1A všechen Isráél, ti se dali rodopisně zaznamenat, a hle je, jsou zapsáni na knize králů Isráélových. A Júdá, ti byli pro svou nevěrnost odvedeni do Bávelu. 2A dřívější obyvatelé, kteří byli ve své držbě ve městech, byli: Isráél, kněží, Lévíovci a Nethíním. 3A v Jerúsalémě bydleli ze synů Júdových a ze synů Benjámínových a ze synů Efrájimových a Menaššéových: 4Úthaj, syn Ammíhúda, syna Omrího, syna Imrího, syna Báního, ze synů Perece, syna Júdy; 5a ze Šílóního Asájá, prvorozený, a jeho synové, 6a ze synů Zeracha Jeúél; a jejich bratři, šest set a devadesát. 7A ze synů Benjámína Sallú, syn Mešulláma, syna Hódavji, syna Hassenuy, 8a Jivnejá, syn Jerócháma, a Élá, syn Uzzího, syna Michrího, a Mešullám, syn Šefatji, syna Reúéla, syna Jivnijji, 9a jejich bratři podle jejich rodokmenů, devět set a padesát a šest. Všichni tito byli hlavy otců podle domů svých otců. 10A z kněží: Jedaejá a Jehójárív a Jáchín 11a Azarjá, syn Chilkijji, syna Mešulláma, syna Cádóka, syna Merájótha, syna Achítúva, vedoucí Božího domu, 12a Adájá, syn Jerócháma, syna Pašchúra, syna Malkijji, a Masaj, syn Adíéla, syna Jachzéry, syna Mešulláma, syna Mešillémítha, syna Imméra, 13a jejich bratři, hlavy pro domy svých otců, tisíc a sedm set a šedesát, zdatní mistři činnosti služby v Božím domě. 14A z Lévíovců Šemájá, syn Chaššúva, syna Azríkáma, syna Chašavji, ze synů Merárího, 15a Bakbakkar, Chereš a Gálál a Mattanjá, syn Míchy, syna Zichrího, syna Ásáfa, 16a Óvadjá, syn Šemáji, syna Gálála, syna Jedúthúna, a Berechjá, syn Ásy, bydlící ve vsích Netófáthího. 17A vrátní: Šallúm a Akkúv a Talmón a Achímán a jejich bratři; Šallúm byl hlavou 18a až dotud byli v bráně králově ke vzcházení. To byli vrátní podle houfů synů Lévího. 19A Šallúm, syn Kóréa, syna Evjásáfa, syna Kóracha, a jeho bratři, patřící k domu jeho otců, Korchím, byli nad činností služby, strážcové prahů stanu, jako byli jejich otcové nad táborem Hospodinovým strážci vstupu 20a nad nimi byl dříve Pinchás, syn Eleázára, vedoucího, a Hospodin byl s ním; 21vrátným vchodu stanu setkávání byl Zecharjá, syn Meselemji. 22Všech jich, vybraných za vrátné na prazích, bylo dvě stě a dvanáct; oni byli ve svých rodopisných seznamech ve svých vsích; oni, jež v jejich závazek dosadil Dávíd a Samúél, vidoucí. 23A oni a jejich synové byli nad branami domu Hospodinova, domu stanu, stran stráží. 24Vrátní byli ke čtyřem stranám, ke vzcházení, k západu, k severu a k jihu, 25a jejich bratři v jejich vsích měli vždy za sedm dní z času na čas přicházet s těmito, 26neboť onino čtyři byli skrze závazek mistry vrátných; oni, Levíovci, také byli nad síněmi a nad pokladnicemi Božího domu 27a okolo Božího domu stávali v noci, neboť na nich byla stráž; oni také byli nad klíčem, a to jitro co jitro. 28A někteří z nich byli nad náčiním k službě, takže je v počtu vnášeli a v počtu je vynášeli; 29a z nich byli někteří ustanoveni nad náčiními, totiž nade všemi náčiními svatyně, i nad jemnou moukou a vínem a olejem a kadidlem a vonnými látkami; 30a ze synů kněží někteří míchali vonnou směs vonných látek. 31A Mattithjá, z Levíovců (on byl prvorozený Šallúma, Korchího) byl skrze závazek nad přípravou svítků. 32A někteří ze synů Keháthího, z jejich bratři, byli nad chlebem k seřazování, k ukládání sobotu co sobotu. 33A toto byli pěvci, hlavy otců Lévíovců, v síních uvolněni, neboť dnem i nocí bylo na nich být v činnosti. 34Tito byli hlavami otců Lévíovců, hlavami podle svých rodokmenů; tito bydleli v Jerúsalémě. 35A v Giveónu bydleli otcové Giveónu: Jeíél, a jméno jeho ženy Maachá, 36a jeho synové: Prvorozený Avdón, a Cúr a Kíš a Baal a Nér a Nádáv 37a Gedór a Achjó a Zecharjá a Miklóth; 38a Miklóth zplodil Šimeáma. A ti se také naproti svým bratrům usídlili se svými bratry v Jerúsalémě. 39A Nér zplodil Kíše a Kíš zplodil Šáúla a Šáúl zplodil Jehónáthána a Malkí-šúu a Avínádáva a Ešbaala. 40A syn Jehónáthána byl Merív-baal, a Merív-baal zplodil Míchu; 41a synové Míchy: Píthón a Melech a Tachréa. 42A Ácház zplodil Jaeru a Jaerá zplodil Álemetha a Azmávetha a Zimrího a Zimrí zplodil Mócu 43a Mócá zplodil Bineu; jeho syn byl Ráfá, jeho syn Eleásá, jeho syn Ácél. 44A Ácél měl šest synů a toto byla jejich jména: Azríkám, Bóchrú a Jišmáél a Šearjá a Óvadjá a Chánán; toto byli synové Ácéla.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 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 (
1Chr 9:2) because with those of Judah and Benjamin there were many of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the other ten tribes (
1Chr 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,
Ezek 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 (
1Chr 9:9), who ought to be remembered with honour, as Israelites indeed. 2. The priests,
1Chr 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 (
1Chr 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, 2Cor 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. 14 We have here a further account of the good posture which the affairs of religion were put into immediately upon the return of the people out of Babylon. They had smarted for their former neglect of ordinances and under the late want of ordinances. Both these considerations made them very zealous and forward in setting up the worship of God among them; so they began their worship of God at the right end. Instances hereof we have here.
I. Before the house of the Lord was built they had the house of the tabernacle, a plain and movable tent, which they made use of in the mean time. Those that cannot yet reach to have a temple must not be without a tabernacle, but be thankful for that and make the best of it. Never let God's work be left undone for want of a place to do it in.
II. In allotting to the priests and Levites their respective employments, they had an eye to the model that was drawn up by David, and Samuel the seer,
1Chr 9:22. Samuel, in his time, had drawn the scheme of it, and laid the foundation, though the ark was then in obscurity, and David afterwards finished it, and both acted by immediate direction from God. Or David, as soon as he was anointed had this matter in his mind and consulted Samuel about it, though he was then in his troubles, and the plan was formed in concert between them. This perhaps had been little regarded for many ages; but now, after a long interruption, it was revived. In dividing the work, they observed these ancient land-marks.
III. The most of them dwelt at Jerusalem (
1Chr 9:34), yet there were some that dwelt in the villages (
1Chr 9:16,
1Chr 9:22), because, it may be, there was not yet room for them in Jerusalem. However they were employed in the service of the tabernacle (
1Chr 9:25):
They were to come after seven days from time to time. They had their week's attendance in their turns.
IV. Many of the Levites were employed as porters at the gates of the house of God, four chief porters (
1Chr 9:26), and, under them, others, to the number of 212,
1Chr 9:22. They had the oversight of the gates (
1Chr 9:23), were keepers of the
thresholds, as in the margin (
1Chr 9:19), and keepers of the entry. This seemed a mean office; and yet David would rather have it than
dwell in the tents of wickedness, Pss 84:10. Their office was, 1. To open the doors of God's house every morning (
1Chr 9:27) and shut them at night. 2. To keep off the unclean, and hinder those from thrusting in that were forbidden by the law. 3. To direct and introduce into the courts of the Lord those that came thither to worship, and to show them where to go and what to do, that they might not incur punishment. This required care, and diligence, and constant attendance. Ministers have work to do of this kind.
V. Here is one Phinehas, a son of Eleazar, that is said to be a
ruler over them in time past (
1Chr 9:20), not the famous high priest of that name, but (as is supposed) an eminent Levite, of whom it is here said that
the Lord was with him, or (as the Chaldee reads it)
the Word of the Lord was his helper - the eternal Word, who is
Jehovah, the mighty one on whom help is laid. VI. It is said of some of them that, because the charge was upon them,
they lodged round about the house of God, 1Chr 9:27. It is good for ministers to be near their work, that they may give themselves wholly to it. The Levites pitched about the tabernacle when they marched through the wilderness. Then they were porters in one sense, bearing the burdens of the sanctuary, now porters in another sense, attending the gates and the doors - in both instances keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
VII. Every one knew his charge. Some were entrusted with the plate, the ministering vessels, to bring them in and out by tale,
1Chr 9:28. Others were appointed to prepare the fine flour, wine, oil, etc.,
1Chr 9:29. Others, that were priests, made up the holy anointing oil,
1Chr 9:30. Others took care of the meat-offerings,
1Chr 9:31. Others of the show-bread,
1Chr 9:32. As in other great houses, so in God's house, the work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place and makes a business of it. God is the God of order: but that which is every body's work will be nobody's work.
VIII. The singers
were employed in that work day and night, 1Chr 9:33. They were the
chief fathers of the Levites that made a business of it, not mean singing-men, that made a trade of it. They remained in the chambers of the temple, that they might closely and constantly attend it, and were therefore excused from all other services. It should seem, some companies were continually singing, at least at stated hours, both day and night. Thus was God continually praised, as it is fit he should be who is continually doing good. Thus devout people might, at any hour, have assistance in their devotion. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they
rest not day nor night from praising God,
Revel 4:8.
Blessed are those that dwell in thy house; they will be still praising thee. 35 These verses are the very same with (1Chr:8:29-38), giving an account of the ancestors of Saul and the posterity of Jonathan.
There it is the conclusion of the genealogy of Benjamin;
here it is an introduction to the story of Saul. We take the repetition as we find it; but if we admit that there are in the originals, especially in these books, some errors of the transcribers, I should be tempted to think this repetition arose from a blunder. Some one, in copying out these genealogies, having written those words,
1Chr 9:34 (
These dwelt in Jerusalem ), cast his eye on the same words,
1Chr 8:28 (
These dwelt in Jerusalem ), and so went on with what followed there, instead of going on with what followed here; and, when he perceived his mistake, was loth to make a blot in his book, and so let it stand. We have a rule in our law,
Redundans non nocet -
Redundancies do no harm.
