1 Chronicles 6

1Ch 6:1-48.

LINE OF THE

PRIESTS.

5. Uzzi--It is supposed that, in his days, the high priesthood was,

for unrecorded reasons, transferred from Eleazar's family to Ithamar's,

in which it continued for several generations.

10. he it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that

Solomon built in Jerusalem--It is doubtful whether the person in favor

of whom this testimony is borne be Johanan or Azariah. If the former,

he is the same as Jehoiada, who rendered important public services

(2Ki 11:1-20);

if the latter, it refers to the worthy and independent part he acted in

resisting the unwarrantable encroachments of Uzziah

(2Ch 26:17).

in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem--described in this

particular manner to distinguish it from the second temple, which was

in existence at the time when this history was written.

14. Azariah begat Seraiah--He filled the supreme pontifical office

at the destruction of Jerusalem, and, along with his deputy and others,

he was executed by Nebuchadnezzar's orders at Riblah

(2Ki 25:18, 21).

The line of high priests, under the first temple, which from Zadok

amounted to twelve, terminated with him.

16-48. The sons of Levi; Gershom, &c.--This repetition (see

1Ch 6:1)

is made, as the historian here begins to trace the genealogy of the

Levitical families who were not priests. The list is a long one,

comprising the chiefs or heads of their several families until David's

reign, who made a new and different classification of them by

courses.

20. Zimmah his son--his grandson

(1Ch 6:42).

24. Uriel--or Zephaniah

(1Ch 6:36).

27. Elkanah--the father of the prophet Samuel

(1Sa 1:1).

28. the sons of Samuel--The sons of Samuel are here named Vashni and

Abiah. The first-born is called Joel

(1Sa 8:2);

and this name is given to him in

1Ch 6:33.

It is now generally thought by the best critics that, through an error

of the copyists, an omission has been made of the oldest son's name,

and that Vashni, which is not the name of a person, merely signifies

"and the second." This critical emendation of the text makes all clear,

as well as consistent with other passages relating to the family of

Samuel.

32. before the dwelling-place, &c.--that is, in the tent which David

had erected for receiving the ark after it was removed from the house

of Obed-edom

[2Sa 6:17].

This was a considerable time before the temple was built.

they waited on their office according to their order--which David,

doubtless by the direction of the Holy Spirit, had instituted for the

better regulation of divine worship.

33. Shemuel--that is, Samuel. This is the exact representation of the

Hebrew name.

39. his brother Asaph--They were brothers naturally, both being

descended from Levi, as well as officially, both being of the Levitical

order.

42. Ethan--or Jeduthun

(1Ch 9:16;

2Ch 35:15).

48. Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of

service--Those of them who were endowed with musical tastes and

talents were employed in various other departments of the temple

service.

1Ch 6:49-81.

OFFICE OF

AARON AND

HIS

SONS.

49. But Aaron and his sons offered, &c.--The office and duties of the

high priests having been already described, the names of those who

successively filled that important office are recorded.

60. thirteen cities--No more than eleven are named here; but two

additional ones are mentioned

(Jos 21:16, 17),

which makes up the thirteen.

61. unto the sons of Kohath, which were left--that is, in addition to

the priests belonging to the same family and tribe of Levi.

(Jos 21:26).

The sacred historian gives an explanation

(1Ch 6:66).

Eight of these are mentioned, but only two of them are taken out of the

half tribe of Manasseh

(1Ch 6:70).

The names of the other two are given

(Jos 21:21),

where full and detailed notices of these arrangements may be found.

62. to the sons of Gershom--Supply "the children of Israel gave."

67-81. they gave unto them of the cities of refuge--The names of the

cities given here are considerably different from those applied to them

(Jos 21:13-19).

In the lapse of centuries, and from the revolutions of society, changes

might have been expected to take place in the form or dialectic

pronunciation of the names of those cities; and this will sufficiently

account for the variations that are found in the lists as enumerated

here and in an earlier book. As to these cities themselves that were

assigned to the Levites, they were widely remote and separated--partly

in fulfilment of Jacob's prophecy

(Ge 49:7),

and partly that the various districts of the country might obtain a

competent supply of teachers who might instruct the people in the

knowledge, and animate them to the observance, of a law which had so

important a bearing on the promotion both of their private happiness

and their national prosperity.