Text -- 1 Chronicles 26:18-32 (NET)

26:18 At the court on the west there were four posted on the road and two at the court. 26:19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

Supervisors of the Storehouses

26:20 Their fellow Levites were in charge of the storehouses in God’s temple and the storehouses containing consecrated items. 26:21 The descendants of Ladan, who were descended from Gershon through Ladan and were leaders of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, included Jehieli 26:22 and the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the storehouses in the Lord’s temple. 26:23 As for the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites: 26:24 Shebuel son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was the supervisor of the storehouses. 26:25 His relatives through Eliezer included: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son, and Shelomith his son. 26:26 Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the storehouses containing the consecrated items dedicated by King David, the family leaders who led units of a thousand and a hundred, and the army officers. 26:27 They had dedicated some of the plunder taken in battles to be used for repairs on the Lord’s temple. 26:28 They were also in charge of everything dedicated by Samuel the prophet, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah; Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of everything that had been dedicated. 26:29 As for the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were given responsibilities outside the temple as officers and judges over Israel. 26:30 As for the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 respected men, were assigned responsibilities in Israel west of the Jordan; they did the Lord’s work and the king’s service. 26:31 As for the Hebronites: Jeriah was the leader of the Hebronites according to the genealogical records. In the fortieth year of David’s reign, they examined the records and discovered there were highly respected men in Jazer in Gilead. 26:32 Jeriah had 2,700 relatives who were respected family leaders. King David placed them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh; they took care of all matters pertaining to God and the king.

Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: 1Ch 26:20

There seem to be two different kinds of treasures, the former containing the sacred vessels and other treasures, which by God's command were appropriated to the maintenance of the house; the latter only those things which had been freely given or dedicated to God.

Wesley: 1Ch 26:23

The persons following were of these, or the most of these families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct, whence it is that we read no more of them in the scripture, but only in this place, and Num 3:27, or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.

Wesley: 1Ch 26:24

The chief over all the treasures, mentioned before or afterward, as his title shews, which is peculiarly given to him and to none of the rest.

Wesley: 1Ch 26:27

Or repair it.

Wesley: 1Ch 26:29

Judges over the people, in the several cities and towns, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites being the established interpreters, must needs be the most proper judges of things depending thereon.

Wesley: 1Ch 26:30

In all things which concerned the house or worship of God; to take care that such monies as were given towards building the temple, or towards the sacrifices and other holy ministrations should be gathered and received, and faithfully sent up to Jerusalem; and to see to the execution of all the laws of God among the people.

Wesley: 1Ch 26:30

They served the king in the execution of his decrees, by which the several rights of the king and people were established. And as the king was the principal person intrusted with the execution of God's laws, so these Levites chiefly were his eyes by which he saw his people's transgressions, and his hands by which he inflicted due censures upon them for their miscarriages.

Wesley: 1Ch 26:31

His last year, in which he made all the orders of families and officers recorded in these chapters. We should be so much the more diligent in doing good, as we see the day approaching. If we live not to enjoy the fruit of our labours, let us not grudge it to them that come after us.

JFB: 1Ch 26:17-19

Because the gate there was the most frequented. There were four at the north gate; four at the south, at the storehouse which was adjoining the south, and which had two entrance gates, one leading in a southwesterly direction to the city, and the other direct west, two porters each. At the Parbar towards the west, there were six men posted--four at the causeway or ascent (1Ch 26:16), and two at Parbar, amounting to twenty-four in all, who were kept daily on guard.

JFB: 1Ch 26:18

Is, perhaps, the same as Parvar ("suburbs," 2Ki 23:11), and if so, this gate might be so called as leading to the suburbs [CALMET].

JFB: 1Ch 26:20

The heading of this section is altogether strange as it stands, for it looks as if the sacred historian were going to commence a new subject different from the preceding. Besides, "Ahijah, whose name occurs after" the Levites, is not mentioned in the previous lists. It is totally unknown and is introduced abruptly without further information; and lastly, Ahijah must have united in his own person those very offices of which the occupants are named in the verses that follow. The reading is incorrect. The Septuagint has this very suitable heading, "And their Levitical brethren over the treasures," &c. [BERTHEAU]. The names of those who had charge of the treasure chambers at their respective wards are given, with a general description of the precious things committed to their trust. Those treasures were immense, consisting of the accumulated spoils of Israelitish victories, as well as of voluntary contributions made by David and the representatives of the people.

JFB: 1Ch 26:29

The word rendered "officers" is the term which signifies scribes or secretaries, so that the Levitical class here described were magistrates, who, attended by their clerks, exercised judicial functions; there were six thousand of them (1Ch 23:4), who probably acted like their brethren on the principle of rotation, and these were divided into three classes--one (1Ch 26:29) for the outward business over Israel; one (1Ch 26:30), consisting of seventeen hundred, for the west of Jordan "in all business of the Lord, and in the service of the king"; and the third (1Ch 26:31-32), consisting of twenty-seven hundred, "rulers for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king."

Clarke: 1Ch 26:20

The treasures of the house of God - Where the money was kept, which was to be expended in oblations for the temple. - Jarchi.

Clarke: 1Ch 26:24

Shebuel the son of Gershom - "Shebuel, that is, Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, who returned to God [ שבואל shebuel ]. And David, seeing him expert in money matters, constituted him chief treasurer."- T.

Clarke: 1Ch 26:27

The spoils won in battles did they dedicate - It seems these were intended for its repairs. This custom prevailed amongst almost all the people of the earth. All who acknowledged any supreme Being, believed that victory could only come through him; and therefore thought it quite rational to give him a share of the spoils. Proofs of this exist in all ancient histories: thus Virgil: -

Irruimus ferro, et divos, ipsumque vocamu

In partem praedamque Jovem

Aen. iii., ver. 222

"With weapons we the welcome prey invade

Then call the gods for partners of our feast

And Jove himself, the chief invited guest.

Dryden

On this passage Servius observes

Ipsum vocamus. Ipsum regem deorum, cui de praeda debetur aliquid: nam Romanis moris fuit, ut bella gessuri de parte praedae aliquid numinibus pollicerentur: adeo ut Romae fuerit unum templum Jovis Praedatoris: non quod praedae praeest, sed quod ei ex praeda aliquid debeatur

"Jupiter himself, the king of the gods, to whom a portion of the prey was due: for it was a custom among the Romans, when entering on a war, to promise some part of the prey to their deities. And there was a temple at Rome dedicated to Jupiter Praedator, not because he presided over the prey, but because a part of the prey was due to him."

Clarke: 1Ch 26:29

Outward business - Work done without the city; cutting of timber, hewing stones, ploughing the fields belonging to the sanctuary. - Jarchi.

Clarke: 1Ch 26:30

In all the business of the Lord - Every thing that concerned ecclesiastical matters

Clarke: 1Ch 26:30

In the service of the king - Every thing that concerned civil affairs: see also 1Ch 26:32

Thus courts of ecclesiastical and civil judicature were established in the land; and due care taken to preserve and insure the peace of the Church, and the safety of the state; without which the public welfare could neither be secured nor promoted. Whatever affects religion in any country, must affect the state or government of that country: true religion alone can dispose men to civil obedience. Therefore, it is the interest of every state to protect and encourage religion. It would certainly be ruinous to true religion, to make the state dependent on the Church; nor should the Church be dependent on the state. Let them mutually support each other; and let the state rule by the laws, and the Church live by the Bible.

TSK: 1Ch 26:18

Parbar : i.e. the outside place; he annulled the corn; a quarter of Jerusalem (Strong), [Strong’ s H6503], 1Ch 26:18, Also, 2Ki 23:11 Parbar is most probably the same as parwar , which denotes suburbs (2Ki 23:11), in which sense it is often used in the Chaldee Targums; and consequently this may be considered as leading to the suburbs.

TSK: 1Ch 26:19

Kore : Kore, or rather, Korhi , קרחי [Strong’ s H7145], is essentially the same with קרח [Strong’ s H7141], Korah , merely having a paragogic י , yood . Num 16:11, Korah

TSK: 1Ch 26:20

treasures : 1Ch 26:22, 1Ch 9:26-30, 1Ch 22:3, 1Ch 22:4, 1Ch 22:14-16, 1Ch 28:12-19, 1Ch 29:2-8; 1Ki 14:26, 1Ki 15:18; Mal 3:10

dedicated things : Heb. holy things, 1Ch 26:26-28, 1Ch 18:11; 1Ki 7:51; 2Ch 31:11, 2Ch 31:12

TSK: 1Ch 26:21

Laadan : 1Ch 6:17, Libni, 1Ch 23:7

TSK: 1Ch 26:22

Jehieli : Jehieli , יחיאלי [Strong’ s H3172], is the same as Jehiel , יחיאל [Strong’ s H3171], with the addition of י , yood . 1Ch 23:8, 1Ch 29:8, Jehiel

over the treasures : 1Ch 26:20; Neh 10:38

TSK: 1Ch 26:23

Amramites : 1Ch 23:12; Num 3:19, Num 3:27

TSK: 1Ch 26:24

Shebuel : The difference between שׁובאל [Strong’ s H7619], Shubael , and שׁבאל [Strong’ s H7619], Shebuel , simply arises from the elision of ו , wav and a change of vowels. 1Ch 23:15, 1Ch 23:16, 1Ch 24:20, Shubael

TSK: 1Ch 26:25

Eliezer : 1Ch 23:15; Exo 18:4

Rehabiah : 1Ch 23:17

Shelomith : 1Ch 23:18

TSK: 1Ch 26:26

over all the treasures : 1Ch 18:11, 1Ch 22:14, 1Ch 29:2-9; Num. 31:30-52

TSK: 1Ch 26:27

Out : Jos 6:19

spoils won in battles : Heb. battles and spoils

to maintain : 2Ki 12:14; Neh 10:32-34

TSK: 1Ch 26:28

Samuel : 1Sa 9:9

Abner : 1Sa 14:47-51, 1Sa 17:55

Joab : 2Sa 10:9-14

TSK: 1Ch 26:29

Izharites : 1Ch 26:23, 1Ch 23:12

the outward : 2Ch 34:13; Neh 11:16

officers : 1Ch 23:4; 2Ch 19:8-11

TSK: 1Ch 26:30

the Hebronites : 1Ch 23:12, 1Ch 23:19

men of valour : 1Ch 26:6

officers : Heb. over the charge

TSK: 1Ch 26:31

Jerijah : 1Ch 23:19, Jeriah

fortieth : 1Ch 29:27; 1Ki 2:11

Jazer : Jos 21:39; Isa 16:9

TSK: 1Ch 26:32

men of valour : 1Ch 26:6-9

chief fathers : 1Ch 15:12, 1Ch 23:24, 1Ch 24:31

Reubenites : 1Ch 12:37

and affairs : Heb. and thing, 2Ch 19:11; There were more Levites employed as judges with the two tribes and half on the other side of Jordan, than with all the rest of the tribes; there were two thousand seven hundred, whereas on the west side of Jordan there were only one thousand seven hundred. Either those remote tribes were not so well furnished as the rest with judges of their own, or because they lay farthest from Jerusalem, on the borders of the neighbouring nations, and were thus much in danger of being infected with idolatry, they most needed the help of Levites to prevent their running into the abominations of the idolaters.

Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Ch 26:18

"Parbar"must designate here the space between the western wall of the temple building and the wall of the court, which would be a sort of "precinct"or "purlieu"of the temple (2Ki 23:11 note). Here were two gates, at one of which two guards were stationed; while at the Shallecheth, which gave upon the causeway, there were four. In this whole account, the temple is spoken of as if it were existing, when it was not as yet built. We must suppose that David formed the whole plan of the temple, and fixed the stations and numbers of the porters, though it was left for Solomon to carry out his instructions.

Barnes: 1Ch 26:19

The divisions of the porters - The account of the porters here given makes them only twenty-four in number at any one time; 1Ch 23:5 states that the duty was discharged by 4,000 persons. Perhaps of the 93 chief porters here spoken of 1Ch 26:8-9, 1Ch 26:11, 1Ch 26:24 were always on guard as officers, while of the remaining 3,907, a certain proportion were each day on duty as their subordinates.

Barnes: 1Ch 26:28

The foundations of a sacred treasury had therefore been laid as far back as the time of Samuel, when the Israelites began to recover from their last servitude. Such a treasury had been once before established, namely, under Joshua Jos 6:24; but it appears to have been soon exhausted, and we hear nothing of it under any of the later judges until Samuel.

Barnes: 1Ch 26:30

The "business of the Lord"in the provinces would consist especially in the collection of the tithes, the redemption-money, and the free-will offerings of the people. It may perhaps have included some religious teaching. Compare 2Ch 17:7-9.

Barnes: 1Ch 26:32

Rulers - This term is somewhat too strong. The same kind of office was assigned to Jerijah and his brethren in the trans-Jordanic region as to Hashabiah and his brethren in western Palestine 1Ch 26:30, namely, a superintendence over religious matters and over the interests of the king.

Poole: 1Ch 26:18

At Parbar or, as concerning Parbar , which was another gate, or some building on the western quarter of the temple.

At the causeway which led to Parbar. At Parbar ; at the gate or house itself; by which it may seem that this was a place of some importance, either the vessels of the temple, or some part of the treasures of God’ s house, being kept here.

Poole: 1Ch 26:20

Either these are the same kind of treasures, the latter phrase only explaining the former, the particle and being used for that is ; or rather, they are two different kinds of treasures, the former containing the sacred vessels and other treasures, which by God’ s command were appropriated to the maintenance of the house, and worship, and ministers of God, as tithes, and first-fruits, and other things; and the latter only those things which had been freely given or dedicated to God for those ends; of which 1Ch 26:26,27 .

Poole: 1Ch 26:21

The sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers i.e. which sons were chief fathers, or heads of the houses of their fathers.

Jehieli understand here, and his sons, which here follow.

Poole: 1Ch 26:22

As Shelomith and his brethren were over the treasures of the dedicated things , 1Ch 26:26 . But both may seem to have been subject and accountable to Ahijah, who was over both these kinds of treasures, 1Ch 26:20 . Or Ahijah might have a general oversight into the management of those treasures as an auditor of the accounts, although the others had more dignity and power in the disposal of them.

Poole: 1Ch 26:23

Or, as concerning the Amramites , &c. The meaning is, the persons here following were of these, or the most of these, families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct; whence it is that we read no more of them in the Scripture, but only in this place, and Num 3:27 ; or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.

Poole: 1Ch 26:24

The prince or chief over all the treasures, and treasures mentioned either before or afterward, as his very title shows, which is peculiarly given to him, and to none of the rest.

Poole: 1Ch 26:25

His brethren by Eliezer another son of Moses, Exo 18:4 .

Poole: 1Ch 26:27

Heb. to strengthen it ; either to make that building strong and substantial by these and other charges; or rather, to repair it when it should be built; for which they might the rather take particular care, because it was likely that every one would contribute to the building of the temple, and there would be no want for that use; but few would provide for the repairs of it, when by the injury of men or time it should receive any damage.

Poole: 1Ch 26:28

Shelomith is particularly named here, and 1Ch 26:26 , because they were chiefly committed to his trust, he being, it seems, a person of eminent wisdom and faithfulness.

Poole: 1Ch 26:29

Chenaniah and his sons who are probably thought to have been one thousand six hundred, for that sum added to the one thousand seven hundred, 1Ch 26:30 , and the two thousand seven hundred, 1Ch 26:32 , make up those six thousand Levites which were

officers and judges 1Ch 23:4 .

For the outward business for that business of the Lord and of the king (as it is explained here, 1Ch 26:30,32 ) which was to be done without the temple, and without Jerusalem; for what was to be done within them was committed to other hands, as we have seen.

Over Israel synecdochically; i.e. over part of Israel, even over the midland part, and that which lay upon the sea-coast; for the other parts of the land on both sides of Jordan are here committed to others, 1Ch 26:30-32 .

For officers and judges who shall be officers and judges over the people in the several cities and towns or parts of the land, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common or municipal law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights, was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites being the best and established interpreters, must needs therefore be the most proper judges of things depending thereupon.

Poole: 1Ch 26:30

On this side Jordan westward in those parts of the land of Canaan which border upon Jordan, or are not very remote from it.

In all the business of the Lord i.e. in all things which did or should concern the house or worship of God; partly to take care that such monies as were either imposed by a tax, or freely given by the people, towards the building or repairing of the temple, or towards the sacrifices and other holy ministrations, should be gathered and received, and faithfully sent up to Jerusalem to be employed in that work; partly to see to the execution of all the laws of God among the people, and to restrain or punish wilful offenders against it.

In the service of the king not that all the king’ s businesses were managed by them; for it is apparent, both from the nature of the thing, and from Scripture, that the king’ s military affairs were managed by his captains, and his political or civil affairs were managed by the princes, and judges, and officers of other tribes; but because they served the king in the execution of his decrees, made pursuantly to the laws of God, by which the several rights of king and people were established, and all things both in church and commonwealth were to be ordered. Now as the king was the principal person intrusted with the execution of God’ s laws, so these Levites chiefly were his eyes by which he saw his people’ s transgressions, and his hands by which he inflicted due and deserved censures upon them for their miscarriages. And the doing of this was very much for the service of the king , whose throne was established and secured by such righteous administrations. Besides, they were to take care by their counsel and authority to keep the people in obedience to their king; which the Levites were most obliged and best obliged to do.

Poole: 1Ch 26:31

In the fortieth year which was his last year, in which he made all the orders and distributions of families and offices recorded in these chapters.

Jazer of Gilead is here named, either because they were seated in or near that place, but for what cause it is now unknown; or because they were numbered there by some person sent by David to that purpose.

Poole: 1Ch 26:32

Two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers which is a very great number to be employed about two tribes and a half, when all the rest of the tribes had only one thousand and seven hundred, 1Ch 26:30 , besides those under Chenaniah; of whom See Poole "1Ch 26:29" . But the reason hereof is plain, because the tribes without Jordan being more remote from the king’ s court, and from the place of public and solemn worship, needed more than ordinary help to instruct and keep them in the practice of the true religion, and the worship of God, and in obedience to their king.

Haydock: 1Ch 26:18

Cell. Hebrew is not clearer: "at the chamber" (Calmet; 'at the house of the instruments' for sacrifice; (Menochius) at Parbar.; Protestants) of the west, at the ascent, two at each chamber." (Calmet) ---

Protestants, "at the causey, and two at Parbar." This term is not in Hebrew. It resembles Parvar, or Pharurim, (4 Kings xxiii. 11.) which is said to signify "suburbs," in Chaldean. But it cannot have this meaning here: and these terms are probably borrowed from the Greek, phroura, a military "post;" so that we might translate "There were at the western post, four guards for the ascent, two at each post:" one perhaps was near the temple, (Calmet) the other at the palace gates, 4 Kings xi. 6. Septuagint is more diffuse, but throws no light upon this passage. (Haydock)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:20

Now. Hebrew and Septuagint add, "the Levites:" the latter translate Achias, "their brethren." (Haydock) ---

Vessels. Or vessels of the holy places, or of things holy. Vasa sanctorum. (Challoner) ---

Septuagint, "of the consecrated treasures," chap. xxviii. 12. (Haydock)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:21

Ledan is called Leedan, (chap. xxiii. 8.) son of Gerson. His first-born was Jahiel. This person is here styled Jehieli, and was chief of the Gersonites; at least the eldest branch.

Haydock: 1Ch 26:22

Brethren. Hebrew and Septuagint, "brother." In effect, we find that Joel was the son of Leedan, chap. xxiii. ---

Zathan, whose name ends in m both in Hebrew and Septuagint, may perhaps be his grandson. We often find sons in Hebrew when only one is specified. Jehieli might adopt his two brothers; so that none of his own children are mentioned. (Haydock) ---

We may also translate: "( 21 ) These are the sons of Ledan, the Gersonite. Out of Ledan, the Gersonite, came chiefs of families: Jehiel, ( 22 ) the sons of Jehiel, Zathan and Joel, his (Jehiel's) brethren, were over," &c. It appears that Jehiel was treasurer, chap. xxix. 8.

Haydock: 1Ch 26:23

Ozielites. These are all the sons of Caath, chap. vi. 18.

Haydock: 1Ch 26:24

Moses. Many are passed over; (Calmet) or Subael acted by his children. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:26

Selemith was to guard the treasure, taken in war. (Calmet) ---

Dedicated. Literally, "sanctified," by designating for holy uses. (Worthington)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:27

Wars. Hebrew, "out of the spoils won in battles, which they had set apart as sacred, to support the house," &c. Septuagint, "that the building of the house of the Lord might not be retarded." (Haydock) ---

Yet these spoils remained untouched by Solomon, who imitated this piety, as others did, 3 Kings xiv. 26. The Romans adored Jupiter Prædator, as he was styled, because part of the plunder was allotted to him. (Servius in Virgil, Æneid iii.) Irruimus ferro et Divos ipsumque vocamus

In prædam partemque Jovem.

People vied with each other in the munificence of their presents. (Cæsar, Bel. Gall. vi.) (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:28

Samuel, while he was at the head of affairs. (Menochius) ---

Joab. Though these three were not very religious, they concurred in promoting the splendour of the public worship, as that would at least procure them applause. (Haydock)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:29

Them. Hebrew, "for officers ( shoterim, "scribes," (Haydock) whose power was very great.; Calmet) and judges." The former are often placed first, as more honourable, so that they were not mere heralds or executioners. The administration of justice was chiefly in the hands of the Levitical tribe, chap. xxiii. 4. The sons of Hebron resided on the east, while those of Isaar and Oziel probably acted as judges on the western side of the Jordan, ver. 30. (Calmet) ---

They were not confined to the temple, but taught the people the law of Moses in the cities abroad. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:30

Beyond. Hebrew meheber means, "at the passage, or on either side." Protestants, "on this side Jordan, westward." This would seem to designate the countries nearer Jerusalem. (Haydock) ---

But westward may also be understood with reference to Ruben, &c., so as to mean the parts along the river. ---

King. To decide both ecclesiastical and civil causes. (Calmet) ---

They also inspected the preparations for the temple, and gathered the king's tribute. (Grotius)

Haydock: 1Ch 26:31

Jazer, a city of Gad, in Galaad. (Adrichomius) (Menochius)

Gill: 1Ch 26:18

At Parbar westward,.... A gate at the western wall; the Jewish writers generally interpret it an outward place, but Dr. Lightfoot ^c thinks it is the same with Parvar, which signifies suburbs, 2Ki 23:11, and which agrees with the description Josephus ^d gives of one of the western gates, that it led to the suburbs:

four at the causeway; by which was the gate Shallecheth, 1Ch 26:16.

and two at Parbar; the gate before mentioned.

Gill: 1Ch 26:19

These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari. For among those Levites which descended from Kore, a grandson of Kohath, and which sprung from Merar, a brother of Kohath, the porters only wore; see 1Ch 26:1.

Gill: 1Ch 26:20

And of the Levites,.... The rest of the Levites, as the Gershonites, Amramites, Izharites, and Hebronites, 1Ch 26:21.

Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God; as the tithes, vessels, vestments, wine, and oil, and other things; such an one was Phinehas at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by Vespasian, who being taken, showed and delivered the priests' garments, and many other precious things and sacred ornaments under his care ^e: and over the treasures of the dedicated things; voluntarily devoted for sacrifices and repairs of the temple; and this Ahijah had the care of each of those at first, which afterwards were divided, and put under the care of different persons.

Gill: 1Ch 26:21

As concerning the sons of Laadan,.... The same with Libni, see 1Ch 23:7.

the sons of the Gershonite Laadan; so called, to distinguish him from another Laadan, as Kimchi thinks:

chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite; that sprung from him: were Jehieli; and his sons next mentioned.

Gill: 1Ch 26:22

The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother,.... Both sons of Jehieli: which were

over the treasures of the house of the Lord; that part of the trust which before was committed to Ahijah, which concerned provisions for sacred uses, before observed.

Gill: 1Ch 26:23

Of the Amramites and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites. Who sprang from the four sons of Kohath, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, Exo 6:18 with respect to the concerns they severally had in the trust of the treasures, the account follows, all but the Uzzielites, who are not after mentioned.

Gill: 1Ch 26:24

And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures. This is the first time that any of the posterity of Moses are taken notice of, as being in any office of honour, authority, and trust; by the Targum he is said to be Jonathan, spoken of in Jdg 18:30 but very wrongly; this man, according to Jarchi and Kimchi, had all the treasures and treasurers under him.

Gill: 1Ch 26:25

And his brethren by Eliezer,.... His kinsmen that descended from Eliezer, the brother of Gershom, the ancestor of Shebuel, whose descent from him in succession were

Rehabiah, Jeshaiah, Joram, Zichri, and Shelomith.

Gill: 1Ch 26:26

Which Shelomith,.... The last mentioned in the lineage from Eliezer, the younger son of Moses:

and his brethren; or kinsmen:

were over all the treasures of the dedicated things; which had been devoted for the service of God, and of the temple particularly:

which David the king had dedicated; out of the spoils he took in war, see 2Sa 8:11,

the chief fathers; princes of tribes, and heads of families:

the captains over thousands and hundreds; in the several tribes of the kingdom, and were concerned in the administration of justice to the people:

and the captains of the host, had dedicated; of the army, out of the spoils in victory that came to their share, see Num 31:48 as follows.

Gill: 1Ch 26:27

Out of the spoils won in battle did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord. When it should be built; for as yet it was not; both to repair it when necessary, and to provide sacrifices for it; or to confirm, strengthen, and animate the heart of the king to build it, so some, and put it into the power of his hands to do it; so the Romans dedicated the best of their spoil, and laid it up in the temple of Jupiter Feretrius, after the example of Romulus, their first king ^f; yea, sometimes out of the spoil they erected temples, as Tarquinius Superbus ^g did; or repaired and ornamented them, as the temple at Delphos, and others ^h.

Gill: 1Ch 26:28

And all that Samuel the seer,.... Or prophet, won in battle with the Philistines:

and Saul the son of Kish; in his wars with the Moabites, Edomites, Amalekites, and Philistines:

and Abner the son of Ner: the general of his army, who as such had his share in the spoils:

and Joab the son of Zeruiah; the general of David's army, who fought with the Ammonites, Syrians, and others; all of whom

had dedicated more or less towards the building of the temple, and the support of it, it being known by them all that God would have a place to put his name in:

and whosoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren: this man had a great trust committed to him, with his brethren; some, before mentioned, are said to be over the treasures, some over one part, and some over another; but this man was over all of them, he had the superintendency of the whole.

Gill: 1Ch 26:29

Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were

for the outward business over Israel,.... Which was done out of the temple, and out of Jerusalem, in the several parts of the country:

for officers and judges; to administer justice and judgment, and to take care that the laws of God were observed, both with respect to things civil and religious, and delinquents punished; which is a better sense than what Jarchi and Kimchi put upon this:

outward business, as if it lay in taking care to have timber cut down in the forest, and stones dug and hewed in the mountains, for the building of the temple; and that the lands were ploughed, and the vineyards, gardens, and orchards, dressed, which were devoted to sacred uses.

Gill: 1Ch 26:30

And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred,.... And supposing the Izharites in the preceding verse to be 1600, these, with those on the other side Jordan, 2700, 1Ch 26:32 make up just the 6000 officers and judges, 1Ch 23:4 these

were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward: in those parts of the land which were on this side Jordan, to the west of it, yet nearer to it than those meant by Israel in the preceding verse; it may respect those that dwelt more remote from Jordan, though on this side also, towards the Mediterranean sea:

in all business of the Lord, and in the service of the king; in things divine and civil, what appertained to the worship of God, and the support of civil government, and to take care that all the laws were observed, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, and that both the Lord was feared, and the king honoured, and both had what was due unto them.

Gill: 1Ch 26:31

Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites,.... The posterity of Hebron, the son of Kohath:

according to the generations of his fathers; a principal man in the families that descended from his ancestors:

in the fortieth year of the reign of David; which was the last year of his reign, in which year all the above things were done; the distribution of the priests into their classes and courses, and so of the Levites, singers, and porters; as well as the appointment of those several judges and officers employed in divers parts of the land: and particularly in this year those

Hebronites were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour, at Jazer of Gilead; a city on the other side Jordan, which belonged to the tribe of Gad, see Num 21:32.

Gill: 1Ch 26:32

And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers,.... That is, the brethren or kinsmen of Jerijah the Hebronite were so many principal men in their families, and men of fortitude and courage:

whom King David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh; all which lay on the other side Jordan; and being so remote from the seat of civil government, and of the worship of God, they were in greater danger of revolting, both from their obedience to their king, and duty to their God; land therefore so large a number was appointed over them, to instruct them and keep them in their duty to both, as follows:

for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king; to see that they kept close to the pure worship and service of God; and were faithful and loyal subjects of the king.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:20

¹ tn Or “treasuries.”

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:21

¹ tn “Ladan” is a variant of the name “Libni” (cf. 6:17).

² tn “Jehieli” is a variant of the name “Jehiel” (cf. 23:8).

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:24

¹ tn A number of English versions follow the LXX and Vulgate and read “Shubael” here (e.g., NAB, NIV, NCV, CEV).

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:25

¹ tc The marginal reading (Qere) is “Shelomith,” while the consonantal text (Kethib) has “Shelomoth.”

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:26

¹ tc The MT reads “Shelomoth”; the name is spelled “Shelomith” in the marginal reading (Qere) of v. 25.

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:28

¹ tn Or “seer.”

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:29

¹ tn The words “the temple” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:31

¹ tn Heb “and they were searched and there were found in them.”

NET Notes: 1Ch 26:32

¹ tn Heb “and his brothers, sons of respect, [were] 2,700, heads of fathers.”

² tn Heb “with respect to every matter of God and matter of the king.”

Geneva Bible: 1Ch 26:18

At ^{( k )} Parbar westward, four at the causeway, [and] two at Parbar.

^{( k )} Which was a house in which they kept the instruments of the temple.

Geneva Bible: 1Ch 26:23

Of the ^{( l )} Amramites, [and] the Izharites, the Hebronites, [and] the Uzzielites:

^{( l )} These also had charge over the treasures.

Geneva Bible: 1Ch 26:26

Which Shelomith and his brethren [were] 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 ^{( m )} dedicated.

^{( m )} According as the Lord commanded, (Num 31:28).

Geneva Bible: 1Ch 26:29

Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons [were] for the outward business ^{( n )} over Israel, for officers and judges.

^{( n )} Meaning of things that were out of the city.

Geneva Bible: 1Ch 26:30

[And] of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, [were] officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of ^{( o )} the king.

^{( o )} That is, for the king's house.

Geneva Bible: 1Ch 26:32

And his brethren, men of valour, [were] 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 ^{( q )} God, and affairs of the king.

^{( q )} Both in spiritual and temporal things.

Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Ch 26:1-32

1 The divisions of the porters.

13 The gates assigned by lot.

20 The Levites that had charge of the treasures.

29 Officers and judges.

MHCC: 1Ch 26:1-32

The porters and treasurers of the temple, had occasion for strength and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary, and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar; flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps; quantities of these were kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house, enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries, the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness, we must give him the glory, and endeavour to dispose of our abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church, as truly as the ministry, and must not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man. Wisdom, courage, strength of faith, holy affections, and constancy of mind in doing our duty, are requisite or useful for every station.

Matthew Henry: 1Ch 26:1-19

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 the keys to the kingdom of heaven committed to them (Mat 16:19), that they may admit, and exclude, according to the law of Christ.

II. Of several of those that were called to this service, it is taken notice of that they were mighty men of valour (1Ch 26:6), strong men (1Ch 26:7), able men (1Ch 26:8), and one of them that he was a wise counsellor (1Ch 26:14), who probably, when he had used this office of a deacon well and given proofs of more than ordinary wisdom, purchased to himself a good degree, and was preferred from the gate to the council-board, 1Ti 3:13. 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.

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 sons (1Ch 26:5), for God blessed him. 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, 1Ti 3:4, 1Ti 3:5. I have kept thy law, says David, and this I had because I kept thy precepts, Psa 119:55, Psa 119:56.

IV. It is said of one here that though he was not the first-born his father made him the chief (1Ch 26:10), 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, Deu 21:16, Deu 21:17), but in this service, which required personal qualifications.

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, 1Ch 26:13. It is not said that they were cast into twenty-four courses, as before; but here are the names of about twenty-four (1Ch 26:1-11), and the posts assigned are twenty-four, 1Ch 26:17, 1Ch 26:18. 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, Rev 21:12.

Matthew Henry: 1Ch 26:20-28

Observe, 1. There were treasures of the house of God. 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 treasures of the house of God. 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 treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and unsearchable riches. 2. There were treasures of dedicated things, dedicated mostly out of the spoils won in battle (1Ch 26:27), as a grateful acknowledgment of the divine protection. Abraham gave Melchisedec the tenth of the spoils Heb 7:4. In Moses's time the officers of the army, when they returned victorious, brought of their spoils an oblation to the Lord, Num 31:50. 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, 1Ch 26:28. 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 (1Ch 26:20, 1Ch 26:26), whose business it was to keep them, that neither moth nor rust might corrupt them, nor thieves break through and steal, 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.

Matthew Henry: 1Ch 26:29-32

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 in all business of the Lord, and in the service of the kings, 1Ch 26:30 and again 1Ch 26:32. 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, 1Ch 26:30, 1Ch 26:32. 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 (1Ch 26:31), that is, the last year of his reign. We should be so much the more industrious to do good as we can see the day approaching. If we live to enjoy the fruit of our labours, grudge it not to those that shall come after us.

Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ch 26:12-19

The division of the doorkeepers according to their posts of service. 1Ch 26:12. "To these classes of doorkeepers, viz., to the heads of the men, (were committed) the watches, in common with their brethren, to serve in the house of Jahve."By מחלקות לאלּה it is placed beyond doubt that the above-mentioned names and numbers give us the classes of the doorkeepers. By the apposition הגּברים לראשׁי , the meaning of which is discussed in the commentary on 1Ch 24:4, השׁ מחלקות is so defined as to show that properly the heads of the households are meant, only these having been enumerated in the preceding section, and not the classes.

1Ch 26:13

The distribution of the stations by lot followed (cf. 1Ch 25:8), the small as the great; i.e., the younger as the older cast lots, according to their fathers'-houses, "for door and door,"i.e., for each door of the four sides of the temple, which was built so that its sides corresponded to the points of the compass.

1Ch 26:14

The lot towards the east, i.e., for the guarding of the east side, fell to Shelemiah (cf. 1Ch 26:1, 1Ch 26:2); while that towards the north fell to his first-born Zechariah. Before זכריהוּ , ל is to be repeated. To him the title בּשׂכל יויץ is given, for reasons unknown to us. גו הפּילוּ , (for him) they threw lots.

1Ch 26:15

To Obed-edom (fell the lot) towards the south, and to his sons it fell (to guard) the house Asuppim. As to בּית־האספּים , called for brevity עספּים in 1Ch 26:17, i.e., house of collections or provisions (cf. Neh 12:25), we can say nothing further than that it was a building used for the storing of the temple goods, situated in the neighbourhood of the southern door of the temple in the external court, and that it probably had two entrances, since in 1Ch 26:19 it is stated that two guard-stations were assigned to it.

1Ch 26:16

The word לשׁפּים is unintelligible, and probably has come into the text merely by a repetition of the two last syllables of the preceding word, since the name שׁפּים (1Ch 7:12) has no connection with this passage. To Hosah fell the lot towards the west, by the door Shallecheth on the ascending highway. העולה המסלּה is the way which led from the lower city up to the more lofty temple site. Instead of the door on this highway, in 1Ch 26:18, in the statement as to the distribution of the guard-stations, Parbar is named, and the highway distinguished from it, four doorkeepers being appointed for the מסלּה , and two for פּרבּר . פּרבּר .פּר , probably identical with פּרורים , 2Ki 23:11, a word of uncertain meaning, was the name of an out-building on the western side, the back of the outer court of the temple by the door Shallecheth, which contained cells for the laying up of temple goods and furniture. שׁלּכת , Böttcher translates, Proben , S. 347, "refuse-door;"see on 2Ki 23:11. Nothing more definite can be said of it, unless we hold, with Thenius on 2Ki 23:11, that Ezekiel's temple is in all its details a copy of the Solomonic temple, and use it, in an unjustifiable way, as a source of information as to the prae-exilic temple. משׁמר לעמּת משׁמר (as in Neh 12:24), guard with (over against?) guard, or one guard as the other (cf. on לעמּת , 1Ch 26:12 and 1Ch 25:8), Bertheau connects with Hosah, according to the Masoretic punctuation, and explains it thus: "Because it was Hosah's duty to set guards before the western gate of the temple, and also before the gate Shallecheth, which lay over against it."Clericus, on the contrary, refers the words to all the guard-stations: cum ad omnes januas essent custodiae, sibi ex adverso respondebant . This reference, according to which the words belong to what follows, and introduce the statement as to the number of guards at the individual posts which follows in 1Ch 26:17., seems to deserve the preference. So much is certain in any case, that there is no ground in the text for distinguishing the gate Shallecheth from the western gate of the temple, for the two gates are not distinguished either in 1Ch 26:16 or in 1Ch 26:18.

1Ch 26:17-18

Settlement of the number of guard-stations at the various sides and places. Towards morning (on the east side) were six of the Levites (six kept guard); towards the north by day (i.e., daily, on each day), four; towards the south daily, four; and at the storehouse two and two, consequently four also; at Parbar towards the west, four on the highway and two at Parbar, i.e., six. In all, therefore, there were twenty-four guard-stations to be occupied daily; but more than twenty-four persons were required, because, even supposing that one man at a time was sufficient for each post, one man could not stand the whole day at it: he must have been relieved from time to time. Probably, however, there were always more than one person on guard at each post. It further suggests itself that the number twenty-four may be in some way connected with the divisions or classes of doorkeepers; but there is only a deceptive appearance of a connection. The division of the priests and musicians each into twenty-four classes respectively is no sufficient analogy in the case, for these classes had to perform the service in succession each for a week at a time, while the twenty-four doorkeepers' stations had to be all occupied simultaneously every day. - In 1Ch 26:2-11, then, twenty-eight heads in all are enumerated by name (Meshelemiah with seven sons, Obed-edom with eight sons and six grandsons, and Hosah with four sons); but the total number in all the three families of doorkeepers is stated at ninety-three, and neither the one nor the other of these numbers bears any relation to twenty-four. Finally, the posts are so distributed that Meshelemiah with his eighteen sons and brothers kept guard on the east and north sides with six posts; Obed-edom with his sixty-two sons and brothers on the south side with four and 2 x 2, that is, eight posts; and Hosah with his thirteen sons and brothers on the western side with four and two, that is, six; so that even here no symmetrical distribution of the service can be discovered.

1Ch 26:19

Subscription, in which it is again stated that the classes of doorkeepers were taken from among the Korahites and Merarites.

Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ch 26:20-28

The stewards of the treasures of the sanctuary. - 1Ch 26:20 appears to contain the superscription of the succeeding section. For here the treasures of the house of God and the treasures of the consecrated things are grouped together, while in 1Ch 26:22 and 1Ch 26:26 they are separated, and placed under the oversight of two Levite families: the treasures of the house of Jahve under the sons of the Gershonite Laadan (1Ch 26:21, 1Ch 26:22); the treasures of the consecrated things under the charge of the Amramites. But with this the words אחיּה הלויּם cannot be made to harmonize. According to the Masoretic accentuation, הלויּם alone would be the superscription; but הלויּם alone gives no suitable sense, for the Levites have been treated of already from 1 Chron 23 onwards. Moreover, it appears somewhat strange that there is no further characterization of אחיּה , for the name is a very common one, but has not before occurred in our chapter, whence we would expect a statement of his descent and his family, such as we find in the case of the succeeding chief overseers. All these things tend to throw doubt upon the correctness of the Masoretic reading, while the lxx, on the contrary, in καὶ οἱ Δευῖται ἀδελφοὶ αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τῶν θησαυρῶν κ.τ.λ, give a perfectly suitable superscription, which involves the reading אחיהם instead of אחיּה . This reading we, with J. D. Mich. and Berth., hold to be the original. On אהיהם הלויּם , cf. 1Ch 6:29; 2Ch 29:34.

1Ch 26:21-22

1Ch 26:21 and 1Ch 26:22 to together: "The sons of Laadan, (namely) the sons of the Gershonite family which belong to Laadan, (namely) the heads of the fathers'-houses of Laadan of the Gershonite family: Jehieli, (namely) the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel (see 1Ch 23:7), were over the treasures of the house of Jahve."The meaning is this: "Over the treasures of the house of Jahve were Zetham and Joel, the heads of the father's-house of Jehieli, which belonged to the Laadan branch of the Gershonites."Light is thrown upon these words, so obscure through their brevity, by 1Ch 23:7-8, according to which the sons of Jehiel, or the Jehielites, are descended from Laadan, the older branch of the Gershonites. This descent is briefly but fully stated in the three clauses of the 21st verse, each of which contains a more definite characterization of the father's-house Jehieli, whose two heads Zetham and Joel were entrusted with the oversight of the treasures of the house of God.

1Ch 26:23-24

1Ch 26:23 and 1Ch 26:24 also go together: "As to the Amramites, Jisharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites (the four chief branches of the Kohathite family of Levites, 1Ch 23:15-20), Shebuel the son of Gershon, the son of Moses, was prince over the treasures"(w before Shebuel introduces the apodosis, cf. Ew. §348, a, and = Germ. "so war").

1Ch 26:25

"And his (Shebuel's) brethren of Eliezer were Rehabiah his (Eliezer's) son, and Jeshaiah his son, ... and Shelomoth his son."These descendants of Eliezer were called brethren of Shebuel, because they were descended through Eliezer from Moses, as Shebuel was through his father Gershon.

1Ch 26:26-28

This Shelomoth (a descendant of Eliezer, and so to be distinguished both from the Jisharite Shelomith 1Ch 23:18 and 1Ch 24:22, and the Gershonite of the same name 1Ch 23:9), and his brethren were over the treasures of the consecrated things which David the king had consecrated, and the heads of the fathers'-houses, etc. Instead of לשׂרי we must read ושׁרי , according to 1Ch 29:6. The princes over the thousands and hundreds are the war captains, and the הצּבא שׂרי are the commanders-in-chief, e.g., Abner, Joab, 1Ch 27:34, 2Sa 8:16; 1Ch 18:15. - The 27th verse is an explanatory parenthesis: "from the wars and from the booty,"i.e., from the booty taken in war had they consecrated. לחזּק , to make strong, i.e., to preserve in strength and good condition the house of Jahve. חזּק elsewhere of the renovation of old buildings, 2Ki 12:8., Neh 3:2., here in a somewhat general signification. - In 1Ch 26:28 the enumeration of those who had consecrated, thus interrupted, is resumed, but in the form of a new sentence, which concludes with a predicate of its own. In ההקדּישׁ the article represents אשׁר , as in 1Ch 29:17; 2Ch 29:36, and elsewhere; cf. Ew. §331, b . With המּקדּישׁ כּל , all who had consecrated, the enumeration is concluded, and the predicate, "was at the hand of Shelomith and his brethren,"is then brought in. על־יד , laid upon the hand, i.e., entrusted to them for preservation; Germ. unter der Hand (under the hand).

If we glance back at the statements as to the stewards of the treasures (1Ch 26:20-28), we find that the treasures of the house of Jahve were under the oversight of the Jehielites Zetham and Joel, with their brethren, a branch of the Gershonites (v. 22); and the treasures of the consecrated things under the oversight of the Kohathite Shelomith, who was of the family of Moses' second son Eliezer, with his brethren (v. 28). But in what relation does the statement in v. 24, that Shebuel, the descendant of Moses through Gershon, was על־האצרות נגיד , stand to this? Bertheau thinks "that three kinds of treasures are distinguished, the guarding of which was committed to different officials: (1) The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel, had the oversight of the treasures of the house of God, which, as we may conclude from 1Ch 29:8, had been collected by voluntary gifts: (2) Shebuel was prince over the treasures, perhaps over the sums which resulted from regular assessment for the temple (Exo 30:11-16), from redemption-money, e.g., for the first-born (Num 18:16.), or for vows (Lev); consequently over a part of the sums which are designated in 2Ki 12:5 by the name הקדשים כסף : (3) Shelomith and his brothers had the oversight of all the הקדשים אוצרות , i.e., of the consecrated gifts which are called in 2Ki 12:19 קדשים , and distinguished from the קדשים כסף in 2Ki 12:5."But this view has no support in the text. Both in the superscription (1Ch 26:20) and in the enumeration (1Ch 26:22, 1Ch 26:26) only two kinds of treasures-treasures of the house of God (of Jahve), and treasures of the קדשׁים - are mentioned. Neither by the facts nor by the language used are we justified in supposing that there was a third kind of treasures, viz., the sums resulting from the regular assessment for the holy place. For it is thoroughly arbitrary to confine the treasures of the house of God to the voluntary contributions and the consecrated gifts given from the war-booty; and it is still more arbitrary to limit the treasures over which Shebuel was prince to the sums flowing into the temple treasures from the regular assessment; for the reference to 2Ki 12:19 and 2Ki 12:5 is no proof of this, because, though two kinds of קדשׁים are there distinguished, yet both are further defined. The quite general expression האצרות , the treasures, can naturally be referred only to the two different kinds of treasures distinguished in 1Ch 26:22. This reference is also demanded by the words נגיד ... שׁבוּאל (1Ch 26:24). Heads of fathers'-houses, with their brethren ( אהיהם ), are mentioned as guardians of the two kinds of treasures spoken of in 1Ch 26:20; while here, on the contrary, we have Shebuel alone, without assistants. Further, the other guardians are not called נגיד , as Shebuel is. The word נגיד denotes not an overseer or steward, but only princes of kingdoms (kings), princes of tribes (1Ch 12:27; 1Ch 13:1; 1Ch 27:16; 2Ch 32:21), ministers of the palace and the temple, and commanders-in-chief (2Ch 11:11; 2Ch 28:7), and is consequently used in our section neither of Zetham and Joel, nor of Shelomoth. The calling of Shebuel נגיד consequently shows that he was the chief guardian of the sacred treasures, under whose oversight the guardians of the two different kinds of treasures were placed. This is stated in 1Ch 26:23, 1Ch 26:24; and the statement would not have been misunderstood if it had been placed at the beginning or the end of the enumeration; and its position in the middle between the Gershonites and the Kohathites is explained by the fact that this prince was, according to 1Ch 23:16, the head of the four Levite families descended from Kohath.

Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ch 26:29-32

The officials for the external business . - 1Ch 26:29. "As to the Izharites, Chenaniah (see on 1Ch 15:22) with his sons was for the outward business over Israel for scribes and judges."According to this, the external business of the Levites consisted of service as scribes and judges, for which David had set apart 6000 Levites (1Ch 23:4). Without sufficient reason, Bertheau would refer the external business to the exaction of the dues for the temple, because in Neh 11:16 ההיצנה המּלאכה for the temple is spoken of. But it does not at all follow that in our verse the external work had any reference to the temple, and that the scribes and judges had only this narrow sphere of action, since here, instead of the house of God, ישׂראל על is mentioned as the object with which the external service was connected.

1Ch 26:30

Of Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, 1700 valiant men, were ישׂ פּקדּת על , for the oversight (inspection) of Israel this side Jordan, for all the business of Jahve and the service of the king. Bertheau takes פּקדּה to mean "due,""fixed tribute,"a meaning which the word cannot be shown to have. The lxx have translated correctly, ἐπὶ τῆς ἐπισκέψεως τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ , ad inspectionem Israelis , i.e., praefecti erant (J. H. Mich.). For פּקדּת על is in 1Ch 26:32 rendered by על יפקיד . ליּרדּן מעבר is shown by the addition מערבה to refer to the land of Canaan, as in Jos 5:1; Jos 22:7, since Israel, both under Joshua and also after the exile, had come from the eastward over Jordan into Canaan. The words מלאכת and עבדת are synonymous, and are consequently both represented in 1Ch 26:32 by דּבר .

1Ch 26:31-32

David set another branch of the Hebronites, under the head Jeriah (cf. 1Ch 23:9), over the East-Jordan tribes. Between the words "Jeriah the head,"1Ch 26:31, and ואחיו , 1Ch 26:32, a parenthesis is inserted, which gives the reason why David made these Hebronites scribes and judges among the East-Jordan tribes. The parenthesis runs thus: "As to the Hebronites, according to their generations, according to fathers, they were sought out in the fortieth year of David's rule, and valiant heroes were found among them in Jazer of Gilead."Jazer was a Levite city in the tribal domain of Gad, assigned, according to Jos 21:39, to the Merarites (see on 1Ch 6:81). The number of these Hebronites was 2700 valiant men (1Ch 26:32). The additional האבות ראשׁי is obscure, for if we take אבות to be, as it often is in the genealogies, a contraction for בּית־עבות rof no , the number given does not suit; for a branch of the Hebronites cannot possibly have numbered 2700 fathers'-houses ( πατριαὶ , groups of related households): they must be only 2700 men ( גּברים ), or heads of families, i.e., households. Not only the large number demands this signification, but also the comparison of this statement with that in 1Ch 26:30. The 1700 חיל בּני of which the Hebronite branch, Hashabiah with his brethren, consisted, were not so many πατριαὶ , but only so many men of this πατριά . In the same way, the Hebronite branch of which Jeriah was head, with his brethren, 2700 חיל בּני , were also not 2700 πατριαὶ , but only so many men, that is, fathers of families. It is thus placed beyond doubt that אבות ראשׁי cannot here denote the heads of fathers'-houses, but only heads of households. And accordingly we must not understand לאבות (1Ch 26:31) of fathers'-houses, as the lxx and all commentators do, but only of heads of households. The use of the verb נדרשׁוּ also favours this view, for this verb is not elsewhere used of the legal census of the people, i.e., the numbering and entering of them in the public lists, according to the great families and fathers'-houses. There may therefore be in נדרשׁוּ a hint that it was not a genealogical census which was undertaken, but only a numbering of the heads of households, in order to ascertain the number of scribes and judges to be appointed. There yet remain in this section three things which are somewhat strange: 1. Only 1700 scribes and judges were set over the cis-Jordanic land, inhabited as it was by ten and a half tribes, while 2700 were set over the trans-Jordanic land with its two and a half tribes. 2. Both numbers taken together amount to only 4400 men, while David appointed 6000 Levites to be scribes and judges. 3. The scribes and judges were taken only from two fathers'-houses of the Kohathites, while most of the other Levitical offices were filled by men of all the families of the tribe of Levi. On all these grounds, it is probable that our catalogue of the Levites appointed to be scribes and judges, i.e., for the external business, is imperfect.

Constable: 1Ch 10:1--29:30

II. THE REIGN OF DAVID chs. 10--29

In all of Chronicles the writer assumed his readers' acquaintance with the other Old Testament historical books. This is especially true regarding what Samuel and Kings contain.

"The reigns of Saul, David and Solomon over a united Israel are central to the concerns of the Chronicler, about half his narrative material being devoted to these three kings alone. Nearly all the many themes of his work are developed here, and it is in their light that the subsequent history of the people is assessed."³⁶

Constable: 1Ch 17:1--29:30

E. God's Covenant Promises to David chs. 17-29

The dominating theme in 1 Chronicles is the Davidic Covenant, the receiving of which was the most important event in David's life. God promised to give him an eternal kingdom, and He formalized that promise by making a covenant with him. The writer repeated three times that David's descendants would be God's instruments for bringing salvation to the nations.

The Chronicler referred to the Davidic Covenant seven times in his book (1 Chron. 17:11-14; 22:8-13; 28:6-7; 2 Chron. 6:8-9, 16; 7:17-18; 13:5; 21:7). Many students of Chronicles have regarded the Davidic Covenant as the heart of these books because it established David's kingly line with promises that relate to the temple and the priesthood. The temple and the priesthood are two major themes of these books. God brought them under Davidic rule forever, as the Chronicler revealed.

Another unifying theme is the steps taken toward the building of the temple.

"These include identification of the builder (ch. 17), the necessary political conditions (18-20), site (21), materials and plans (22, 28-29), and the personnel (the primary layer in 23-27)."⁵⁶

Constable: 1Ch 22:1--27:34

2. The second account of God's promises to David chs. 22-27

In this section of chapters we have David's preparations for the fulfillment of those aspects of the covenant that extended beyond his reign. We can see David's belief that God would fulfill the rest of His promises in the ways he prepared for their fulfillment. He prepared in two ways: by gathering materials for the construction of the temple (ch. 22), and by appointing the officials who would guide Israel after his death (chs. 23-27).

David concerned himself with what God had promised. In this he was a godly example to the restoration Jews, and he is to us. He wanted to see God's kingdom come, namely, the kingdom that God had promised (cf. Matt. 6:10). The focus of the promise was the house for God that Solomon would build. David did all he could to pave the way for its coming into reality (cf. Ps. 69:9; John 2:17). The postexilic remnant demonstrated little zeal to rebuild the temple or to reestablish God's kingdom on earth (Hag. 1:2). The Book of Chronicles was one instrument God used to stir them up to action (cf. Hag. 2:20-23).

Constable: 1Ch 23:1--26:32

Preparations for temple service chs. 23-26

Verses 1 and 2 of chapter 23 provide an outline for what follows in chapters 23-27 but in reverse order. After David appointed Solomon as his coregent in 973 B.C., he began the preparations the writer described here.

David adapted the service of the Levites, who assisted the priests, to the new temple ritual. This form of worship was a combination of tabernacle and divinely approved revised worship (Num. 3; 23:3-32). The Chronicler gave the names of the family heads in Levi's tribe first (vv. 3-24). Then he explained the duties that David prescribed for them (vv. 25-32). In all this David was careful to abide within the guidelines of the Mosaic Law and other instructions he had received from the Lord (cf. 28:19). Previously the Levites had served mainly by carrying the tabernacle and its furnishings from place to place (Num. 2-4). Now their duty was to maintain the temple and its worship with the exception of matters reserved for the priests (vv. 28-32).

"To entitle this section the organization of the Levites' is to make it sound like bureaucratic regimentation. It is rather to be seen as a scaffolding for that house, a structure to enable God's people to function as they ought."⁷⁴

The high priest supervised the priests in their temple service (23:28; 24:1-19). Priests were descendants of Aaron and constituted only one branch of the Levitical family (Num. 18:7). The priests continued to offer sacrifices and offerings on the brazen and incense (golden) altars (Num. 18:1-7). David organized the priests into 24 groups each of which served for one week at a time (2 Chron. 23:8). Zadok and Ahimelech served as high priests. Ahimelech, a descendant of Eli, served at the Jerusalem tent David had erected for the ark until Zadok replaced him. Zadok originally oversaw the sanctuary at Gibeon until David brought him into Jerusalem to take Ahimelech's place. Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, revolted against Solomon, and from then on Zadok served as high priest alone.

The writer also recorded the order of Levitical service (24:20-31). The casting of lots determined this order. Every detail of temple service was important to David. This shows his heart for God and how he lived in the present with the future God had promised clearly in view. David lowered the age required for Levitical service from 30 to 20. He may have done this because there was a need for many more Levites under the new system of worship (vv. 24, 27; cf. v. 3).⁷⁵

David also organized some of the Levitical families as temple musicians. Asaph was a Gershonite (6:39-43), Heman a Kohathite (6:33), and Jeduthun (Ethan) a Merarite (6:44-47). They were responsible for singing praises to God and leading the people in doing the same. This is what "prophesying" included (25:1). The re-establishment of temple worship was important in postexilic Israel, and music played a large part in it. Consequently David's organization would have been of great interest then.

The organization of a temple choir is surprising since the Chronicler elsewhere presented Israel's worship as done in compliance with the Mosaic Law, which made no provision for a choir. However the prophets Nathan and Gad had authorized this choir (2 Chron. 29:25). Furthermore this choir was in harmony with other legislation in the Law directing praise of the Lord (cf. Num. 10:10; Deut. 10:8; 18:5). Also the general scriptural admonition to rejoice in God's presence encouraged creative expressions of worship in harmony with God's Word.⁷⁶

David also organized the officers of the Levites as gatekeepers (26:1-19), treasury guards (26:20-28), and leaders in external affairs (26:29-32). The gatekeepers were the temple guards (cf. 26:7-8).⁷⁷ David even specified the number of guards at each temple gate (26:17-18). There were 24 guard stations manned 24 hours a day. In view of the wealth in and on the temple, security needed to be tight (cf. 26:27-28).

"In the capitals of the Asiatic kingdoms of antiquity, enormous quantities of precious metals were accumulated."⁷⁸

Guzik: 1Ch 26:1-32

1 Chronicles 26 - The Gatekeepers for the Temple

A. The divisions of the gatekeepers.

1. (1-5) The divisions of the gatekeepers.

Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. And the sons of Meshelemiah were Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. Moreover the sons of Obed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth; for God blessed him.

a. Divisions of the gatekeepers: These had the responsibility for security, both in a practical and spiritual sense. They made sure that only those who were ready to serve and worship God could come to the temple and its associated building. Their work had to be organized and arranged just as much as the work of the priests who officiated at the sacrifices.

i. "Though less prominent than some of their Levitical colleagues, from time to time the gatekeepers made a vital contribution to national life, notably under the high priest Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 23:4-6, 19), and in the reigns of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:14-19) and Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:9-13)." (Selman)

ii. "Essentially their duty was to make ordinary people aware of the practical limits of holiness, for anyone entering the sanctuary unlawfully did so on penalty of death." (Selman)

iii. Though some might see their work as humble, it was actually of great priviledge. Remember the envy of the Psalmist: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)

b. Of the sons of Asaph: "Not that famous Asaph the singer, but another Asaph, called also Ebiasaph, 1 Chronicles 6:37." (Trapp)

2. (6-8) Shemaiah and his sons, and the other sons of Obed-Edom.

Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers' houses, because they were men of great ability. The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men. All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom.

a. Who governed their fathers' houses, because they were men of great ability: Shemaiah was of the family of gatekeepers, yet his sons rose to positions of high responsibility because they were men of great ability. They are also described as able men with strength for the work.

i. "Able men might be better translated, 'strong men'. The job might entail removal of unwelcome people or objects (cf. 2 Chronicles 26:16-20)." (Selman)

3. (9-12) Other gatekeepers.

And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men. Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first), Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen. Among these were the divisions of the gatekeepers, among the chief men, having duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the LORD.

a. Having duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the LORD: Some would make a distinction between the spiritual work of the temple and the practical work of the temple and regard the spiritual work as more important. The Chronicler is careful to remind us that the work of these gatekeepers, whose service was more practical in nature, was esteemed by God as just as valuable.

i. "A very important point is made by the inclusion of these groups, even though they might seem to represent a diversion from Chronicles' main theme. As God's people pay proper attention to their status as a worshipping community, the distinction between the sacred and the secular disappears. All tasks, whether mundane or specialized, 'religious' or 'lay', have value in the eyes of God." (Selman)

4. (13-19) The lot for each family of the gatekeepers.

And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father's house. The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate; to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse. To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway; watchman opposite watchman. On the east were six Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the storehouse two by two. As for the Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar. These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari.

a. They cast lots for each gate: They determined the order and arrangement of the service for the gatekeepers the same way that they determined the order and arrangement for the priests in their service.

b. The small as well as the great: This means that David let the LORD decide when it came to organizing and ordering these offices, and he did not let prestige or position determine thei appointments.

i. "Our method is not that of casting lots, but of seeking the direct guidance of the Spirit. But we need to remember that in our choice of men for office in the work of the Church of God, the things of privilege, which too often count in human affairs, must have no weight with us." (Morgan)

ii. "But chiefly we are concerned with the temple of the heart. We surely need the doorkeeper there, for in the history of the inner life there is so much going and coming; such troops of thoughts pour into the shrine of the soul, and pour out. And often, in the crowd, disloyal and evil thoughts intrude, which, before we know it, introduce a sense of distance and alienation from God." (Meyer)

B. Other Levitical servants to the temple.

1. (20-25) Overseerers for the treasuries of the house of God.

Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the dedicated things. The sons of Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers' houses, of Laadan the Gershonite: Jehieli. The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were over the treasuries of the house of the LORD. Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites: Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries. And his brethren by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

a. Over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the dedicated things: David set in order the financial organization necessary to administrate the building of the temple, including oversight of the all the riches brought in by David's conquest of neighboring peoples (the dedicated things).

2. (26-28) Shelomith, a notable overseer of the treasuries of the house of God.

This Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things which King David and the heads of fathers' houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of the LORD. And all that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, every dedicated thing, was under the hand of Shelomith and his brethren.

3. (29-32) Other servants for the Kingdom of Israel.

Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons performed duties as officials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem. Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred able men, had the oversight of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king. Among the Hebronites, Jerijah was head of the Hebronites according to his genealogy of the fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought, and there were found among them capable men at Jazer of Gilead. And his brethren were two thousand seven hundred able men, heads of fathers' houses, whom King David made officials over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.

a. For every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king: "Expounding also of the law, and therehence answering cases, solving doubts; superintendents, some say they were, throughout the whole kingdom." (Trapp)

i. "The statistic that 2,700 Levites maintained the laws of 'God and . . . the king' among the tribes west of the Jordan (v.30) seems strange . . . but contains a hint of the importance of the district of Gilead." (Payne)

© 2006 David Guzik - No distribution beyond personal use without permission

Introduction / Outline

JFB: 1 Chronicles (Book Introduction)

THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS OF CHRONICLES were also considered as one by the ancient Jews, who called them "words of days," that is, diaries or journals, being probably compiled from those registers that were kept by the king's historiographers of passing occurrences. In the Septuagint the title given them is Paraleipomenon, "of things omitted," that is, the books are supplementary because many things unnoticed in the former books are here recorded; and not only the omissions are supplied, but some narratives extended while others are added. The authorship is commonly ascribed to Ezra, whose leading object seems to have been to show the division of families, possessions, &c., before the captivity, with a view to the exact restoration of the same order after the return from Babylon. Although many things are restated and others are exact repetitions of what is contained in Kings, there is so much new and important information that, as JEROME has well said, the Chronicles furnish the means of comprehending parts of the New Testament, which must have been unintelligible without them. They are frequently referred to by Christ and the Apostles as forming part of "the Word of God" (see the genealogies in Mat. 1:1-16; Luk. 3:23-38; compare 2Ch 19:7 with 1Pe 1:17; 2Ch 24:19-21 with Mat 23:32-35).

JFB: 1 Chronicles (Outline)

• ADAM'S LINE TO NOAH. (1Ch. 1:1-23)
• SHEM'S LINE TO ABRAHAM. (1Ch 1:24-28)
• SONS OF ISHMAEL. (1Ch 1:29-31)
• SONS OF KETURAH. (1Ch 1:32-33)
• POSTERITY OF ABRAHAM BY ESAU. (1Ch 1:34-42)
• POSTERITY OF JUDAH. (1Ch 2:3-12)
• CHILDREN OF JESSE. (1Ch 2:13-17)
• POSTERITY OF CALEB. (1Ch. 2:18-55)
• SONS OF DAVID. (1Ch 3:1-9)
• HIS LINE TO ZEDEKIAH. (1Ch 3:10-16)
• SUCCESSORS OF JECONIAH. (1Ch 3:17-24)
• POSTERITY OF JUDAH BY CALEB THE SON OF HUR. (1Ch 4:1-8)
• OF JABEZ, AND HIS PRAYER. (1Ch 4:9-20)
• POSTERITY OF SHELAH. (1Ch 4:21-23)
• OF SIMEON. (1Ch. 4:24-43)
• THE LINE OF REUBEN. (1Ch 5:1-10)
• THE LINE OF GAD. (1Ch. 5:11-26)
• LINE OF THE PRIESTS. (1Ch. 6:1-48)
• OFFICE OF AARON AND HIS SONS. (1Ch. 6:49-81)
• SONS OF ISSACHAR. (1Ch 7:1-5)
• OF BENJAMIN. (1Ch 7:6-12)
• OF NAPHTALI. (1Ch 7:13)
• OF MANASSEH. (1Ch. 7:14-40)
• SONS AND CHIEF MEN OF BENJAMIN. (1Ch. 8:1-32)
• STOCK OF SAUL AND JONATHAN. (1Ch 8:33-40)
• ORIGINAL REGISTERS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH'S GENEALOGIES. (1Ch. 9:1-26)
• SAUL'S OVERTHROW AND DEATH. (1Ch 10:1-7)
• THE PHILISTINES TRIUMPH OVER HIM. (1Ch 10:8-14)
• DAVID MADE KING. (1Ch 11:1-3)
• HE WINS THE CASTLE OF ZION FROM THE JEBUSITES BY JOAB'S VALOR. (1Ch 11:4-9)
• A CATALOGUE OF HIS WORTHIES. (1Ch. 11:10-47)
• THE COMPANIES THAT CAME TO DAVID AT ZIKLAG. (1Ch. 12:1-22)
• THE ARMIES THAT CAME TO HIM AT HEBRON. (1Ch. 12:23-40)
• DAVID FETCHES THE ARK FROM KIRJATH-JEARIM. (1Ch 13:1-8)
• HIRAM'S KINDNESS TO DAVID; DAVID'S FELICITY. (1Ch 14:1-2)
• HIS WIVES. (1Ch 14:3-7)
• HIS VICTORIES OVER THE PHILISTINES. (1Ch 14:8-17)
• DAVID BRINGS THE ARK FROM OBEDEDOM. (1Ch. 15:1-24)
• DAVID'S FESTIVAL SACRIFICE AND LIBERALITY TO THE PEOPLE. (1Ch 16:1-6)
• HIS PSALM OF THANKSGIVING. (1Ch. 16:7-43)
• DAVID FORBIDDEN TO BUILD GOD A HOUSE. (1Ch 17:1-10)
• DAVID SUBDUES THE PHILISTINES AND MOABITES. (1Ch 18:1-2)
• DAVID SMITES HADADEZER AND THE SYRIANS. (1Ch 18:3-17)
• DAVID'S MESSENGERS, SENT TO COMFORT HANUN, ARE DISGRACEFULLY TREATED. (1Ch 19:1-5)
• JOAB AND ABISHAI OVERCOME THE AMMONITES. (1Ch 19:6-15)
• SHOPHACH SLAIN BY DAVID. (1Ch 19:16-19)
• RABBAH BESIEGED BY JOAB, SPOILED BY DAVID, AND THE PEOPLE TORTURED. (1Ch 20:1-3)
• THREE OVERTHROWS OF THE PHILISTINES AND THREE GIANTS SLAIN. (1Ch 20:4-8)
• DAVID SINS IN NUMBERING THE PEOPLE. (1Ch 21:1-13)
• HE BUILDS AN ALTAR. (1Ch 21:18-30)
• DAVID PREPARES FOR BUILDING THE TEMPLE. (1Ch 22:1-5)
• HE INSTRUCTS SOLOMON. (1Ch 22:6-19)
• DAVID MAKES SOLOMON KING. (1Ch 23:1)
• NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE LEVITES. (1Ch 23:2-6)
• SONS OF GERSHON. (1Ch 23:7-11)
• OF KOHATH. (1Ch 23:12-20)
• OF MERARI. (1Ch 23:21-23)
• OFFICE OF THE LEVITES. (1Ch 23:24-32)
• DIVISION OF THE SONS OF AARON INTO FOUR AND TWENTY ORDERS. (1Ch. 24:1-19)
• NUMBER AND OFFICE OF THE SINGERS. (1Ch 25:1-7)
• THEIR DIVISION BY LOT INTO FOUR AND TWENTY ORDERS. (1Ch. 25:8-31)
• DIVISIONS OF THE PORTERS. (1Ch 26:1-12)
• THE GATES ASSIGNED BY LOT. (1Ch 26:13-19)
• LEVITES THAT HAD CHARGE OF THE TREASURES. (1Ch 26:20-28)
• OFFICERS AND JUDGES. (1Ch 26:29-32)
• TWELVE CAPTAINS FOR EVERY MONTH. (1Ch 27:1-15)
• PRINCES OF THE TWELVE TRIBES. (1Ch 27:16-24)
• DAVID EXHORTS THE PEOPLE TO FEAR GOD. (1Ch 28:1-8)
• HE ENCOURAGES SOLOMON TO BUILD THE TEMPLE. (1Ch 28:9-20)
• DAVID CAUSES THE PRINCES AND PEOPLE TO OFFER FOR THE HOUSE OF GOD. (1Ch 29:1-9)
• HIS REIGN AND DEATH. (1Ch 29:26-30)

TSK: 1 Chronicles 26 (Chapter Introduction)

Overview

1Ch 26:1, The divisions of the porters; 1Ch 26:13, The gates assigned by lot; 1Ch 26:20, The Levites that had charge of the treasures; 1Ch 26:29, Officers and judges.

Poole: 1 Chronicles (Book Introduction)

FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES

THE ARGUMENT

THESE Books of the CHRONICLES are not the same which are so called, 1Ki 14:19 , and elsewhere, (because some passages said to be there mentioned are not found here,) but other books, and written by other persons, and for other ends. Yet this same writer took out of those books such historical passages as were most useful or necessary. They were written after the Babylonish captivity, as appears from 2Ch 36:20 , &c., by Ezra; as may be gathered not only from the same words used in the place now quoted, and in the beginning of that book which goeth under the name of Ezra, but also from some other passages, which we may observe hereafter, and from the exactness and diligence here used in making catalogues of persons and families, which also is used in the Book of Ezra. If one or two passages seem to be of a later date, those were added by some other prophets; there being some few such additional passages in the Books of Moses. The chief design of these books is, to complete the history of the kings of Judah, and to gather up the fragments of sacred history which were omitted in the Books of Samuel and Kings, and to explain some passages there mentioned, and to give an exact account of the genealogies; which (though ignorant or inconsiderate persons may think trivial and useless) was a work of great necessity, to preserve the distinction of the tribes and families, that so it might appear that Christ came of that nation, and tribe, and family, of which he was to be born. And this account having been hitherto neglected, is most seasonably mentioned in these books, because this was to be in a manner the last part of the sacred and canonical history of the Old Testament, and therefore the fittest place to record those genealogies, upon which the truth and authority of the New Testament ill some sort depends. And whereas many things in these genealogies to us are obscure and doubtful, they were not so to the Hebrews; and all the persons here named were known to them by those very particular and exact genealogies, which they kept in their several families and in public registers; from whence this sacred penman, by the direction of God’ s Spirit, took those things which were of most importance.

Poole: 1 Chronicles 26 (Chapter Introduction)

CHRONICLES CHAPTER 26

The division of the porters, 1Ch 26:1-12 . The gates assigned by lot, 1Ch 26:13-19 . The Levites have charge of the treasures of the temple, 1Ch 26:20-28 . Officers and judges, 1Ch 26:29-32 .

Not that famous Asaph the singer, but another Asaph , called also Ebiasaph , 1Ch 6:37 .

MHCC: 1 Chronicles (Book Introduction)

The books of Chronicles are, in a great measure, repetitions of what is in the books of Samuel and of the Kings, yet there are some excellent useful things in them which we find not elsewhere. The FIRST BOOK traces the rise of the Jewish people from Adam, and afterward gives an account of the reign of David. In the SECOND BOOK the narrative is continued, and relates the progress and end of the kingdom of Judah; also it notices the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity. Jerome says, that whoever supposes himself to have knowledge of the Scriptures without being acquainted with the books of Chronicles, deceives himself. Historical facts passed over elsewhere, names, and the connexion of passages are to be found here, and many questions concerning the gospel are explained.

MHCC: 1 Chronicles 26 (Chapter Introduction)

The offices of the Levites.

Matthew Henry: 1 Chronicles (Book Introduction)

An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Book of Chronicles

In common things repetition is thought needless and nauseous; but, in sacred things, precept must be upon precept and line upon line. To me, says the apostle, to write the same things is not grievous, but for you it is safe, Phi 3:1. These books of Chronicles are in a great measure repetition; so are much of the second and third of the four evangelists: and yet there are no tautologies either here or there no vain repetitions. We may be ready to think that of all the books of holy scripture we could best spare these two books of Chronicles. Perhaps we might, and yet we could ill spare them: for there are many most excellent useful things in them, which we find not elsewhere. And as for what we find here which we have already met with, 1. It might be of great use to those who lived when these books were first published, before the canon of the Old Testament was completed and the particles of it put together; for it would remind them of what was more fully related in the other books. Abstracts, abridgments, and references, are of use in divinity as well as law. That, perhaps, may not be said in vain which yet has been said before. 2. It is still of use, that out of the mouth of two witnesses every word may be established, and, being inculcated, may be remembered. The penman of these books is supposed to be Ezra, that ready scribe in the law of the Lord, Ezr 7:6. It is a groundless story of that apocryphal writer (2 Esdr. 14:21, etc.) that, all the law being burnt, Ezra was divinely inspired to write it all over again, which yet might take rise from the books of Chronicles, where we find, though not all the same story repeated, yet the names of all those who were the subjects of that story. These books are called in the Hebrew words of days - journals or annals, because, by divine direction, collected out of some public and authentic records. The collection was made after the captivity, and yet the language of the originals, written before, it sometimes retained, as 2Ch 5:9, there it is unto this day, which must have been written before the destruction of the temple. The Septuagint calls it a book Paraleipomenōn - of things left, or overlooked, by the preceding historians; and several such things there are in it. It is the rereward, the gathering host, of this sacred camp, which gathers up what remained, that nothing might be lost. In this first book we have, I. A collection of sacred genealogies, from Adam to David: and they are none of those which the apostle calls endless genealogies, but have their use and end in Christ, ch. 1-9. Divers little passages of history are here inserted which we had not before. II. A repetition of the history of the translation of the kingdom from Saul to David, and of the triumph of David's reign, with large additions, ch. 10-21. III. An original account of the settlement David made of the ecclesiastical affairs, and the preparation he made for the building of the temple, ch. 22-29. These are words of days, of the oldest days, of the best days, of the Old Testament church. The reigns of kings and dates of kingdoms, as well as the lives of common persons, are reckoned by days; for a little time often gives a great turn, and yet all time is nothing to eternity.

Matthew Henry: 1 Chronicles 26 (Chapter Introduction)

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 (v. 1-19). II. Of those that were appointed to be treasurers and storekeepers (1Ch 26:20-28). III. Of those that were officers and judges in the country, and were entrusted with the administration of public affairs (1Ch 26:29-32).

Constable: 1 Chronicles (Book Introduction)

Introduction

Title

The earliest Hebrew title for the Books of Chronicles translates as, "The Things Left Behind." This name describes Chronicles as containing remnants of the monarchy history not recorded in the preceding Old Testament historical books. A later title that appears in most copies of the Hebrew Bible is, "The Accounts of the Days," or "Daily Matters." This title emphasizes the nature of Chronicles as official annals (cf. Esth. 2:23; 1 Kings 14:19). Chronicles contains the official records of the kings of Israel, especially those of the Southern Kingdom after the kingdom split. The English title "Chronicles" comes down to us from this later Hebrew one.

As was true of Samuel and Kings, the Septuagint (Greek) translation of the Hebrew Old Testament was responsible for dividing the single Book of Chronicles into 1 and 2 Chronicles. Scribes divided these long books to make them easier for copyists, publishers, and readers to handle. We could translate the Septuagint title as, "Things Omitted." This title implies that Chronicles contains material left out of other inspired histories of Israel. This is true. Of course, it also contains much material that the former historical books included.

Writer and Date

Early Jewish tradition recorded in the Talmud ascribed the authorship of Chronicles to Ezra. Recent studies of the linguistic differences that exist between the Books of Ezra and Chronicles have led some modern scholars to reject this ancient view.¹ Internal evidence suggests that if the writer was not Ezra he was probably a contemporary of Ezra.

There is quite a bit of difference of opinion even among conservative evangelical scholars regarding the date of composition. Most of these people place it within Ezra's lifetime (ca. 450-400 B.C.).² This date would make Chronicles one of the last if not the last historical book of the Old Testament. The date of composition of Ezra was probably about 446 B.C. The Book of Nehemiah probably came into existence between 420 and 400 B.C. The date of writing of Esther was probably shortly after 473 B.C.

"It is now clear from comparison of Chronicles with the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Greek translations of the Pentateuch that the text Chronicles used was more like these texts than the MT [Masoretic Text]."³

Scholars vary greatly in their ideas concerning the date of composition. Some of them hold a date as early as the middle of the fifth century B.C. (450 B.C.) while others date Chronicles as late as 200 B.C.⁴

Scope and Purpose

Chronicles covers a broader period of history than any other Old Testament book. It begins with Adam and ends with Anani who lived eight generations after King Jehoiachin (1 Chron. 3:24). If we allow 25 years for each generation, the birth of Anani would have been between 425 and 400 B.C.

"In Near Eastern antiquity, the generation (that is the years between a man's birth and his begetting his first-born son) is ordinarily 25 years or less."⁵

Since the writer had great interest in David's family it is unlikely that any of David's descendants after Anani were alive when he wrote the book. If they had been, the writer probably would have included their names.

Other Old Testament books, especially Genesis, Samuel, and Kings, cover over half the material that Chronicles contains. There are two main reasons for this repetition. First, the writer wanted to give his readers another version of those events. In this respect Chronicles and the other historical books are similar to the Gospels in the New Testament. Each gives a unique interpretation and emphasis. Each writer selected the historical materials that would present what he wanted to emphasize. Chronicles is more similar to John's Gospel than the other Gospels. Both books are very sermonic, and each has a purpose that is easy to identify (John 20:30-31; 2 Chron. 7:14). Chronicles is also similar to Deuteronomy, the last book of the Pentateuch, which also preaches by recalling history.

Second, the writer of Chronicles explained and expounded the meaning of many events in Israel's history much as the writers of modern commentaries do. This was especially important since the original readers of Chronicles needed to remember their history and the spiritual issues that had molded and would mold their destiny. These observations would guide them as they sought to reestablish Israel in the Promised Land after the Babylonian captivity.

"The purpose of these two volumes [1 and 2 Chronicles] is to review the history of Israel from the dawn of the human race to the Babylonian captivity and Cyrus' edict of restoration. This review is composed with a very definite purpose in mind, to give to the Jews of the Second Commonwealth the true spiritual foundations of their theocracy as the covenant people of Jehovah. This historian's purpose is to show that the true glory of the Hebrew nation was found in its covenant relationship to God, as safeguarded by the prescribed forms of worship in the temple and administered by the divinely ordained priesthood under the protection of the divinely authorized dynasty of David. Always the emphasis is upon that which is sound and valid in Israel's past as furnishing a reliable basis for the task of reconstruction which lay ahead. Great stress is placed upon the rich heritage of Israel and its unbroken connection with the patriarchal beginnings (hence the prominence accorded to genealogical lists)."⁶

". . . the Chronicler' is no mere chronicler! He is a theologian, sharing with all the biblical writers the burden of interpreting God's ways to human beings."⁷

The writer saw principles operating in history. He selected unmistakable instances of them and applied them to his own times.

"If Kings, composed after the final collapse of the kingdom in 586 B.C., concentrates on how sin leads to defeat (2 Kings 17:15, 18), then Chronicles, coming after the two returns from exile in 537 and 458 B.C., recounts, from the same record, how faith is the victory' (2 Chron. 20:20, 22)."⁸

". . . the Chronicler goes even further than the Deuteronomic historian [i.e., the writer of 1 and 2 Kings] in attempting to correlate blessing with faithfulness and judgment with disobedience within each separate generation."⁹

Another statement of the purpose of Chronicles is as follows:

". . . to rally the returned remnant to hopeful temple worship . . . by demonstrating their link with the enduring Davidic promises."¹⁰

"The past is explained so that its institutions and religious principles become relevant to the present, and the ways of the present are legitimized anew by being connected to the prime source of authority--the formative period in the people's past."¹¹

Three major features of Chronicles appear when we isolate the material the writer included that is not in Samuel or Kings. First, the genealogies reflect the writer's goal of encouraging Israel's racial and religious purity. Second, the emphases on the temple, ark, and worship show his desire that the returned exiles reestablish worship according to the Mosaic Law.¹² Third, the record of David's glories and the victories God gave his successors were his way of encouraging his original readers as they sought to reestablish their nation in the Promised Land.¹³

Conservative students of Chronicles differ in their opinion concerning the amount of Messianic expectation the Chronicler held out to his readers. My belief is that he did present some hope of a coming Messiah who would fulfill the promises given to David in the Davidic Covenant. I will point this out at the appropriate places in the notes that follow.¹⁴

Passages Unique to Chronicles (In probable chronological order)15
Genealogies	The genealogical tables	1 Chron. 1-9
David	The list of the men who came to David at Ziklag	1 Chron. 12:1-7
	The list of the men who joined David on his way to Ziklag	1 Chron. 12:19-22
	Data concerning the number of warriors who made David king	1 Chron. 12:23-40
	The Gadites who "separated themselves unto David"	1 Chron. 12:8-15
	David's hymn of praise when he moved the ark	1 Chron. 16:4-36
	David's final preparations for the building of the temple	1 Chron. 22:1-19
	The national convention	1 Chron. 23:1-9:22
Solomon	The making of the altar of brass	2 Chron. 4:1
	The close of Solomon's dedicatory prayer	2 Chron. 6:40-42
Rehoboam	The adherence of the Levites in all Israel to Rehoboam	2 Chron. 11:13-14
	The immigration of other pious Israelites to Judah	2 Chron. 11:16-17
	Rehoboam's fortifications	2 Chron. 11:5-12
	Rehoboam's family	2 Chron. 11:18-23
Abijah	Abijah's family	2 Chron. 13:21
Asa	The ten years of peace under Asa	2 Chron. 14:1
	Asa's defense policy	2 Chron. 14:6-8
	Asa's victory over Zerah the Ethiopian	2 Chron. 14:9-15
	The warning of the prophet Azariah	2 Chron. 15:1-7
	The four years of peace under Asa	2 Chron. 15:19
	The renewal of the covenant	2 Chron. 15:9-15
	The warning of the prophet Hanani	2 Chron. 16:7-9
	Asa's transgression	2 Chron. 16:10
Jehoshaphat	Jehoshaphat's strengthening of his kingdom	2 Chron. 17:1-7
	The mission of the princes, Levites and priests	2 Chron. 17:7-9
	Jehoshaphat's increasing power	2 Chron. 17:10-8:1
	The prophet Jehu's judgment on Jehoshaphat	2 Chron. 19:1-3
	Jehoshaphat's further reforms in worship and law	2 Chron. 19:4-11
	The deliverance from Moab and Ammon on Mt. Seir	2 Chron. 20:1-30
Jehoram	The posthumous message of Elijah to Jehoram	2 Chron. 21:12-15
	The invasion of the Philistines and Arabians	2 Chron. 21:16-17
	Jehoram's illness	2 Chron. 21:18
Joash	Joash's matrimonial affairs	2 Chron. 24:3
	The temple worship	2 Chron. 24:14
	The death of Jehoiada	2 Chron. 24:15-16
	The sins of Joash	2 Chron. 24:17-19
	The stoning of Zechariah	2 Chron. 24:20-22
	The reverses of Judah due to Hazael's operations	2 Chron. 24:23-24
Amaziah	Amaziah's planned expedition against Edom	2 Chron. 25:5
	Amaziah's hiring of 1000 mercenaries out of Israel and dismissing them	2 Chron. 25:6-10
	The pillage of the cities of Judah by the dismissed mercenaries	2 Chron. 25:13
	Amaziah's further wickedness	2 Chron. 25:14-16
Uzziah	Uzziah's success in war	2 Chron. 26:6-8
	Uzziah's building and farming	2 Chron. 26:9-10, 15
	Uzziah's army	2 Chron. 26:11-14
	Uzziah's fame	2 Chron. 26:8, 15
Jotham	Jotham's subjugation of the Ammonites	2 Chron. 27:5-6
Ahaz	Obed the prophet's obtaining the release of the Jewish captives during Ahaz's war with Rezin and Pekah	2 Chron. 28:9-15
	The Edomite and Philistine invasions under Ahaz	2 Chron. 28:17-19
Hezekiah	The cleansing of the temple by Hezekiah	2 Chron. 29:3-19
	The consecration of the temple	2 Chron. 29:20-36
	Preparations for the Passover	2 Chron. 30:1-12
	The keeping of the Passover	2 Chron. 30:13-22
	The keeping of "other seven days"	2 Chron. 30:23-27
	Hezekiah's further religious reforms	2 Chron. 31:2-21
	Hezekiah's wealth and building	2 Chron. 32:27-30
	Sennacherib's second entry into Judah for invasion	2 Chron. 32:1
	Hezekiah's precautions in view of Sennacherib's second entry into Judah for invasion	2 Chron. 32:2-8
	Hezekiah's renewed prosperity	2 Chron. 32:23
Manasseh	Manasseh's captivity	2 Chron. 33:11
	Manasseh's repentance and restoration	2 Chron. 33:12-13
	The acts of Manasseh after his restoration	2 Chron. 33:14-16
	The spiritual condition of the people	2 Chron. 33:17
Josiah	Josiah's early reformations	2 Chron. 34:3-7
Captivity	The length of the captivity	2 Chron. 36:20-21
	Cyrus' proclamation permitting return from the captivity	2 Chron. 36:22-23

Message¹⁶

The central subject of 1 and 2 Chronicles is the temple of God. Someone evidently wrote these books at the end of the Babylonian exile to encourage the Israelites to reestablish Israel's national life in the Promised Land. In view of this purpose the northern kingdom of Israel was of little interest to the writer. Judah is the kingdom in view, and David is the king in view. The central passion in David's life is in view, namely the building of the temple. Furthermore the reason for David's passion for the temple is in view. He saw that the recognition of God is of supreme importance in national life.

This is the message of the book. The recognition of God is of supreme importance in national life formally as well as really. The writer demonstrated this fact in the genealogies, and he illustrated it in David's life in the rest of 1 Chronicles.

The genealogies demonstrate the supreme importance of recognizing God in national life.

What was the writer emphasizing by his selective genealogy? This genealogy (chs. 1-9) shows that God has chosen to bless some individuals and not others. This was His plan from Adam to Nehemiah. God also chose to bring blessing to those who obeyed Him regardless of their other personal abilities or disabilities. Obedience is key to success. We can see a heart for God in obedience to God's will. There are two reasons God blesses people: His sovereign choice to bless, and our obedience to Him. Character grows out of obedience. Likewise God chose to bring cursing on those who were disobedient to Him regardless of their other personal rights and privileges.

The reason God chose to bless some individuals was to accomplish one ultimate goal. This goal was the fulfillment of His plans for His own glorification including the fulfillment of His promises to humanity. All the details of His choices of individuals contributed to His ultimate goal.

The genealogies teach us this lesson. The way to achieve permanence and success in individual life, and the way to achieve stability and success in national life, is to recognize God in life. Throughout history people and nations have succeeded or failed as they recognized God. This is a major point the writer was demonstrating in the genealogies. God has been selecting, changing, interrupting, and moving through history inexorably toward His ultimate goal.

The life of David, as narrated here, illustrates the supreme importance of recognizing God in national life (chs. 10-29).

The writer presented David as a strong model king. He selected four pictures from David's life. The first of these was his crowning that shows God's choice of him. The second was his capture of Jerusalem that was the victory that led to the temple. The third picture was his mighty men. It shows his influence on personal character and his true power. The fourth was the gathering of multitudes behind his leadership that shows his influence on the masses. All of these pictures are in a sense background for what follows concerning David.

What made David the great king he was? The writer showed that it was his attitude toward God that expressed itself in his attitude toward the temple. David's care for the ark (a symbol of God's grace) and his desire to build the temple (a symbol of worship that responds to God's grace) reveal his deepest passion in life. His master passion was that Israel should never forget the God who had chosen her for special blessing in the world. We can see that his great desire was not simply to build the temple. When God told him through Nathan not to build it, David accepted this. He was content to gather materials and to make plans because he saw the temple as a way of helping Israel remember her God.

The writer of 1 Chronicles wanted to show the importance of what the temple symbolized, namely Israel's national recognition of God. David's great desire was that Israel recognize God and express that recognition publicly.

As king, David ruled under the authority of God. As warrior, he executed the will of God. As poet, he constantly extolled the reign of God. He glorified God in every aspect of his life. He also appreciated the importance of recognizing God nationally.

The message of this book is still a timeless one for us today. The recognition of God is still extremely important in life nationally and individually. Just as God governs all individuals, He also governs all nations, not just Israel. Amos made the point that God governs all nations, not just Israel. All nations are accountable to Him (cf. Deut. 32). Even today one of the Jews' favorite names for God is "king of the universe."

It is important that we recognize God because of His selective activity that the genealogies highlight. Throughout all of history God has been choosing, selecting, lifting up, and casting down. He selects new people in every generation. If they fail, He selects others and keeps moving ahead. If the person we would normally expect God to use is not ready or is unqualified, God will choose another (cf. Saul and David). If the person with privilege does not respond to his opportunity, God will pass him by, find some other perhaps obscure person, and move on. How foolish it is for nations and individuals not to recognize Him in view of God's sovereign progress.

It is also important that we recognize God because of the effect recognizing Him has on life. Take God out of the life of nations and individuals and what happens? There is no moral standard. An English politician once said, "If there is no Bible, where is your textbook of morals? There is the supreme difficulty. We must teach morals, and there is no textbook or standard in the world if we take the Bible away."¹⁷

When we lose our moral standard we lose individual character. When we lose individual character we lose the basis for civilized society. These things build on each other. Awareness of the throne of God and the government of God is foundational for any social order.

It is extremely important for every nation to build the temple of God, to recognize God in its life. This creates an opportunity for people to deal with God. Movements that advocate removing recognition of God from national life are pernicious. The person who points people to God is the true patriot. David wrote, "Zeal for your house has eaten me up." What is God's temple today? It is the church (Matt. 16:18). As the church we must point people to God. This was the "point" of church steeples in the past, to point people to God.

Constable: 1 Chronicles (Outline)

Outline

I. Israel's historical roots chs. 1-9

A. The lineage of David chs. 1-3

B. The house of Israel chs. 4-7

1. The family of Judah 4:1-23

2. The family of Simeon 4:24-43

3. The families of Transjordan ch. 5

4. The family of Levi ch. 6

5. The remaining families of Israel ch. 7

C. The lineage of Saul chs. 8-9

II. The reign of David chs. 10-29

A. The death of Saul ch. 10

B. David's coronation and capital 11:1-9

C. David's mighty men 11:10-12:40

D. David and the ark chs. 13-16

1. The removal of the ark from Kiriath-jearim ch. 13

2. Restoring fellowship with Yahweh ch. 14

3. The importance of the priests and Levites 15:1-15

4. The joy produced by God's presence 15:16-16:6

5. David's concern for the universal worship of Yahweh 16:7-43

E. God's covenant promises to David chs. 17-29

1. The first account of God's promises to David chs. 17-21

2. The second account of God's promises to David chs. 22-27

3. The third account of God's promises to David chs. 28-29

(Continued in notes on 2 Chronicles)

Constable: 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles

Bibliography

Ackroyd, Peter R. I and II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah. London: SCM Press, 1973.

Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonah. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Revised ed., New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1977.

Albright, William F. Archaeology and the Religion of Israel. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1946.

_____. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeology series. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, Eng.: Penguin Books, 1956.

Allen, Leslie C. "Kerygmatic Units in 1 & 2 Chronicles." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 41 (June 1988):21-36.

Archer, Gleason L., Jr. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Revised ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 1974.

Barnes, W. E. The Books of Chronicles. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges series. Cambridge, Eng.: University Press, 1899.

Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore the Book. 6 vols. London: Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, 1965.

Braun, Roddy L. 1 Chronicles. Word Biblical Commentary series. Waco: Word Books, 1986.

_____. "The Message of Chronicles: Rally Round the Temple." Concordia Theological Monthly 42:8 (September 1971):502-14.

Bright, John A. A History of Israel. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1959.

Bury, J. B.; S. A. Cook; and F. E. Adcock, eds. The Cambridge Ancient History. 12 vols. 2nd ed. reprinted. Cambridge, Eng.: University Press, 1928.

Chisholm, Robert B., Jr. "Does God Deceive?" Bibliotheca Sacra 155:617 (January-March 1998):11-28.

Constable, Thomas L. "Analysis of Bible Books--Old Testament." Paper submitted for course 685 Analysis of Bible Books--Old Testament. Dallas Theological Seminary, January 1967.

_____. "A Theology of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth." In A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, pp. 89-113. Edited by Roy B. Zuck. Chicago: Moody Press, 1991.

Cooper, David L. "The Prayer of Jabez." Biblical Research Monthly 9:1 (January 1944):3-4.

Crockett, William Day. A Harmony of the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1973.

Cross, Frank Moore, Jr. "A Reconstruction of the Judean Restoration." Interpretation 29:2 (1975):187-201.

Curtis, Edward Lewis, and Albert Alonzo Madsen. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Books of Chronicles. International Critical Commentary series. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1910.

Darby, John Nelson. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible. 5 vols. Revised ed. New York: Loizeaux Brothers Publishers, 1942.

Davis, John J., and John C. Whitcomb. A History of Israel. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980.

de Vaux, Roland. Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions. 2 vols. Translated by John McHugh. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961.

De Vries, Simon J. 1 and 2 Chronicles. The Forms of the Old Testament Literature series. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1989.

_____. "The Forms of Prophetic Address in Chronicles." Hebrew Annual Review 10 (1986):15-35.

Dillard, R. B. "The Chronicler's Solomon." Westminster Theological Journal 43 (1981):289-300.

Elmslie, W. A. L. The Books of Chronicles. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges series. Cambridge, Eng.: University Press, 1916.

Freedman, David Noel. "The Chronicler's Purpose." Catholic Biblical Quarterly 23 (1961):436-42.

Gaebelein, Arno C. The Annotated Bible. 4 vols. Reprint ed. Chicago: Moody Press, and New York: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., 1970.

Goldingay, John. "The Chronicler As a Theologian." Biblical Theology Bulletin 5:2 (June 1975):99-126.

Harrison, R. K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1969.

Harton, George M. "Fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28-30 in History and in Eschatology." Th.D. dissertation, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1981.

Hiebert, D. Edmond. Working With God: Scriptural Studies in Intercession. New York: Carlton Press, 1987.

Hodges, Zane C. "Conflicts in the Biblical Account of the Ammonite-Syrian War." Bibliotheca Sacra 119:475 (July-September 1962):238-43.

Howard, David M., Jr. An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago: Moody Press, 1993.

Japhat, Sara. I & II Chronicles. Old Testament Library series. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1993.

_____. "The Historical Reliability of Chronicles." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 33 (October 1985):83-107.

_____. The Ideology of the Book of Chronicles and Its Place in Biblical Thought. New York: Peter Lang, 1989.

_____. "The Supposed Common Authorship of Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah Investigated Anew." Vetus Testamentum 18 (1968):330-71.

Johnson, Aubrey. Sacral Kingship in Ancient Israel. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1955.

Josephus, Flavius. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by William Whiston. Antiquities of the Jews. London: T. Nelson and Sons, 1866.

Keil, C. F. The Books of the Chronicles. Translated by Andrew Harper. Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d.

Kitchen, K. A. The Bible In Its World. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1977.

Kleinig, J. W. "The Divine Institution of the Lord's Song in Chronicles." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 55 (1992):75-83.

Knights, C. H. "The Text of 1 Chronicles IV 12: A Reappraisal." Vetus Testamentum 37:3 (July 1987):375-77.

Lange, John Peter, ed. Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. 12 vols. Reprint ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1960. Vol. 4: Chronicles--Job, by Otto Zockler, Fr. W. Schultz, and Howard Crosby. Translated, enlarged, and edited by James G. Murphy, Charles A. Briggs, James Strong, and L. J. Evans.

Lemke, Werner E. "The Synoptic Problem in the Chronicler's History." Harvard Theological Review 58 (1965):349-63.

Lorenz, Wolfgang. "For We are Strangers before Thee and Sojourners'--2 [1] Chron. 29:15." American Baptist Quarterly 9:4 (December 1990):268-80.

Mazar, Benjamin. "The Military Elite of King David." Vetus Testamentum 13 (1963):10-20.

McConville, J. Gordon. I & II Chronicles. Daily Study Bible series. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1984.

Merrill, Eugene H. "1 Chronicles." In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, pp. 589-617. Edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton: Scripture Press Publications, Victor Books, 1985.

_____. 1, 2 Chronicles. Bible Study Commentary series. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Lamplighter Books, 1988.

_____. "The Book of Ruth: Narration and Shared Themes." Bibliotheca Sacra 142:566 (April-June 1985):130-41.

_____. Kingdom of Priests. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1987.

_____. "A Theology of Chronicles." In A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, pp. 157-87. Edited by Roy B. Zuck. Chicago: Moody Press, 1991.

Monson, James M. The Land Between. Jerusalem: By the author, P.O. Box 1276, 1983.

Morgan, G. Campbell. Living Messages of the Books of the Bible. 2 vols. New York: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1912.

Myers, Jacob M. I Chronicles. Anchor Bible series. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday and Co., 1965.

Newsome, James D., Jr. ed. A Synotic Harmony of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1986.

Payne, J. Barton. "1, 2 Chronicles." In I Kings-Job. Vol. 4 of The Expositor's Bible Commentary. 12 vols. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein and Richard D. Polcyn. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1988.

_____. "First Chronicles." In The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, pp. 367-90. Edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison. Chicago: Moody Press, 1962.

_____. The Theology of the Older Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1962.

_____. "The Validity of the Numbers in Chronicles." Bibliotheca Sacra 136:542 (April-June 1979):109-28; 543 (July-September 1979):206-20.

Pfeiffer, Charles F., and Howard F. Vos. The Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands. Chicago: Moody Press, 1967.

Sailhamer, John. "1 Chronicles 21:1--A Study in Inter-biblical Interpretation." Trinity Journal 10NS:1 (Spring 1989):33-48.

_____. First and Second Chronicles. Everyman's Bible Commentary series. Chicago: Moody Press, 1983.

Schwantes, Siegfried J. A Short History of the Ancient Near East. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1965.

Slotki, I.W. Chronicles. London: Soncino Press, 1952.

Student Map Manual. Jerusalem: Pictorial Archive (Near Eastern History) Est., 1979.

Thompson, J. A. 1, 2 Chronicles. New American Commentary series. N.c.: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994.

Townsend, Jeffrey L. "The Purpose of 1 and 2 Chronicles." Bibliotheca Sacra 145:575 (July-September 1987):277-92.

Waltke, Bruce K. "The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Text of the Old Testament." In New Perspectives on the Old Testament, pp. 212-39. Edited by J. Barton Payne. Waco: Word Books, 1970.

Wenham, G. J. "Were David's Sons Priests?" Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 87:1 (1975):79-82.

Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Chronicles. The Bible Speaks Today series. Leicester, Eng. and Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1987.

Williamson, H. G. M. 1 and 2 Chronicles. New Century Bible Commentary series. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., and London: Marshall, Morgan, and Scott, 1982.

_____. "The Accession of Solomon in the Book of Chronicles." Vetus Testamentum 26 (1976):351-61.

Wilson, R. R. Genealogy and History in the Biblical World. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1977.

Wood, Leon. A Survey of Israel's History. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970.

Wright, J. W. "Guarding the Gates: 1 Chronicles 26:1-18 and the Roles of Gatekeepers in Chronicles." Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 48 (1990):69-81.

Young, Edward J. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Revised ed. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1960.

Zalewski, Saul. "The Purpose of the Story of the Death of Saul in 1 Chronicles X." Vetus Testamentum 39:4 (October 1989):449-467.

Copyright 2003 by Thomas L. Constable

Haydock: 1 Chronicles (Book Introduction)

THE FIRST BOOK OF PARALIPOMENON.

INTRODUCTION.

These Books are called by the Greek Interpreters, Paralipomenon; ( Greek: Paraleipomenon, ) that is, of things left out, or omitted; because they are a kind of supplement of such things as were passed over in the Books of Kings. The Hebrews call them, Dibre Hajamim; that is, The words of the days, or The Chronicles. Not that they are the books which are so often quoted in the Kings, under the title of, The Words of the days of the kings of Israel, and of the kings of Juda; for the Books of Paralipomenon were written after the Books of Kings; but because, in all probability, they have been abridged from those ancient words of the days, by Esdras, or some other sacred author. (Challoner) --- The author of this compilation refers to the same works, 2 Paralipomenon xvi. 11., &c. These journals were principally composed by prophets, though there were other people appointed to write the most important occurrences, 2 Kings viii. 16., and 4 Kings xviii. 18. The genealogies of families, particularly of the Levites, and the interests of piety and religion, are kept most in view. (Calmet) --- The variations which appear between this work and the other parts of Scripture, are owing to the faults of transcribers; and, though they could not be satisfactorily explained, it would be rashness to condemn the author of inaccuracy, at this distance of time, when we know so little of those transactions. (Haydock) --- Who calls in question the history of Alexander, though the different authors of it scarcely agree in one calculation of the number of troops, nations conquered, &c.?" Yet the work before us is of far higher authority, as it was dictated by the Holy Ghost. (Calmet) --- "Without it, a person would in vain pretend to understand the Scriptures." It is "an epitome of the Old Testament," and "explains many difficulties of the gospels." (St. Jerome) --- The author does not, however, seem to have designed to draw up an exact epitome, or to supply the deficiencies of the other works. (Calmet) --- The first nine chapters contain various genealogical histories. In the 10th, we have the election and death of Saul; and in the remainder of the first book, the transactions of David, (Worthington) till the year [of the world] 2990, where the second book commences with the reign of Solomon, and brings us to the end of the captivity. (The year of the world 3468.; Calmet)

Gill: 1 Chronicles (Book Introduction)

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES

This and the following book were reckoned by the Jews as one book, as appears by the Masoretic note at the end of the second book, and as is affirmed by Origen ^a and Jerom ^b; and they were by the ancients ^c called Chronicles, as they are by us; but they are different from the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel and Judah, so often mentioned in the preceding books, seeing several things there referred to, as in them, are not to be found here; though no doubt many things here recorded were taken from thence under a divine direction. In the Greek version, and so in the Vulgate Latin version after that, they are called "Paralipomena", that is, things passed over or omitted, because they contain several anecdotes which are not to be found in the books of Samuel and Kings. The Hebrew title of them is, "Dibre Hayamim", words of days, day books or diaries, and what the Greeks call "Ephemerides"; though, as "yamim" sometimes signifies years, they may be named "annals"; and so the Arabic inscription is,

"the Books of Annals;''

and because they chiefly respect the kings of Judah, the Syriac inscription is,

"the Book of the Things that were done in the Times of the Kings of Judah.''

The Targum is,

"the Book of Genealogies, the Words of Days, which were from the Days of the World;''

because the first ten chapters consist of genealogies beginning from Adam. The inspired penman of these books must live after the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, since he carries down the genealogy of the kings and princes of Judah beyond that time, 1Ch 3:17. It is generally thought by the Jews and Christians that Ezra was the writer of them, with which agrees the age in which he lived; and as it may seem, from the last of these books ending with the same words with which that under his name begins: so the Talmudists ^d say, that Ezra wrote his own book, and the genealogy of the chronicles unto his own, or unto Velo, "and he had brethren", 2Ch 21:2 and Jarchi affirms that he wrote them by the hand or means of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, inspired prophets; though some Jewish writers ^e suppose they were written partly by him, and partly by Nehemiah; that all to 2Ch 21:2 were written by Ezra, and the rest by Nehemiah. Kimchi thinks that Ezra was not the first author and writer of these books, but that the books of Chronicles and Annals of the kings of Judah, and of the kings of Israel, were separately written before him; but that he only revised them, and with the men of the great synagogue added the genealogies, and put them into the canon of the Scriptures ^f. Spinosa ^g fancies they were written after Judas Maccabaeus had restored the temple, since the historian tells what families dwelt in Jerusalem in the times of Ezra, 1Ch 9:1 and speaks of the porters, 1Ch 9:17 two of which are mentioned, Neh 11:19 as if Ezra could not describe the families that lived when he did, or name the porters of the temple, since it was finished and dedicated in his time, Ezr 6:15, but however there is no doubt to be made of the authenticity of these books, since not only they have always been acknowledged by the Jews as a part of the canonical Scripture, and by ancient Christians, as appears by the catalogues of Melito ^h and Origen ⁱ; but there are plain references to them in the New Testament. The genealogy of Christ, by the evangelists, is formed out of them; the doxology in Rev 5:12 as some have observed, comes very near to what is used by David, 1Ch 29:11 and the passages in Act 7:48 contain the sense of what is expressed in 2Ch 2:5. The use and design of these books are chiefly to give a larger account of the kingdom of Judah, especially after the division of it from the ten tribes, and of the kings thereof, than what is given in the preceding books, as in the last of these books; and particularly they ascertain the genealogy of Christ, that it might be clear and plain of what tribe and family the Messiah came, that he descended from the tribe of Judah, and from the kings of the house of David, as in this first book. They both contain an history from Adam, to the deliverance of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon. The first of these books reaches, according to Hottinger ^k, to A. M. 2985, and the latter is an history of four hundred and seventy two years. According to Bishop Usher ^l the former contains a course of 2990 years, and the latter of four hundred and seventy eight.

Gill: 1 Chronicles 26 (Chapter Introduction)

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 26

In this chapter we have a further account of the disposition and distribution of the Levites, to serve in other offices, as of porters at the several gates of the temple, for which they cast lots, 1Ch 26:1 of others, as over the treasures of the house of the Lord, 1Ch 26:20, and of others that were appointed judges in the land, to administer justice to the people, 1Ch 26:29.