mh_parser/vol_split/16 - Nehemiah/Chapter 12.xml

<div2 id="Neh.xiii" n="xiii" next="Neh.xiv" prev="Neh.xii" progress="96.27%" title="Chapter XII">
<h2 id="Neh.xiii-p0.1">N E H E M I A H</h2>
<h3 id="Neh.xiii-p0.2">CHAP. XII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Neh.xiii-p1">In this chapter are preserved upon record, I. The
names of the chief of the priests and the Levites that came up with
Zerubbabel, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.1-Neh.12.9" parsed="|Neh|12|1|12|9" passage="Ne 12:1-9">ver. 1-9</scripRef>. II.
The succession of the high priests, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.10-Neh.12.11" parsed="|Neh|12|10|12|11" passage="Ne 12:10,11">ver. 10, 11</scripRef>. III. The names of the next
generation of the other chief priests, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.12-Neh.12.21" parsed="|Neh|12|12|12|21" passage="Ne 12:12-21">ver. 12-21</scripRef>. IV. The eminent Levites that
were in Nehemiah's time, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.22-Neh.12.26" parsed="|Neh|12|22|12|26" passage="Ne 12:22-26">ver.
22-26</scripRef>. V. The solemnity of dedicating the wall of
Jerusalem, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.27-Neh.12.43" parsed="|Neh|12|27|12|43" passage="Ne 12:27-43">ver. 27-43</scripRef>.
VI. The settling of the offices of the priests and Levites in the
temple, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.44-Neh.12.47" parsed="|Neh|12|44|12|47" passage="Ne 12:44-47">ver. 44-47</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Neh.xiii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12" parsed="|Neh|12|0|0|0" passage="Ne 12" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Neh.xiii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.1-Neh.12.26" parsed="|Neh|12|1|12|26" passage="Ne 12:1-26" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.12.1-Neh.12.26">
<h4 id="Neh.xiii-p1.9">The Priests and Levites That
Returned. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xiii-p1.10">b. c.</span> 444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Neh.xiii-p2">1 Now these <i>are</i> the priests and the
Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and
Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,   2 Amariah, Malluch,
Hattush,   3 Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,   4 Iddo,
Ginnetho, Abijah,   5 Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,   6
Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,   7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah,
Jedaiah. These <i>were</i> the chief of the priests and of their
brethren in the days of Jeshua.   8 Moreover the Levites:
Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, <i>and</i> Mattaniah,
<i>which was</i> over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.  
9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, <i>were</i> over against
them in the watches.   10 And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim
also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,   11 And
Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua.   12 And in
the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of
Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;   13 Of Ezra,
Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;   14 Of Melicu, Jonathan; of
Shebaniah, Joseph;   15 Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;
  16 Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;   17 Of
Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;   18 Of
Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;   19 And of Joiarib,
Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;   20 Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok,
Eber;   21 Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.
  22 The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan,
and Jaddua, <i>were</i> recorded chief of the fathers: also the
priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.   23 The sons of
Levi, the chief of the fathers, <i>were</i> written in the book of
the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
  24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and
Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them,
to praise <i>and</i> to give thanks, according to the commandment
of David the man of God, ward over against ward.   25
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub,
<i>were</i> porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the
gates.   26 These <i>were</i> in the days of Joiakim the son
of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the
governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xiii-p3">We have here the names, and little more
than the names, of a great many priests and Levites, that were
eminent in their day among the returned Jews. Why this register
should be here inserted by Nehemiah does not appear, perhaps to
keep in remembrance those good men, that posterity might know to
whom they were beholden, under God, for the happy revival and
re-establishment of their religion among them. Thus must we
contribute towards the performance of that promise, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.112.6" parsed="|Ps|112|6|0|0" passage="Ps 112:6">Ps. cxii. 6</scripRef>, <i>The righteous shall
be in everlasting remembrance.</i> Let the memory of the just be
blessed, be perpetuated. It is a debt we still owe to faithful
ministers to <i>remember our guides,</i> who have <i>spoken to us
the word of God,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.7" parsed="|Heb|13|7|0|0" passage="Heb 13:7">Heb. xiii.
7</scripRef>. Perhaps it is intended to stir up their posterity,
who succeeded them in the priest's office and inherited their
dignities and preferments, to imitate their courage and fidelity.
It is good to know what our godly ancestors and predecessors were,
that we may learn thereby what we should be. We have here, 1. The
names of the priests and Levites that came up with the first out of
Babylon, when Jeshua was high priest. Jeremiah and Ezra are
mentioned with the first (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.1" parsed="|Neh|12|1|0|0" passage="Ne 12:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), but, it is supposed, not Jeremiah the prophet nor
Ezra the scribe; the fame of the one was long before and that of
the other some time after, though both of them were priests. Of one
of the Levites it is said (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.8" parsed="|Neh|12|8|0|0" passage="Ne 12:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>) that he was <i>over the thanksgiving,</i> that is, he
was entrusted to see that the psalms, the thanksgiving psalms, were
constantly sung in the temple in due time and manner. The Levites
kept their turns in their watches, reliving one another as becomes
brethren, fellow-labourers, and fellow-soldiers. 2. The succession
of high priests during the Persian monarchy, from Jeshua (or
Jesus), who was high priest at the time of the restoration, to
Jaddua (or Jaddus), who was high priest when Alexander the Great,
after the conquest of Tyre, came to Jerusalem, and paid great
respect to this Jaddus, who met him in his pontifical habit, and
showed him the prophecy of Daniel, which foretold his conquests. 3.
The next generation of priests, who were chief men, and active in
the days of Joiakim, sons of the first set. Note, We have reason to
acknowledge God's favour to his church, and care of it, in that, as
one generation of ministers passes away, another comes. All those
who are mentioned <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.1-Neh.12.11" parsed="|Neh|12|1|12|11" passage="Ne 12:1-11"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>, &amp;c., as eminent in their generation, are again
mentioned, though with some variation in several of the names,
<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.12-Neh.12.24" parsed="|Neh|12|12|12|24" passage="Ne 12:12-24"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>, &amp;c.,
except two, as having sons that were likewise eminent in their
generation—a rare instance, that twenty good fathers should leave
behind them twenty good sons (for so many here are) that filled up
their places. 4. The next generation of Levites, or rather a latter
generation; for those priests who are mentioned flourished in the
days of Joiakim the high priest, these Levites in the days of
Eliashib, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.22" parsed="|Neh|12|22|0|0" passage="Ne 12:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>.
Perhaps <i>then</i> the forementioned families of the priests began
to degenerate, and the third generation of them came short of the
first two; but the work of God shall never fail for want of
instruments. Then a generation of Levites was <i>raised up,</i> who
were <i>recorded chief of the fathers</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.8" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.22" parsed="|Neh|12|22|0|0" passage="Ne 12:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), and were eminently serviceable
to the interests of the church, and their service not the less
acceptable either to God or to his people for their being Levites
only, of the lower rank of ministers. Eliashib the high priest
being allied to Tobiah (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.9" osisRef="Bible:Neh.13.4" parsed="|Neh|13|4|0|0" passage="Ne 13:4"><i>ch.</i>
xiii. 4</scripRef>), the other priests grew remiss; but then the
Levites appeared the more zealous, as appears by this, that those
who were now employed in expounding (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.10" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.7" parsed="|Neh|8|7|0|0" passage="Ne 8:7"><i>ch.</i> viii. 7</scripRef>) and in praying
(<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.11" osisRef="Bible:Neh.9.4-Neh.9.5" parsed="|Neh|9|4|9|5" passage="Ne 9:4,5"><i>ch.</i> ix. 4, 5</scripRef>) were
all Levites, not priests, regard being had to their personal
qualifications more than to their order. These Levites were some of
them singers (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.12" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.24" parsed="|Neh|12|24|0|0" passage="Ne 12:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>), <i>to praise and give thanks,</i> others of them
porters (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p3.13" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.25" parsed="|Neh|12|25|0|0" passage="Ne 12:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>),
<i>keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates, and both
according to the command of David.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Neh.xiii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.27-Neh.12.43" parsed="|Neh|12|27|12|43" passage="Ne 12:27-43" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.12.27-Neh.12.43">
<h4 id="Neh.xiii-p3.15">The Dedication of the Wall. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xiii-p3.16">b. c.</span> 444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Neh.xiii-p4">27 And at the dedication of the wall of
Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring
them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with
thanksgivings, and with singing, <i>with</i> cymbals, psalteries,
and with harps.   28 And the sons of the singers gathered
themselves together, both out of the plain country round about
Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;   29 Also from
the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth:
for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.
  30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and
purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.   31 Then I
brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two
great <i>companies of them that gave</i> thanks, <i>whereof one</i>
went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:  
32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,
  33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,   34 Judah, and
Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,   35 And <i>certain</i>
of the priests' sons with trumpets; <i>namely,</i> Zechariah the
son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son
of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:   36 And his
brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel,
and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of
God, and Ezra the scribe before them.   37 And at the fountain
gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of
the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of
David, even unto the water gate eastward.   38 And the other
<i>company of them that gave</i> thanks went over against
<i>them,</i> and I after them, and the half of the people upon the
wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad
wall;   39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the
old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and
the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still
in the prison gate.   40 So stood the two <i>companies of them
that gave</i> thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of
the rulers with me:   41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah,
Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, <i>and</i> Hananiah, with
trumpets;   42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and
Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the
singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah <i>their</i> overseer.   43
Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God
had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the
children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar
off.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xiii-p5">We have read of the building of the wall of
Jerusalem with a great deal of fear and trembling; we have here an
account of the dedicating of it with a great deal of joy and
triumph. <i>Those that sow in tears shall</i> thus <i>reap.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xiii-p6">I. We must enquire what was the meaning of
this dedication of the wall; we will suppose it to include the
dedication of the city too (<i>continens pro contento—the thing
containing for the thing contained</i>), and therefore it was not
done till the city was pretty well replenished, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.11.1" parsed="|Neh|11|1|0|0" passage="Ne 11:1"><i>ch.</i> xi. 1</scripRef>. It was a solemn thanksgiving
to God for his great mercy to them in the perfecting of this
undertaking, of which they were the more sensible because of the
difficulty and opposition they had met with in it. 2. They hereby
devoted the city in a peculiar manner to God and to his honour, and
took possession of it for him and in his name. All our cities, all
our houses, must have holiness to the Lord written upon them; but
this city was (so as never any other was) a <i>holy city,</i> the
<i>city of the great King</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.48.2 Bible:Matt.5.35" parsed="|Ps|48|2|0|0;|Matt|5|35|0|0" passage="Ps 48:2,Mt 5:35">Ps. xlviii. 2 and Matt. v. 35</scripRef>): it had
been so ever since God chose it to put his name there, and as such,
it being now refitted, it was afresh dedicated to God by the
builders and inhabitants, in token of their acknowledgment that
they were his tenants, and their desire that it might still be his
and that the property of it might never be altered. Whatever is
done for their safety, ease, and comfort, must be designed for
God's honour and glory. 3. They hereby put the city and its walls
under the divine protection, owning that <i>unless the Lord kept
the city</i> the walls were <i>built in vain.</i> When this city
was in possession of the Jebusites, they committed the guardianship
of it to their gods, though they were blind and lame ones,
<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.5.6" parsed="|2Sam|5|6|0|0" passage="2Sa 5:6">2 Sam. v. 6</scripRef>. With much more
reason do the people of God commit it to his keeping who is
all-wise and almighty. The superstitious founders of cities had an
eye to the lucky position of the heavens (see Mr. Gregory's works,
p. 29, &amp;c.); but these pious founders had an eye to God only,
to his providence, and not to fortune.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xiii-p7">II. We must observe with what solemnity it
was performed, under the direction of <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.1" parsed="|Neh|1|0|0|0" passage="Nehemiah. 1">Nehemiah. 1</scripRef>. The Levites from
all parts of the country were summoned to attend. The city must be
dedicated to God, and therefore his ministers must be employed in
the dedicating of it, and the surrender must pass through their
hands. When those solemn feasts were over (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.1-Neh.9.38" parsed="|Neh|8|1|9|38" passage="Ne 8:1-9:38"><i>ch.</i> viii. and ix.</scripRef>) they went home
to their respective posts, to mind their cures in the country; but
now their presence and assistance were again called for. 2.
Pursuant to this summons, there was a general rendezvous of all the
Levites, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.28-Neh.12.29" parsed="|Neh|12|28|12|29" passage="Ne 12:28,29"><i>v.</i> 28,
29</scripRef>. Observe in what method they proceeded. (1.) They
<i>purified themselves,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.30" parsed="|Neh|12|30|0|0" passage="Ne 12:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>. We are concerned to <i>cleanse our hands,</i> and
<i>purify our hearts,</i> when any work for God is to pass through
them. They purified themselves and then the people. Those that
would be instrumental to sanctify others must sanctify themselves,
and set themselves apart for God, with purity of mind and sincerity
of intention. Then they purified <i>the gates and the wall.</i>
Then may we expect comfort when we are prepared to receive it.
<i>To the pure all things are pure</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Titus.1.15" parsed="|Titus|1|15|0|0" passage="Tit 1:15">Tit. i. 15</scripRef>); and, to those who are
sanctified, houses and tables, and all their creature comforts and
enjoyments, are sanctified, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.4.4-1Tim.4.5" parsed="|1Tim|4|4|4|5" passage="1Ti 4:4,5">1 Tim.
iv. 4, 5</scripRef>. This purification was performed, it is
probable, by sprinkling the <i>water of purifying</i> (or of
<i>separation,</i> as it is called, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Num.19.9" parsed="|Num|19|9|0|0" passage="Nu 19:9">Num. xix. 9</scripRef>) on <i>themselves</i> and the
<i>people,</i> the walls and the gates—a type of the blood of
Christ, with which our consciences being <i>purged from dead
works,</i> we become fit to <i>serve the living God</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.14" parsed="|Heb|9|14|0|0" passage="Heb 9:14">Heb. ix. 14</scripRef>) and to be his care. (2.)
The princes, priests, and Levites, walked round upon the wall in
two companies, with musical instruments, to signify the dedication
of it all to God, the whole circuit of it (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.9" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.36" parsed="|Neh|12|36|0|0" passage="Ne 12:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>); so that it is likely they sung
psalms as they went along, to the praise and glory of God. This
procession is here largely described. They had a rendezvous at one
certain lace, where they divided themselves into two companies.
Half of the princes, with several priests and Levites, went on the
right hand, Ezra leading their van, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.10" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.36" parsed="|Neh|12|36|0|0" passage="Ne 12:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>. The other half of the princes
and priests, who gave thanks likewise, went to the left hand,
Nehemiah bringing up the rear, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.11" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.38" parsed="|Neh|12|38|0|0" passage="Ne 12:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. At length both companies met in
the temple, where they joined their thanksgivings, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.12" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.40" parsed="|Neh|12|40|0|0" passage="Ne 12:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>. The crowd of people, it
is likely, walked on the ground, some within the wall and others
without, one end of this ceremony being to affect them with the
mercy they were giving thanks for, and to perpetuate the
remembrance of it among them. Processions, for such purposes, have
their use. (3.) The people <i>greatly rejoiced,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p7.13" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.43" parsed="|Neh|12|43|0|0" passage="Ne 12:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>. While the princes,
priests, and Levites, testified their joy and thankfulness by
<i>great sacrifices, sound of trumpet, musical instruments, and
songs of praise,</i> the common people testified theirs by loud
shouts, which were heard afar off, further than the more harmonious
sound of their songs and music: and these shouts, coming from a
sincere and hearty joy, are here taken notice of; for God overlooks
not, but graciously accepts, the honest zealous services of mean
people, though there is in them little of art and they are far from
being fine. It is observed that <i>the women and children
rejoiced;</i> and their hosannas were not despised, but recorded to
their praise. All that share in public mercies ought to join in
public thanksgivings. The reason given is that <i>God had made them
rejoice with great joy.</i> He had given them both matter for joy
and hearts to rejoice; his providence had made them safe and easy,
and then his grace made them cheerful and thankful. The baffled
opposition of their enemies, no doubt, added to their joy and mixed
triumph with it. Great mercies call for the most solemn returns of
praise, <i>in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee,
O Jerusalem!</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Neh.xiii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.44-Neh.12.47" parsed="|Neh|12|44|12|47" passage="Ne 12:44-47" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Neh.12.44-Neh.12.47">
<h4 id="Neh.xiii-p7.15">The People's Attention to Their
Duty. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Neh.xiii-p7.16">b. c.</span> 444.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Neh.xiii-p8">44 And at that time were some appointed over the
chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits,
and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the
cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for
Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
  45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of
their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the
commandment of David, <i>and</i> of Solomon his son.   46 For
in the days of David and Asaph of old <i>there were</i> chief of
the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.  
47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of
Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every
day his portion: and they sanctified <i>holy things</i> unto the
Levites; and the Levites sanctified <i>them</i> unto the children
of Aaron.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Neh.xiii-p9">We have here an account of the remaining
good effects of the universal joy that was at the dedication of the
wall. When the solemnities of a thanksgiving day leave such
impressions on ministers and people as that both are more careful
and cheerful in doing their duty afterwards, then they are indeed
acceptable to God and turn to a good account. So it was here. 1.
The ministers were more careful than they had been of their work;
the respect the people paid them upon this occasion encouraged them
to diligence and watchfulness, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.45" parsed="|Neh|12|45|0|0" passage="Ne 12:45"><i>v.</i> 45</scripRef>. <i>The singers kept the ward of
their God,</i> attending in due time to the duty of their office;
the <i>porters,</i> too, <i>kept the ward of the purification,</i>
that is, they took care to preserve the purity of the temple by
denying admission to those that were ceremonially unclean. When the
joy of the Lord thus engages us to our duty, and enlarges us in it,
it is then an earnest of that joy which, in concurrence with the
perfection of holiness, will be our everlasting bliss. 2. The
people were more careful than they had been of the maintenance of
their ministers. The people, at the dedication of the wall, among
other things which they made matter of their joy, rejoiced <i>for
the priests and for the Levites that waited,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.44" parsed="|Neh|12|44|0|0" passage="Ne 12:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>. They had a great deal of
comfort in their ministers, and were glad of them. When they
observed how diligently they waited, and what pains they took in
their work, they rejoiced in them. Note, The surest way for
ministers to recommend themselves to their people, and gain an
interest in their affections, is <i>to wait on their ministry</i>
(<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.12.7" parsed="|Rom|12|7|0|0" passage="Ro 12:7">Rom. xii. 7</scripRef>), to be humble
and industrious, and to mind their business. When these did so the
people thought nothing too much to do for them, to encourage them.
The law had provided then <i>their portions</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.44" parsed="|Neh|12|44|0|0" passage="Ne 12:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>), but what the better were they
for that provision if what the law appointed them either was not
duly collected or not justly paid to them? Now, (1.) Care is here
taken for the collecting of their dues. They were modest, and would
rather lose their right than call for it themselves. The people
were many of them careless and would not bring their dues unless
they were called upon; and therefore <i>some were appointed</i>
whose office it should be to gather into the treasuries, <i>out of
the fields of the cities, the portions of the law for the priests
and Levites</i> (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.44" parsed="|Neh|12|44|0|0" passage="Ne 12:44"><i>v.</i>
44</scripRef>), that their portion might not be lost for want of
being demanded. This is a piece of good service both to ministers
and people, that the one may not come short of their maintenance
nor the other of their duty. (2.) Care is taken that, being
<i>gathered in,</i> they might be duly <i>paid out,</i> <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.47" parsed="|Neh|12|47|0|0" passage="Ne 12:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>. They gave the singers
and porters their daily portion, over and above what was due to
them as Levites; for we may suppose that when David and Solomon
appointed them their work (<scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Neh.12.45-Neh.12.46" parsed="|Neh|12|45|12|46" passage="Ne 12:45,46"><i>v.</i> 45, 46</scripRef>), above what was required
from them as Levites, they settled a fund for their further
encouragement. Let those that labour more abundantly in the word
and doctrine be counted worthy of this double honour. As for the
other Levites, the tithes, here called <i>the holy things,</i> were
duly set apart for them, out of which they paid the priests their
tithe according to the law. Both are said to be <i>sanctified;</i>
when what is contributed, either voluntarily or by law, for the
support of religion and the maintenance of the ministry, is given
with an eye to God and his honour, it is sanctified, and shall be
accepted of him accordingly, and it will <i>cause the blessing to
rest on the house</i> and all that is in it, <scripRef id="Neh.xiii-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.44.30" parsed="|Ezek|44|30|0|0" passage="Eze 44:30">Ezek. xliv. 30</scripRef>.</p>
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