1 Chronicles 9:14

1Ch 9:14 And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;

Ver. 14. And of the Levites.] See 1Ch 9:2; 1Ch 9:10.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

We have here a further account of the good posture which the affairs of religion were put into immediately upon the return of the people out of Babylon. They had smarted for their former neglect of ordinances and under the late want of ordinances. Both these considerations made them very zealous and forward in setting up the worship of God among them; so they began their worship of God at the right end. Instances hereof we have here.

I. Before the house of the Lord was built they had the house of the tabernacle, a plain and movable tent, which they made use of in the mean time. Those that cannot yet reach to have a temple must not be without a tabernacle, but be thankful for that and make the best of it. Never let God's work be left undone for want of a place to do it in.

II. In allotting to the priests and Levites their respective employments, they had an eye to the model that was drawn up by David, and Samuel the seer, Ch1 9:22. Samuel, in his time, had drawn the scheme of it, and laid the foundation, though the ark was then in obscurity, and David afterwards finished it, and both acted by immediate direction from God. Or David, as soon as he was anointed had this matter in his mind and consulted Samuel about it, though he was then in his troubles, and the plan was formed in concert between them. This perhaps had been little regarded for many ages; but now, after a long interruption, it was revived. In dividing the work, they observed these ancient land-marks.

III. The most of them dwelt at Jerusalem (Ch1 9:34), yet there were some that dwelt in the villages (Ch1 9:16, Ch1 9:22), because, it may be, there was not yet room for them in Jerusalem. However they were employed in the service of the tabernacle (Ch1 9:25): They were to come after seven days from time to time. They had their week's attendance in their turns.

IV. Many of the Levites were employed as porters at the gates of the house of God, four chief porters (Ch1 9:26), and, under them, others, to the number of 212, Ch1 9:22. They had the oversight of the gates (Ch1 9:23), were keepers of the thresholds, as in the margin (Ch1 9:19), and keepers of the entry. This seemed a mean office; and yet David would rather have it than dwell in the tents of wickedness, Psa 84:10. Their office was, 1. To open the doors of God's house every morning (Ch1 9:27) and shut them at night. 2. To keep off the unclean, and hinder those from thrusting in that were forbidden by the law. 3. To direct and introduce into the courts of the Lord those that came thither to worship, and to show them where to go and what to do, that they might not incur punishment. This required care, and diligence, and constant attendance. Ministers have work to do of this kind.

V. Here is one Phinehas, a son of Eleazar, that is said to be a ruler over them in time past (Ch1 9:20), not the famous high priest of that name, but (as is supposed) an eminent Levite, of whom it is here said that the Lord was with him, or (as the Chaldee reads it) the Word of the Lord was his helper - the eternal Word, who is Jehovah, the mighty one on whom help is laid.

VI. It is said of some of them that, because the charge was upon them, they lodged round about the house of God, Ch1 9:27. It is good for ministers to be near their work, that they may give themselves wholly to it. The Levites pitched about the tabernacle when they marched through the wilderness. Then they were porters in one sense, bearing the burdens of the sanctuary, now porters in another sense, attending the gates and the doors - in both instances keeping the charge of the sanctuary.

VII. Every one knew his charge. Some were entrusted with the plate, the ministering vessels, to bring them in and out by tale, Ch1 9:28. Others were appointed to prepare the fine flour, wine, oil, etc., Ch1 9:29. Others, that were priests, made up the holy anointing oil, Ch1 9:30. Others took care of the meat-offerings, Ch1 9:31. Others of the show-bread, Ch1 9:32. As in other great houses, so in God's house, the work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place and makes a business of it. God is the God of order: but that which is every body's work will be nobody's work.

VIII. The singers were employed in that work day and night, Ch1 9:33. They were the chief fathers of the Levites that made a business of it, not mean singing-men, that made a trade of it. They remained in the chambers of the temple, that they might closely and constantly attend it, and were therefore excused from all other services. It should seem, some companies were continually singing, at least at stated hours, both day and night. Thus was God continually praised, as it is fit he should be who is continually doing good. Thus devout people might, at any hour, have assistance in their devotion. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Rev 4:8. Blessed are those that dwell in thy house; they will be still praising thee.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(14–17) The Levites resident in Jerusalem (Neh_11:15-19).

(14) Word for word the same with Neh. i.e., save that here Shemaiah is ultimately deduced from the clan of the Merarites, whereas there one more ancestor (Banni) follows Hashabiah, and the phrase “of the sons of Merari” is omitted.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14–16 (cp. Neh_11:15-18). The Levites

14. of the sons of Merari] in Neh. the sons of Bunni, which is probably a corruption of the reading of Chron. Otherwise of the three great Levitical families, Merari, Asaph and Jeduthun mentioned here, only the last two appear in Neh.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah,.... Called Abda the son of Shammua, Neh 11:17.

the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; who was Ethan, another of the singers in the time of David:

and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites; the villages about Netophah, which was in the tribe of Judah, Ch1 2:54, Neh 7:26 which may be understood either of Elkanah, the ancestor of Berechiah, whose dwelling was there; or of Berechiah, and must be rendered:

who had dwelt there; for now he dwelt at Jerusalem.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Levites, established at Jerusalem.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Vers. 14-16. The corresponding account of these Levites (Neh_11:15-18) has some additional details as, for instance, that the number of "the Levites in the holy city were two hundred four score and four;" that two "of the chief of the Levites, Shabbethai and Jozabad," not given here, "had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;" that "Mattaniah was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer;" and that Bakbukiah (hero called Bakbakkar) was "the second among his brethren." Hashabiah is also stated to be "the son of Bunni." The Netophathites. The town Netophah was either locally near Bethlehem, or in some way closely related to it (1Ch_2:54; Neh_7:26) It is not directly mentioned, though existing long before, till the accounts of those who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel. (Ezr_2:22) Interesting facts, respecting its people are found in 1Ch_27:13, 1Ch_27:15; Neh_12:28. Though our Authorized Version has the name here in the plural, it is not so in the Hebrew, nor is it there accompanied by the article.

Vers. 14.-34.

Aspects of Christian work.

In the service of the sanctuary there were many offices to be filled, various duties to be discharged. These will bring to our remembrance three aspects of our Christian service.

I THAT LOWLY LABOUR IN THE SERVICE OF THE SAVIOUR IS HONOURABLE WORK. The work of the Nethinims (ver. 2) was not to be despised; they did work which was comparatively menial, but it was work that needed to be done for God, and was accepted by him. Of the Levites, some "had the charge of the ministering vessels" (ver. 28); others of "the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices" (vers. 29, 30); one of them was placed "over the things that were made in the pans" (ver. 31). These offices were humble enough, but they were not counted dishonourable by those who rendered them, and they were esteemed worthy of record in the sacred chronicle. In the cause of Christ and of man there are many duties that are demanded of us, which, to the eye of impiety, may seem servile and mean. If, however, we are looking at things with the eye of faith and filial love, they will not wear this aspect. Loyalty counts nothing too mean to be rendered to its sovereign; love nothing too trivial to be offered to its friend. Our loyalty to the heavenly King, our love to our Divine Friend, should make us not only willing but eager to take any part and do any work in his sacred service.

II THAT A POST OF TRUST IS ONE OF SPECIAL HONOUR. It is very noticeable that so much is said about the porters that kept the gates: "the work of the service" is markedly referred to as "keeping the gates of the tabernacle;" these "over the host of the Lord," were "keepers of the entry" (ver. 19; see vers. 21-24). We read also that "four chief porters were over the chambers and treasuries" (ver. 26). Special provision was made for their entertainment (ver. 27). These actions were simple, mechanical it might be thought lowly, if not menial. But they were places of trust. It was important that none should be admitted to the holy places but those who had the right of entrance. These men had the purity of the sacred courts at their command; they were trusted to see that these were not profaned by unhallowed feet. When we are trusted by our fellows or by our Master to do anything, whether it be in itself serious or slight, we should feel that we are being honoured, and we should put forth all our vigilance, strength, vigour, to prove ourselves worthy of the confidence placed in us. Nothing should make so strong an appeal to our undivided energies as being trusted to see that something is done well in the service of our Saviour.

III THAT CONSTANCY IS A VERY VALUABLE VIRTUE IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE. The singers "were employed in that work day and night" (ver. 33). It was pleasing to the ear of Jehovah to hear ceaseless strains of holy song in the house of the Lord. It is pleasing to the heart of the ascended Saviour to witness spiritual constancy in those that bear his name and profess to be his disciples. He has ordained us that "our fruit should remain". (Joh_15:16) He wishes that we should "continue in his love". (Joh_15:9) We are to continue in the doctrine of Christ (Act_14:22; 1Ti_4:16; Col_1:23) and in brotherly. (Heb_13:1) The secret of constancy in the various graces of Christian character is abiding in Christ himself. (Joh_15:1-7) Abiding in him our spirit trusting, resting, rejoicing, hoping in him our life will not flicker or expire; it will shine, like the lamp in the holy place, like the song in the sanctuary, day and night," steadily, serenely, abidingly, in the presence of God. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah,.... Called Abda the son of Shammua, Neh 11:17.

the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; who was Ethan, another of the singers in the time of David:

and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites; the villages about Netophah, which was in the tribe of Judah, Ch1 2:54, Neh 7:26 which may be understood either of Elkanah, the ancestor of Berechiah, whose dwelling was there; or of Berechiah, and must be rendered:

who had dwelt there; for now he dwelt at Jerusalem.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

General Information:

All of the names here except "Netophathites" are the names of men. The Netophathites were a people group. (See: How to Translate Names)

among the descendants

"one of the descendants"

translationWords

Levi

Asaph

Obadiah

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.