1 Chronicles 23

1 Chronicles 23:4

THe work] of the ordinary ministery in which they where to serve, the Priests in the preparing of their Sacrifices, and other Ceremonies, and instructing of the people, &c. according to their turnes, as they were appointed and divided.

1 Chronicles 23:5

And foure thousand] in which number are comprehended the masters which were two hundred eighty and eight, 1 Chronicles 25:7. and the rest were Schollars: [which I made] which I have been the inventor of, Amos 6:5. and have appointed them to be used in the Temple, by Gods commandement, 2 Chronicles 29:25.

1 Chronicles 23:7

Laadan] who in another place is called Libni.

1 Chronicles 23:8

The Sonnes] that is to say, his issue, heads of Families in that Kindred, which were in the time of David when this numeration was made: And so must the word Sonnes be understood hereafter.

1 Chronicles 23:9

Shimei] this Shimei is not the same as is in the verse following, and might be one of Laadans children which were named before; one body many times having two names.

1 Chronicles 23:11

Ziza] it is Zina who was named in the precedent verse.

1 Chronicles 23:13

Should sanctifie] should use them holily, as they who were the only persons consecrated thereunto, and accepted of God in this office; whereas if any other had meddled with them, they had been phrophaned: [the most holy things] as the two Altars, the Table, the Candlestick, the Arke, and then certaine portions of meat which remained of the Sacrifices and the Sanctuary it selfe, where none but the high Priest might come in, see upon Levit. 2. 3.

1 Chronicles 23:14

Were named] they had no other name but onely were Levites, having prerogative of honour, above the rest of their Tribe, see 1 Chronicles 26:23.

1 Chronicles 23:16

s the chiefe] in this numbering which David caused to be set down.

1 Chronicles 23:21

The Sonnes] of these two Sonnes of Merari, Exodus 6:16. came orth two branches which in Davids time had these heads of their Nations.

1 Chronicles 23:22

Tooke them] according to the Law, Numbers 36:6.

1 Chronicles 23:24

Of twenty years] Numbers 8:24. it was set down that the Levites should be numbred from five and twenty yeares and upward, and that at thirty they should come into actuall service: But it should seem, that the place of Gods service being become permanent in one place, and the people encreased and in peace, and consequently Gods service much encreased in the labour of it, God did command David to anticipate this numbering, calling them to doe the service five yeares sooner, for to encrease the number of them that should doe service, 2 Chronicles 31:17.

1 Chronicles 23:26

No more carry] as they were wont to doe, while the Tabernacle was in the Wildernesse, Numbers 4:4. Now here it should seeme David would say, that the service of those ancient times required greater strength, abilty of body, and a more mature and staid judgement.

1 Chronicles 23:29

Of measures] from hence it appeares that the Levites had the care and over-seeing of all publike measures, as things that were holy, and rules of legality and uprightnesse in all trading; and that they kept the patterns of them in the Temple, whereupon the just shekel is called the shekel of the Sanctuary, see upon, Exodus 30:13.

1 Chronicles 23:30

Every morning] at the houers of the daily offerings morning and evening, 1 Chronicles 9:33. Nehemiah 11:17.

1 Chronicles 23:31

Burnt Sacrifices] solemn and publike ones: [by number] namely of singers according to the their divisions and turnes, to be present at these Sacrifices.

1 Chronicles 23:32

The Charge of the Sonnes] to help them in their functions, the Levites being called the Priests Ministers, Numbers 36:9.