A commentary upon the whole Old Testament, added to that of the same author upon the whole New Testament published many years before, to make a compleat work upon the whole Bible. Vols. 2-4. Wherein the divers translations and expositions, literall and mysticall, of all the most famous commentators both ancient and modern are propounded, examined, and judged of, for the more full satisfaction of the studious reader in all things, and many most genuine notions inserted for edification in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. A work, the like unto which hath never yet been published by any man, yet very necessary, nor only for students in divinity; but also for every Christian that loveth the knowledge of divine things, or humane, whereof this comment is also full. Consisting of IV parts. I Upon the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses. II Upon the historical part, from Joshua to Esther. III Upon Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomons Song. IV Upon all the prophets both great and small. By John Mayer, doctor of divinity.

1 CHRON. 24.

The Levites being distinguished, as before, ch. 23. into Ministers, Iudges, Por∣ters and Singers; and touching those that ministred about the sacrifices, vvho vvere 24000, it being shevved only in generall, that they vvere distinguished by their courses, v. 6; Novv follovveth the distinction of the Priests by their courses in particular, and of some principall Levites, vvho vvere next in honour to the Preists in generall, and over all the rest. v. 20. The Preists were distinguished by Eleazar and Ithamar, the tvvo sonnes of Aaron, the eldest of each family being from ge∣neration to generation, the cheifest of all the Preists of that family; and at this pre∣sent Zadok was the cheifest of Eleazars, and Abiathar, or Abimelech (for one and the same man was set forth by both these names) of Ithamars. Now because there vvere many more of the family of Eleazar then of Ithamar, that had 16 courses, and Ithamars 8. And the names of the cheife of every of these courses are set dovvne, it being to be understood, that all the other Priests served in their courses under them, a like number being assigned to each one in his course to assist him in the execution of his Priestly office, respect being still had, that they onely were appointed to serve in the courses of those of the family of Eleazar, that vvere of his familie, and they in the courses of the family of Ithamar, that were of his familie. Touching the meanes used to distinguish these courses vvho should have the first, vvho the second and third, &c. It is said to have been done by lots, the names of all the chiefe of their houses being written in 24 severall pieces of paper and put in one vessell by themselves, and the courses being vvritten in 24 pa∣pers and put in another vessell, then they being shaken together, one was appoin∣ted to put one hand into one vessell and to dravv a name vvithout seeing, and ano∣ther into the other vessell, and to draw a course likewise; and looke what number was written upon it, that was his course, whose name was drawne together with it. And the Priests of the first course were to serve but one week at a time begin∣ning at the Sabbath in the evening and continuing about the Temple till the even∣ing of the next Sabbath; at what time they departed to their own houses, and the * 1.1 next course came and served likewise, and then the third and fourth; till that all the

24 having served in their courses, they began again. And during the time of their service, there were chambers about the courts of the Lords house, wherein they lodged.

For the Levites next named, it is to be understood, that they were not of the * 1.2 common sort, but Princes as is expressely said of Iesias, Prince Iesias, v. 21. and they were of 2 families, Kohath, and Merari, and had their courses also by lot, ver. 31. Of these it is not said, what the office was, but most probably they were cheife next unto the Preists of whom one was alwayes about the temple, as Prince of that course, which served them according to the order wherein they were placed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Chr. ••. 25.
• * 1.2

  V. 20.