1 Chronicles 9:22

In four quarters were the porters,.... For, according to the Targum on Ch1 9:22 there were twenty four wards:

towards the east, west, north, and south; and, as the same paraphrase has it, six wards to the east, six to the west, six to the north, and six to the south.

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

1Ch 9:22 All these [which were] chosen to be porters in the gates [were] two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.

Ver. 22. In their set office.] Or, For their fidelity. Or, In their trust, committed unto them by God and the commonwealth.

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.

1Ch_9:22

And Samuel the seer.

Samuel, the prophet of the Lord

Samuel was the last of the judges (1Sa_8:4-5). Samuel was the first of the prophets (Act_3:24).

I. Samuel in his childhood. He had a praying mother (1Sa_1:26-27). He had an early call to serve God (1Sa_2:18). He had a special message from the Lord (1Sa_3:8-9).

II. Samuel when he became a man. He was the one by whom God spake to the People (1Sa_3:19-21). He was the one by whom God defended the people (1Sa_7:12-13). He was the one by whom God instructed the people (1Sa_12:23-24). He was the one by whom God gave a king over the people (1Sa_10:24-25).

III. Samuel when he drew near his end. He appealed to the people (1Sa_12:2-3). He reasoned with the people (1Sa_12:7). He died with the respect of the people (1Sa_25:1). Lessons: Begin to serve the Lord early. Determine to follow the Lord fully. Be ready to hear the Lord only. Be persuaded to trust the Lord entirely. Samuel as the last of the judges was great. Samuel as the first of the prophets was greater. But for the greatest honour which Samuel had, see Psa_99:6. (The Clergymans Magazine.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 9:22. These were reckoned in their villages — Where their usual residence was, and whence they came to Jerusalem in their courses. Whom David and Samuel did ordain — In the times of the judges there was much disorder both in the Jewish state and church, and the Levites came to the tabernacle promiscuously, and as their inclinations or occasions brought them. But Samuel, observing they were greatly increased, began to think of establishing order in their ministration. And these intentions of his, probably, were communicated to David, who, after his own peaceable settlement in his throne, revived and perfected Samuel’s design, and took care to put it in execution.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

In four quarters were the porters,.... For, according to the Targum on Ch1 9:22 there were twenty four wards:

towards the east, west, north, and south; and, as the same paraphrase has it, six wards to the east, six to the west, six to the north, and six to the south.

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.)

Or, for their fidelity.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(22) All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates (Heb., thresholds) were two hundred and twelve.—This seems to assign the number of warders at the epoch of which the chronicler, or, rather, his source, is writing. Neh_11:19 makes the total of the porters one hundred and seventy-two. According to Ezr_2:42, one hundred and thirty-nine returned with Zerubbabel. Under David, the number of warders was ninety-three (1Ch_26:8-11).

These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages.—Rather, these—in their villages was their registration.

These.—That is, their ancestors. Guilds and corporations do not die.

Whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.—These David and Samuel had ordained in their office of trust, or, in permanence. No mention is made elsewhere of Samuel’s part in arranging the Levitical service. He died before David’s accession (1Sa_25:1). Tradition doubtless associated him with David in the work of religious reform, and from what is known of his relation to the sovereigns of his day, the statement of the text may be held true in spirit, if not in the letter.

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

22. All these] Cp. Ezr_2:41 (= Neh_7:45); Neh_11:19. The discrepancy in numbers between Chron. and Neh. and also between Nehemiah 7 and Nehemiah 11 may be explained by supposing some difference in the manner of reckoning or some difference in the period referred to

in their villages] Cp. note on 1Ch_9:16.

David and Samuel the seer] The Chronicler attributes to David the organisation of the priests (1Ch_24:3), of the Levites (1Ch_23:27; 1Ch_24:31), of the singers (1Ch_25:1 ff.), and of the doorkeepers (in this passage). Samuel the seer is here associated with David in the work, perhaps as having himself exercised the doorkeeper’s office (1Sa_3:15). We have however no evidence outside Chron. of Samuel’s organising work for the sanctuary.

set office] R.V. mg. trust. The meaning is “office of trust”; cp. 1Ch_9:26; 1Ch_9:31; 2Ch_31:15; 2Ch_31:18.

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.

The porters, like the singers Neh 12:29, dwelt for the most part in the villages round Jerusalem. They were the descendants of those originally selected for the work by David. David’s arrangements are here regarded as having had the sanction of Samuel - which would imply that he planned them in the lifetime of Saul, while he was still a fugitive and an outlaw.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Towns, where they resided, when they were not on duty. (Menochius) --- Seer, or prophet. (Haydock) --- We read not of his making any such regulation. But he probably made it after the misconduct of the sons of Heli, and when the ark was brought back. (Calmet) --- He might also give private instructions to David for the same purpose; (Haydock) as Gad and Nathan did, 2 Paralipomenon xxix. 25. The same plans were still adopted, though the number of Levites was small. (Calmet) --- Trust, while they were at the head of affairs, and acting by God’s authority. Literally, "in their faith;" (Haydock) enlightened from above, and regulating matters according to the dispositions, which they discovered in the sacred ministers: or rather Hebrew, "in their established employment," which was to subsist in future ages. (Calmet)

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).

In their villages; where their usual residence was, and whence they came to Jerusalem in their courses.

Did ordain: in the times of the judges there was much disorder and confusion, both in the Jewish state and church, and the Levites came to the tabernacle promiscuously, and as their inclinations or occasions brought them. But Samuel, the best of judges, having some prospect and good hopes of deliverance from their enemies, and of a happy settlement of the Israelitish church and nation, and observing that the Levites were greatly increased he began to think of establishing some order among the Levites in their ministration about the tabernacle. And these intentions of his probably were communicated by him to David, who after Samuel’s death, and his own peaceable settlement in his throne, revived and perfected Samuel’s design, and took care to put it in execution.

In their set office, Heb. in their faith, or faithfulness, i.e. either,

1. In their office, which is called faithfulness, because this is required in that office. Or,

2. In the faithful discharge of their duty, and in obedience to the will of God, signified to them by revelation, or by the Spirit, as it is said of David, 1Ch 28:12, which they received by faith, and accordingly designed, and David executed it. And so this is added to show that this was no human invention, as some might conceive, but a Divine appointment, to which all ought to submit.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

22. Whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain — This statement adds further to the dignity and honour of the office of the porters. But Samuel the seer was dead long before David reorganized and arranged the various departments of the sanctuary service, and so this passage is to be understood of Samuel’s indirect assistance in the matter, either by planning and advising with David on the subject during his lifetime, or, as is more probable, by actually taking measures to organize and arrange the Levites for service during the reign of Saul. “The mention of Samuel after David,” says Keil, “has not a chronological signification, but David is named first on account of his connexion with the matter in hand, for the thorough reorganization of the worship, and the classification of the persons engaged in carrying it on, originated with David. For these arrangements of David, however, Samuel had prepared the way in his struggle for the restoration of the theocracy, and of the worship which had fallen into desuetude under Eli and his profligate sons. To do this in any measure he must have, without doubt, ordained trustworthy men to the individual offices, and thus have prepared the way for King David.”

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The seer. It is to be noticed that the compiler of Chronicles uses elsewhere, as here, the "aforetime" name of the prophet, according to 1Sa_9:9. Note in this verse the linking together of the names of David and Samuel, to the ignoring of that of Saul. In their set office. Keil would translate, "Upon their fidelity, i.e. because they had been found faithful." But our margin translates happily, "in their trust," which will include, in part, the thought of Keil, and will suit our ver. 26.

Samuel"s life-work.

The assertion made in this verse, that Samuel was concerned in the organization of the tabernacle service, comes upon us with surprise. We are to suppose that he provided for the reformation of the ritual and ministrations in the tabernacle after the confusions in the days of the judges; though this statement is not found in any other place in the Old Testament. "Samuel the seer was zealous for the external ordinances of God"s house, and the precursor of David in this respect." We have side hints given us in the Scriptures of work done by great and good men which is not detailed so as to become a part of history. We need not assume that the whole of any man"s story is preserved; only such parts as are likely to prove permanently interesting and instructive. An instance may be found in the case of David. His public life of incident pushes back out of sight his valuable labours in connection with the sanctuary order and worship. So the worthy estimating of any human life is a difficult, nearly an impossible thing, seeing that we have not the whole before us, nor can we fairly judge the relative value of the parts. Full estimates of human lives must be left to God and the future. It is full of instructive significance that, as the generations pass, wholly different estimates are taken of historic characters, as other and fuller information concerning them comes to light. This may be illustrated in the cases of Lord Bacon, whose moral character recent writers are able to clear, and Protector Cromwell, whose portraiture Carlyle has at last succeeded in worthily drawing. Apply these thoughts to Samuel, and estimate

I HIS KNOWS WORK AS A JUDGE. He belongs to the class so called, and was a deliverer and a magistrate, combining the offices which were characteristic of this order of men. In his deliverings grandly loyal to Jehovah. In his magistracy pure-handed and abidingly faithful to men. Everywhere and in everything making character, piety, and integrity tell for good.

II HIS UNKNOWN WORK AS A RELIGIOUS REFORMER. Explain the influences upon a national religion of such changes and troubles as marked the time of the judges. Such conditions do not imperil personal piety, they rather intensify it, as may be seen in the story of the persecuted Christians in Madagascar; but they do imperil the order and ceremonial of religion, and especially in such a case as that of Israel, in which the religion was centralized on one spot, and to it all the worshippers had to come at fixed intervals. Samuel would not only have to restore the tabernacle system and services, but also to revive the religious spirit of the people; and to this, doubtless, his earnest attention was directed in his regular circuits for the administration of justice.

III His ASSUMED WORK AS THE FOUNDER OF THE SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS. For on this part of his work we have no certain information. "In his time we first hear of what in modern phraseology are called the "schools of the prophets." Their immediate mission consisted in uttering religious hymns or songs, accompanied by musical instruments psaltery, tabret, pipe and harp, and cymbals. In them the characteristic element was that the silent seer of visions found an articulate voice, gushing forth in a rhythmical flow, which at once riveted the attention of the hearer. These or such as these were the gifts which under Samuel were now organized, if one may so say, into a system. From them went forth an influence which awed and inspired even the wild and reckless soldiers of that lawless age. Amongst them we find the first authors distinctly named, in Hebrew literature, of actual books which descended to later generations. Thither, in that age of change and dissolution, Samuel gathered round him all that was generous and devout in the people of God.

Learn to estimate aright men"s secondary influence and work, for in this God may judge otherwise than we are wont to do, and put our last first. R.T.

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

Villages - Where their usual residence was, and whence they came to Jerusalem in their courses. Ordain - In the times of the Judges there was much disorder both in the Jewish state and church, and the Levites came to the tabernacle promiscuously, and as their inclinations or occasions brought them. But Samuel observing they were greatly increased, began to think of establishing order in their ministration. And these intentions of his probably were communicated to David, who after his own peaceable settlement in his throne, revived and perfected Samuel's design, and took care to put it in execution.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

General Information:

(See: Numbers)

who were chosen as gatekeepers

It is not clear who chose these men, so if you have to translate in active form, use your language's most general way of doing so. AT: "whom they had chosen to be gatekeepers" (See: Active or Passive)

numbered 212

"numbered two hundred and twelve" (See: Numbers)

Their names were recorded in the people's records in their villages

This can be translated in active form. AT: "The records in peoples' villages included the names of these men" (See: Active or Passive)

their children

"their descendants"

gatekeepers were posted

This can be translated in active form. AT: "men guarded the entrances" (See: Active or Passive)

on all four sides, toward the east, west, north, and south

The words "east, west, north, and south" explain the words "all four sides."

translationWords

name

people group

David

Samuel

prophet

trust

children

house of God

tabernacle

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

whom David and Samuel the seer established permanently - Heb. בֶּאֱמוּנָתָם, in their permanence.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.