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1 Paralipomenon xxvi.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1.
Porters, who guarded the temple, being stationed at the four gates. They were selected from the families of Core and
Merari, (ver. 19.) and were under (Calmet) five captains, two being placed at the gate leading from the palace, ver. 16. (Haydock)
--- How many were appointed to follow the directions of these officers, we do not find. But 4,000 porters are mentioned, chap.
xxiii. 5. Some guarded the treasury, &c. After the captivity, the same plan was adopted, chap. ix. (Calmet) --- Son,
or descendant of Core, by Asaph, (Haydock) or Abiasaph, (chap. vi. 37.) different from the musician. (Calmet)
Ver. 5.
Him. Obededom, by giving him a more numerous posterity, than any here mentioned, ver. 8. See 2 Kings vi. 11. (Calmet)
(Tirinus)
Ver. 6.
Semei, who is called Semeias, ver. 4., and 7. The last syllable is not lost in Hebrew or Septuagint. (Haydock) ---
Valour. Their post was of a military nature, and required strength. Josephus says, some of the gates could hardly be
shut by twenty men.
Ver. 10.
He had not a first-born. That is, his first-born was either dead or not fit to be chief, and therefore he made Semri
the chief, (Worthington; Challoner) who was the second son (Tirinus) of Hosa. Hebrew, "for, or though he was not the
first-born, yet his father made him chief." Septuagint add, "of the second division," but without reason, as they interpret,
"keeping the command," instead of Semri, the chief, which leaves us without a proper name. (Haydock)
Ver. 12.
Lord. The companies succeeded each other every sabbath, but the chiefs were not changed. (Calmet) --- The office of
these men was most noble. From them were selected treasurers, overseers, prefects, &c., ver. 16-32. (Tirinus) --- The
lot decided only between the heads of families. (Du Hamel)
Ver. 14.
Selemias: the first syllable is frequently neglected in Hebrew, chap. iv. 24. (Tirinus) --- Zacharias was the
first-born of Meselemia, ver. 2. (Haydock) --- A very. Hebrew, "a wise counsellor." (Calmet)
Ver. 15.
And. Protestants, "To Obededom southward, and to his sons, the house of Asuppim." (Haydock) --- This term may denote
the "revenue;" where the offerings, destined for the support of the priests, were collected, Exodus xxxiv. 22. We find the
same word used for the offerings received at the door of the temple, 2 Esdras xii. 15. It may also mean the house "of the
assemblies," (Calmet) where the 72 judges of the Sanhedrim met. (Villalpand) (Tirinus)
Ver. 16.
Which. Hebrew Shalecheth, (Calmet) or ssolcoth, (Haydock) "which leads or casts out" the filth
from the temple. (Villalpand) (Isaias vi. 13.) (Menochius) --- But there were conduits for that purpose; and the meaning of
the Vulgate is more accurate. (Calmet) --- The palace lay below the tabernacle and the temple, (Tirinus) on the west. (Josephus,
[Antiquities?] xv. 14.) (Calmet) --- Ward. The centinels where opposite to each other, (Menochius) or at equal distances.
All were replaced at the same time. (Calmet) --- Two captains were stationed on this road, for greater respect to the king,
(Haydock) and because the concourse and dangers were increased, ver. 18. (Tirinus)
Ver. 17.
Six. This gate was the most frequented, (Calmet) and the king entered by it. --- Council. Hebrew asupim,
as [in] ver. 15, "for the offerings two and two," (Haydock) distinct from the porters.
Ver. 18.
Cell. Hebrew is not clearer: "at the chamber" (Calmet; 'at the house of the instruments' for sacrifice; (Menochius)
at Parbar.; Protestants) of the west, at the ascent, two at each chamber." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "at the causey, and two
at Parbar." This term is not in Hebrew. It resembles Parvar, or Pharurim, (4 Kings xxiii. 11.) which is said to signify "suburbs,"
in Chaldean. But it cannot have this meaning here: and these terms are probably borrowed from the Greek, phroura,
a military "post;" so that we might translate "There were at the western post, four guards for the ascent, two at each post:"
one perhaps was near the temple, (Calmet) the other at the palace gates, 4 Kings xi. 6. Septuagint is more diffuse, but throws
no light upon this passage. (Haydock)
Ver. 20.
Now. Hebrew and Septuagint add, "the Levites:" the latter translate Achias, "their brethren." (Haydock) ---
Vessels. Or vessels of the holy places, or of things holy. Vasa sanctorum. (Challoner) --- Septuagint, "of the
consecrated treasures," chap. xxviii. 12. (Haydock)
Ver. 21.
Ledan is called Leedan, (chap. xxiii. 8.) son of Gerson. His first-born was Jahiel. This person is here styled Jehieli,
and was chief of the Gersonites; at least the eldest branch.
Ver. 22.
Brethren. Hebrew and Septuagint, "brother." In effect, we find that Joel was the son of Leedan, chap. xxiii. --- Zathan,
whose name ends in m both in Hebrew and Septuagint, may perhaps be his grandson. We often find sons in Hebrew
when only one is specified. Jehieli might adopt his two brothers; so that none of his own children are mentioned. (Haydock)
--- We may also translate: "(21) These are the sons of Ledan, the Gersonite. Out of Ledan, the Gersonite, came chiefs
of families: Jehiel, (22) the sons of Jehiel, Zathan and Joel, his (Jehiel's) brethren, were over," &c.
It appears that Jehiel was treasurer, chap. xxix. 8.
Ver. 23.
Ozielites. These are all the sons of Caath, chap. vi. 18.
Ver. 24.
Moses. Many are passed over; (Calmet) or Subael acted by his children. (Menochius)
Ver. 26.
Selemith was to guard the treasure, taken in war. (Calmet) --- Dedicated. Literally, "sanctified," by designating
for holy uses. (Worthington)
Ver. 27.
Wars. Hebrew, "out of the spoils won in battles, which they had set apart as sacred, to support the house," &c.
Septuagint, "that the building of the house of the Lord might not be retarded." (Haydock) --- Yet these spoils remained untouched
by Solomon, who imitated this piety, as others did, 3 Kings xiv. 26. The Romans adored Jupiter Prædator, as he was
styled, because part of the plunder was allotted to him. (Servius in Virgil, Æneid iii.)
Irruimus ferro et Divos ipsumque vocamus
In prædam partemque Jovem.
People vied with each other in the munificence of their presents. (Cæsar,
Bel. Gall. vi.) (Calmet)
Ver. 28.
Samuel, while he was at the head of affairs. (Menochius) --- Joab. Though these three were not very religious,
they concurred in promoting the splendour of the public worship, as that would at least procure them applause. (Haydock)
Ver. 29.
Them. Hebrew, "for officers (shoterim, "scribes," (Haydock) whose power was very great.; Calmet) and judges."
The former are often placed first, as more honourable, so that they were not mere heralds or executioners. The administration
of justice was chiefly in the hands of the Levitical tribe, chap. xxiii. 4. The sons of Hebron resided on the east, while
those of Isaar and Oziel probably acted as judges on the western side of the Jordan, ver. 30. (Calmet) --- They were not confined
to the temple, but taught the people the law of Moses in the cities abroad. (Menochius)
Ver. 30.
Beyond. Hebrew meheber means, "at the passage, or on either side." Protestants, "on this side Jordan,
westward." This would seem to designate the countries nearer Jerusalem. (Haydock) --- But westward may also be understood
with reference to Ruben, &c., so as to mean the parts along the river. --- King. To decide both ecclesiastical
and civil causes. (Calmet) --- They also inspected the preparations for the temple, and gathered the king's tribute. (Grotius)
Ver. 31.
Jazer, a city of Gad, in Galaad. (Adrichomius) (Menochius)
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Bible Text & Cross-references:
The divisions of the porters. Offices of other Levites.
1 And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites, Meselemia, the son
of Core, of the sons of Asaph.
2 The sons of Meselemia: Zacharias, the first-born, Jadihel, the second,
Zabadias, the third, Jathanael, the fourth.
3 Elam, the fifth, Johanan, the sixth, Elioenai, the seventh.
4 And the sons of Obededom, Semeias, the first-born, Jozabad, the second,
Joaha, the third, Sachar, the fourth, Nathanael, the fifth.
5 Ammiel, the sixth, Issachar, the seventh, Phollathi, the eighth: for
the Lord had blessed him.
6 And to Semei, his son, were born sons, heads of their families: for
they were men of great valour.
7 The sons then of Semeias were, Othni, and Raphael, and Obed, Elizabad,
and his brethren, most valiant men: and Eliu, and Samachias.
8 All these of the sons of Obededom: they, and their sons, and their
brethren, most able men for service, sixty-two of Obededom.
9 And the sons of Meselemia, and their brethren, strong men, were
eighteen.
10 And of Hosa, that is, of the sons of Merari: Semri, the chief, (for
he had not a first-born, and therefore his father made him chief,)
11 Helcias, the second, Tabelias, the third, Zacharias, the fourth: all
these the sons, and the brethren, of Hosa, were thirteen.
12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, so that the chiefs
of the wards, as well as their brethren, always ministered in the house of the Lord.
13 And they cast lots equally, both little and great, by their families,
for every one of the gates.
14 And the lot of the east fell to Selemias. But to his son, Zacharias,
a very wise and learned man, the north gate fell by lot.
15 And to Obededom, and his sons, that towards the south: in which part
of the house was the council of the ancients.
16 To Sephim, and Hosa, towards the west, by the gate which leadeth to
the way of the ascent: ward against ward.
17 Now towards the east were six Levites: and towards the north four
a day: and towards the south, likewise, four a day: and where the council was, two and two.
18 In the cells also of the porters, toward the west, four in the way:
and two at every cell.
19 These are the divisions of the porters, of the sons of Core, and of
Merari.
20 Now Achias was over the treasures of the house of God, and the holy
vessels.
21 The sons of Ledan, the sons of Gersonni: of Ledan were heads of the
families, of Ledan, and Gersonni, Jehieli.
22 The sons of Jehieli: Zathan, and Joel, his brethren, over the treasures
of the house of the Lord.
23 With the Amramites, and Isaarites, and Hebronites, and Ozielites.
24 And Subael, the son of Gersom, the son of Moses, was chief
over the treasures.
25 His brethren also, Eliezer, whose son, Rohabia, and his son, Isaias,
and his son, Joram, and his son, Zechri, and his son, Selemith.
26 Which Selemith, and his brethren, were over the treasures of the holy
things, which king David, and the heads of families, and the captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and the captains
of the host, had dedicated,
27 Out of the wars, and the spoils won in battles, which they had consecrated
to the building and furniture of the temple of the Lord.
28 And all these things that Samuel, the seer, and Saul, the son of Cis,
and Abner, the son of Ner, and Joab, the son of Sarvia, had sanctified: and whosoever had sanctified those things, they were
under the hand of Selemith, and his brethren.
29 But Chonenias, and his sons, were over the Isaarites, for the business
abroad over Israel, to teach them and judge them.
30 And of the Hebronites, Hasabias, and his brethren, most able men,
a thousand seven hundred had the charge over Israel beyond the Jordan, westward, in all the works of the Lord, and for the
service of the king.
31 And the chief of the Hebronites was Jeria, according to their families
and kindreds. In the fortieth year of the reign of David, they were numbered, and they were found most valiant men in Jazer
Galaad,
32 And his brethren of stronger age, two thousand seven hundred, chiefs
of families. And king David made them rulers over the Rubenites and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasses, for all the
service of God, and the king.
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