Albert Barnes

These were some of the descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem:

“The correspondence and the diversity between the account here and in Nehemiah Neh. 11:4-19 are explained by the probability that both writers drew from a common and fuller document.”

From the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin;

““Jedaiah,” “Jehoiarib,” and “Jachin,” are not here names of individuals but of priestly families. From 1Ch 24:7-17, it appears that Jehoiarib was the original head of the first “course,” Jedaiah of the second shift, and Jachin of the twenty-first shift.”

Shallum was their chief; he was previously stationed at the King’s Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites.

“Who hitherto waited - Translate, “Who to this day waits. These were the porters in the stations of the sons of Levi.””

Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives from the Korahites were assigned to guard the thresholds of the Tent, just as their…

“Shallum the son of Kore - A different person from the Shallum of 1Ch 9:17, and with a different office, namely, the guarding the inner doors of the temple. The original Shallum, Shelemaiah, or Meshelemaiah, was a Levite of the time of David 1Ch 26:14.”

The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages.

“The porters, like the singers Neh 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.”

Their relatives came from their villages at fixed times to serve with them for seven-day periods.

“See the marginal references. If the number of warders was, as stated in Nehemiah (Neh 11:19) 172 (i. e.”

Some of them were in charge of the articles used in worship, to count them whenever they were brought in or taken out.

“By tale - literally, “by number.” The vessels for service taken out of the treasury were counted, that the same number should be returned to the treasury after the service was over,”

A Levite named Mattithiah, the firstborn son of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with baking the bread.

“Mattithiah ... the first-born of Shallum the Korahite - This Shallum would seem to be the person mentioned in 1Ch 9:19, whose actual first-born was Zechariah 1Ch 26:2. Mattithiah may have been his eldest lineal descendant at the time here spoken of.”

Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night.

“The singers - No names follow, and it is thought that they have fallen out. Were free - “Free,” i. e.”

All these were heads of Levite families, chiefs according to their genealogies, and they lived in Jerusalem.

“Chief throughout their generations - The superintendents, that is, were the genealogical head of the different Levitical divisions, and bore special rule, each over those of his own blood and race.”

Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah.

“An almost exact repetition of 1Ch 8:29-38; and probably intentionally made by the author. In order to connect the genealogical section of his work with the historical, he re-introduces the genealogy of the person with whose death his historical section opens.”

Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

“The present chapter contains two facts not found in 1Sa 31:1-13 - the fastening of Saul’s head in the temple of Dagon 1Ch 10:10, and the burial of his bones, and those of his sons, under an oak 1Ch 10:12.”

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance,

“For his transgression - Compare 1Ch 9:1. The “transgression” intended is probably the disobedience with respect to Amalek, recorded in 1Sa 15:1-9 (compare 1Sa 28:17-18).”

Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

“This chapter runs parallel with 2 Sam. 5 as far as 1Ch 11:9, after which it is to be compared with 2 Sam. 23:8-39 as far as 1Ch 11:40, the remainder 1Ch 11:41-47 being an addition, to which Samuel has nothing corresponding.”

Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.

“The narrative here given fills out a manifest defect in 2Sa 5:8 where something has evidently dropped out of the text.”

Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.

“Strengthened themselves - Or “exerted themselves” - “strenuously assisted with all Israel in making David king.” This list of David’s principal heroes belongs, therefore, to his reign at Hebron. In Samuel the list is not given until nearly the end of David’s reign 2 Sam.”

This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one…

“Chief of the captains - Or, “of the thirty,” according to another and better reading (see 1Ch 11:15, 1Ch 11:25; compare 2Sa 23:8 note). Jashobeam was the commander of the first monthly course of 24,090 soldiers 1Ch 27:2.”

He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At the place with a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines.

“Compare this passage with 2Sa 23:9-10. Barley - In 2Sa 23:11, “lentiles.” The words for barley and lentils are so similar in the Hebrew that we may fairly explain the diversity by an accidental corruption.”

Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

“etc. The list of names here given corresponds generally with that in 2 Sam. 23:24-39, but presents several remarkable differences. (1) the number in Chronicles is 47; the number in Samuel is 31. (2) Four names in the list of Chronicles are not in Samuel.”

the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

“The sons of Hashem - It is impossible that this can be the true reading, since an individual warrior must be spoken of.”

Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men…

“This chapter is composed wholly of matter that is new to us, no corresponding accounts occurring in Samuel.”

they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):

“The skill of the Benjamites as archers is noted in 1Ch 8:40, and 2Ch 14:8. Their proficiency in using the left hand appears in the narrative of Judges (Jdg 3:15, and marginal reference) where their special excellency as slingers is also noticed.”

These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both…

“On the danger of the exploit, see the marginal reference note. This passage 1Ch 12:8-15 seems to be taken verbatim from an ancient source, the poetical expressions in 1Ch 12:8, 1Ch 12:14, being especially unlike the usual style of our author.”

Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the…

“Rather, “These are the numbers of the men, ready equipped for the host, that came to David, etc.” In the list which follows such points as (1) The large mumber sent by the trans-Jordanic tribes; (2) The large numbers from Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan…”

From Benjamin, the kinsmen of Saul: 3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to the house of Saul up to that time.

“For hitherto ... - Rather, “For still the greatest part of them maintained their allegiance to the house of Saul.” This is given as the reason for so few coming to Hebron.”