1 Chronicles · Chapter 6

Verse 1. The sons of Levi] It has been well remarked that the genealogy of Levi is given here more ample and correct than that of any of the others. And this is perhaps an additional proof that the author was a priest, felt much for the priesthood, and took care to give the genealogy of the Levitical and sacerdotal families, from the most correct tables; for with such tables we may presume he was intimately acquainted.

Verse 4. Eleazar begat Phinehas] As the high priesthood continued in this family for a long time, the sacred historian confines himself to this chiefly, omitting Nadab and Abihu, and even the family of Ithamar.

Verse 4. Eleazar begat Phinehas. A correct table of the Jewish highpriests would be very desirable to every lover of sacred literature. The best list I can collect is as follows: Aaron, Eleazar, Phinehas, Abishua, Bukki, Uzzi, Zerathiah, and Meraioth. Here Eleazar’s line suffered a chasm for the admission of Eli’s house, who filled the pontificate for seven generations; but God shortened their lives for their family’s sin. Some think that Abimelech whom Saul slew, with eighty four other priests, was not a highpriest, nor Abiathar his son, who fled to David. The latter was banished from the altar that God might accomplish the denunciation against the house of Eli. 1 Kings 3:27. Then follow Amariah, Ahitub, and Zadok. There were however, according to Josephus, from Aaron to Zadok thirteen highpriests; and from Zadok to the captivity eighteen; viz. Ahimaaz, Azariah, Johanan, Azariah or Ezriah, 2 Chronicles 26:17; Amariah, Ahitub, Zadok, Shallum, Hilkiah, Seraiah, Jehozadak, Jeshua, Jehoiakim, Eliashib or Ezra, Joiada, Jonathan, and Jaddua.

Verse 5. Bukki begat Uzzi — In whose days it is supposed that the high-priesthood was translated from Eleazar’s family to Ithamar’s, for some cause now unknown, in whose line it continued for some successions.

Verse 8. Ahitub begat Zadok] Through this person the high priesthood came again into the family of Eleazar.

V. 10. The priest’s office-So did all the rest, but it is implied that he did it worthily, he filled his place, and valiantly discharged his office in Uzziah’s time. Solomon built-In Solomon’s temple; so called to distinguish it from the second temple which was built or in building when these books were written.

Verse 10. Johanan] Supposed to be the same as Jehoiada.

Executed the priest’s office] Probably this refers to the dignified manner in which Azariah opposed King Uzziah, who wished to invade the priest’s office, and offer incense in the temple. See 2 Chronicles 26:17, 18.

Verse 10. He it is that executed the priest’s office, &c. — So did all the rest: but it is implied that he did it worthily; he filled his place well, and valiantly discharged his office. For it is supposed this was that Azariah who boldly opposed the presumption of King Uzziah, when he invaded the priest’s office, 2 Chronicles 26:17. This remark may, however, relate to Johanan, otherwise called Jehoiada, who is so highly commended for the good service which he did to the house of God, and of the king; of whom see 2 Kings 11. In the temple that Solomon built — In Solomon’s temple; so denominated to distinguish it from the second temple, which was built, or in building, when these books were written.

Verse 14. Seraiah] He was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 25:18, 21.

Ver. 14. Seraiah, the highpriest, put to death in Riblah. 2 Kings 25:18, 21.

Verse 16. The sons of Levi, Gershom, &c. — This he repeats as the foundation of the following genealogy of those Levites who were not priests.

Verses 19, 20. The families of the Levites according to their fathers — That is, these were the heads of the families which sprang from them. And it is thought the following catalogue contains the successive heads or chiefs of their several families until the times of David, by whom they were distributed into several courses. Zimmah his son — His grandson by his son Shimei, as appears from verses 42, 43; the names of father and son being often used in Scripture of more remote progenitors or successors.

Verses 19, 20. The families of the Levites according to their fathers — That is, these were the heads of the families which sprang from them. And it is thought the following catalogue contains the successive heads or chiefs of their several families until the times of David, by whom they were distributed into several courses. Zimmah his son — His grandson by his son Shimei, as appears from verses 42, 43; the names of father and son being often used in Scripture of more remote progenitors or successors.

Verse 22. Korah] See the history of this man, and his rebellion, Numbers 16:1-33.

Verse 26. As for Elkanah, &c. — This was another Elkanah, son or grandson of the former Elkanah, and either the son or brother of Ahimoth, last mentioned, or of Amasai. Nahath his son — Called also Toah, verse 34, and Tohu, 1 Samuel 1:1. The Elkanah mentioned in the next verse was the father of the Prophet Samuel, whose name therefore follows.

Verse 28. The first-born Vashni, and Abiah.] There is a great mistake in this verse: in 1 Samuel 8:2 we read, Now the name of his (Samuel’s) first-born was Joel; and the name of his second Abiah. The word lawy Joel is lost out of the text in this place, and ynvw vesheni, which signifies the second, and which refers to Abiah, is made here into a proper name. The Septuagint, Vulgate, and Chaldee, copy this blunder; but the Syriac and Arabic read as in 1 Samuel 8:2. The MSS. have all copied the corrupted Hebrew in this place. Jarchi labours to restore the true reading, and yet preserve the integrity of the text, by paraphrasing thus: “And the second, (ynvw vesheni,) in respect of the first, he was Abiah; and the second, in respect of Abiah, he was Joel.”

These, Joel and Abiah, were the two sons of Samuel, who administered justice so badly that the people, being oppressed, began to murmur, and demanded a king. See 1 Samuel 8:1, &c.

Verse 31. After that the ark had rest.] The Targum says, “These are they whom David set over the service of the singing, in the house of the sanctuary, or tabernacle of the Lord, at the time in which the ark was brought into it;” that is, when it was brought from the house of Obed-edom.

Verse 31. And these — Whose names follow, are they whom David set over the service — Appointed to minister to God by singing songs of praise in his house; after that the ark had rest — After David had brought it from the house of Obed-edom, and settled it in Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 8:17.

31. Whom David set over the service of song — See on 1 Chronicles 15:16.

Verse 32. According to their order.] This order is specified below.

Verse 32. They ministered before the tabernacle, &c. — Which David had prepared for the ark when it came to Jerusalem. According to their order — The order which David himself had constituted a little before his death, as we read in the latter end of this book.

32. Before the dwellingplace of the tabernacle — The dwelling, (mishcan,) as distinguished from the tabernacle, (ohel,) was the board structure and its covering of ornamented curtains which formed the principal part of the sacred tent. Those who ministered before the mishcan must have occupied the court, where the laver and the altar of burnt offering stood. According to their order — The order assigned to them by David. On the divisions and arrangement of the sons of Levi, see chaps. 23-26.

Verse 39. Asaph] This person, with Heman, the sons of Kora, Ethan, Jeduthun, &c., are celebrated in these books, and in the Psalms, for their skill in singing, and the part they performed in the public worship of God. It is very likely that their singing was only a kind of recitative or chanting, such as we still find in the synagogues. It does not appear that God had especially appointed these singers, much less any musical instruments, (the silver trumpets excepted,) to be employed in his service. Musical instruments in the house of God are, at least under the Gospel, repugnant to the spirit of Christianity, and tend not a little to corrupt the worship of God. Those who are fond of music in the theatre are fond of it in the house of God when they go thither; and some, professing Christianity, set up such a spurious worship in order to draw people to hear the Gospel! This is doing evil that good may come of it; and by this means, light and trifling people are introduced into the Church of Christ, and when in, are generally very troublesome, hard to be pleased, and difficult to be saved.

Verse 39. His brother Asaph — Asaph is here called Heman’s brother, according to the Hebrew phraseology, by which all near relations are brothers; and because he was of the same office and employment.

Ver. 39. Asaph, author of twelve of the psalms.

V. 44. Ethan-Called also Jeduthun, 1 Chronicles 9:16 2Chronicles 35:15, and in the titles of divers psalms.

Verse 44. The sons of Merari stood on the left hand — The children of the next son of Levi are here mentioned, who had the lowest place assigned them, because they were of the youngest family. So there were three principal singers, who were masters and governors of the whole choir: Heman, descended from Koath, was the prime, who, together with his sons, stood in the middle: Asaph, descended from Gershom, with his sons, stood on his right hand: and Ethan, (called also Jeduthun, 1 Chronicles 9:16; 2 Chronicles 35:15, and in the title of divers Psalms,) descended from Merari, on the left.

Verse 48. Their brethren were appointed, &c. — Such of them as had no skill in singing were otherwise employed; being porters, keepers of the vessels of the sanctuary, occupied in preparing the sacrifices, and such like things. It is observable, that in all the genealogies of the Levites, there is not a word said of the sons of Moses and their posterity, he having no ambition to prefer them unto any great office.

Verse 49. But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar — The noblest part of the ministry was reserved for them. Aaron alone, and his successors in the high-priesthood, made atonement and ministered in the most holy place. But his sons, the other priests, offered on the altars of burnt-offering, and of incense.

Verse 50. These are the sons of Aaron] We have already had a list of these, (see 1 Chronicles 6:3-16;) this is a second, but less extensive, and is a proof that the writer of this book had several lists before him, from which he borrowed as he judged proper.

Verse 50. These are the sons of Aaron — Having mentioned the work of the high-priests, he here briefly rehearseth the names of the persons who successively performed it.

V. 54. Castles-So called, not only because, walled and well guarded by the country; but because they and their possessions were in a particular manner the care of divine providence. As God was their portion, so God was their protector. And a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The lot-Or, the first lot.

Verse 54. Theirs was the lot.] All the tribes and families obtained their respective inheritances by lot, but to the sons of Aaron was the first lot; and so the Syriac and Arabic have understood this place. The first lot, says Jarchi, fell to Judah, that they might give to the priests and the Levites the cities marked below. See an account of the possessions of the priests and Levites, Josh. 20, 21.

Verse 54. Throughout their castles — So called, not only because walled and well guarded by the country, but because they and their possessions were in a particular manner the care of Divine Providence. As God was their portion, so God was their protector. And a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Theirs was the lot — Or, the first lot.

54. Throughout their castles — Rather, according to their castles, or encampments. These “castles” are thought by some to have been some kind of watchtower, from which the trumpets were sounded — a use similar to that made by the Moslems of their minarets. But most expositors, as Gesenius, Furst, Keil, Zochler, take the word in the sense of hamlet, district, or circle of dwellings, such as were assigned to the Levites among the several tribes.

Verse 60. All their cities-were thirteen] But there are only eleven reckoned here, Gibeon and Juttah being omitted, and the names of some of the others changed. None of the versions give the full number of names, although they all give the whole sum thirteen.

Verse 60. All their cities were thirteen — Of which eleven are here numbered, and two more are mentioned Joshua 21:16, 17, namely, Jattah and Gibeon; which, perhaps, were in ruins when this book was written.

Verse 65. Which are called by their names.] Probably each family gave its own name to the city that fell to its lot.

V. 66. Coasts-Or, of their borders, of their country contained within its borders.

Verse 66. Had cities of their coasts — Or, of their borders, that is, of their country contained within its borders: these cities were assigned the families of the sons of Kohath, though they were not priests, for their support in a lower ministry.

Verse 67. They gave unto them of the cities of refuge — That is, the children of Israel, as it is expressed verse 64, gave to the residue of the Kohathites the following cities, part out of Ephraim, and part out of the half-tribe of Manasseh. As to the names of these cities, divers of them differ from those mentioned as given to them Joshua 21:15. Nor is it strange that the names of places should be changed in so many hundreds of years as had intervened between Joshua and this time. And as to the cities themselves, it is further to be observed, that they were dispersed among all the tribes, partly that Jacob’s prophecy might be fulfilled concerning the scattering of the tribe of Levi, Genesis 49:7; and partly that every tribe might have teachers among them by whom they might be directed in, and quickened to, the observation of God’s laws, upon which their safety and happiness wholly depended.

Verse 69. Aijalon with her suburbs] There are the two cities wanting here, Eltekeh and Gibethon. See Joshua 21:23.

Verses 71. - 77. We shall see from Joshua 21:28, &c., that several of these cities have different names.

How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

I CHRONICLES

Verses 71. - 77. We shall see from Joshua 21:28, &c., that several of these cities have different names.

How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

I CHRONICLES

Verses 71. - 77. We shall see from Joshua 21:28, &c., that several of these cities have different names.

How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

I CHRONICLES

Verses 71. - 77. We shall see from Joshua 21:28, &c., that several of these cities have different names.

How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

I CHRONICLES

Verses 71. - 77. We shall see from Joshua 21:28, &c., that several of these cities have different names.

How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

I CHRONICLES

Verses 71. - 77. We shall see from Joshua 21:28, &c., that several of these cities have different names.

How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

I CHRONICLES

Verses 71. - 77. We shall see from Joshua 21:28, &c., that several of these cities have different names.

How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe; so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

I CHRONICLES