7 And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan. 8 And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. 9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren and his mother called his name *Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. 11 And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir, which was the father of Eshton. 12 And Eshton begat Beth-rapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These are the men of Rechah. 13 And the sons of Kenaz; Othniel, and Seraiah: and the sons of Othniel; "Hathath. 14 And Meonothai begat Ophrah; and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim ;** for they were craftsmen. 15 And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, teven Kenaz. 16 And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel. which of all the rest cost her most dear, she was happy in, and was made glad in proportion to the affliction, Ps. 90. 15. We are not told upon what account he was more honourable than his brethren; whether because he raised a greater estate, or was preferred to the magistracy, or signalized himself in war; we have most reason to think it was upon the account of his learning and piety; not only because these, above any thing, put honour upon a man, but because we have reason to think that in these Jabez was eminent; 1. In learning; because we find that the families of the scribes dwelt at Jabez, (ch, 2. 55,) a city which, it is likely, took its name from this name. The Jews say that he was a famous doctor of the law, and left many disciples behind him. And it should seem by the mentioning of him so abruptly here, that his name was well known, when Ezra wrote this. 2. In piety; because we find here that he was a praying man. His inclination to devotion made him truly honourable; and by prayer he obtained those blessings from God, which added much to his honour. The way to be truly great, is to be truly good, and to pray much. 17 And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon; and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. 18 And his wife Jehudijah bare Jared the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took. 19 And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite. 20 And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth. 21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea, 22 And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Seraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem. And these are ancient things. 23 These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work. 24 The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul: 25 Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. That is, craftemen. c Neh. 11. 35. 11 or, Uknaz. 11 or, the Jewess. 55 or, Jehudijah, mentioned before. El or, Jemuel. Gen. 46. 10. Ex. 6. 15. Num. 26. 12. or, Jachin, Zohar. prayer. (3.) That God's hand might be with him. The prayer of Moses for this tribe of Judah, was, That his own hands might be sufficient for him, (Deut. 33. 7;) but Jabez expects not that, unless he have God's hand with him, and the presence of his power. God's hand with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is indeed a hand sufficient for us, all-sufficient. (4.) That he would keep him from evil; the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt, nor grieve him, nor make him a Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow. In the original, there is an allusion to his name, Father in heaven, deliver me from evil. 4. What was the success of his prayer. God granted him that which he requested; prospered him remarkably, and gave him success in his undertakings, in his studies, in his worldly business, in his conflicts with the Canaanites; and so he became more honourable than his brethren. God was of old ready to hear prayer, and his ear is not yet heavy. V. 11-23. We may observe in these verses, III. The prayer he made, probably, like Solomon's prayer for wisdom, just when he was setting out in the world: he set himself to acknowledge God in all his ways, put himself under the divine blessing and protection, and prospered accordingly. Per-bours, v. 14. There was a valley where they lived, which was, haps, these were the heads on which he enlarged in his daily prayers; for this purpose, it was his constant practice to pray alone, and with his family, as Daniel. Some think that it was upon some other particular occasion, when he was straitened and threatened by his enemies, that he prayed this prayer. Observe, 1. To whom he prayed. Not to any of the gods of the Gentiles: no, he called on the God of Israel, the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer; and, in prayer, had an eye to him as the God of Israel, a God in covenant with his people, the God with whom Jacob wrestled and prevailed, and was thence called Israel. 2. What was the nature of his prayer. (1.) As the margin reads it, it was a solemn vow, If thou wilt bless me indeed, &c. and then the sense is imperfect, but may easily be filled up from Jacob's vow, or some such like, then thou shall be my God. He does not express his promise, but leaves it to be understood; either because he was afraid to promise in his own strength, or because he resolved to devote himself entirely to God. He does, as it were, give God a blank paper, let him write what he pleases: "Lord, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me, I will be at thy command and disposal, for ever." (2.) As the text reads it, it was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire, O that thou wouldest bless me ! 3. What was the matter of his prayer. Four things he prayed for: (1.) That God would bless him indeed. "That, blessing, thou wilt bless me; bless me greatly with manifold and abundant blessings." Perhaps, he had an eye to the promise of God made to Abraham, (Gen. 22. 17,) In blessing, I will bless thee. "Let that blessing of Abraham come upon me." Spiritual blessings are the best blessings; and those are blessed indeed, who are blessed with them. God's blessings are real things, and produce real effects. We can but wish a blessing, he commands it: those whom he blesses, are blessed indeed. (2.) That he would enlarge his coast; that he would prosper his endeavours for the increase of what fell to his lot, either by work or war. That God would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself, and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and 1. That here is a whole family of craftsmen, handicraft-tradesmen, that applied themselves to all sorts of manufactures, in which they were ingenious and industrious above their neighfrom them, called The valley of craftsmen. They that are craftsmen, are not therefore to be looked upon as mean men. These craftsmen, though two of a trade often disagree, yet chose to live together, for the improving of arts by comparing notes, and that they might support one another's reputation. 2. That one of these married Pharaoh's daughter, (v. 18;) that was the common name of the kings of Egypt. If an Israelite in Egypt, before the bondage began, while Joseph's merits were yet fresh in mind, was preferred to be the king's son-in-law, it is not to be thought strange: few Israelites could, like Moses, refuse an alliance with the court. 3. That another is said to be the father of the house of them that wrought fine linen, v. 21. It is inserted in their genealogy as their honour, that they were the best weavers in the kingdom; and they brought up their children, from one generation to another, to the same business, not aiming to make them gentlemen. This Laadah is said to be the father of them that wrought fine linen; as before the flood, Jubal is said to be the father of musicians, and Jabal of shepherds, &c. His posterity inhabited the city of Mareshah, the manufacture or staple commodity of which place, was, linen cloth, with which their kings and priests were clothed. 4. That another family had had dominion in Moab, but were now in servitude in Babylon, v. 22, 23. (1.) It was found among the ancient things, that they had the dominion in Moab; probably, in David's time, when that country was conquered, they transplanted themselves thither, and were put in places of power there, which they held for several generations; but this was a great while ago, time out of mind. (2.) Their posterity were now potters and gardeners, as is supposed, in Babylon, where they dwelt with the king for his work; got a good livelihood by their industry, and therefore cared not for returning with their brethren to their own land, after the years of captivity were expired. They that now have dominion, know not what their posterity may be reduced to, nor what mean employments they may be glad to take up with. But they were unworthy the name of Israelites, that would dwell among plants and hedges, rather than be at the pains to return to Canaan. 28 And they dwelt at Beer-sheba, and Moladah, and Hazar-shual, 29 And at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad, 30 And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag, 31 And at Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susim, and at Beth-birei, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities, unto the reign of David. 32 And their villages were, "Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities; 33 And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto "Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy. 34 And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah, 35 And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, 36 And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshoaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah, 37 And Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah; 38 These mentioned by their names were princes in their families; and the house of their fathers increased greatly. 39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. 40 And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old. 41 And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks. 42 And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, ⚫ unto. tor, Balah, Josh. 19. 3. tor, Eltolad, Josh. 19. 4. Sor, Hazarsu sah, Josh. 19. 5. or, Ether, Josh. 19. 7. Tor, Baalathbeer, Josh. 19. 8. or, as they divided themselves by nations among them. It coming. d 2 Kings 18. 8, &c. Num. 32. 1-4. f Ex. 17. 16. Deut. 25. 17, 19. 1 Sam. 15. 8. 30. 17. 2 Sam. 8. 12. V. 24-43. We have here some of the genealogies of the tribe of Simeon, (though it was not a tribe of great note,) especially the princes of that tribe, v. 38. Of this tribe it is said that they increased greatly, but not like to the children of Judah, v. 27. They whom God increases, ought to be thankful, though they see others that are more increased. Here observe, 1. The cities allotted them, v. 28. Of which see Josh. 19. 1, &c. When it is said that they were theirs unto the reign of David, it intimates that when the ten tribes revolted from the house of David, many of the Simeonites quitted these cities, because they lay within Judah, and seated themselves elsewhere. | five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelátiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. 43 And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day. CHAPTER V. This chapter gives us some account of the two tribes and a half that were seated on the other side Jordan, I. Of Reuben, v. 1-10. II. Of Gad, v. 11-17. III. Of the half tribe of Manasseh, v. 23, 24. IV. Concerning all three acting in conjunction, we are told, 1. How they conquered the Hagarites, v. 18-22. 2. How they were, at length, themselves conquered, and made captives, by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken God, v. 25, 26. NOW the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel, (for he was the first-born; but, forasmuch as he 'defiled his father's bed, his bírth right was given cunto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birth right. 2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birth right was Joseph's ;) 3 The sons, I say, of Reuben the first-born of Israel, were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4 The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5 Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son, 6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. 7 And his brethren by their families, (when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned,) were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah, 8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema,* the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baal-meon: 9 And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates; because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead. 10. And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead. 11 And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan, unto Salcah: NOTES TO CHAPTER V. V. 1-17. We have here an extract out of the genealogies, 1. Of the tribe of Reuben. Where we have, (1.) The reason why this tribe is thus postponed. It is confessed that he was the first-born of Israel, and, upon that account, might challenge the precedency; but he forfeited his birthright by defiling his father's concubine, and was, for that, sentenced not to excel, Gen. 49. 4. Sin lessens men, thrusts them down from their excellency. Seventh-commandment sins especially, leave an indelible stain upon men's names and families, a reproach which time shall not wipe away. Reuben's seed, to the last, bear the disgrace of Reuben's sin. Yet though that tribe was degraded, it was not discarded or disinherited. The sullying of the honour of an Israelite, is not the losing of his happiness. Reuben loses his birthright, yet it does not devolve upon Simeon, the next in order; for it was typical; and therefore must attend, not the course of nature, but the choice of grace. The advantages of the birthright were, dominion, and a double portion. Reuben having forfeited these, it was thought too much that both should be transferred to any one, and therefore they were divided. [1.] Joseph had the double portion; for two tribes descended from him, Ephraim and Manasseh, each of whom had a child's part; for so Jacob by faith blessed them, (Heb. 11. 21. Gen. 48. 15, 22:) and each of those two was as considerable, and made as good a figure, as any one of the twelve, except Judah. But, [2.] Judah had the dominion; on him the dying patriarch entailed the sceptre, Gen. 49. 10. Of him came the chief ruler, David first, and, in the fulness of time, Messiah the Prince, Mic. 5. 2. This honour was secured to Judah, though the birthright was Joseph's; and, having this, he needed not envy him the double portion. 2. The ground they got elsewhere. When those of this tribe, that revolted from the house of David, were carried captive with the rest into Assyria, those that adhered to Judah, were remarkably owned of God, and prospered in their endeavours to enlarge their coasts. It was in the days of Hezekiah, that a generation of Simeonites, whose tribe had long crouched and truckled, was animated to make these bold efforts. (1.) Some of them attacked a place in Arabia, (as it should seem,) called the entrance of Gedor, inhabited by the posterity of cursed Ham, (v. 40,) made themselves masters of it, and dwelt there. This adds to the glory of Hezekiah's pious reign, that as his kingdom in general prospered, so did particular families. It is said that they found fat pastures, and yet the land was quiet; even then when the kings of Assyria were giving disturbance to all their neighbours, this land escaped their alarms. The inhabitants being shepherds, who molested none, were not themselves molested, till the Simeonites came and drove them out, and succeeded them, not only in the plenty, but in the peace of their land. Those who dwell (as we do) in a fruitful country, and whose land is wide, and quiet, and peaceable, have reason to own themselves indebted to that God who appoints the bounds of our habitation. (2.) Others of them, to the number of five hundred, under the command of four brethren, here named, made a descent upon mount Seir, and smote the remainder of the devoted Amalekites, and took possession of their country, (2.) The genealogy of the princes of this tribe, the chief v. 42, 43. Now the curses on Ham and Amalek had a further family of it, (many, no doubt, being omitted,) to Beerah, who accomplishment, when they seemed dormant, if not dead; as was head of this clan when the king of Assyria carried them had also the curse on Simeon, that he should be divided and captive, v. 4-6. Perhaps he is mentioned as prince of the scattered, (Gen. 49. 7,) yet to him it was turned into a bless-Reubenites at that time, because he did not do his part to preing; for the families of Simeon, which thus transplanted them-vent it. VOL. I.-119 (945) 12 Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan. 13 And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven. 14 These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; 15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers. 16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon,* upon their borders. 17 All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham 'king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam "king of Israel. 18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. 19 And "they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. 20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him. 21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand. kc. 27. 29. Cant. 2. 1. ⚫ going forth. 12 Kings 15. 32. m 2 Kings 14. 16. ↑ sons of valour. n ver. 10. O ver. 22. p 2 Chr. 18. 31. 7 2 Chr. 14. 11. Ps. 22. 4, 5. 84. 11, 12. led captive. § souls of men: as Num. 31. 35. (3.) The enlargement of the coasts of this tribe. They increasing, and their cattle being multiplied, they crowded out their neighbours the Hagarites, and extended their conquests, though not to the river Euphrates, yet to the wilderness, which abutted upon that river, v. 9, 10. Thus God did for his people as he promised them; he cast out the enemy from before them by little and little, and gave them their land as they had occasion for it, Ex. 23. 30. 2. Of the tribe of Gad. Some great families of that tribe are here named, v. 12. Seven, that were the children of Abihail, whose pedigree is carried upward from the son to the father, v. 14, 15, as that, v. 4, 5, is brought downward from father to son. These genealogies were perfected in the days of Jotham king of Judah, but were begun some years before, in the reign of Jeroboam II. king of Israel. What particular reason there was for taking these accounts then, does not appear; but it was just before they were carried away captive by the Assyrians; as appears, 2 Kings 15. 29, 32. When the judgments of God were ready to break out against them for their wretched degeneracy and apostacy, then were they priding themselves in their genealogies, that they were the children of the covenant; as the Jews, in our Saviour's time, who, when they were ripe for ruin, boasted, We have Abraham to our father. Or, there might be a special providence in it, and a favourable intimation that though they were, for the present, cast out, they were not cast off for ever. What we design to call for hereafter, we keep an inventory of. V. 18-26. The heads of the half tribe of Manasseh, that were seated on the other side Jordan, are named here, v. 23, 24. Their lot, at first, was Bashan; but afterward they increased so much in wealth and power, that they spread far north, even unto Hermon, Two things only are here recorded concerning these tribes on the other side Jordan, in which they were all concerned. They all shared, 1. In a glorious victory over the Hagarites; so the Ishmaelites were now called, to remind them that they were the sons of the bond-woman, that was cast out. We are not told when this victory was obtained: whether it be the same with that of the Reubenites, which is said (v. 10) to be in the days of Saul; or whether that success of one of these tribes animated and excited the other two to join with them in another expedition, is not certain. It seems, though in Saul's time the common interests of the kingdom were weak and low, some of the tribes that acted separately, did well for themselves. We are here told, (1.) What a brave army these frontier tribes brought into the field against the Hagarites, 44,000 men and upward, all strong and stout, and skilful in war; so many effective men, that knew how to manage their weapons, v. 18. How much more considerable might Israel have been than they were in the time of the judges, if all the tribes had acted in conjunction! (2.) What course they took to engage God for them: they cried to God, and put their trust in him, v. 20. Now they acted as Israelites indeed. [1] As the seed of believing Abraham, they put their trust in God. Though they 24 And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous "men, and heads of the house of their fathers. 25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them. 26 And "the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah," and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day. CHAPTER VI. Though Joseph and Judah shared between them the forfeited honours of the birth right, yet Levi was first of all the tribes, dignified and distinguished with an honour more valuable than either the precedency or the double portion; and that was the priesthood. That tribe God set apart for himself; it was Moses's tribe, and perhaps for his sake was thus favoured. Of that tribe we have an account in this chapter. I. Their pedigree; the first fathers of the tribe, v. 1-3, the line of the priests, from Aaron to the captivity, v. 4-15, and of some other of their families, v. 16-30. II. Their work, the work of the Levites, v. 31-48, and of the priests, v. 49-53. III. The cities appointed them in the land of Canaan, v. 54-81. that had a powerful army, they relied not on that, but on the divine power. They depended on the commission they had from God to wage war with their neighbours for the enlarging of their coasts, if there was occasion, even with those that were very far off, beside the devoted nations. See Deut. 20. 15. They depended on God's providence to give them success. [2.] As the seed of praying Jacob, they cried unto God, especially in the battle, when, perhaps, at first, they were in danger of being overpowered. See the like done, 2 Chr. 13. 14. In distress, God expects we should cry to him; he distrains upon us for this tribute, this rent. In our spiritual conflicts, we must look up to heaven for strength; and it is the believing prayer, will be the prevailing prayer. (3.) We are told what success they had: God was entreated of them, though need drove them to him; so ready is he to hear and answer prayer. They were helped against their enemies: for God never yet failed any that trusted in him. And then they routed the enemy's army, though far superior in number to theirs, slew many, (v. 22,) took 100,000 prisoners, enriched themselves greatly with the spoil, and settled themselves in their country, v. 21, 22. And all this, because the war was of God, undertaken in his fear and carried on in a dependence upon him. If the battle be the Lord's, there is reason to hope it will be successful. Then we may expect to prosper in any enterprise, and then only, when we take God along with us. 2. They shared, at length, in an inglorious captivity. Had they kept close to God and their duty, they had continued to enjoy both their ancient lot and their new conquests; but they transgressed against the God of their fathers, v. 25. They lay upon the borders and conversed most with the neighbouring nations, by which means they learned their idolatrous usages, and transmitted the infection to the other tribes; for this, God had a controversy with them. He was a Husband to them, and no marvel that his jealousy burned like fire, when they went a whoring after other gods. Justly is a bill of divorce given to the adulteress. God stirred up the spirit of the kings of Assyria, first one, and then another, against them, served his own purposes by the designs of those ambitious monarchs, employed them to chastise these revolters first, and when that reduced them not, then wholly to root them out, v. 26. These tribes were first placed, and they were first displaced. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed. But those who are governed more by sense than by reason or faith in their choices, may expect to fare accordingly. NOTES TO CHAPTER VI. V. 1-30. The priests and Levites were more concerned than any other Israelites, to preserve their pedigree clear, and to be able to prove it; because all the honours and privileges of their office depended upon their descent. And we read of those, who, though perhaps they really were children of the priests, yet, because they could not find the register of their genealogies, nor make out their descent by any authentic record, were, as polluted, put from the priesthood, and forbidden to eat of the holy things, Ezra 2, 62, 63. 2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab cand Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua, 5 And Abishua begat Bukki, and Bukki begat Uzzi, 6 And Uzzi begat Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begat Meraioth, 7 Meraioth begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub, 8 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz, 9 And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan, 10 And Johanan begat Azariah, (he it is that fexecuteth the priest's office in the temple* that Solomon built in Jerusalem,) 11 And Azariah begat Amariah, and Amariah begat Ahitub, 12 And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Shallum, 13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah, 14 And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak, 15 And Jehozadak went into captivity, when *the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. 16 The sons of Levi; Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. 17 And these be the names of the sons of Gershom; Libni, and Shimei. 18 And the sons of Kohath were, Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari; Mahli and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites, according to their fathers. 20 Of Gershom; Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, b Ex. 6. 21, 24. ver. 22. e Lev. 10. 1, 16. d Num. 25. 11, 13. e 2 8am. 8. 17. f2 Chr. 26. 17. house. g Ezra 7. 3. hor, Meshullam, c. 9. 11. Neh. 11. 11. k 2 Kings 25, 18. tor, Gershon, ver. 1. or, Ethan, ver. 42. § or, Adaiah, ver. 41. or, Ethni, ver. 41. Tor, Izhar, ver. 2, 18. It is but very little that is here recorded of the genealogies of this sacred tribe. 1. The first fathers of it are here named twice, v. 1, 16. Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, are three names which we were very conversant with in the book of Numbers, when the families of the Levites were marshalled, and had their work assigned them. Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam, we have known much more of than their names, and cannot pass them over here without remembering that this was that Moses and Aaron whom God honoured in making them the instruments of Israel's deliverance and settlement, and figures of him that was to come; Moses as a prophet, and Aaron as a priest. And the mention of Nadab and Abihu (though, having no children, there was no occasion to bring them into the genealogy) cannot but remind us of the terrors of that divine justice, which they were made monuments of for offering strange fire, that we may always fear before him. 2. The line of Eleazar, the successor of Aaron, is here drawn down to the time of the captivity, v. 4-15. It begins with Eleazar, who came out of the house of bondage in Egypt; and ends with Jehozadak, who went into the house of bondage in Babylon. Thus, for their sins, they were left as they were found: which might also intimate that the Levitical priesthood made nothing perfect: that was to be done by the bringing in of a better hope. All these here named, were not high priests; for, in the time of the judges, that dignity was, upon some occasion or other, brought into the family of Ithamar, of which Eli was; but in Zadok it returned again to the right line. Of Azariah it is here said, (v. 10,) He it is that executed the priest's office in the temple that Solomon built. It is supposed that this was that Azariah who bravely opposed the presumption of king Uzziah when he invaded the priest's office, (2 Chr. 26. 17,) though he ventured his neck by it. done like a priest, like one that was truly zealous for his God. He that thus boldly maintained and defended the priest's office, and made good its barriers against such a daring insult, may well be said to execute it; and this honour is put upon him for it; while Urijah, one of his successors, for a base compliance with king Ahaz, in building him an idolatrous altar, has the disgrace put upon him of being left out of this genealogy; as perhaps some others are. But some think that this remark upon this Azariah, should have been added to his grandfather of the same name, (v. 9,) who was the son of Ahimaaz; and that that was he who first officiated in Solomon's temple. This was 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath; "Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, **Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth. 26 As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophaitt his son, and Nahath 'his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28 And the sons of Samuel; the first-born Vashni, and Abiah. 29 The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son, 30 Shimei his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son. 31 And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. 32 And they ministered before the dwelling-place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem; and then they waited on their office according to their order. 33 And these are they that waited, with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites; Heman na singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel, 34 The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah," 35 The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, 36 The son of Elkanah, the son of ***Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37 The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, 38 The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel: 39 And his brother Asaph," (who stood on his **or, Zephaniah, Azariah, Joel, ver. 36. for, Zuph, ver. 35. 1 Sam. 1. 1. I ver. 34, Toah. I called also Joel, ver. 33. 1 Sam. 8. 2. m c. 16. 1. stood. n Ps. 88. title. ver. 26, Nahath. 11 or, Zophai. *** ver. 24, Shaul, Uzziah, Uriel. o Ex. 6. 24. p Neh. 7. 44. Ps. 73, &c. titles. 3. Some other of the families of the Levites are here accounted for. One of the families of Gershom (that of Libni) is here drawn down as far as Samuel, who had the honour of a prophet added to that of a Levite. One of the families of Merari (that of Mahli) is likewise drawn down for some descents, v. 29, 30. V. 31-53. When the Levites were first ordained in the wilderness, much of the work then appointed them, lay in carrying, and taking care of, the tabernacle, and the utensils of it, while they were in their march through the wilderness. In David's time, their number was increased; and, though the greater part of them were dispersed all the nation over, to teach the people the good knowledge of the Lord; yet of those that attended the house of God, there was not constant work for them all; and therefore David, by special commission and direction from God, new-modelled the Levites, as we shall find in the latter part of this book. Here we are told what the work was, which he assigned them. While I. Singing work, v. 31. David was raised up on high to be the sweet psalmist of Israel, (2 Sam. 23. 1,) not only to pen psalms, but to appoint the singing of them in the house of the Lord; (not so much because he was musical, as because he was devout ;) and this he did after that the ark had rest. that was in captivity, obscure, and unsettled, the harps were hung upon the willow-trees: singing was then thought unseasonable; (when the bridegroom is taken away, they shall fast but the harps being resumed, and the songs revived, at the bringing up of the ark, they were continued afterward; for we should rejoice as much in the prolonging of our spiritual privileges, as in the restoring of them. When the service of the ark was superseded by its rest, they had other work cut out for them, (for Levites should never be idle,) and were employed in the service of song. Thus when the people of God come to the rest which remains for them above, they shall take leave of all their burdens, and be employed in everlasting songs. These singers kept up that service in the tabernacle, till the temple was built, and then they waited on their office there, v. 32. When they came to that stately magnificent house, they kept as close, both to their office and to their order, as they had done in the tabernacle. It is pity that the preferment of the Levites should ever make them remiss in their business. We have here an account of the three great masters who were employed in the service of the sacred song, with their respective families; for they waited with their children, that is, right hand,) even Asaph, the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea, 40 The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah, 41 The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, 42 The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, 43 The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi. 44 And their brethren, the sons of Merari, stood on the left hand:* Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, 45 The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, 46 The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer, 47 The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. 48 Their brethren also the Levites were appointed 'unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God. 49 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt-offering, and on the altar "of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 50 And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar "his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Úzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. 54 Now these are their dwelling-places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites; for theirs was the lot. 55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it. 56 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Ashtemoa, with their suburbs, 58 And Hilen with her suburbs, Debir with her suburbs, 9 ver. 21. w Josh. 21. Josh. 14. 13. 15. 13. r Ps. 89. title. u Ex. 30. 7. tor, Kuver. 4-8. such as descended from them, or were allied to them, v. 33. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were the three that were appointed to this service; one of each of the three houses of the Levites, that there might be an equality in the distribution of this work and honour, and each might know his post; such an admirable order was there in this choir service. 1. Of the house of Kohath, was Heman with his family, (v. 33,) a man of a sorrowful spirit, if it be the same Heman that penned the 88th Psalm, and yet a singer. He was the grandson of Samuel the prophet, the son of Joel, of whom it is said, that he walked not in the ways of Samuel, (1 Sam. 8. 2,3;) but, it seems, though the son did not, the grandson did. Thus does the blessing entailed on the seed of the upright, sometimes pass over one generation, and fasten upon the next. And this Heman, though the grandson of that mighty prince, did not think it below him to be a precentor in the house of God. David himself was willing to have been a doorkeeper. Rather, we may look upon this preferment of the grandson in the church, as a recompense for the humble modest resignation which the grandfather made of his authority in the state. Many such ways God has of making up his people's losses, and balancing their disgraces. Perhaps David, in making Heman the chief, had some respect to his old friend Samuel. 2. Of the house of Gershom, was Asaph, called his brother, because in the same office, and of the same tribe, though of another family. He was posted on Heman's right hand in the choir, v. 39. Several of the psalms bear his name, either penned by him, or tuned by him, as the chief musician. It is plain that he was the penman of some psalms; for we read of those that praised the Lord in the words of David, and of Asaph; for he was a seer, as well as a singer, 2 Chr. 29. 30. His pedigree is run up here through names utterly unknown, as high as Levi, v. 39-43. 3. Of the house of Merari, was Ethan, (v. 44,) who was appointed to Heman's left hand. His pedigree is also run up to Levi, v. 47. If these were the Heman and Ethan that penned the 88th and 89th Psalms, there appears no reason here why they should be called Ezrahites, (see the titles of 59 And Ashan with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs: 60 And out of the tribe of Benjamin; Geba with her suburbs, and "Alemeth with her suburbs, and Anathoth with her suburbs. All their cities, throughout their families, were thirteen cities. 61 And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities. 62 And to the sons of Gershom, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. 63 Unto the sons of Merari were given by lot, throughout their families, out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 64 And the children of Israel gave to the Levites these cities with their suburbs. 65 And they gave by lot, out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, and out of the tribe of the children of Benjamin, these cities, which are called by their names. 66 And "the residue of the families of the sons of Kohath had cities of their coasts out of the tribe of Ephraim. 67 And they gave unto them, of the cities of refuge, Shechem in mount Ephraim with her suburbs; they gave also Gezer with her suburbs, 68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs, 69 And Aijalon with her suburbs, and Gathrimmon with her suburbs: 70 And out of the half tribe or Manasseh; Aner with her suburbs, and Bileam with her suburbs, for the family of the remnant of the sons of Kohath. 71 Unto the sons of Gershom were given out of the family of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, and Ashtaroth with her suburbs; 72 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kedesh with her suburbs, Daberath with her suburbs, 73 And Ramoth with her suburbs, and Anem with her suburbs: those psalms,) as there does why those should be called so, who are mentioned ch. 2. 6, and who were the sons of Zera. II. There was serving work, abundance of service to be done in the tabernacle of the house of God, (v. 48,) to provide water and fuel; to wash and sweep, and carry out ashes; to kill and slay, and boil the sacrifices; and to all such services there were Levites appointed, those of other families, or perhaps those that were not fit to be singers, that had either no good voice, or no good ear. As every one has received the gift, so let him minister. They that could not sing, must not therefore be laid aside as good for nothing; though they were not fit for that service, there was other service they might be useful in. III. There was sacrificing work, and that was to be done by the priest only, v. 49. They only were to sprinkle the blood, and burn the incense; as for the work of the place most holy, that was to be done by the high priest only. Each had his work, and they both needed one another, and both helped one another in it. Concerning the work of the priests, we are here told, 1. What was the end they were to have in their eye; they were to make an atonement for Israel, to mediate between the people and God; not to magnify and enrich themselves, but to serve the public. They were ordained for men. 2. What was the rule they were to have in their eye; they presided in God's house, yet must do as they were bidden, according to all that God commanded. That law the highest are subject to. V. 54-81. We have here an account of the Levites' cities; they are here called their castles, (v. 54,) not only because walled and fortified, and well guarded by the country, (for it is the interest of every nation to protect its ministers,) but because they and their possessions were, in a particular manner, the care of the Divine Providence: as God was their Portion, so God was their Protection; and a cottage will be a castle to those that abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This account is much the same with that which we had, Josh. 21. We need not be critical in comparing them; (What good will it do us?) nor will it do any hurt to the credit of the holy scripture, if the names of some of some of the places be not just the same here that they were there. We know it is |