Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. XXVI.

1 COncerning the divisions of the porters ‖ 1.1: Of the Korhites was ‖ 1.2 Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of ‖ 1.3 Asaph a 1.4.

2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechari∣ah the first-born, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh;

Moreover, the sons of Obed-edom were, Shema∣jah the first-born, Jehozabad the second, Joab the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth:

5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peul∣tha•…•… the eighth: for God blessed ‖ 1.5 him b 1.6.

6 Also unto Shemajah his son were two sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their fathers c 1.7: for they were mighty men of valour d 1.8.

7 The sons of Shemajah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were † 1.9 strong men; Elihu and Semachiah.

8 All these of the sons of Obed-edom: they, and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were thr•…•…escore and two of Obed-edom.

9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.

10 Also * 1.10 Hosah of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the first-born, yet his father made him the chief e 1.11.)

11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Ze∣chariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Ho∣sah were thirteen.

12 Among these were the divisions of the por∣ters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another f 1.12, to minister in the house of the LORD.

13 And they cast lots ‖ 1.13 as well the small as the great g 1.14, according to the house of their fathers h 1.15, for every gate i 1.16.

14 And the lot eastward fell to ‖ 1.17 Shelemiah; then for Zechariah his son (a wise counsellor k 1.18) they cast lots, and his lot came out northward.

15 To Obed-edom southward, and to his sons, the house of † 1.19 Asuppim l 1.20.

16 To Shuppim and Hosah m 1.21, the lot came forth westward, with ‖ 1.22 the gate Shallecheth n 1.23, by the causey of the going ‖ 1.24 up o 1.25, ward against ward p 1.26.

17 East-ward were six Levites q 1.27, north-ward four a day, southward four a day, and toward A∣suppim r 1.28 two and two.

18 At Parbar s 1.29 west-ward, four at the causey t 1.30, and two at Parbar u 1.31.

19 These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over * 1.32 the treasures of the house of God, and over the trea∣sures of the † 1.33 dedicate things x 1.34.

21 As concerning the sons of ‖ 1.35 Laadan: the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers y 1.36, even of Laadan the Gershonite were, ‖ 1.37 Jehieli z 1.38.

22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD a 1.39.

23 Of the Amramite, and the Izharite, the He∣bronite, and the Uzzielite b 1.40:

24 And * 1.41 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures c 1.42.

25 And his brethren by Eliezer d 1.43; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshajah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and * 1.44 Shelomith his son:

26 Which Shelomith and his brethren, were over all the treasures of the dedicate things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host had dedicated.

27 † 1.45 Out of the spoils won in battels, did they dedicate to † 1.46 maintain e 1.47 the house of the LORD.

28 And all that Samuel the * 1.48 seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Jo∣ab the son of Zerujah had dedicated, and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith f 1.49, and of his brethren.

29 Of the Izharite, Chenaniah and his sons g 1.50 were for the outward business h 1.51 over Israel i 1.52, for officers and Judges k 1.53.

30 And of the Hebronite, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hun∣dred were † 1.54 officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward l 1.55, in all business of the LORD m 1.56, and in the service of the king n 1.57.

31 Among the Hebronites was * 1.58 Jerijah the chief▪ even among the Hebronites, according to the gene∣rations of his fathers. In the fortieth year n 1.59 of the reign of David, they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour, at Jazer of Gilead o 1.60.

32 And his brethren men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred p 1.61 chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenite, the Ga∣dite, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every mat∣ter pertaining to God, and † 1.62 affairs of the king.

Notes

• ‖ 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉
• ‖ 1.2

  〈…〉〈…〉
• ‖ 1.3

  〈…〉〈…〉
• a 1.4

  Not that Famous Asaph the Singer, but another Asaph called also Ebiasaph, ch. 6. 37..
• ‖ 1.5

  〈…〉〈…〉
• b 1.6

  To wit, with a numerous Posterity and other Blessings, for his Respect and Affection to the Ark. See 2 Sam. 6. 11.
• c 1.7

  That had the Command of their Brethren and Families, being, as some say, Captains of Hundreds or of Thousands: Of which see Exod. 18. 25. 2 King. 11. 9.
• d 1.8

  This Clause is divers times men∣tioned, 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 the help of twenty men to open and shut it, as Iosephus an Eye-witness re∣ports. They were also to keep the Guard, and to keep out all un∣clean or forbidden Persons who might sometimes presumptuously at∣tempt to enter into the Temple, as Uzziah did, and to prevent or suppress any Tumults or Disorders which might happen in the Temple or in its Courts, and to keep the Treasures of the Temple, v. 20, 22, 24, 26. and to be officers and judges over Israel, v. 29. and to manage every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the King, •…•…. 32.
• † 1.9

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  Ch. 16. 38▪
• e 1.11

  Taking away the Birth-right from the First-born either abso∣lutely, for some gross Miscarriage, as Gen. 49. 4. or onely in this •…•…espect, because he wanted either Strength or Valour, or some o∣ther Qualification necessary for his Office.
• f 1.12

  Heb. having wards against or answerably to their Brethren, to wit, the other Levites, who were divided into 24 Courses, as the Priests also were, and so, it seems were the Porters.
• ‖ 1.13

  Or, as well for the small as for the great.
• g 1.14

  Determining the Times and Places of their Service not by Age or Dignity, but meerly by Lot.
• h 1.15

  A several Lot being al∣lowed for each several House.
• i 1.16

  That it might be known to whom the Care of each Gate was more especially committed.
• ‖ 1.17

  Called Me∣shelen•…•…ah, ver. 1.
• k 1.18

  Which is noted as an excellent and useful Accomplishment for his Office, in which there was need of Wisdom as well as Cou∣rage, as may appear by the description of their Work, v. 20, &c. See the Note on v. 6.
• † 1.19

  Heb. gather∣ings.
• l 1.20

  A Place so called: or of gatherings, so named either from the Assembly of the Elders who met there to consult about the Af∣fairs of the Temple: or from the People who were there gathered together to hear the Discourses and Debates of the Teacher of the Law: or because the Gifts of the People towards the House and Worship of God were kept there. See 2 King. 22. 4. 2 Chr. 25. •…•…4.
• m 1.21

  Who for some reason were joyned together in the Custody of that Gate.
• ‖ 1.22

  Or, near, or at.
• n 1.23

  A Gate of the Court so called, as some think, be∣cause the Ashes and filth of the Temple were cast out on that side, which was the most convenient Gate for that purpose, because that was a private Quarter, the great Ways to the Temple lying on the other sides.
• ‖ 1.24

  See 1 Kin. 10. 5. 2 Chr. 9. 4.
• o 1.25

  By which Causey they went up towards the Temple.
• p 1.26

  Which may respect either 1. the time of their Watch∣ing, that when one Guard went off another came on. Or rather 2. the place of their Guard: and so this may be understood either 1. of this Western Quarter, where there was a double Guard either because there were two Gates there, as some think, or for some other cause now unknown. Or rather 2. of all the Quarters com∣pared together, of all which having spoken he adds this, That as one Gate was o•…•…er against another, the West against the East, and the North against the South, so one Ward was over against an∣other.
• q 1.27

  For that being the Chief Gate of the Temple required a bet∣ter Guard.
• r 1.28

  i. e. The house of Asuppim, as it is called v. 15. where also it is said to be on the South-side; on which there seems to have been a double Guard both belonging to Obed-edom, v. 15. one at the South-gate, and the other at Asuppim; where possibly the Sacred Treasures mentioned v. 20, &c. were layd up, and there∣fore a particular Guard was necessary. See on v. 15.
• s 1.29

  Or, As concerning Parbar, which was another Gate or some building on the Western Quarter of the Temple.
• t 1.30

  Which led to Parbar.
• u 1.31

  At the Gate or House it self. By which it may seem that this was a Place of some Importance, either the Vessels of the Temple, or some part of the Treasures of Gods House, being kept here.
• * 1.32

  Mal. 3. 10.
• † 1.33

  Heb. holy things.
• x 1.34

  Either these are the same kind of Treasures, the latter phrase onely explaining the former, the particle and being used for that is: or rather they are two differing kinds of Treasures, the former containing the Sacred Vessels and other Treasures which by Gods Command were appropriated to the Maintenance of the House, and Worship, and Ministers of God, as Tithes, and First-fruits, and other things; and the latter onely those things which had been freely given or dedicated to God for those Ends; or which see v. 26, 27.
• ‖ 1.35

  Or▪ Libni, Chap. 6. 17.
• y 1.36

  i. e. Which sons were Chief Fathers, or Heads of the Houses of their Fathers.
• ‖ 1.37

  Or, Iehiel, Ch. 23. 8.
• z 1.38

  Understand here, and his sons, which here follow.
• a 1.39

  As Shelomith and his brethren were over the treasures of the dedicated things, v. 26. But both may seem to have been subject and accountable to Ahijah, who was over both these kinds of Trea∣sures, v. 20. Or Ahijah might have a general Oversight into the Management of those Treasures as an Auditour of the Accounts, although the others had more dignity and Power in the Disposal of them.
• b 1.40

  Or, As concerning the Amramite, &c. The meaning is, The persons here following were of these or the most of these Fami∣lies. Onely 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 onely in this place, and Numb. 3. 27. or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these Matters.
• * 1.41

  Ch. 23. 16.
• c 1.42

  The Prince or Chief over all the Treasures and Treasurers mentioned either before or afterward, as his very Title shews, which is peculiarly given to him and to none of the rest.
• d 1.43

  Another Son of Moses, Exod. 18. 4.
• * 1.44

  Ch. 23. 18.
• † 1.45

  Heb. out of the battels and spoils.
• † 1.46

  Heb. strengthen.
• e 1.47

  Heb. To strengthen it, either to make that Building strong and substantial by these and other Charges: or rather to repair it when it should be built; for which they might the rather take particular Care, because it was likely that every one would con∣tribute to the building of the Temple, and there would be no want for that use; but few would provide for the Repairs of it, when by the Injury of Men or Time it should receive any Damage.
• * 1.48

  1 Sam. 9. 9.
• f 1.49

  Who is particularly named here and v. 26. because they were chiefly committed to his trust, he being, it seems, a person of E∣minent Wisdom and Faithfulness.
• g 1.50

  Who are probably thought to have been 1600, for that Sum added to the 1700, v. 30. and the 2700, v. 32. make up those 6000 Levites which were Officers and Iudges, 1 Chron. 23. 4.
• h 1.51

  For that business of the Lord and of the King (as it is explained here, v. 30, 32.) which was to be done without the Temple and without Ierusalem; for what was to be done within them was committed to other hands, as we have seen.
• i 1.52

  Synecdochically, i. e. over part of Israel, even over the Midland part and that which lay upon the Sea Coast: for the other parts of the Land on both sides of Iord•…•…n are here committed to others, v. •…•…0, 31, 32.
• k 1.53

  Who shall be Offi∣cers and Judges over the People in the several Cities and Towns or Parts of the Land to determine Questions and Controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were instrusted with these Matters was, because the Common or Munici∣pal Law of Israel, by which they had and held all their Rights, was no other than the Law of God, whereof the Priests and Le∣vites being the best and established Interpreters, must needs there∣fore be the most proper Judges of things depending thereupon.
• † 1.54

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 charge.
• l 1.55

  In those parts of the Land of Canaan which border upon Ior∣dan or are not very remote from it.
• m 1.56

  i. e. In all things which did or should concern the House or Worship of God; partly to take care that such Monies as were either imposed by a Tax or free∣ly given by the People towards the building or repairing of the Temple, or towards the Sacrifices and other Holy Ministrations should be gathered and received and faithfully sent up to Ierusa∣lem to be employed in that Work; partly to see to the Execution of all the Laws of God among the People, and to restrain or punish wilful Offenders against it.
• n 1.57

  Not that all the Kings Businesses were managed by them; for it is apparent both from the nature of the thing and from Scripture, that the Kings Military Affairs were managed by his Captains, and his Political or Civil Affairs were managed by the Princes, and Judges, and Officers of other Tribes: but because they served the King in the Execution of his Decreas made pursuantly to the Laws of God, by which the seve∣ral Rights of King and People were established, and all things both in Church and Commonwealth were to be ordered. Now as the King was the Principal Person intrusted with the Execution of Gods Laws, so these Levites chiefly were his Eyes by which he saw his Peoples Transgressions, and his Hands by which he inflict∣ed due and deserved Censures upon them for their Miscarriages. And the doing of this was very much for the Service of the King, whose Throne was established and secured by such Righteous Ad∣ministrations. Besides they were to take care by their Cou•…•…sel and Authority to keep the People in Obedience to their King; which the Levites were most obliged and best able to do.
• * 1.58

  Chap. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• n 1.59

  Which was his last year, in which he made all the Orders and distributions of Families and Offices recorded in these Chapters
• o 1.60

  Which place is here named, either because they were seated in or near that Place, but for what cause it is now unknown: or be∣cause they were numbred there by some Person sent by David to that Purpose.
• p 1.61

  Which is a very great number to be employed about two Tribes and an half; when all the rest of the Tribes had onely 1700 v. 30. besides those under Chenaniah; of whom see on v. 29. But the reason hereof is plain, because the Tribes without I•…•…rdan be∣ing more remote from the Kings Court and from the place of pu∣blick and solemn Worship needed more than ordinary help to in∣struct and keep them in the Practise of the True Religion and the Worship of God, and in Obedience to their King.
• † 1.62

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 2 Chr. 1•…•…▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪