1 Chronicles 9:23

9:1-44 Genealogies. - This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. 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. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Re 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.

So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the Lord,.... They that were appointed in David's time to watch the gates of the temple, their posterity succeeded them in that office; for it was hereditary: namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards; that which was at Gibeon in David's time, and now one was erected until the temple was built.

1 Chronicles 9:23 . They and their children had the oversight — Namely, in David’s time. Of the tabernacle — This is added to explain what he means by the house of the Lord: not that tabernacle which David had set up for the ark, but that more solemn tabernacle, which Moses had made by God’s express command; which in David’s time was at Gibeon; in which God was worshipped until the temple was built. By wards — By turns or courses.

Verses 23-26. - (See above and 1 Chronicles 26:12-19 .) For the chief porters , Bertheau suggests, as an analogous expression, στρατηγοῖ ( Luke 22:52 ). The chambers . We have the account of Solomon's building of these in 1 Kings 6:5-10, 16, 19 ; it is scarcely likely that the "chamber of mattresses" of 2 Kings 11:2 was one of these, though the language of the following verse looks that way (comp. also Ezekiel 46:5-11 ). And treasuries . These were store-houses ( הָאועְרות ) for gold, silver, as pertaining to the temple, though of corn, etc., in other connections ( 1 Kings 7:51 ; 2 Kings 12:18 ; 2 Chronicles 5:1 ; 1 Chronicles 27:25 ). 1 Chronicles 9:23

To wit, in David’s time. The house of the tabernacle: this is added to explain what he means by the house of the Lord; not that tabernacle which David had set up for the ark, but that more solemn tabernacle, which Moses had made by God’s express command and most particular direction; which in David’s time was at Gibeon; in which God was and would be worshipped until the temple was built. See 1 Kings 3:2 2 Chronicles 1:3,5 , &c. By wards, i.e. by turns or courses, each of them at his gate, and in his appointed time.

The porters, like the singers Nehemiah 12:29 , dwelt for the most part in the villages round Jerusalem. They were the descendants of those originally selected for the work by David. David's arrangements are here regarded as having had the sanction of Samuel - which would imply that he planned them in the lifetime of Saul, while he was still a fugitive and an outlaw.

18. the king's gate—The king had a gate from his palace into the temple (2Ki 16:18), which doubtless was kept constantly closed except for the monarch's use; and although there was no king in Israel on the return from the captivity, yet the old ceremonial was kept up, probably in the hope that the scepter would, ere long, be restored to the house of David. It is an honor by which Eastern kings are distinguished, to have a gate exclusively devoted to their own special use, and which is kept constantly closed, except when he goes out or returns (Eze 44:2). There being no king then in Israel, this gate would be always shut.

They (those ordained by David) and their sons (descendants) were at the doors of the house of Jahve-of the tent-house (האהל בּית is added to בּית־יהוה, in order that the latter might not be confined to Solomon's temple); for the watch (משׁמרות of persons, as in Nehemiah 12:9 ; Nehemiah 4:3 , Nehemiah 4:16 ), according to the four winds (quarters) were they, i.e., the doorkeepers stood so, in accordance with the arrangement made by David; cf. 1 Chronicles 26:14 .