Chapter 9

1 The original of Israel’s and Judah’s genealogies. 2 The Israelites, 10 the priests, 14 and the Levites, with Nethinims, which dwelt in Jerusalem. 27 The charge of certain Levites. 35 The stock of Saul and Jonathan.

1. Were written. Evidently Chronicles was completed after the transportation to Babylon.

2. Nethinims. These were the order of Temple servants who performed the menial tasks such as carrying the water and the wood. On the identity of the Nethinims see on Joshua 9:21; Ezra 2:43; 8:20.

3. And in Jerusalem. Verses 3 to 17 seem to correspond to Neh. 11:4–19, although opinions vary as to whether the list in Chronicles describes the inhabitants before or after the Exile. The two accounts are not identical, but those who claim that both are postexilic believe that they were taken from the same longer source, with each compiler selecting his own list of representative names.

4. Uthai. Compare Neh. 11:4; see on 1 Chron 9:3.

6. Six hundred and ninety. Compare Neh. 11:6, where the number is given as 468. The totals may represent different periods.

9. Nine hundred and fifty and six. The total in Neh. 11:8 is 928 (see on 1 Chron. 9:3, 6).

10. Priests. Verses 10 to 13 list the priests engaged in the Temple service.

11. Azariah. Compare ch. 6:11–13, where the names correspond as far as Zadok, but where the next two names, Meraioth, son of Ahitub, do not appear, though there is an earlier Meraioth (ch. 6:7). The list in Neh. 11:11 is the same as in the present verse, with the exception that Seraiah appears instead of Azariah. According to Neh 12:1 a Seraiah begins a list of priests who went up with Zerubbabel and Joshua, and in Neh. 10:2 a Seraiah and an Azariah are among the priests who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah some 70 years later. Neh. 12:12 shows Seraiah to be the head of a priestly clan. Obviously favorite names were repeated in priestly families.

12. Adaiah. Compare Neh. 11:12; see on 1 Chron. 9:3.

Pashur. Compare Neh. 11:12; see on 1 Chron. 9:3.

13. A thousand and seven hundred and threescore. The total of the priestly clans listed in Neh. 11:12–14 comes to 1,192. The totals may represent different periods.

14. Shemaiah. Compare Neh. 11:15, where the line is carried back one more generation to include the name of Bunni but where the phrase, “of the sons of Merari,” is omitted.

16. The Netophathites. Netophah was a village near Bethlehem (1 Chron. 2:54; Neh. 7:26).

17. And the porters. Verses 17 to 26 deal with the keepers of the gates, giving their numbers and their duties. Compare Neh. 11:19.

21. Tabernacle. See on ch. 6:32.

22. Two hundred and twelve. According to Neh. 11:19 the number of porters was 172. The total at the time of David was 93 1 Chron. 26:8–11, and those who returned with Ezra numbered 139 (Ezra 2:42).

Samuel the seer. It is interesting to notice that Samuel had a part in arranging the Temple services. No mention is made elsewhere of such an activity on the part of Samuel.

24. Four quarters. Compare Num. 3:23–38, where God through Moses prescribed that the Levites should camp on the four sides of the tabernacle.

25. Their villages. The families of the Temple warders lived in rural areas around Jerusalem.

After seven days. Probably on the Sabbath (see 2 Kings 11:5).

28. Ministering vessels. The sacred vessels employed in the services of the sanctuary.

By tale. Literally, “by number.” The sacred vessels were to be carefully counted out so that none might be lost.

30. Sons of the priests. The Levites had charge of the stores of spices (v. 29), but only the priests might prepare the holy ointment.

32. Shewbread. Compare Lev. 24:5–9.

Every Sabbath. Every Sabbath the shewbread was replaced on the golden table (see on Lev. 24:8).

33. Singers. This item regarding the singers concludes the statement concerning the Levites employed in the Temple services.

35. In Gibeon. Verses 35–44 are almost an exact duplicate of ch. 8:29–38. The genealogy of Saul is repeated, this time as an introduction to the account of his final ruin in ch. 10, with which the narrative section of Chronicles begins.