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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Nehemiah, Chapter XI].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>N E H E M I A H</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Jerusalem was walled round, but it was not as yet fully inhabited, and
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therefore was weak and despicable. Nehemiah's next care is to bring
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people into it; of that we have here an account.
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I. The methods taken to replenish it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. The principal persons that resided there, of Judah and Benjamin
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:3-9">ver. 3-9</A>),
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of the priests and Levites,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:10-19">ver. 10-19</A>.
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III. The several cities and villages of Judah and Benjamin that were
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peopled by the rest of their families,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:20-36">ver. 20-36</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Ne11_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Re-peopling of Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 444.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of
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the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in
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Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts <I>to dwell</I> in <I>other</I>
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cities.
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2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered
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themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
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3 Now these <I>are</I> the chief of the province that dwelt in
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Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his
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possession in their cities, <I>to wit,</I> Israel, the priests, and
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the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's
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servants.
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4 And at Jerusalem dwelt <I>certain</I> of the children of Judah,
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and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah;
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Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of
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Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the
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children of Perez;
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5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son
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of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of
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Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
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6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem <I>were</I> four
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hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
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7 And these <I>are</I> the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of
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Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of
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Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of
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Jesaiah.
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8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
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9 And Joel the son of Zichri <I>was</I> their overseer: and Judah
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the son of Senuah <I>was</I> second over the city.
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10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
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11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of
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Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, <I>was</I> the ruler of
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the house of God.
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12 And their brethren that did the work of the house <I>were</I>
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eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the
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son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son
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of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
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13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty
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and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the
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son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
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14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, a hundred twenty
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and eight: and their overseer <I>was</I> Zabdiel, the son of <I>one of</I>
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the great men.
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15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of
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Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
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16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites,
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<I>had</I> the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
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17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of
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Asaph, <I>was</I> the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer:
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and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of
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Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
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18 All the Levites in the holy city <I>were</I> two hundred
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fourscore and four.
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19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that
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kept the gates, <I>were</I> a hundred seventy and two.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Jerusalem is called here <I>the holy city</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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because there the temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to
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put his name there; upon this account, one would think, the holy seed
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should all have chosen to dwell there and have striven for a habitation
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there; but, on the contrary, it seems they declined dwelling there,
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1. Because a greater strictness of conversation was expected from the
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inhabitants of Jerusalem than from others, which they were not willing
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to come up to. Those who care not for being holy themselves are shy of
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dwelling in a holy city; they would not dwell in the <I>New
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Jerusalem</I> itself for that reason, but would wish to have a
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continuing city here upon earth. Or,
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2. Because Jerusalem, of all places, was most hated by the heathen
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their neighbours, and against it their malicious designs were levelled,
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which made that the post of danger (as the post of honour usually is)
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and therefore they were not willing to expose themselves there. Fear of
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persecution and reproach, and of running themselves into trouble, keeps
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many out of the holy city, and makes them backward to appear for God
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and religion, not considering that, as Jerusalem is with a special
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malice threatened and insulted by its enemies, so it is with a special
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care protected by its God and made a <I>quiet habitation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+33:20,Ps+46:4,5">Isa. xxxiii. 20; Ps. xlvi. 4, 5</A>.
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Or,
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3. Because it was more for their worldly advantage to dwell in the
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country. Jerusalem was no trading city, and therefore there was no
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money to be got there by merchandise, as there was in the country by
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corn and cattle. Note, <I>All seek their own, not the things that are
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Jesus Christ's,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:21">Phil. ii. 21</A>.
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It is a general and just complaint that most people prefer their own
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wealth, credit, pleasure, ease, and safety, before the glory of God and
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the public good. People being thus backward to dwell at Jerusalem, now
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that it was poor, we are here told,</P>
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<P>
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I. By what means it was replenished.
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1. The rulers dwelt there,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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That was the proper place for them to reside in, because <I>there were
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set the thrones of judgment</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+122:5">Ps. cxxii. 5</A>),
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and thither, in all difficult matters, the people resorted with their
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last appeals. And if it were an instance of eminent affection to the
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house of God, zeal for the public good, and of faith, and holy courage,
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and self-denial, to dwell there at this time, the rulers would be
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examples of these to their inferiors. Their dwelling there would invite
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and encourage others to dwell there too. <I>Magnates magnetes--the
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mighty are magnetic.</I> When great men choose the holy city for their
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habitation their example brings holiness into reputation, and their
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zeal will provoke very many.
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2. There were some that willingly offered themselves to dwell at
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Jerusalem, nobly foregoing their own secular interest for the public
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welfare,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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It is upon record, to their honour, that when others were shy of
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venturing upon difficulty, loss, and danger, they <I>sought the good of
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Jerusalem, because of the house of the Lord their God. Those shall
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prosper that thus love Zion,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+122:6,9">Ps. cxxii. 6, 9</A>.
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It is said, <I>The people blessed them.</I> They praised them; they
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prayed for them; they praised God for them. Many that do not appear
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forward themselves for the public good will yet give a good word to
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those that do. God and man will bless those that are public blessings,
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which should encourage us to be zealous in doing good.
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3. They, finding that <I>yet there was room,</I> concluded upon a
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review of their whole body to bring one in ten to dwell in Jerusalem;
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who they should be was determined by lot, the disposal whereof, all
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knew, was of the Lord. This would prevent strife, and would be a great
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satisfaction to those on whom the lot fell to dwell at Jerusalem, that
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they plainly saw God appointing the bounds of their habitation. They
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observed the proportion of one in ten, as we may suppose, to bring the
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balance between the city and country to a just and equal poise; so it
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seems to refer to the ancient rule of giving the tenth to God; and what
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is given to the holy city he reckons given to himself.</P>
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<P>
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II. By what persons it was replenished. A general account is here given
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of the inhabitants of Jerusalem because the <I>governors of Judah</I>
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looked upon them as <I>their strength in the Lord of hosts their
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God,</I> and valued them accordingly,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+12:5">Zech. xii. 5</A>.
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1. Many of the children of Judah and Benjamin dwelt there; for,
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originally, part of the city law in the lot of one of those tribes and
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part in that of the other; but the greater part was in the lot of
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Benjamin, and therefore here we find of the children of Judah only 468
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families in Jerusalem
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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but of Benjamin 928,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
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Thus small were its beginnings, but afterwards, before our Saviour's
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time, it grew much more populous. Those of Judah all descended from
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Perez, or Pharez, that son of Judah of whom, as concerning the flesh,
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Christ came. And, though the Benjamites were more in number, yet of the
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men of Judah it is said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
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that they were valiant men, fit for service, and able to defend the
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city in case of an attack. Judah has not lost its ancient character of
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a lion's whelp, bold and daring. Of the Benjamites that dwelt in
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Jerusalem we are here told who was <I>overseer,</I> and who was second,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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For it is as necessary for a people to have good order kept up among
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themselves as to be fortified against the attacks of their enemies from
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abroad, to have good magistrates as to have good soldiers.
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2. The priests and Levites did many of them settle at Jerusalem; where
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else should men that were holy to God dwell, but in the holy city?
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(1.) Most of the priests, we may suppose, dwelt there, for their
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business lay where the temple was. Of those that did the work of the
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house in their courses here were 822 of one family, 242 of another, and
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128 of another,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:12-14"><I>v.</I> 12-14</A>.
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It was well that those labourers were not few. It is said of some of
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them that they were <I>mighty men of valour</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>);
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it was necessary that they should be so, for the priesthood was not
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only a work, which required might, but a warfare, which required
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valour, especially now. Of one of these priests it is said that he was
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<I>the son of one of the great men.</I> It was no disparagement to the
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greatest man they had to have his son in the priesthood; he might
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magnify his office, for his office did not in the least diminish him.
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(2.) Some of the Levites also came and dwelt at Jerusalem, yet but few
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in comparison, 284 in all
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
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with 172 porters
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
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for much of their work was to <I>teach the good knowledge of God</I> up
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and down the country, for which purpose they were to be scattered in
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Israel. As many as there was occasion for attended at Jerusalem; the
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rest were doing good elsewhere.
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[1.] It is said of one of the Levites that he had <I>the oversight of
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the outward business of the house of God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
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The priests were chief managers of the business within the temple
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gates; but this Levite was entrusted with the secular concerns of God's
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house, that were <I>in ordine ad spiritualia--subservient to its
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spiritual concerns,</I> the collecting of the contributions, the
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providing of materials for the temple service, and the like, which it
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was necessary to oversee, else the inward business would have been
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starved and have stood still. Those who take care of the <B><I>ta
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exo</I></B>--<I>the outward concerns</I> of the church, the serving of
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its tables, are as necessary in their place as those who take care of
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its <B><I>ta eso</I></B>--<I>its inward concerns,</I> who give
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themselves to the word and prayer.
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[2.] It is said of another that he was <I>the principal to begin the
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thanksgiving in prayer.</I> Probably he had a good ear and a good
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voice, and was a scientific singer, and therefore was chosen to lead
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the psalm. He was precentor in the temple. Observe, Thanksgiving is
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necessary in prayer; they should go together; giving thanks for former
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mercies is a becoming way of begging further mercies. And care should
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be taken in public service that every thing be done in the best manner,
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<I>decently and in good order--</I> in prayer, that one speak and the
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rest join--in singing, that one begin and the rest follow.</P>
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<A NAME="Ne11_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_32"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_33"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_34"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_35"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne11_36"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Distribution of the People.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 444.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, <I>and</I> the
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Levites, <I>were</I> in all the cities of Judah, every one in his
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inheritance.
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21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa <I>were</I>
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over the Nethinims.
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22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem <I>was</I> Uzzi the
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son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son
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of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers <I>were</I> over the
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business of the house of God.
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23 For <I>it was</I> the king's commandment concerning them, that a
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certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
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24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of
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Zerah the son of Judah, <I>was</I> at the king's hand in all matters
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concerning the people.
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25 And for the villages, with their fields, <I>some</I> of the
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children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and <I>in</I> the villages
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thereof, and at Dibon, and <I>in</I> the villages thereof, and at
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Jekabzeel, and <I>in</I> the villages thereof,
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26 And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,
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27 And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and <I>in</I> the villages
|
|
thereof,
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|
28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
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|
29 And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
|
|
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and <I>in</I> their villages, at Lachish, and
|
|
the fields thereof, at Azekah, and <I>in</I> the villages thereof. And
|
|
they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
|
|
31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba <I>dwelt</I> at Michmash,
|
|
and Aija, and Bethel, and <I>in</I> their villages,
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|
32 <I>And</I> at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
|
|
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
|
|
34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
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|
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
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36 And of the Levites <I>were</I> divisions <I>in</I> Judah, <I>and</I> in
|
|
Benjamin.
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</FONT></P>
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|
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<P>
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|
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Having given an account of the principal persons that dwelt in
|
|
Jerusalem (a larger account of whom he had before,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+9:2-34">1 Chron. ix. 2</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.),
|
|
Nehemiah, in these verses, gives us some account of the other cities,
|
|
in which dwelt <I>the residue of Israel,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
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|
It was requisite that Jerusalem should be replenished, yet not so as to
|
|
drain the country. <I>The king himself is served of the field,</I>
|
|
which will do little service if there be not hands to manage it. Let
|
|
there therefore be no strife, no envy, no contempt, no ill will,
|
|
between the inhabitants of the cities and those of the villages; both
|
|
are needful, both useful, and neither can be spared.
|
|
|
|
1. The Nethinims, the posterity of the Gibeonites, dwelt in Ophel,
|
|
which was upon the wall of Jerusalem
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+3:26"><I>ch.</I> iii. 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
because they were to do the servile work of the temple, which therefore
|
|
they must be posted near to, that they might be ready to attend,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. Though the Levites were dispersed through the cities of Judah, yet
|
|
they had an overseer who resided in Jerusalem, superior of their order
|
|
and their provincial, to whom they applied for direction, who took care
|
|
of their affairs and took cognizance of their conduct, whether they did
|
|
their duty,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. Some of the singers were appointed to look after the necessary
|
|
repairs of the temple, being ingenious men, and having leisure between
|
|
their hours of service; they were <I>over the business of the house of
|
|
God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, it seems, the king of Persia had such a kindness for their office
|
|
that he allotted a particular maintenance for them, besides what
|
|
belonged to them as Levites,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
4. Here is one that was the king's commissioner at Jerusalem. He was of
|
|
the posterity of Zerah
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>);
|
|
|
|
for of <I>that</I> family of Judah there were some new settled in
|
|
Jerusalem, and not all of Pharez, as appears by that other catalogue,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+9:6">1 Chron. ix. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
He is said to be <I>at the king's hand,</I> or <I>on the king's
|
|
part,</I> in <I>all matters concerning the people,</I> to determine
|
|
controversies that arose between the king's officers and his subjects,
|
|
to see that what was due to the king from the people was duly paid in
|
|
and what was allowed by the king for the temple service was duly paid
|
|
out, and happy it was for the Jews that one of themselves was in this
|
|
post.
|
|
|
|
5. Here is an account of the villages, or country towns, which were
|
|
inhabited by the residue of Israel--the towns in which the children of
|
|
Judah dwelt
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:25-30"><I>v.</I> 25-30</A>),
|
|
|
|
those that were inhabited by the children of Benjamin
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:31-35"><I>v.</I> 31-35</A>),
|
|
|
|
and divisions for the Levites among both,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
We will now suppose them safe and easy, though few and poor, but by the
|
|
blessing of God they were likely to increase in wealth and power, and
|
|
they would have been more likely if there had not been that general
|
|
profaneness among them, and lukewarmness in religion, with which they
|
|
were charged in God's name by the prophet Malachi, who, it is supposed,
|
|
prophesied about this time, and in whom prophecy ceased for some ages,
|
|
till it revived in the great prophet and his forerunner.</P>
|
|
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