Albert Barnes

But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest.

“For the names of Solomon, compare 2Sa 12:24 note. The former name prevailed, probably on account of this prophecy, which attached to the name the promise of a blessing.”

For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted,

“By the “last words of David” some understand an historical work on the latter part of his reign, drawn up probably by Gad or Nathan (compare 1Ch 27:24; 1Ch 29:29).”

Whenever burnt offerings were presented to the LORD on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, they were to serve regularly before the LORD in the numbers prescribed for them.

“Though the Levites were not allowed by themselves to offer sacrifice, yet there were many respects in which they assisted the priests when sacrifice was offered. See 2Ch 29:34; 2Ch 35:11-12.”

With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service.

“Zadok and Ahimelech (rather Abiathar, see 1Ch 24:6) assisted David in drawing up the priestly courses, as the “captains of the host” assisted him in making the divisions of the singers 1Ch 25:1.”

Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.

“One sort with another - i. e., “the assignment of their order in the courses was made by lot to the families belonging to Eleazar, and to the families belonging to Ithamar, equally.””

This was their appointed order for service when they entered the house of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron, as the LORD, the…

“These were the orderings ... - i. e., “this was the numerical order fixed for their ministerial attendance in the house of the Lord - an attendance which was after the manner determined for them by their forefather Aaron, according to instructions which he received…”

Now these were the remaining descendants of Levi: From the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.

“The object of this second enumeration of the Levitical families (compare 1 Chr. 23:7-23) seems to be the designation of the heads of the families in David’s time.”

From the sons of Hebron: Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

“Neither “Hebron” nor “the first” is found in the present Hebrew text; but they seem to have been rightly supplied by our translators from 1Ch 23:19.”

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno.

“The sons of Jaaziah, Beno - Beno is not really a name. It is the Hebrew for “his son,” and is to be attached to Jaaziah. Translate 1Ch 24:27, “and the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son (were) Shoham and Zaccur, and Ibri.””

As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the…

“The principal fathers over against their younger brethren - i. e., “all the Levitical houses enumerated drew lots in their courses on equal terms, the older families having no advantage over the younger ones.””

All these sons of Heman the king’s seer were given him through the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

“To lift up the horn - Some take this literally, and consider that Heman and his sons played on the born in the musical services; but there is no other evidence that the horn was so employed.”

Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.

“With their brethren - i. e., “with others of the tribe of Levi.” Each son of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, was at the head of a band of twelve skilled musicians, consisting partly of his own sons, partly of Levites belonging to other families 1…”

They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

“As well the small as the great - Compare 1Ch 24:31. The lot was not applied indiscriminately to all the 24 courses, but was only used to settle which course of Asaph, which of Jeduthun, and which of Heman, should on each occasion be taken.”

And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

“Obed-edom and Hosah 1Ch 26:10 had been “porters,” or door - keepers, from the time of the bringing up of the ark into Jerusalem 1Ch 15:24; 1Ch 16:38.”

These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their brothers did.

“This verse is obscure, but its probable meaning is the following: “To these divisions of the porters, principal men, (were assigned) the watches, together with their brethren, for service in the house of the Lord;” i.”

The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons.

“The house of Asuppim - literally, “the house of collections” (see the margin and compare Neh 12:25 margin). A treasure-house of some kind or other is probably intended.”

Each day there were six Levites on the east, four on the north, four on the south, and two pairs at the storehouse.

“Toward Asuppim two and two - It is conjectured that the “store-house” in question (1Ch 26:15 note) had two doors, to each of which two porters were appointed.”

As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court.

““Parbar” must designate here the space between the western wall of the temple building and the wall of the court, which would be a sort of “precinct” or “purlieu” of the temple (2Ki 23:11 note).”

These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

“The divisions of the porters - The account of the porters here given makes them only twenty-four in number at any one time; 1Ch 23:5 states that the duty was discharged by 4,000 persons.”

Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was…

“The foundations of a sacred treasury had therefore been laid as far back as the time of Samuel, when the Israelites began to recover from their last servitude.”

Among Jerijah’s relatives there were 2,700 capable men who were heads of families.

“Rulers - This term is somewhat too strong. The same kind of office was assigned to Jerijah and his brethren in the trans-Jordanic region as to Hashabiah and his brethren in western Palestine 1Ch 26:30, namely, a superintendence over religious matters and over the interests…”

This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions…

“This verse is a general heading to the list 1Ch 27:2-15. The heading has been taken from some fuller and more elaborate description of David’s army, whereof the writer of Chronicles gives us only an abridgement.”

Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader. There were 24,000 men in his division.

“Dodai The words “Eleazar, son of,” have probably fallen out before Dodai (or Dodo). According to Jewish tradition, EIeazar 1Ch 11:12 was cousin to David; his father, Dodai, being Jesse’s brother. Mikloth was probably second in command to Eleazar.”

The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division.

“A chief priest - Rather, “the chief priest” - an expression by which is meant, not the high priest, but probably the high priest’s deputy, who is sometimes called “the second priest” 2Ki 25:18.”

The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.

“Asahel died before the courses, as here described, could have been instituted. Perhaps the arrangements of David in his later years were based upon institutions belonging to the period of his reign at Hebron.”