mh_parser/vol_split/13 - 1Chronicles/Chapter 23.xml

<div2 id="iCh.xxiv" n="xxiv" next="iCh.xxv" prev="iCh.xxiii" progress="77.81%" title="Chapter XXIII">
<h2 id="iCh.xxiv-p0.1">F I R S T   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iCh.xxiv-p0.2">CHAP. XXIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCh.xxiv-p1">David, having given charge concerning the building
of the temple, in this and the following chapters settles the
method of the temple-service and puts into order the offices and
officers of it. In the late irregular times, and during the wars in
the beginning of his reign, we may suppose that, though the
Levitical ordinances were kept up, yet it was not in the order, nor
with the beauty and exactness, that were desirable. Now David,
being a prophet, as well as a prince, by divine warrant and
direction, "set in order the things that were wanting." In this
chapter we are informed, I. He declared Solomon to be his
successor, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.1" parsed="|1Chr|23|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. II. He
numbered the Levites, and appointed them to their respective
offices, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.2-1Chr.23.5" parsed="|1Chr|23|2|23|5" passage="1Ch 23:2-5">ver. 2-5</scripRef>. III.
He took an account of the several families of the Levites,
<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.6-1Chr.23.23" parsed="|1Chr|23|6|23|23" passage="1Ch 23:6-23">ver. 6-23</scripRef>. IV. He made a
new reckoning of them from twenty years old, and appointed them
their work, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.24-1Chr.23.32" parsed="|1Chr|23|24|23|32" passage="1Ch 23:24-32">ver. 24-32</scripRef>.
And in this he prepared for the temple as truly as when he laid up
gold and silver for it; for the place is of small account in
comparison with the work.</p>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxiv-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23" parsed="|1Chr|23|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 23" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxiv-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.1-1Chr.23.23" parsed="|1Chr|23|1|23|23" passage="1Ch 23:1-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.23.1-1Chr.23.23">
<h4 id="iCh.xxiv-p1.7">The Numbering of the
Levites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxiv-p2">1 So when David was old and full of days, he
made Solomon his son king over Israel.   2 And he gathered
together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the
Levites.   3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age of
thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by
man, was thirty and eight thousand.   4 Of which, twenty and
four thousand <i>were</i> to set forward the work of the house of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p2.1">Lord</span>; and six thousand
<i>were</i> officers and judges:   5 Moreover four thousand
<i>were</i> porters; and four thousand praised the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p2.2">Lord</span> with the instruments which I made, <i>said
David,</i> to praise <i>therewith.</i>   6 And David divided
them into courses among the sons of Levi, <i>namely,</i> Gershon,
Kohath, and Merari.   7 Of the Gershonites <i>were,</i>
Laadan, and Shimei.   8 The sons of Laadan; the chief
<i>was</i> Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three.   9 The sons
of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These
<i>were</i> the chief of the fathers of Laadan.   10 And the
sons of Shimei <i>were,</i> Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah.
These four <i>were</i> the sons of Shimei.   11 And Jahath was
the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many
sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to
<i>their</i> father's house.   12 The sons of Kohath; Amram,
Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.   13 The sons of Amram; Aaron
and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the
most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p2.3">Lord</span>, to minister unto him, and
to bless in his name for ever.   14 Now <i>concerning</i>
Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi.
  15 The sons of Moses <i>were,</i> Gershom, and Eliezer.
  16 Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel <i>was</i> the chief.
  17 And the sons of Eliezer <i>were,</i> Rehabiah the chief.
And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very
many.   18 Of the sons of Izhar; Shelomith the chief.  
19 Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second,
Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.   20 Of the sons
of Uzziel; Michah the first, and Jesiah the second.   21 The
sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and
Kish.   22 And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters:
and their brethren the sons of Kish took them.   23 The sons
of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiv-p3">Here we have, I. The crown entailed,
according to the divine appointment, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.1" parsed="|1Chr|23|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. David made Solomon king, not to
reign with him, or reign under him, but only to reign after him.
This he did, 1. When he was old and full of days. He was but
seventy years old when he died, and yet he was full of days,
<i>satur dierum—satisfied with living</i> in this world. When he
found himself going off, he made provision for the welfare of the
kingdom after his decease, and pleased himself with the hopeful
prospect of a happy settlement both in church and state. 2. He did
it in parliament, in a solemn assembly of all the princes of
Israel, which made Adonijah's attempt to break in upon Solomon's
title and set it aside, notwithstanding this public recognition and
establishment of it, the more impudent, impious, and ridiculous.
Note, The settling or securing of the crown in the interests of the
temple is a great blessing to the people and a great satisfaction
to those who are themselves leaving the world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiv-p4">II. The Levites numbered, according to the
rule in Moses's time, from thirty years old to fifty, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.2-Num.4.3" parsed="|Num|4|2|4|3" passage="Nu 4:2,3">Num. iv. 2, 3</scripRef>. Their number in
Moses's time. by this rule, was 8580 (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.4.47-Num.4.48" parsed="|Num|4|47|4|48" passage="Nu 4:47,48">Num. iv. 47, 48</scripRef>), but now it had increased
above four-fold, much more in proportion than the rest of the
tribes; for the serviceable men of Levi's tribe were now 38,000,
unless we suppose that here those were reckoned who were above
fifty, which was not the case there. Joab had not numbered the
Levites (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.21.6" parsed="|1Chr|21|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 21:6"><i>ch.</i> xxi.
6</scripRef>), but David now did, not in pride, but for a good
purpose, and then he needed not fear wrath for it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiv-p5">III. The Levites distributed to their
respective posts (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.4-1Chr.23.5" parsed="|1Chr|23|4|23|5" passage="1Ch 23:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4,
5</scripRef>), that every hand might be employed (for, of all men,
an idle Levite makes the worst figure), and that every part of the
work might be carefully done. Now it was for the honour of God that
so great a number of servants attended his house and the business
of it. Much of the state of great men consists in the greatness of
their retinue. When God kept house in Israel see what a great
household he had, and all well fed and well taught. But what were
these to the attendants of his throne above, and the innumerable
company of angels? It was the happiness of Israel that they had
among them such a considerable body of men who were obliged by
their office to promote and keep up religion among them. If the
worship of God go to decay in Israel, let it not be said that it
was for want of due provision for the support of it, but that those
who should have done it were careless and false. The work assigned
the Levites was four-fold:—1. Some, and indeed far the greater
number, were to set forward the work of the house of the Lord:
24,000, almost two-thirds, were appointed for this service, to
attend the priests in killing the sacrifices, flaying them, washing
them, cutting them up, burning them, to have the meat-offerings and
drink-offerings ready, to carry out dirt, and keep all the vessels
and utensils of the temple clean, and every thing in its place,
that the service might be performed both with expedition and with
exactness. These served 1000 a-week, and so went round in
twenty-four courses. Perhaps while the temple was in building some
of these were employed to set forward that work, to assist the
builders, at least to quicken them, and keep good order among them,
and the decorum which became temple-work. 2. Others were officers
and judges, not in the affairs of the temple, and in the
controversies that arose there (for there, we may suppose, the
priests presided), but in the country. They were magistrates, to
give the laws of God in charge, to resolves difficulties, and to
determine controversies that arose upon them. Of these there were
6000, in the several parts of the kingdom, that assisted the
princes and elders of every tribe in the administration of justice.
3. Others were porters, to guard all the avenues of the house of
God, to examine those that desired entrance, and to resist those
that would force an entrance. These were the life-guards of the
temple, and probably were armed accordingly. 4. Others were singers
and players on instruments, whose business it was to keep up that
part of the service; this was a new-erected office.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiv-p6">IV. The Levites mustered, and disposed of
into their respective families and kindreds, that an account of
them might the better be kept, and those that neglected their duty
might be the more easily discovered, by calling over the roll, and
obliging them to answer to their names, which each family might do
for itself. When those of the same family were employed together it
would engage them to love and assist one another. When Christ sent
forth his disciples two and two he put together those that were
brethren. Two families were here joined in one (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.11" parsed="|1Chr|23|11|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>) because they had not many
sons. Those that are weak and little, separately, may be put
together and appear considerable. That which is most observable in
this account of the families of the Levites is that the posterity
of Moses (that great man) stood upon the level with common Levites,
and had no dignities or privileges at all peculiar to them; whilst
the posterity of Aaron were advanced to the priest's office, to
<i>sanctify the most holy things,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.13" parsed="|1Chr|23|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. It is said indeed of the
grandson of Moses, Rehabiah, that <i>his sons were highly
multiplied,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.17" parsed="|1Chr|23|17|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>, <i>margin.</i> When God proposed to him that, if he
would let fall his intercession for Israel, he would make of him a
great nation, he generously refused it, in recompence for which his
family is here greatly increased, and makes up in number what it
wants in figure, in the tribe of Levi. Now, 1. The levelling of
Moses' family with the rest is an evidence of his self-denial. Such
an interest had he both with God and man that if he had aimed to
raise his own family, to dignify and enrich that, he might easily
have done so; but he was no self-seeking man, as appears from his
leaving to his children no marks of distinction, which was a sign
that he had the spirit of God and not the spirit of the world. 2.
The elevation of Aaron's family above the rest was a recompence for
his self-denial. When Moses (his younger brother) was made a god to
Pharaoh, and he only his prophet or spokesman, to observe his
orders and do as he was bidden, Aaron never disputed it, nor
insisted upon his seniority, but readily took the inferior post God
put him in, submitted to Moses, and, upon occasion, called him
<i>his lord;</i> and because he thus submitted himself, in his own
person, to his junior, in compliance with the will of God, God
highly exalted his family, even above that of Moses himself. Those
that are content to stoop are in the fairest way to rise. Before
honour is humility.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xxiv-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.24-1Chr.23.32" parsed="|1Chr|23|24|23|32" passage="1Ch 23:24-32" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.23.24-1Chr.23.32">
<h4 id="iCh.xxiv-p6.5">The Office of the Levites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p6.6">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxiv-p7">24 These <i>were</i> the sons of Levi after the
house of their fathers; <i>even</i> the chief of the fathers, as
they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the
work for the service of the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p7.1">Lord</span>, from the age of twenty years and upward.
  25 For David said, The <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p7.2">Lord</span>
God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell
in Jerusalem for ever:   26 And also unto the Levites; they
shall no <i>more</i> carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it
for the service thereof.   27 For by the last words of David
the Levites <i>were</i> numbered from twenty years old and above:
  28 Because their office <i>was</i> to wait on the sons of
Aaron for the service of the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p7.3">Lord</span>, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in
the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of
the house of God;   29 Both for the showbread, and for the
fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for
<i>that which is baked in</i> the pan, and for that which is fried,
and for all manner of measure and size;   30 And to stand
every morning to thank and praise the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p7.4">Lord</span>, and likewise at even;   31 And to
offer all burnt sacrifices unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p7.5">Lord</span> in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on
the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto
them, continually before the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p7.6">Lord</span>:
  32 And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of
the congregation, and the charge of the holy <i>place,</i> and the
charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the
house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxiv-p7.7">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiv-p8">Here is, I. An alteration made in the
computation of the effective men of the Levites—that whereas, in
Moses's time, they were not enlisted, or taken into service, till
they were thirty-years old, nor admitted as probationers till
twenty-five (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.8.24" parsed="|Num|8|24|0|0" passage="Nu 8:24">Num. viii. 24</scripRef>),
David ordered, by direction from God, that they should be numbered
<i>for the service of the house of the Lord,</i> from the age of
twenty years and upwards, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.24" parsed="|1Chr|23|24|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>. This order he confirmed by his last words, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.27" parsed="|1Chr|23|27|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. When he put his last
hand to the draught of this establishment he expressly appointed
this to be done for ever after; yet not he; but the Lord. 1.
Perhaps the young Levites, having no work appointed them till
twenty-five years old, had many of them got a habit of idleness, or
grew addicted to their pleasures, which proved both a blemish to
their reputation and a hindrance to their usefulness afterwards, to
prevent which inconvenience they are set to work, and brought under
discipline, at twenty-years old. Those that will be eminent must
learn to take care and take care betimes. 2. When the work of the
Levites was to carry burdens, heavy burdens, the tabernacle and the
furniture of it, God would not call any to it till they had come to
their full strength; for he considers our frame, and, in service as
well as sufferings, will lay no more upon us than we are able to
bear. But now God had given rest to his people, and made Jerusalem
his dwelling-place for ever, so that there was no more occasion to
carry the tabernacle and the vessels thereof, the service was much
easier, and what would not over-work them nor over-load them if
they entered upon it at twenty-years old. 3. Now the people of
Israel were multiplied, and there was a more general resort to
Jerusalem, and would be when the temple was built, than had ever
been at Shiloh, or Nob, or Gibeon; it was therefore requisite there
should be more hands employed in the temple-service, that every
Israelite who brought an offering might find a Levite ready to
assist him. When more work is to be done it is a pity but there
should be more workmen fetched in for the doing of it. When the
harvest is plenteous why should the labourers be few?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxiv-p9">II. A further account of the Levites' work.
What the work of the priests was we are told (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.13" parsed="|1Chr|23|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): <i>To sanctify the most holy
things, to burn incense before the Lord,</i> and to <i>bless in his
name;</i> that work the Levites were not to meddle with, and yet
they had work enough, and good work, according to that to which
they were appointed, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.4-1Chr.23.5" parsed="|1Chr|23|4|23|5" passage="1Ch 23:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4,
5</scripRef>. 1. Those of them that were to <i>set forward the work
of the house of God</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.4" parsed="|1Chr|23|4|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>) were therein to <i>wait on the sons of Aaron</i>
(<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.28" parsed="|1Chr|23|28|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), were to do
the drudgery-work (if any work for God is to be called
<i>drudgery</i>) of the house of God, to keep the courts and
chambers clean, set things in their places, and have them ready
when there was occasion to use them. They were to prepare the
show-bread which the priests were to set on the table, to provide
the flour and cakes for the meat-offerings, that the priests might
have every thing ready to their hands. 2. Those of them that were
judges and officers had an eye particularly upon all <i>measure and
size,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.29" parsed="|1Chr|23|29|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>.
The standards of all weights and measures were kept in the
sanctuary; and the Levites had the care of them, to see that they
were exact, and to try other weights and measures by them when they
were appealed to. 3. The work of the singers was to <i>thank and
praise the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.30" parsed="|1Chr|23|30|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>), at the offering of the morning and evening
sacrifices, and other oblations on the sabbaths, new moons,
&amp;c., <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.31" parsed="|1Chr|23|31|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>.
Moses appointed that they should blow with trumpets over their
burnt offerings and other sacrifices, and on their solemn days,
<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.10" parsed="|Num|10|10|0|0" passage="Nu 10:10">Num. x. 10</scripRef>. The sound of
the trumpet was awful, and might be affecting to the worshippers,
but was not articulate, nor such a reasonable service as this which
David appointed, of singing psalms on those occasions. As the
Jewish church grew up from its infancy, it grew more and more
intelligent in its devotions, till it came at length, in the
gospel, to <i>put away childish things,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.13.11 Bible:Gal.4.3 Bible:Gal.4.9" parsed="|1Cor|13|11|0|0;|Gal|4|3|0|0;|Gal|4|9|0|0" passage="1Co 13:11,Ga 4:3,9">1 Cor. xiii. 11; Gal. iv. 3, 9</scripRef>. 4.
The work of the porters (<scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.5" parsed="|1Chr|23|5|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>) was to keep <i>the charge of the tabernacle and of
the holy place,</i> that none might come nigh but such as were
allowed, and those no nearer than was allowed them, <scripRef id="iCh.xxiv-p9.11" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.32" parsed="|1Chr|23|32|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>. They were likewise to
keep the charge of the sons of Aaron, to be at their beck and go on
their errands, who are yet called <i>their brethren,</i> to be a
memorandum to the priests that, though they were advanced to a high
station, yet they were <i>hewn out of the same rock</i> with common
Levites, and therefore must not lord it over them, but in all
instances treat them as brethren.</p>
</div></div2>