy of king Saul, ver. 35—44.

1. So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies, and behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their trangleffson. 2. ¶ Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. 3. And in ‘Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Maalish: 4. Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Phares the son of Judah. 5. And of the Shiloniers; Afaiah the firth-born, and his sons. 6. And of the sons of Zera; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety. 7. And of the sons of Benjamin: Salim the son of Mefhullam, the son of Hodavah, the son of Hafe-nuah, 8. And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah

the son of Urai, the son of Michri, and Mefhullam the son of Shephariah, the son of Keuel, the son of Ibnjah, 9. And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers. 10. ¶ And of the priests, Jedaiah, and Jehoarah, and Jachin, 11. And ‘Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Mefhullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitob, the ruler of the house of God. 12. And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Paffum, the son of Mal-chijah, and Maafai the son of Adiel, the son of Jah-zerah, the son of Mefhullam, the son of Mefhillemith, the son of Hamor, 13. And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threefcore; every able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

Israel never more returned from Afiya: there all their genealogies perished, so that the writer could carry them no farther: but Judah (as is should be rendered) being returned again, their families were preserved, and the places where their ancestors resided, particularly those who were fixed at Jerusalem. It is remarked, they were carried away for their trangleffson, a warning to them now when they are returned, to beware of their fathers son. Many of Ephraim and Maalish, either at the captivity of Israel, or when Judah was in Babylon, joined them, and returned with them in Jerusalem. It is a mercy of afflictions drive us together, and, forgetting former variance, we unite in the work and service of God, Ephraim no more vexing Judah, or Judah Ephraim. The priests appear to have the greatest zeal for returning to Jerusalem: more of them came, than of Judah and Benjamin put together, v. 13. and what was their peculiar commendation, they were as able as willing for the service of God. It is an unmistakable mercy, when abludes and zeal unite in a mindless of the Sanctuary: under such rulers in the house of God, the cause may be expected to prosper.

14. And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Ha-firoh, the son of Azrakam, the son of Hafe-nah, of the sons of Merari, 15. And Bakbakhar, Herefis, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asipah, 16. And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Afa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. 17. And the posters were Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahi-man, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief. 18. (Who hitherto waited in the king’s gate eastward) They were porters in the companies of the children of Levi. 19. And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiafaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren: (of the house of his father) the Korahites were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers being over the hoft of the LORD, were keepers of the enemy. 20. And ‘Phineas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him. 21. And Zechariah the son of Mefhelemi, was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 22. All these which were chosen to be porters of the gates, were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages: whom David and Samuel the son did ordain in their set office. 23. So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely the house of the tabernacle, by wards. 24. In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south. 25. And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them. 26. For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasures of the house of God. 27. ¶ And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. 28. And certain of them had the charge of the minithing vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. 29. Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the Sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankin-cense, and the spices. 30. And some of the sons of the priests made the abutment of the spices. 31. And Mattathiah, one of the Levites (who met the firth-born of Shallum the Korahite) had the set office over the things

that

that were made in the pans. 32. And after of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were over the shew-bread to prepare it every sabbath. 33. And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers, were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. 34. These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 9:14-34

The Levites imitated their brethren the priests in their zeal for the work of the Lord. Long had they been deftirate of temple, altar, and sacrifice; immediately therefore on their return, till a temple can be built, a tabernacle is reared, v. 19. and the service commences. According to their deftiration in the days of David, which he had planned with Samuel the prophet, they were divided into couries, two hundred and twelve by turns succeeding to keep the charge of the tabernacle. These who were in waiting, had their lodging round about the house of God, that they might be at hand for their work. Every one had his several duty, v. 28—32. and some, discharged from all other employments, were constantly, or at stated hours by turns, engaged day and night in singing God’s praises. Note. (1.) Order in the house of God conducts greatly to the predilection of the service. (2.) They who began with God, may hope to prosper in their undertakings. (3.) Residence, labour and seal, are indispensably required from every ministry of God.

35. ¶ And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife’s name was Maachah: 36. And his first-born son Abdon, then Zur, and Kifh, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, 37. And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth, 38. And Mikloth begat Shimeam: and they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren. 39. And Ner begat Kifh, and Kifh begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchifhua, and Abinadab, and Elh-baal. 40. And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal: and Merib-baal begat Micah. 41. And the sons of Micah were Pithon, and Melech, Tahrea, and Abaz. 42. And Ahaz begat Jarah, and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azma-veh, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, 43. And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleafah his son, Axel his son. 44. And Axel had six sons, whose names are thele, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.

1 Chronicles 9:35-44

These verses are a repetition of chap. viii. 29—38. to introduce the history of Saul in the following chapter.