Blessed him — With a numerous posterity and other blessings, for his respect and affection to the ark. The increase and building up of families, is owing to the Divine blessing. And a great blessing it is to have many children, when they are like these, eminent in the service of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of valour — This clause is divers times mentioned, because their office required both strength and courage: for they were to shut the doors of the temple, one whereof was so great and weighty, that in the second temple it required twenty men to open and shut it. They were also to keep the guard, to... [ Continue Reading ]
Made him the chief — Not in inheriting the estate; (this was forbidden by the law) but in this service, for which he was better qualified than his elder brother.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wards — Heb. having wards answerably to their brethren the other Levites, who were divided into twenty — four courses, as the priests also and the porters were.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cast lots — Determining the times and places of their service not by age or dignity, but merely by lot. Every gate — That it might be known to whom the care of each gate was more especially committed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Asuppim — Or, of gatherings, probably so named from the assembly of the elders, who met there to consult about the affairs of the temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shallecheth — A gate of the court so called, as some think, because the ashes and filth of the temple were cast out on that side, which was the most convenient for that purpose, because that was a private quarter, the great ways to the temple lying on the other sides. Going up — By which causeway th... [ Continue Reading ]
Six — For that being the chief gate of the temple required a better guard.... [ Continue Reading ]
Treasures — There seem to be two different kinds of treasures, the former containing the sacred vessels and other treasures, which by God's command were appropriated to the maintenance of the house; the latter only those things which had been freely given or dedicated to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Amramites — The persons following were of these, or the most of these families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct, whence it is that we read no more of them in the scripture, but only in this place, and Numbers 3:27, or because there wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Ruler — The chief over all the treasures, mentioned before or afterward, as his title shews, which is peculiarly given to him and to none of the rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Maintain — Or repair it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Judges — Judges over the people, in the several cities and towns, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights was no other th... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the Lord — In all things which concerned the house or worship of God; to take care that such monies as were given towards building the temple, or towards the sacrifices and other holy ministrations should be gathered and received, and faithfully sent up to Jerusalem; and to see to the execution o... [ Continue Reading ]
Fortieth year — His last year, in which he made all the orders of families and officers recorded in these chapters. We should be so much the more diligent in doing good, as we see the day approaching. If we live not to enjoy the fruit of our labours, let us not grudge it to them that come after us.... [ Continue Reading ]