mh_parser/vol_split/13 - 1Chronicles/Chapter 26.xml

<div2 id="iCh.xxvii" n="xxvii" next="iCh.xxviii" prev="iCh.xxvi" progress="78.41%" title="Chapter XXVI">
<h2 id="iCh.xxvii-p0.1">F I R S T   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iCh.xxvii-p0.2">CHAP. XXVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCh.xxvii-p1">We have here an account of the business of the
Levites. That tribe had made but a very small figure all the time
of the judges, till Eli and Samuel appeared. But when David revived
religion the Levites were, of all men, in the greatest reputation.
And happy it was that they had Levites who were men of sense, fit
to support the honour of their tribe. We have here an account, I.
Of the Levites that were appointed to be porters, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.1-1Chr.26.19" parsed="|1Chr|26|1|26|19" passage="1Ch 26:1-19">ver. 1-19</scripRef>. II. Of those that were
appointed to be treasurers and storekeepers, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.20-1Chr.26.28" parsed="|1Chr|26|20|26|28" passage="1Ch 26:20-28">ver. 20-28</scripRef>. III. Of those that were
officers and judges in the country, and were entrusted with the
administration of public affairs, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.29-1Chr.26.32" parsed="|1Chr|26|29|26|32" passage="1Ch 26:29-32">ver. 29-32</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxvii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26" parsed="|1Chr|26|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 26" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxvii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.1-1Chr.26.19" parsed="|1Chr|26|1|26|19" passage="1Ch 26:1-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.26.1-1Chr.26.19">
<h4 id="iCh.xxvii-p1.6">The Officers of the Levites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvii-p1.7">b. c.</span> Date.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxvii-p2">1 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of
the Korhites <i>was</i> Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of
Asaph.   2 And the sons of Meshelemiah <i>were,</i> Zechariah
the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the
fourth,   3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the
seventh.   4 Moreover the sons of Obed-edom <i>were,</i>
Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and
Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,   5 Ammiel the
sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed
him.   6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled
throughout the house of their father: for they <i>were</i> mighty
men of valour.   7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael,
and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren <i>were</i> strong men, Elihu,
and Semachiah.   8 All these of the sons of Obed-edom: they
and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the
service, <i>were</i> threescore and two of Obed-edom.   9 And
Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.   10
Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief,
(for <i>though</i> he was not the firstborn, yet his father made
him the chief;)   11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third,
Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah
<i>were</i> thirteen.   12 Among these <i>were</i> the
divisions of the porters, <i>even</i> among the chief men,
<i>having</i> wards one against another, to minister in the house
of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvii-p2.1">Lord</span>.   13 And they cast
lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of
their fathers, for every gate.   14 And the lot eastward fell
to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they
cast lots; and his lot came out northward.   15 To Obed-edom
southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.   16 To
Shuppim and Hosah <i>the lot came forth</i> westward, with the gate
Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.
  17 Eastward <i>were</i> six Levites, northward four a day,
southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two <i>and</i> two.  
18 At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, <i>and</i> two at
Parbar.   19 These <i>are</i> the divisions of the porters
among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvii-p3">Observe, I. There were porters appointed to
attend the temple, who guarded all the avenues that let to it,
opened and shut all the outer gates and attended at them, not only
for the state, but for service, to direct and instruct those who
were going to worship in the courts of the sanctuary in the decorum
they were to observe, to encourage those that were timorous, to
send back the strangers and unclean, and to guard against thieves
and others that were enemies to the house of God. In allusion to
this office, ministers are said to have <i>the keys to the kingdom
of heaven</i> committed to them (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.16.19" parsed="|Matt|16|19|0|0" passage="Mt 16:19">Matt.
xvi. 19</scripRef>), that they may admit, and exclude, according to
the law of Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvii-p4">II. Of several of those that were called to
this service, it is taken notice of that they were <i>mighty men of
valour</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.6" parsed="|1Chr|26|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>),
<i>strong men</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.7" parsed="|1Chr|26|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>), <i>able men</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.8" parsed="|1Chr|26|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and one of them that he was a
<i>wise counsellor</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.14" parsed="|1Chr|26|14|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>), who probably, when he had <i>used this office of a
deacon well</i> and given proofs of more than ordinary wisdom,
<i>purchased to himself a good degree,</i> and was preferred from
the gate to the council-board, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.13" parsed="|1Tim|3|13|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:13">1 Tim.
iii. 13</scripRef>. As for those that excelled in strength of body,
and courage and resolution of mind, they were thereby qualified for
the post assigned them; for whatever service God calls men to he
either finds them fit or makes them so.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvii-p5">III. The sons of Obed-edom were employed in
this office, sixty-two of that family. This was he that entertained
the ark with reverence and cheerfulness; and see how he was
rewarded for it. 1. He had eight <i>sons</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.5" parsed="|1Chr|26|5|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), <i>for God blessed him.</i> The
increase and building up of families are owing to the divine
blessing; and a great blessing it is to a family to have many
children, when like these they are able for, and eminent in, the
service of God. 2. His sons were preferred to places of trust in
the sanctuary. They had faithfully attended the ark in their own
house, and now were called to attend it in God's house. He that is
trusty in little shall be trusted with more. He that keeps God's
ordinances in his own tent is fit to have the custody of them in
God's tabernacle, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.4-1Tim.3.5" parsed="|1Tim|3|4|3|5" passage="1Ti 3:4,5">1 Tim. iii. 4,
5</scripRef>. <i>I have kept thy law,</i> says David, and <i>this I
had because I kept thy precepts,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.55-Ps.119.56" parsed="|Ps|119|55|119|56" passage="Ps 119:55,56">Ps. cxix. 55, 56</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvii-p6">IV. It is said of one here that <i>though
he was not the first-born his father made him the chief</i>
(<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.10" parsed="|1Chr|26|10|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), either
because he was very excellent, or because the elder son was very
weak. He was made chief, perhaps not in inheriting the estate (for
that was forbidden by the law, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.21.16-Deut.21.17" parsed="|Deut|21|16|21|17" passage="De 21:16,17">Deut. xxi. 16, 17</scripRef>), but in this service,
which required personal qualifications.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvii-p7">V. The porters, as the singers, had their
post assigned them by lot, so many at such a gate, and so many at
such a one, that every one might know his post and make it good,
<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.13" parsed="|1Chr|26|13|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. It is not
said that they were cast into twenty-four courses, as before; but
here are the names of about twenty-four (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.1-1Chr.26.11" parsed="|1Chr|26|1|26|11" passage="1Ch 26:1-11"><i>v.</i> 1-11</scripRef>), and the posts assigned
are twenty-four, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.17-1Chr.26.18" parsed="|1Chr|26|17|26|18" passage="1Ch 26:17,18"><i>v.</i> 17,
18</scripRef>. We have therefore reason to think they were
distributed into as many companies. Happy are those who dwell in
God's house: for, as they are well fed, well taught, and well
employed, so they are well guarded. Men attended at the gates of
the temple, but angels attend at the gates of the New Jerusalem,
<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Rev.21.12" parsed="|Rev|21|12|0|0" passage="Re 21:12">Rev. xxi. 12</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xxvii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.20-1Chr.26.28" parsed="|1Chr|26|20|26|28" passage="1Ch 26:20-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.26.20-1Chr.26.28">
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxvii-p8">20 And of the Levites, Ahijah <i>was</i> over
the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the
dedicated things.   21 <i>As concerning</i> the sons of
Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers,
<i>even</i> of Laadan the Gershonite, <i>were</i> Jehieli.  
22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, <i>which
were</i> over the treasures of the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvii-p8.1">Lord</span>.   23 Of the Amramites, <i>and</i> the
Izharites, the Hebronites, <i>and</i> the Uzzielites:   24 And
Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, <i>was</i> ruler of
the treasures.   25 And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his
son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son,
and Shelomith his son.   26 Which Shelomith and his brethren
<i>were</i> over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which
David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands
and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.  
27 Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain
the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvii-p8.2">Lord</span>.   28 And
all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the
son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; <i>and</i>
whosoever had dedicated <i>any thing, it was</i> under the hand of
Shelomith, and of his brethren.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvii-p9">Observe, 1. There were <i>treasures of the
house of God.</i> A great house cannot be well kept without stores
of all manner of provisions. Much was expended daily upon the
altar-flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, besides the lamps; quantities
of these were to be kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments
and utensils. These were the <i>treasures of the house of God.</i>
And, because money answers all things, doubtless they had an
abundance of it, which was received from the people's offerings,
wherewith they bought in what they had occasion for. And perhaps
much was laid up for an exigence. These treasures typified the
plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house, enough and to
spare. In Christ, the true temple, are hid <i>treasures of wisdom
and knowledge,</i> and <i>unsearchable riches.</i> 2. There were
<i>treasures of dedicated things,</i> dedicated mostly <i>out of
the spoils won in battle</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.27" parsed="|1Chr|26|27|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>), as a grateful acknowledgment
of the divine protection. Abraham gave Melchisedec the <i>tenth of
the spoils</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.7.4" parsed="|Heb|7|4|0|0" passage="Heb 7:4">Heb. vii. 4</scripRef>.
In Moses's time the officers of the army, when they returned
victorious, brought of their spoils an <i>oblation to the Lord,</i>
<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.31.50" parsed="|Num|31|50|0|0" passage="Nu 31:50">Num. xxxi. 50</scripRef>. Of late this
pious custom had been revived; and not only Samuel and David, but
Saul, and Abner, and Joab, had dedicated of their spoils to the
honour and support of the house of God, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.28" parsed="|1Chr|26|28|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. Note, The more God bestows
upon us the more he expects from us in works of piety and charity.
Great successes call for proportionable returns. When we look over
our estates we should consider, "Here are convenient things, rich
things, it may be, and fine things; but where are the dedicated
things?" Men of war must honour God with their spoils. 3. These
treasures had treasurers, those that were over them (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.20 Bible:1Chr.26.26" parsed="|1Chr|26|20|0|0;|1Chr|26|26|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:20,26"><i>v.</i> 20, 26</scripRef>), whose business
it was to keep them, that neither <i>moth nor rust</i> might
<i>corrupt them,</i> nor <i>thieves break through and steal,</i> to
give out as there was occasion and to see that they were not
wasted, embezzled, or alienated to the common use; and it is
probable that they kept accounts of all that was brought in and how
it was laid out.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xxvii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.29-1Chr.26.32" parsed="|1Chr|26|29|26|32" passage="1Ch 26:29-32" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.26.29-1Chr.26.32">
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxvii-p10">29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons
<i>were</i> for the outward business over Israel, for officers and
judges.   30 <i>And</i> of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his
brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, <i>were</i>
officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all
the business of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvii-p10.1">Lord</span>, and in the
service of the king.   31 Among the Hebronites <i>was</i>
Jerijah the chief, <i>even</i> among the Hebronites, according to
the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign
of David they were sought for, and there were found among them
mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.   32 And his
brethren, men of valour, <i>were</i> two thousand and seven hundred
chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the
Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter
pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvii-p11">All the offices of the house of God being
well provided with Levites, we have here an account of those that
were employed as officers and judges in the outward business, which
must not be neglected, no, not for the temple itself. The
magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church as
truly as the ministry is. And here we are told, 1. That the Levites
were employed in the administration of justice in concurrence with
the princes and elders of the several tribes, who could not be
supposed to understand the law so well as the Levites, who made it
their business to study it. None of those Levites who were employed
in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters,
were concerned in this outward business; either one was enough to
engage the whole man or it was presumption to undertake both. 2.
Their charge was both <i>in all business of the Lord,</i> and <i>in
the service of the kings,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.30" parsed="|1Chr|26|30|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef> and again <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.32" parsed="|1Chr|26|32|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>. They managed the affairs of
the country, as well ecclesiastical as civil, took care both of
God's tithes and the king's taxes, punished offences committed
immediately against God and his honour and those against the
government and the public peace, guarded both against idolatry and
against injustice, and took care to put the laws in execution
against both. Some, it is likely, applied themselves to the affairs
of religion, others to secular affairs; and so, between both, God
and the king were well served. It is happy with a kingdom when its
civil and sacred interests are thus interwoven and jointly minded
and advanced. 3. There were more Levites employed as judges with
the two tribes and a half on the other side of Jordan than with all
the rest of the tribes; there were 2700; whereas as the west side
of Jordan there were 1700, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.30 Bible:1Chr.26.32" parsed="|1Chr|26|30|0|0;|1Chr|26|32|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:30,32"><i>v.</i> 30, 32</scripRef>. Either those remote
tribes were not so well furnished as the rest with judges of their
own, or because they, lying furthest from Jerusalem and on the
borders of the neighbouring nations, were most in danger of being
infected with idolatry, and most needed the help of Levites to
prevent it. The frontiers must be well guarded. 4. This is said to
be done (as were all the foregoing settlements) in the fortieth
year of the reign of David (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.31" parsed="|1Chr|26|31|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:31"><i>v.</i>
31</scripRef>), that is, the last year of his reign. We should be
so much the more industrious to do good <i>as we can see the day
approaching.</i> If we live to enjoy the fruit of our labours,
grudge it not to those that shall come after us.</p>
</div></div2>