Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible

      1 The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.   2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.   3 And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.   4 Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua,   5 And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi,   6 And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth,   7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,   8 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz,   9 And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan,   10 And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:)   11 And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub,   12 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum,   13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,   14 And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,   15 And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.   16 The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.   17 And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei.   18 And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.   19 The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers.   20 Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son,   21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son.   22 The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son,   23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son,   24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.   25 And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.   26 As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,   27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son.   28 And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.   29 The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son,   30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

      The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites to preserve their pedigree clear and to be able to prove it, because all the honours and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. And we read of those who, though perhaps they really were children of the priests, yet, because they could not find the register of their genealogies, nor make out their descent by any authentic record, were, as polluted, put from the priesthood, and forbidden to eat of the holy things, Ezra ii. 62, 63. It is but very little that is here recorded of the genealogies of this sacred tribe. I. The first fathers of it are here named twice, v. 1, 16. Gershom, Kohath, and Merari, are three names which we were very conversant with in the book of Numbers, when the families of the Levites were marshalled and had their work assigned to them. Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam, we have known much more of than their names, and cannot pass them over here without remembering that this was that Moses and Aaron whom God honoured in making them instruments of Israel's deliverance and settlement and figures of him that was to come, Moses as a prophet and Aaron as a priest. And the mention of Nadab and Abihu (though, having no children, there was no occasion to bring them into the genealogy) cannot but remind us of the terrors of that divine justice which they were made monuments of for offering strange fire, that we may always fear before him. 2. The line of Eleazar, the successor of Aaron, is here drawn down to the time of the captivity, v. 4-15. It begins with Eleazar, who came out of the house of bondage in Egypt, and ends with Jehozadak, who went into the house of bondage in Babylon. Thus, for their sins, they were left as they were found, which might also intimate that the Levitical priesthood did not make anything perfect, but this was to be done by the bringing in of a better hope. All these here named were not high priests; for, in the time of the judges, that dignity was, upon some occasion or other, brought into the family of Ithamar, of which Eli was; but in Zadok it returned again to the right line. Of Azariah it is here said (v. 10), He it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built. It is supposed that this was that Azariah who bravely opposed the presumption of king Uzziah when he invaded the priest's office (2 Chron. xxvi. 17, 18), though he ventured his neck by so doing. This was done like a priest, like one that was truly zealous for his God. He that thus boldly maintained and defended the priest's office, and made good its barriers against such a daring insult, might well be said to execute it; and this honour is put upon him for it; while Urijah, one of his successors, for a base compliance with King Ahaz, in building him an idolatrous altar, has the disgrace put upon him of being left out of this genealogy, as perhaps some others are. But some think that this remark upon this Azariah should have been added to his grandfather of the same name (v. 9), who was the son of Ahimaaz, and that he was the priest who first officiated in Solomon's temple. 3. Some other of the families of the Levites are here accounted for. One of the families of Gershom (that of Libni) is here drawn down as far as Samuel, who had the honour of a prophet added to that of a Levite. One of the families of Merari (that of Mahli) is likewise drawn down for several descents, v. 29, 30.

      31 And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.   32 And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.   33 And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,   34 The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,   35 The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,   36 The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,   37 The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,   38 The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.   39 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,   40 The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,   41 The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,   42 The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,   43 The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.   44 And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,   45 The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,   46 The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,   47 The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.   48 Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.   49 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.   50 And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,   51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,   52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,   53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.

      When the Levites were first ordained in the wilderness much of the work then appointed them lay in carrying and taking care of the tabernacle and the utensils of it, while they were in their march through the wilderness. In David's time their number was increased; and, though the greater part of them was dispersed all the nation over, to teach the people the good knowledge of the Lord, yet those that attended the house of God were so numerous that there was not constant work for them all; and therefore David, by special commission and direction from God, new-modelled the Levites, as we shall find in the latter part of this book. Here we are told what the work was which he assigned them.

      I. Singing-work, v. 31. David was raised up on high to be the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam. xxiii. 1), not only to pen psalms, but to appoint the singing of them in the house of the Lord (not so much because he was musical as because he was devout), and this he did after that the ark had rest. While that was in captivity, obscure, and unsettled, the harps were hung upon the willow-trees: singing was then thought unseasonable (when the bridegroom is taken away they shall fast); but the harps being resumed, and the songs revived, at the bringing up of the ark, they were continued afterwards. For we should rejoice as much in the prolonging of our spiritual privileges as in the restoring of them. When the service of the ark was much superseded by its rest they had other work cut out for them (for Levites should never be idle) and were employed in the service of song. Thus when the people of God come to the rest which remains for them above they shall take leave of all their burdens and be employed in everlasting songs. These singers kept up that service in the tabernacle till the temple was built, and then they waited on their office there, v. 32. When they came to that stately magnificent house they kept as close both to their office and to their order as they had done in the tabernacle. It is a pity that the preferment of the Levites should ever make them remiss in their business. We have here an account of the three great masters who were employed in the service of the sacred song, with their respective families; for they waited with their children, that is, such as descended from them or were allied to them, v. 33. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were the three that were appointed to this service, one of each of the three houses of the Levites, that there might be an equality in the distribution of this work and honour, and that every one might know his post, such an admirable order was there in this choir service. 1. Of the house of Kohath was Heman with his family (v. 33), a man of a sorrowful spirit, if it be the same Heman that penned the 88th psalm, and yet a singer. He was the grandson of Samuel the prophet, the son of Joel, of whom it is said that he walked not in the ways of Samuel (1 Sam. viii. 2, 3); but it seems, though the son did not, the grandson did. Thus does the blessing entailed on the seed of the upright sometimes pass over one generation and fasten upon the next. And this Heman, though the grandson of that mighty prince, did not think it below him to be a precentor in the house of God. David himself was willing to be a door-keeper. Rather we may look upon this preferment of the grandson in the church as a recompense for the humble modest resignation which the grandfather made of his authority in the state. Many such ways God has of making up his people's losses and balancing their disgraces. Perhaps David, in making Heman the chief, had some respect to his old friend Samuel. 2. Of the house of Gershom was Asaph, called his brother, because in the same office and of the same tribe, though of another family. He was posted on Heman's right hand in the choir, v. 39. Several of the psalms bear his name, being either penned by him or tuned by him as the chief musician. It is plain that he was the penman of some psalms; for we read of those that praised the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph. He was a seer as well as a singer, 2 Chron. xxix. 30. His pedigree is traced up here, through names utterly unknown, as high as Levi, v. 39-43. 3. Of the house of Merari was Ethan (v. 44), who was appointed to Heman's left hand. His pedigree is also traced up to Levi, v. 47. If these were the Heman and Ethan that penned the 88th and 89th psalms, there appears no reason here why they should be called Ezrahites (see the titles of those psalms), as there does why those should be called so who are mentioned ch. ii. 6, and who were the sons of Zerah.

      II. There was serving-work, abundance of service to be done in the tabernacle of the house of God (v. 48), to provide water and fuel,--to wash and sweep, and carry out ashes,--to kill, and flay, and boil the sacrifices; and to all such services there were Levites appointed, those of other families, or perhaps those that were not fit to be singers, that had either no good voice or no good ear. As every one has received the gift, so let him minister. Those that could not sing must not therefore be laid aside as good for nothing; though they were not fit for that service, there was other service they might be useful in.

      III. There was sacrificing-work, and that was to be done by the priests only, v. 49. They only were to sprinkle the blood and burn the incense; as for the work of the most holy place, that was to be done by the high priest only. Each had his work, and they both needed one another and both helped one another in it. Concerning the work of the priests we are here told, 1. What was the end they were to have in their eye. They were to make an atonement for Israel, to mediate between the people and God; not to magnify and enrich themselves, but to serve the public. They were ordained for men. 2. What was the rule they were to have in their eye. They presided in God's house, yet must do as they were bidden, according to all that God commanded. That law the highest are subject to.

      54 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot.   55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it.   56 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh.   57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,   58 And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs,   59 And Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs:   60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities.   61 And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities.   62 And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.   63 Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.   64 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs.   65 And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names.   66 And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim.   67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs,   68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs,   69 And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs:   70 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath.   71 Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs:   72 And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs,   73 And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs:   74 And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs,   75 And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:   76 And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs.   77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs:   78 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs,   79 Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs:   80 And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs,   81 And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs.

      We have here an account of the Levites' cities. They are here called their castles (v. 54), not only because walled and fortified, and well guarded by the country (for it is the interest of every nation to protect its ministers), but because they and their possessions were, in a particular manner, the care of the divine providence: as God was their portion, so God was their protection; and a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This account is much the same with that which we had, Josh. xxi. We need not be critical in comparing them (what good will it do us?) nor will it do any hurt to the credit of the holy scripture if the names of some of the places be not spelt just the same here as they were there. We know it is common for cities to have several names. Sarum and Salisbury, Salop and Shrewsbury, are more unlike than Hilen (v. 58) and Holon (Josh. xxi. 15), Ashan (v. 59) and Ain (Josh. xxi. 16), Alemeth (v. 60) and Almon (Josh. xxi. 18); and time changes names. We are only to observe that in this appointment of cities for the Levites God took care, 1. For the accomplishment of dying Jacob's prediction concerning this tribe, that it should be scattered in Israel, Gen. xlix. 7. 2. For the diffusing of the knowledge of himself and his law to all parts of the land of Israel. Every tribe had Levites' cities in it; and so every room was furnished with a candle, so that none could be ignorant of his duty but it was either his own fault or the Levites'. 3. For a comfortable maintenance for those that ministered in holy things. Besides their tithes and offerings, they had glebe-lands and cities of their own to dwell in. Some of the most considerable cities of Israel fell to the Levites' lot. Every tribe had benefit by the Levites, and therefore every tribe must contribute to their support. Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth, and do it cheerfully.