Read-Post Through the Bible

[daniel1212av]

1Ch 4:24-43 -

We have here some of the genealogies of the tribe of Simeon (though it was not a tribe of great note), especially the princes of that tribe, 1Ch_4:38. Of this tribe it is said that they increased greatly, but not like the children of Judah, 1Ch_4:27. Those whom God increases ought to be thankful, though they see others that are more increased. Here observe,

1. The cities allotted them (1Ch_4:28), of which see Jos_19:1, etc. When it is said that they were theirs unto the reign of David (1Ch_4:31) intimation is given that when the ten tribes revolted from the house of David many of the Simeonites quitted these cities, because they lay within Judah, and seated themselves elsewhere.

2. The ground they got elsewhere. When those of this tribe that revolted from the house of David were carried captive with the rest into Assyria those that adhered to Judah were remarkably owned of God and prospered in their endeavours to enlarge their coasts. It was in the days of Hezekiah that a generation of Simeonites, whose tribe had long crouched and truckled, was animated to make these bold efforts.

(1.) Some of them attacked a place in Arabia, as it should seem, called the entrance of Gedor, inhabited by the posterity of accursed Ham (1Ch_4:40), made themselves masters of it, and dwelt there. This adds to the glory of Hezekiah's pious reign, that, as his kingdom in general prospered, so did particular families. It is said that they found fat pastures, and yet the land was quiet; even when the kings of Assyria were giving disturbance to all their neighbours this land escaped their alarms. The inhabitants being shepherds, who molested none, were not themselves molested, till the Simeonites came and drove them out and succeeded them, not only in the plenty, but in the peace, of their land. Those who dwell (as we do) in a fruitful country, and whose land is wide, and quiet, and peaceable, have reason to own themselves indebted to that God who appoints the bounds of our habitation.

(2.) Others of them, to the number of 500, under the command of four brethren here named, made a descent upon Mount Seir, and smote the remainder of the devoted Amalekites, and took possession of their country, 1Ch_4:42, 1Ch_4:43. Now the curses on Ham and Amalek had a further accomplishment, when they seemed dormant, if not dead; as had also the curse on Simeon, that he should be divided and scattered (Gen_49:7): yet to him it was turned into a blessing, for the families of Simeon, which thus transplanted themselves into those distant countries, are said to dwell there unto this day (1Ch_4:43), by which it should seem they escaped the calamities of the captivity. Providence sometimes sends those out of trouble that are designed for preservation. — Henry

[daniel1212av]

(1 Chr 5)  "Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. {2} For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:) {3} The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. {4} The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, {5} Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son, {6} Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. {7} And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah, {8} And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon: {9} And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead. {10} And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead. {11} And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah: {12} Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan. {13} And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven. {14} These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; {15} Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers. {16} And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders. {17} All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel. {18} The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. {19} And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. {20} And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him. {21} And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand. {22} For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity. {23} And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon. {24} And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers. {25} And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them. {26} And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day."

[daniel1212av]

1 Chronicles 5 -
The genealogies of Reuben, 1Ch_5:1-10. Of Gad, 1Ch_5:11-17. The exploits of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 1Ch_5:18-22. The genealogy of the half tribe of Manasseh, 1Ch_5:23, 1Ch_5:24. The idolatry of these tribes and their captivity by the Assyrians, 1Ch_5:25, 1Ch_5:26. — Clarke 

1 Chronicles 5 -

This chapter gives us some account of the two tribes and a half that were seated on the other side Jordan. 

I. Of Reuben (1Ch_5:1-10). 

II. Of Gad (1Ch_5:11-17).  III. Of the half-tribe of Manasseh (1Ch_5:23, 1Ch_5:24).  IV. Concerning all three acting in conjunction we are told, 

1. How they conquered the Hagarites (1Ch_5:18-22). 

2. How they were, at length, themselves conquered, and made captives, by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken God (1Ch_5:25, 1Ch_5:26). — Henry 

1Ch 5:1-26 -

This chapter gives some account of the two tribes and a half seated on the east side of Jordan. They were made captives by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken the Lord. Only two things are here recorded concerning these tribes.

1. They all shared in a victory. Happy is that people who live in harmony together, who assist each other against the common enemies of their souls, trusting in the Lord, and calling upon him.

2. They shared in captivity. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed. The desire of earthly objects draws to a distance from God's ordinances, and prepares men for destruction. — MHCC
 
1Ch 5:1-17 -

We have here an extract out of the genealogies,

I. Of the tribe of Reuben, where we have,

1. The reason why this tribe is thus postponed. It is confessed that Reuben was the first-born of Israel, and, upon that account, might challenge the precedency; but he forfeited his birthright by defiling his father's concubine, and was, for that, sentenced not to excel, Gen_49:4. Sin lessens men, thrusts them down from their excellency. Seventh-commandment sins especially leave an indelible stain upon men's names and families, a reproach which time will not wipe away. Reuben's seed, to the last, bear the disgrace of Reuben's sin. Yet, though that tribe was degraded, it was not discarded or disinherited. The sullying of the honour of an Israelite is not the losing of his happiness. Reuben loses his birthright, yet it does not devolve upon Simeon the next in order; for it was typical, and therefore must attend, not the course of nature, but the choice of grace. The advantages of the birthright were dominion and a double portion. Reuben having forfeited these, it was thought too much that both should be transferred to any one, and therefore they were divided.

(1.) Joseph had the double portion; for two tribes descended from him, Ephraim and Manasseh, each of whom had a child's part (for so Jacob by faith blessed them, Heb_11:21; Gen_48:15, Gen_48:22), and each of those tribes was as considerable, and made as good a figure, as any one of the twelve, except Judah. But,

(2.) Judah had the dominion; on him the dying patriarch entailed the sceptre, Gen_49:10 Of him came the chief ruler, David first, and, in the fulness of time, Messiah the Prince, Mic_5:2. This honour was secured to Judah, though the birthright was Joseph's; and, having this, he needed not envy Joseph the double portion.

2. The genealogy of the princes of this tribe, the chief family of it (many, no doubt, being omitted), to Beerah, who was head of this clan when the king of Assyria carried them captive, 1Ch_5:4-6. Perhaps he is mentioned as prince of the Reubenites at that time because he did not do his part to prevent the captivity.

3. The enlargement of the coasts of this tribe. They increasing, and their cattle being multiplied, they crowded out their neighbours the Hagarites, and extended their conquests, though not to the river Euphrates, yet to the wilderness which abutted upon that river, 1Ch_5:9, 1Ch_5:10. Thus God did for his people as he promised them: he cast out the enemy from before them by little and little, and gave them their land as they had occasion for it, Exo_23:30.

II. Of the tribe of Gad. Some great families of that tribe are here named (1Ch_5:12), seven that were the children of Abihail, whose pedigree is carried upwards from the son to the father (1Ch_5:14, 1Ch_5:15), as that 1Ch_5:4, 1Ch_5:5, is brought downwards from father to son. These genealogies were perfected in the days of Jotham king of Judah, but were begun some years before, in the reign of Jeroboam II, king of Israel. What particular reason there was for taking these accounts then does not appear; but it was just before they were carried away captive by the Assyrians, as appears 2Ki_15:29, 2Ki_15:31. When the judgments of God were ready to break out against them for their wretched degeneracy and apostasy then were they priding themselves in their genealogies, that they were the children of the covenant; as the Jews, in our Saviour's time, who, when they were ripe for ruin, boasted, We have Abraham to our father. Or there might be a special providence in it, and a favourable intimation that though they were, for the present, cast out, they were not cast off for ever. What we design to call for hereafter we keep an inventory of. — Henry 

[daniel1212av]

1Ch 5:18-26 -

The heads of the half-tribe of Manasseh, that were seated on the other side Jordan, are named here, 1Ch_5:23, 1Ch_5:24. Their lot, at first, was Bashan only; but afterwards they increased so much in wealth and power that they spread far north, even unto Hermon. Two things only are here recorded concerning these tribes on the other side Jordan, in which they were all concerned. They all shared,
I. In a glorious victory over the Hagarites, so the Ishmaelites were now called, to remind them that they were the sons of the bond-woman, that was cast out. We are not told when this victory was obtained: whether it be the same with that of the Reubenites (which is said 1Ch_5:10 to be in the days of Saul), or whether that success of one of these tribes animated and excited the other two to join with them in another expedition, is not certain. It seems, though in Saul's time the common interests of the kingdom were weak and low, some of the tribes that acted separately did well for themselves. We are here told,

1. What a brave army these frontier-tribes brought into the field against the Hagarites, 44,000 men and upwards, all strong, and brave, and skilful in war, so many effective men, that knew how to manage their weapons, 1Ch_5:18. How much more considerable might Israel have been than they were in the time of the judges if all the tribes had acted in conjunction!

2. What course they took to engage God for them: They cried to God, and put their trust in him, 1Ch_5:20. Now they acted as Israelites indeed.

(1.) As the seed of believing Abraham, they put their trust in God. Though they had a powerful army, they relied not on that, but on the divine power. They depended on the commission they had from God to wage war with their neighbours for the enlarging of their coasts, if there was occasion, even with those that were very far off, besides the devoted nations. See Deu_20:15. They depended on God's providence to give them success.

 (2.) As the seed of praying Jacob, they cried unto God, especially in the battle, when perhaps, at first, they were in danger of being overpowered. See the like done, 2Ch_13:14. In distress, God expects we should cry to him; he distrains upon us for this tribute, this rent. In our spiritual conflicts, we must look up to heaven for strength; and it is the believing prayer that will be the prevailing prayer.

3. We are told what success they had: God was entreated of them, though need drove them to him; so ready is he to hear and answer prayer. They were helped against their enemies; for God never yet failed any that trusted in him. And then they routed the enemy's army, though far superior in number to theirs, slew many (1Ch_5:22), took 100,000 prisoners, enriched themselves greatly with the spoil, and settled themselves in their country (1Ch_5:21, 1Ch_5:22), and all this because the war was of God, undertaken in his fear and carried on in a dependence upon him. If the battle be the Lord's, there is reason to hope it will be successful. Then we may expect to prosper in any enterprise, and then only, when we take God along with us.

II. They shared, at length, in an inglorious captivity. Had they kept close to God and their duty, they would have continued to enjoy both their ancient lot and their new conquests; but they transgressed against the God of their fathers, 1Ch_5:25. They lay upon the borders, and conversed most with the neighbouring nations, by which means they learned their idolatrous usages and transmitted the infection to the other tribes; for this God had a controversy with them. He was a husband to them, and no marvel that his jealousy burnt like fire when they went a whoring after other gods. Justly is a bill of divorce given to the adulteress. God stirred up the spirit of the kings of Assyria, first one and then another, against them, served his own purposes by the designs of those ambitious monarchs, employed them to chastise these revolters first, and, when that humbled them not, then wholly to root them out, 1Ch_5:26. These tribes were first placed, and they were first displaced. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed. But those who are governed more by sense than by reason or faith in their choices may expect to fare accordingly. — Henry 

[daniel1212av]

(1 Chr 6)  "The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. {2} And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. {3} And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. {4} Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua, {5} And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi, {6} And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth, {7} Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub, {8} And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz, {9} And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan, {10} And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem:) {11} And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub, {12} And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum, {13} And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah, {14} And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak, {15} And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. {16} The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. {17} And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei. {18} And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. {19} The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers. {20} Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, {21} Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son. {22} The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, {23} Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son, {24} Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. {25} And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth. {26} As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son, {27} Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. {28} And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah. {29} The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son, {30} Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son.

{31} And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. {32} And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. {33} And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel, {34} The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, {35} The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, {36} The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, {37} The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, {38} The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel. {39} And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea, {40} The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah, {41} The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, {42} The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, {43} The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi. {44} And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, {45} The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, {46} The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer, {47} The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. {48} Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God. {49} But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. {50} And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, {51} Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, {52} Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, {53} Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.

{54} Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot. {55} And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it. {56} But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. {57} And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs, {58} And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs, {59} And Ashan with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs: {60} And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities throughout their families were thirteen cities. {61} And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities. {62} And to the sons of Gershom throughout their families out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. {63} Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. {64} And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs. {65} And they gave by lot out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names. {66} And the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim. {67} And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs, {68} And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs, {69} And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs: {70} And out of the half tribe of Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath. {71} Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs: {72} And out of the tribe of Issachar; Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs, {73} And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs: {74} And out of the tribe of Asher; Mashal with her suburbs, and Abdon with her suburbs, {75} And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs: {76} And out of the tribe of Naphtali; Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, and Hammon with her suburbs, and Kirjathaim with her suburbs. {77} Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: {78} And on the other side Jordan by Jericho, on the east side of Jordan, were given them out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer in the wilderness with her suburbs, and Jahzah with her suburbs, {79} Kedemoth also with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs: {80} And out of the tribe of Gad; Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, and Mahanaim with her suburbs, {81} And Heshbon with her suburbs, and Jazer with her suburbs."

[daniel1212av]

1 Chronicles 6 -
The genealogy of Levi and Aaron, vv. 1-30. The offices of the priests and Levites, vv. 31-53. The cities assigned them, vv. 54-81. — Clarke 

1 Chronicles 6 -

Though Joseph and Judah shared between them the forfeited honours of the birthright, yet Levi was first of all the tribes, dignified and distinguished with an honour more valuable than either the precedency or the double portion, and that was the priesthood. That tribe God set apart for himself; it was Moses's tribe, and perhaps for his sake was thus favoured. Of that tribe we have an account in this chapter. 

I. Their pedigree, the first fathers of the tribe (1Ch_6:1-3), the line of the priests, from Aaron to the captivity (1Ch_6:4-15), and of some other of their families (1Ch_6:16-30). 

II. Their work, the work of the Levites (v. 31-48), of the priests (1Ch_6:49-53).

 III. The cities appointed them in the land of Canaan (v. 54-81). — Henry 

1Ch 6:1-81 -
We have an account of Levi in this chapter. The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites, to preserve their descent clear, and to be able to prove it; because all the honours and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. Now, the Spirit of God calls ministers to their work, without any limit as to the families they came from; and then, as now, though believers and ministers may be very useful to the church, none but our great High Priest can make atonement for sin, nor can any be accepted but through his atonement. — MHCC

1Ch 6:1-30 -

The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites to preserve their pedigree clear and to be able to prove it, because all the honours and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. And we read of those who, though perhaps they really were children of the priests, yet, because they could not find the register of their genealogies, nor make out their descent by any authentic record, were, as polluted, put from the priesthood, and forbidden to eat of the holy things, Ezr_2:62, Ezr_2:63. It is but very little that is here recorded of the genealogies of this sacred tribe.

 I. The first fathers of it are here named twice, 1Ch_6:1, 1Ch_6:16. Gershom, Kohath, and Merari, are three names which we were very conversant with in the book of Numbers, when the families of the Levites were marshalled and had their work assigned to them. Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam, we have known much more of than their names, and cannot pass them over here without remembering that this was that Moses and Aaron whom God honoured in making them instruments of Israel's deliverance and settlement and figures of him that was to come, Moses as a prophet and Aaron as a priest. And the mention of Nadab and Abihu (though, having no children, there was no occasion to bring them into the genealogy) cannot but remind us of the terrors of that divine justice which they were made monuments of for offering strange fire, that we may always fear before him.

2. The line of Eleazar, the successor of Aaron, is here drawn down to the time of the captivity, 1Ch_6:4-15. It begins with Eleazar, who came out of the house of bondage in Egypt, and ends with Jehozadak, who went into the house of bondage in Babylon. Thus, for their sins, they were left as they were found, which might also intimate that the Levitical priesthood did not make anything perfect, but this was to be done by the bringing in of a better hope. All these here named were not high priests; for, in the time of the judges, that dignity was, upon some occasion or other, brought into the family of Ithamar, of which Eli was; but in Zadok it returned again to the right line. Of Azariah it is here said (v. 10), He it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built. It is supposed that this was that Azariah who bravely opposed the presumption of king Uzziah when he invaded the priest's office (2Ch_26:17, 2Ch_26:18), though he ventured his neck by so doing. This was done like a priest, like one that was truly zealous for his God. He that thus boldly maintained and defended the priest's office, and made good its barriers against such a daring insult, might well be said to execute it; and this honour is put upon him for it; while Urijah, one of his successors, for a base compliance with King Ahaz, in building him an idolatrous altar, has the disgrace put upon him of being left out of this genealogy, as perhaps some others are. But some think that this remark upon this Azariah should have been added to his grandfather of the same name (1Ch_6:9), who was the son of Ahimaaz, and that he was the priest who first officiated in Solomon's temple.

3. Some other of the families of the Levites are here accounted for. One of the families of Gershom (that of Libni) is here drawn down as far as Samuel, who had the honour of a prophet added to that of a Levite. One of the families of Merari (that of Mahli) is likewise drawn down for several descents, 1Ch_6:29, 1Ch_6:30. — Henry

[daniel1212av]

1Ch 6:31-53 -
When the Levites were first ordained in the wilderness much of the work then appointed them lay in carrying and taking care of the tabernacle and the utensils of it, while they were in their march through the wilderness. In David's time their number was increased; and, though the greater part of them was dispersed all the nation over, to teach the people the good knowledge of the Lord, yet those that attended the house of God were so numerous that there was not constant work for them all; and therefore David, by special commission and direction from God, new-modelled the Levites, as we shall find in the latter part of this book. Here we are told what the work was which he assigned them.

I. Singing-work, 1Ch_6:31. David was raised up on high to be the sweet psalmist of Israel (2Sa_23:1), not only to pen psalms, but to appoint the singing of them in the house of the Lord (not so much because he was musical as because he was devout), and this he did after that the ark had rest. While that was in captivity, obscure, and unsettled, the harps were hung upon the willow-trees: singing was then thought unseasonable (when the bridegroom is taken away they shall fast); but the harps being resumed, and the songs revived, at the bringing up of the ark, they were continued afterwards. For we should rejoice as much in the prolonging of our spiritual privileges as in the restoring of them. When the service of the ark was much superseded by its rest they had other work cut out for them (for Levites should never be idle) and were employed in the service of song. Thus when the people of God come to the rest which remains for them above they shall take leave of all their burdens and be employed in everlasting songs. These singers kept up that service in the tabernacle till the temple was built, and then they waited on their office there, 1Ch_6:32. When they came to that stately magnificent house they kept as close both to their office and to their order as they had done in the tabernacle. It is a pity that the preferment of the Levites should ever make them remiss in their business. We have here an account of the three great masters who were employed in the service of the sacred song, with their respective families; for they waited with their children, that is, such as descended from them or were allied to them, 1Ch_6:33. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were the three that were appointed to this service, one of each of the three houses of the Levites, that there might be an equality in the distribution of this work and honour, and that every one might know his post, such an admirable order was there in this choir service.

1. Of the house of Kohath was Heman with his family (1Ch_6:33), a man of a sorrowful spirit, if it be the same Heman that penned the 88th psalm, and yet a singer. He was the grandson of Samuel the prophet, the son of Joel, of whom it is said that he walked not in the ways of Samuel (1Sa_8:2, 1Sa_8:3); but it seems, though the son did not, the grandson did. Thus does the blessing entailed on the seed of the upright sometimes pass over one generation and fasten upon the next. And this Heman, though the grandson of that mighty prince, did not think it below him to be a precentor in the house of God. David himself was willing to be a door-keeper. Rather we may look upon this preferment of the grandson in the church as a recompense for the humble modest resignation which the grandfather made of his authority in the state. Many such ways God has of making up his people's losses and balancing their disgraces. Perhaps David, in making Heman the chief, had some respect to his old friend Samuel.

2. Of the house of Gershom was Asaph, called his brother, because in the same office and of the same tribe, though of another family. He was posted on Heman's right hand in the choir, 1Ch_6:39. Several of the psalms bear his name, being either penned by him or tuned by him as the chief musician. It is plain that he was the penman of some psalms; for we read of those that praised the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph. He was a seer as well as a singer, 2Ch_29:30. His pedigree is traced up here, through names utterly unknown, as high as Levi, 1Ch_6:39-43. 3. Of the house of Merari was Ethan (1Ch_6:44), who was appointed to Heman's left hand. His pedigree is also traced up to Levi, 1Ch_6:47. If these were the Heman and Ethan that penned the 88th and 89th psalms, there appears no reason here why they should be called Ezrahites (see the titles of those psalms), as there does why those should be called so who are mentioned 1Ch_2:6, and who were the sons of Zerah.

II. There was serving-work, abundance of service to be done in the tabernacle of the house of God (1Ch_6:48), to provide water and fuel, - to wash and sweep, and carry out ashes, - to kill, and flay, and boil the sacrifices; and to all such services there were Levites appointed, those of other families, or perhaps those that were not fit to be singers, that had either no good voice or no good ear. As every one has received the gift, so let him minister. Those that could not sing must not therefore be laid aside as good for nothing; though they were not fit for that service, there was other service they might be useful in.

III. There was sacrificing-work, and that was to be done by the priests only, 1Ch_6:49. They only were to sprinkle the blood and burn the incense; as for the work of the most holy place, that was to be done by the high priest only. Each had his work, and they both needed one another and both helped one another in it. Concerning the work of the priests we are here told,

1. What was the end they were to have in their eye. They were to make an atonement for Israel, to mediate between the people and God; not to magnify and enrich themselves, but to serve the public. They were ordained for men.

2. What was the rule they were to have in their eye. They presided in God's house, yet must do as they were bidden, according to all that God commanded. That law the highest are subject to. — Henry 

1Ch 6:54-81 -
We have here an account of the Levites' cities. They are here called their castles (1Ch_6:54), not only because walled and fortified, and well guarded by the country (for it is the interest of every nation to protect its ministers), but because they and their possessions were, in a particular manner, the care of the divine providence: as God was their portion, so God was their protection; and a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This account is much the same with that which we had, Jos. 21. We need not be critical in comparing them (what good will it do us?) nor will it do any hurt to the credit of the holy scripture if the names of some of the places be not spelt just the same here as they were there. We know it is common for cities to have several names. Sarum and Salisbury, Salop and Shrewsbury, are more unlike than Hilen (1Ch_6:58) and Holon (Jos_21:15), Ashan (1Ch_6:59) and Ain (Jos_21:16), Alemeth (1Ch_6:60) and Almon (Jos_21:18); and time changes names. We are only to observe that in this appointment of cities for the Levites God took care,

1. For the accomplishment of dying Jacob's prediction concerning this tribe, that it should be scattered in Israel, Gen_49:7.

2. For the diffusing of the knowledge of himself and his law to all parts of the land of Israel. Every tribe had Levites' cities in it; and so every room was furnished with a candle, so that none could be ignorant of his duty but it was either his own fault or the Levites'.

3. For a comfortable maintenance for those that ministered in holy things. Besides their tithes and offerings, they had glebe-lands and cities of their own to dwell in. Some of the most considerable cities of Israel fell to the Levites' lot. Every tribe had benefit by the Levites, and therefore every tribe must contribute to their support. Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth, and do it cheerfully. — Henry

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(1 Chr 7)  "Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimrom, four. {2} And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father's house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred. {3} And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men. {4} And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons. {5} And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand. {6} The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three. {7} And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four. {8} And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher. {9} And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred. {10} The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar. {11} All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle. {12} Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher. {13} The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah. {14} The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead: {15} And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister's name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters. {16} And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. {17} And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh. {18} And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah. {19} And the sons of Shemidah were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.

{20} And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son, {21} And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle. {22} And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him. {23} And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house. {24} (And his daughter was Sherah, who built Bethhoron the nether, and the upper, and Uzzensherah.) {25} And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son, {26} Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, {27} Non his son, Jehoshuah his son. {28} And their possessions and habitations were, Bethel and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof: {29} And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Bethshean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel. {30} The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister. {31} And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith. {32} And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister. {33} And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet. {34} And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. {35} And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal. {36} The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah, {37} Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera. {38} And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara. {39} And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia. {40} All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father's house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men."

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1 Chronicles 7 -
The genealogy of Issachar, 1Ch_7:1-5. Of Benjamin, 1Ch_7:6-12. Of Naphtali, 1Ch_7:13. Of Manasseh, 1Ch_7:14-19. Of Ephraim, 1Ch_7:20-29. And of Asher, 1Ch_7:30-40. — Clarke 

1 Chronicles 7 -

In this chapter we have some account of the genealogies,

 I. Of Issachar (1Ch_7:1-5).

 II. Of Benjamin (1Ch_7:6-12).  III. Of Naphtali (1Ch_7:13).

 IV. Of Manasseh (1Ch_7:14-19). 

V. Of Ephraim (1Ch_7:20-29). 

VI. Of Asher (1Ch_7:30-40). Here is no account either of Zebulun or Dan. Why they only should be omitted we can assign no reason; only it is the disgrace of the tribe of Dan that idolatry began in that colony of the Danites which fixed in Laish, and called Dan, and there one of the golden calves was set up by Jeroboam. Dan is omitted, Rev. 7. — Henry 

1Ch 7:1-40 -
Here is no account either of Zebulun or Dan. We can assign no reason why they only should be omitted; but it is the disgrace of the tribe of Dan, that idolatry began in that colony which fixed in Laish, and called it Dan, Judges 18 and there one of the golden calves was set up by Jeroboam. Dan is omitted, Revelation 7. Men become abominable when they forsake the worship of the true God, for any creature object. — MHCC

1Ch 7:1-19 -

We have here a short view given us,

I. Of the tribe of Issachar, whom Jacob had compared to a strong ass, couching between two burdens (Gen_49:14), an industrious tribe, that minded their country business very closely and rejoiced in their tents, Deu_33:18. And here it appears,

1. That they were a numerous tribe; for they had many wives. So fruitful their country was that they saw no danger of over-stocking the pasture, and so ingenious the people were that they could find work for all hands. Let no people complain of their numbers, provided they suffer none to be idle. 2. That they were a valiant tribe, men of might (1Ch_7:2, 1Ch_7:5), chief men, 1Ch_7:3. Those that were inured to labour and business were of all men the fittest to serve their country when there was occasion, The number of the respective families, as taken in the days of David, is here set down, amounting in the whole to above 145,000 men fit for war. The account, some think, was taken when Joab numbered the people, 2 Sa. 24. But I rather think it refers to some other computation that was made, perhaps among themselves, because it is said (1Ch_27:24) that that account was not inserted in the chronicles of king David, it having offended God.

II. Of the tribe of Benjamin. Some account is here given of this tribe, but much larger in the next chapter. The militia of this tribe scarcely reached to 60,000; but they are said to be mighty men of valour, 1Ch_7:7, 1Ch_7:9, 1Ch_7:11. Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf, Gen_49:27. It was the honour of this tribe that it produced Saul the first king, and more its honour that it adhered to the rightful kings of the house of David when the other tribes revolted. Here is mention (1Ch_7:12) of Hushim the sons of Aher. The sons of Dan are said to be Hushim (Gen_46:23), and therefore some read Aher appellatively, Hushim - the sons of another (that is, another of Jacob's sons) or the sons of a stranger, which Israelites should not be, but such the Danites were when they set up Micah's graven and molten image among them.

III. Of the tribe of Naphtali, 1Ch_7:13. The first fathers only of that tribe are named, the very same that we shall find, Gen_46:24, only that Shillem there is Shallum here. None of their descendents are named, perhaps because their genealogies were lost.

IV. Of the tribe of Manasseh, that part of it which was seated within Jordan; for of the other part we had some account before, 1Ch_5:23, etc. Of this tribe observe,

1. That one of them married an Aramitess, that is, a Syrian, 1Ch_7:14. This was during their bondage in Egypt, so early did they begin to mingle with the nations.

2. That, though the father married a Syrian, Machir, the son of that marriage, perhaps seeing the inconvenience of it in his father's house, took to wife a daughter of Benjamin, 1Ch_7:15. It is good for the children to take warning by their father's mistakes and not stumble at the same stone.

3. Here is mention of Bedan (1Ch_7:17), who perhaps is the same with that Bedan who is mentioned as one of Israel's deliverers, 1Sa_12:11. Jair perhaps, who was of Manasseh (Jdg_10:3), was the man. — Henry 

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1Ch 7:20-40 -
We have here an account,

I. Of the tribe of Ephraim. Great things we read of that tribe when it came to maturity. Here we have an account of the disasters of its infancy, while it was in Egypt as it should seem; for Ephraim himself was alive when those things were done, which yet is hard to imagine if it were, as is here computed, seven generations off. Therefore I am apt to think that either it was another Ephraim or that those who were slain were the immediate sons of that Ephraim that was the son of Joseph. In this passage, which is related here only, we have, 1. The great breach that was made upon the family of Ephraim. The men of Gath, Philistines, giants, slew many of the sons of that family, because they came down to take away their cattle, 1Ch_7:21. It is uncertain who were the aggressors here. Some make the men of Gath the aggressors, men born in the land of Egypt, but now resident in Gath, supposing that they came down into the land of Goshen, to drive away the Ephraimites' cattle, and slew the owners, because they stood up in the defence of them. Many a man's life has been exposed and betrayed by his wealth; so far is it from being a strong city. Others think that the Ephraimites made a descent upon the men of Gath to plunder them, presuming that the time had come when they should be put in possession of Canaan; but they paid dearly for their rashness and precipitation. Those that will not wait God's time cannot expect God's blessing. I rather think that the men of Gath came down upon the Ephraimites, because the Israelites in Egypt were shepherds, not soldiers, abounded in cattle of their own, and therefore were not likely to venture their lives for their neighbours' cattle: and the words may be read, The men of Gath slew them, for they came down to take away their cattle. Zabad the son of Ephraim, and Shuthelah, and Ezer, and Elead (his grandchildren), were, as Dr. Lightfoot thinks, the men that were slain. Jacob had foretold that the seed of Ephraim should become a multitude of nations (Gen_48:19), and yet that plant is thus nipped in the bud. God's providences often seem to contradict his promises; but, when they do so, they really magnify the promise, and make the performance of it, notwithstanding, so much more illustrious. The Ephraimites were the posterity of Joseph, and yet his power could not protect them, though some think he was yet living. The sword devours one as well as another.

2. The great grief which oppressed the father of the family hereupon: Ephraim mourned many days. Nothing brings the aged to the grave with more sorrow than their following the young that descend from them to the grave first, especially if in blood. It is often the burden of those that live to be old that they see those go before them of whom they said, These same shall comfort us. It was a brotherly friendly office which his brethren did, when they came to comfort him under this great affliction, to express their sympathy with him and concern for him, and to suggest that to him which would support and quiet him under this sad providence. Probably they reminded him of the promise of increase which Jacob had blessed him when he laid his right hand upon his head. Although his house was not so with God as he hoped, but a house of mourning, a shattered family, yet that promise was sure, 2Sa_23:5. 3. The repair of this breach, in some measure, by addition of another son to his family in his old age (1Ch_7:23), like Seth, another seed instead of that of Abel whom Cain slew, Gen_4:25. When God thus restores comfort to his mourners, makes glad according to the days wherein he afflicted, setting the mercies over against the crosses, we ought therein to take notice of the kindness and tenderness of divine Providence; it is as if it repented God concerning his servants, Psa_90:13, Psa_90:15. Yet joy that a man was born into his family could not make him forget his grief; for he gives a melancholy name to his son, Beriah - in trouble, for he was born when the family was in mourning, when it went evil with his house. It is good to have in remembrance the affliction and the misery, the wormwood and the gall, that our souls may be humbled within us, Lam_3:19, Lam_3:20. What name more proper for man that is born of a woman than Beriah, because born into a troublesome world? It is added, as a further honour to the house of Ephraim,

(1.) That a daughter of that tribe, Sherah by name, at the time of Israel's setting in Canaan, built some cities, either at her own charge or by her own care; one of them bore her name, Uzzen-sherah, 1Ch_7:24. A virtuous woman may be as great an honour and blessing to a family as a mighty man.

(2.) That a son of that tribe was employed in the conquest of Canaan, Joshua the son of Nun, 1Ch_7:27. In this also the breach made on Ephraim's family was further repaired; and perhaps the resentment of this injury formerly done by the Canaanites to the Ephraimites might make him more vigorous in the war.

II. Of the tribe of Asher. Some men of note of that tribe are here named. Their militia was not numerous in comparison with some other tribes, only 26,000 men in all; but their princes were choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes (1Ch_7:40), and perhaps it was their wisdom that they coveted not to make their trained bands numerous, but rather to have a few, and those apt to the war and serviceable men. — Henry 

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(1 Chr 8 )  "Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third, {2} Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. {3} And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud, {4} And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah, {5} And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram. {6} And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath: {7} And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud. {8} And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives. {9} And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, {10} And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers. {11} And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. {12} The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: {13} Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: {14} And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, {15} And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, {16} And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; {17} And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, {18} Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; {19} And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, {20} And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, {21} And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; {22} And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, {23} And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, {24} And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, {25} And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; {26} And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, {27} And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. {28} These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. {29} And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah: {30} And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, {31} And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher. {32} And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.

{33} And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. {34} And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah. {35} And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. {36} And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, {37} And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: {38} And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. {39} And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. {40} And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin."

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1 CHRONICLES 8

In this chapter the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin is reconsidered, and several of the principal men and families in it are taken notice of, which were not before; or a further account is given of them, as of the sons and grandsons of Benjamin, 1Ch_8:1, of Ehud, 1Ch_8:5, of Shaharaim, 1Ch_8:8, of Elpaal and Beriah, 1Ch_8:12 of Shimhi, 1Ch_8:19, of Shashak, 1Ch_8:22, of Jeroham, 1Ch_8:26, of Jehiel the father of Gibeon, 1Ch_8:28, of Ner, and particularly Saul, 1Ch_8:33 and of Jonathan, and his posterity, 1Ch_8:34.  — Gill

1 Chronicles 8 -

We had some account given us of Benjamin in the foregoing chapter; here we have a larger catalogue of the great men of that tribe. 

1. Because of that tribe Saul came, the first king of Israel, to the story of whom the sacred writer is hastening, 1Ch_10:1. 

2. Because that tribe clave to Judah, inhabited much of Jerusalem, was one of the two tribes that went into captivity, and returned back; and that story also he has an eye to, 1Ch_9:1. Here is, 

I. Some of the heads of that tribe named (v. 1-32). 

II. A more particular account of the family of Saul (1Ch_8:33-40). — Henry 

1Ch 8:1-40 
Here is a larger list of Benjamin's tribe. We may suppose that many things in these genealogies, which to us seem difficult, abrupt, and perplexed, were plain and easy at that time, and fully answered the intention for which they were published. Many great and mighty nations then were in being upon earth, and many illustrious men, whose names are now wholly forgotten; while the names of multitudes of the Israel of God are here kept in everlasting remembrance. The memory of the just is blessed. — MHCC

1Ch 8:1-32 

There is little or nothing of history in all these verses; we have not therefore much to observe.

1. As to the difficulties that occur in this and the foregoing genealogies we need not perplex ourselves.

I presume Ezra took them as he found them in the books of the kings of Israel and Judah (Ezr_9:1), according as they were given in by the several tribes, each observing what method they thought fit. Hence some ascend, others desecnd; some have numbers affixed, others places; some have historical remarks intermixed, others have not; some are shorter, others longer; some agree with other records, others differ; some, it is likely, were torn, erased, and blotted, others more legible. Those of Dan and Reuben were entirely lost. This holy man wrote as he was moved by the Holy Ghost; but there was no necessity for the making up of the defects, no, nor for the rectifying of the mistakes, of these genealogies by inspiration. It was sufficient that he copied them out as they came into his hand, or so much of them as was requisite to the present purpose, which was the directing of the returned captives to settle as nearly as they could with those of their own family, and in the places of their former residence. We may suppose that many things in these genealogies which to us seem intricate, abrupt, and perplexed, were plain and easy to them then (who knew how to fill up the deficiencies) and abundantly answered the intention of the publishing of them.

2. Many great and mighty nations there were now in being upon earth, and many illustrious men in them, whose names are buried in perpetual oblivion, while the names of multitudes of the Israel of God are here carefully preserved in everlasting remembrance. They are Jasher, Jeshurun - just ones, and the memory of the just is blessed. Many of these we have reason to fear, came short of everlasting honour (for even the wicked kings of Judah come into the genealogy), yet the perpetuating of their names here was a figure of the writing of the names of all God's spiritual Israel in the Lamb's book of life.

3. This tribe of Benjamin was once brought to a very low ebb, in the time of the judges, upon the occasion of the iniquity of Gibeah, when only 600 men escaped the sword of justice; and yet, in these genealogies, it makes as good a figure as almost any of the tribes: for it is the honour of God to help the weakest and raise up those that are most diminished and abased.

4. Here is mention of one Ehud (1Ch_8:6), in the preceding verse of one Gera (1Ch_8:5) and (1Ch_8:8 ) of one that descended from him, that begat children in the country of Moab, which inclines me to think it was that Ehud who was the second of the judges of Israel; for he is said to be the son of Gera and a Benjamite (Jdg_3:15), and he delivered Israel from the oppression of the Moabites by killing the king of Moab, which might give him a greater sway in the country of Moab than we find evidence of in his history and might occasion some of his posterity to settle there.

5. Here is mention of some of the Benjamites that drove away the inhabitants of Gath (1Ch_8:13), perhaps those that had slain the Ephraimites (1Ch_7:21) or their posterity, by way of reprisal: and one of those that did this piece of justice was named Beriah too, that name in which the memorial of that injury was preserved.

6. Particular notice is taken of those that dwelt in Jerusalem (1Ch_8:28 and again 1Ch_8:32), that those whose ancestors had had their residence there might thereby be induced, at their return from captivity, to settle there too, which, for aught that appears, few were willing to do, because it was the post of danger: and therefore we find (Neh_11:2) the people blessed those that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, the greater part being inclined to prefer the cities of Judah. Those whose godly parents had their conversation in the new Jerusalem should thereby be engaged to set their faces thitherward and pursue the way thither, whatever it cost them.

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1Ch 8:29-40 

_ - 1Ch_8:29-38 recur in 1Ch_9:35-44 (see on that passage).

1Ch_8:29-32
The ancestors of Saul. They dwelt mainly in Gibeon, but a branch of them were settled in Jerusalem, 1Ch_8:32.f. In Gibeon, now El Jib, two hours north-west from Jerusalem (see on Jos_9:3), dwelt the father of Gibeon, with his wife and his sons. The plural ישׁבוּ is used because there dwelt there, besides the father of Gibeon, also his wife and his sons. The father, i.e., the lord and possessor of Gibeon, was called, according to 1Ch_9:35, Jehiel (יעיאל, Keth. יעואל), and his wife Maachah, a not uncommon female name (see on 1Ch_2:48). The descent of Jehiel from Benjamin is not given. In 1Ch_8:30 eight names are given as those of his sons, while in 1Ch_9:36. ten are mentioned, the latter statement being correct; for a comparison of the two passages shows that in our verse two names have been dropped out, - Ner between Baal and Nadab, and Mikloth at the end, which must have originally stood in our register also, - for in 1Ch_8:32, 1Ch_8:33 their descendants are mentioned. זכר is called in 1Ch_9:37 זכריה. These names are evidently those of actual sons of Jehiel who were progenitors of fathers'-houses (groups of related households), but in the case of only two is the race descended from these further noticed. In 1Ch_8:32 we have that of the youngest Mikloth, who begat Shimeah, called in 1Ch_9:38 Shimeam. These also (viz., Shimeah and his family) dwelt in Jerusalem אחיהם נגד, “before their brethren,” i.e., over against them, and אחיהם עם, “with their brethren.” The brethren are the other Benjamites in the first clause, those dwelling outside of Jerusalem and inhabiting the neighbouring country as far as Gibeon (1Ch_8:30); in the second, those dwelling in Jerusalem (1Ch_8:28). From this it is clear that of the descendants of Abi-Gibeon only that branch which was descended from Mikloth went to Jerusalem.

1Ch_8:33
The family of Ner. Ner begat Kish, and Kish Saul. According to 1Sa_9:1 and 1Sa_14:51, Kish was a son of Abiel. this statement, on account of which Bertheau proposes to make alterations in the text, may be reconciled with that in our verses, by the simple supposition that in our verse intermediate names mentioned in 1Sa_9:1, and probably others besides, are passed over, and Ner the son of Abi-Gibeon is named only because he was the progenitor of the line by which Saul was descended from him. Saul (שׁאוּל) is King Saul. Only three of his four sons, 1Sa_14:49, are mentioned-those, namely, who fell with him in the battle against the Philistines, 1Sa_31:2. The second is called, in 1Sa_14:49, Ishui, but in 1Sa_31:2 Abinadab, as in our register, whence we gather that Ishui is another name for Abinadab. The fourth, Eshbaal, is the same who is called in 2Sa_2:8, and elsewhere, Ishbosheth, who was set up as king in opposition to David by Abner (see on 2Sa_2:8 ).

1Ch_8:34-39
Jonathan's sons and grandsons. His son is called here and in 1Ch_9:40 Meribbaal, while in 2Sa_4:4; 2Sa_9:6; 2Sa_16:1., 2Sa_19:25, he is called Mephibosheth, because the name “striver with Baal” has been changed into מפיבשׁת, exterminans idolum. This Meribbaal, who was lame in his feet (cf. 2Sa_4:4), had a son Micha (מיכה, in 2Sa_9:12 written מיכא), of whom came a numerous race. He had four sons (1Ch_8:35), and the family of the last-named of these (Ahaz) is traced down, in 1Ch_8:36-40, through ten generations to the great-grandson of Eshek. First it is traced from Ahaz to Alemeth (1Ch_8:36); then through Zimri, brother of this latter, to Binea, by הוליד; then further by בּנו (hisson) to Azel, of whom in 1Ch_8:38 six sons are enumerated; and finally, in 1Ch_8:39, the sons of his brother Eshek are named, and the sons and grandsons of the first-born of this latter are then enumerated. The last two verses are wanting after 1Ch_9:44. The names in the two registers correspond, except at one point, where we cannot get rid of the discrepancy that for יחועדּה (1Ch_8:36) there stands in 1Ch_9:42 יערה both times, probably through an error of transcription, by which out of the shortened form יעדּה there arose יערה, ד and ר being interchanged. Besides this, instead of the תּארע of 1Ch_8:35, we have in 1Ch_9:41, according to the harder pronunciation of the gutturals, תּחרע; and for רפה, 1Ch_8:37, we have in 1Ch_9:41 the longer original form רפיה. Now since Ahaz, whose posterity is traced down to the tenth generation, was descended from Jonathan in the third generation, and his grandfather Mephibosheth was a boy of five years of age at the death of Saul and Jonathan (2Sa_4:4), the grandsons of Ulam, mentioned in 1Ch_8:40, will be the thirteenth generation of Jonathan's descendants. Now Jonathan fell along with Saul in the year 1055 b.c., and consequently this thirteenth generation of Jonathan's descendants lived probably about 700 b.c., i.e., about 100 years before the Babylonian exile; for, according to the analogy of the royal race of David, we cannot reckon more than twenty-five years on an average for each generation.

(Note: Bertheau holds a contrary opinion to that given in the text, and thinks that by the numerous sons and grandsons of Ulam the son of Eshek we are brought down to post-exilic times, seeing that if Saul lived about 1080 b.c., and thirty years are reckoned to each one of the thirteen generations (Eshek being a descendant of Saul in the thirteenth generation), Azel and Eshek must have lived about 690 b.c. But this estimate is too high, for we cannot reckon sixty years to Saul and Jonathan from 1080 onwards, since Jonathan fell along with Saul in 1055, and his son Meribbaal was then hardly five years old, and must consequently have been born in 1060. For the following generations, moreover, not more than twenty-five years on an average should be reckoned. That being the case, the children's children of Ulam's sons, who were the twelfth generation of Micha's descendants, may have lived from 760 b.c. onwards, and during this period, from 760 to 700, may have increased to the troop of blooming grandchildren of Ulam mentioned in 1Ch_8:40. But even supposing that thirty years should be reckoned for each generation, the last-named generation of 150 grandsons and great-grandsons of Ulam would have lived in the period from 660 to 600, i.e., before the exile, or at least before the first great deportation of the people with Jehoiakim in the year 599 b.c.)
1Ch_8:40

The sons of Ulam are called valiant heroes and archers, and must have shown the same capability for war by which the tribe of Benjamin had been distinguished at an earlier time; cf. Jdg_20:16, and for קשׁת דּרכי, cf. 1Ch_5:16. The subscription כּל־אלּה מ refers back to the superscription in 1Ch_8:1, and binds all the names in our chapter together. — K+D

 1Ch 8:33-40 
It is observable that among all the genealogies of the tribes there is no mention of any of the kings of Israel after the defection from the house of David, much less of their families; not a word of Jeroboam's house or Baasha's, of Umri's or Jehu's; for they were all idolaters. But of the family of Saul, which was the royal family before the elevation of David, we have here a particular account.

1. Before Saul, Kish and Ner only are named, his father and grandfather, 1Ch_8:33. His pedigree is carried higher 1Sa_9:1, only there Kish is said to be the son of Abiel, here of Ner. He was in truth the son of Ner but the grandson of Abiel, as appears by 1Sa_14:51, where it is said that Ner was the son of Abiel, and that Abner, who was the son of Ner, was Saul's uncle (that is, his father's brother); therefore his father was also the son of Ner. It is common in all languages to put sons for grandsons and other descendents, much more in the scanty language of the Hebrews.

2. After Saul, divers of his sons are named, but the posterity of none of them, save Jonathan only, who was blessed with numerous issue and those honoured with a place in the sacred genealogies for the sake of his sincere kindness to David. The line of Jonathan is drawn down here for about ten generations. Perhaps David was, in a particular manner, careful to preserve that, and assigned it a page by itself, because of the covenant made between his seed and Jonathan's seed forever, 1Sa_20:15, 1Sa_20:23, 1Sa_20:42. This genealogy ends in Ulam, whose family became famous in the tribe of Benjamin for the number of its valiant men. Of that one man's posterity there were, as it should seem, at one time, 150 archers brought into the field of battle, that were mighty men of valour, 1Ch_8:40. That is taken notice of concerning them which is more a man's praise than his pomp or wealth is, that they were qualified to serve their country.  — Henry 

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(1 Chr 9)  "So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. {2} Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. {3} And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh; {4} Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah. {5} And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons. {6} And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety. {7} And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah, {8} And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; {9} And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers. {10} And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin, {11} And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; {12} And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; {13} And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

{14} And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; {15} And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; {16} And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. {17} And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief; {18} Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi. {19} And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry. {20} And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him. {21} And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. {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. {23} So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards. {24} In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south. {25} And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them. {26} For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. {27} And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. {28} And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. {29} Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. {30} And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. {31} And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans. {32} And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread, to prepare it every sabbath. {33} And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. {34} These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem. {35} And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name was Maachah: {36} And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, {37} And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth. {38} And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren. {39} And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. {40} And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah. {41} And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz. {42} And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza; {43} And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. {44} And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel."

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1 CHRONICLES 9

The genealogies of the several tribes being given, according as they were written in the books of the kings of Israel, 1Ch_9:1, an account follows of those who first settled in Jerusalem after their return from the Babylonish captivity; of the Israelites, 1Ch_9:2, of the priests, 1Ch_9:10 of the Levites, and of the charge and offices of several of the priests and Levites, 1Ch_9:14, and the chapter is concluded with a repetition of the genealogy of the ancestors and posterity of Saul king of Israel, 1Ch_9:35.  — Gill

1 Chronicles 9 -

This chapter intimates to us that one end of recording all these genealogies was to direct the Jews, now that they had returned out of captivity, with whom to incorporate and where to reside; for here we have an account of those who first took possession of Jerusalem after their return from Babylon, and began the rebuilding of it upon the old foundation. 

I. The Israelites (1Ch_9:2-9). 

II. The priests (1Ch_9:10-13).  III. The Levites and other Nethinim (1Ch_9:14-26). 

IV. Here is the particular charge of some of the priests and Levites (1Ch_9:27-34). 

V. A repetition of the genealogy of king Saul (1Ch_9:35-44). — Henry 

1Ch 9:1-44 
This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. 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. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Rev_4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. — MHCC

1Ch 9:1-13 

The first verse looks back upon the foregoing genealogies, and tells us they were gathered out of the books of the kings of Israel and Judah, not that which we have in the canon of scripture, but another civil record, which was authentic, as the king's books with us. Mentioning Israel and Judah, the historian takes notice of their being carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Let that judgment never be forgotten, but ever be remembered, for warning to posterity to take heed of those sins that brought it upon them. Whenever we speak of any calamity that has befallen us, it is good to add this, “it was for my transgression,” that God may be justified and clear when he judges. Then follows an account of the first inhabitants, after their return from captivity, that dwelt in their cities, especially in Jerusalem.

1. The Israelites. That general name is used (1Ch_9:2) because with those of Judah and Benjamin there were many of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the other ten tribes (1Ch_9:3), such as had escaped to Judah when the body of the ten tribes were carried captive or returned to Judah upon the revolutions in Assyria, and so went into captivity with them, or met them when they were in Babylon, associated with them, and so shared in the benefit of their enlargement. It was foretold that the children of Judah and of Israel should be gathered together and come up out of the land (Hos_1:11), and that they should be one nation again, Eze_37:22. Trouble drives those together that have been at variance; and the pieces of metal that had been separated will run together again when melted in the same crucible. Many both of Judah and Israel staid behind in captivity; but some of both, whose spirit God stirred up, enquired the way to Zion again. Divers are here named, and many more numbered, who were chief of the fathers (1Ch_9:9), who ought to be remembered with honour, as Israelites indeed.

2. The priests, 1Ch_9:10. It was their praise that they came with the first. Who should lead in a good work if the priests, the Lord's ministers, do not? It was the people's praise that they would not come without them; for who but the priests should keep knowledge? Who but the priests should bless them in the name of the Lord?

(1.) It is said of one of them that he was the ruler of the house of God (1Ch_9:11) not the chief ruler, for Joshua was then the high priest, but the sagan, and the next under him, his deputy, who perhaps applied more diligently to the business than the high priest himself. In the house of God it is requisite that there be rulers, not to make new laws, but to take care that the laws of God be duly observed by priests as well as people.

(2.) It is said of many of them that they were very able men for the service of the house of God, v. 13. In the house of God there is service to be done, constant service; and it is well for the church when those are employed in that service who are qualified for it, able ministers of the New Testament, 2Co_3:6. The service of the temple was such as required at all times, especially in this critical juncture, when they had newly come out of Babylon, great courage and vigour of mind, as well as strength of body; and therefore they are praised as mighty men of valour. — Henry