1. Chronik 9:18 Kommentar

This chapter intimates to us that one end of recording all these genealogies was to direct the Jews, now that they had returned out of captivity, with whom to incorporate and where to reside; for here we have an account of those who first took possession of Jerusalem after their return from Babylon, and began the rebuilding of it upon the old foundation. I. The Israelites (Ch1 9:2-9). II. The priests (Ch1 9:10-13). III. The Levites and other Nethinim (Ch1 9:14-26). IV. Here is the particular charge of some of the priests and Levites (Ch1 9:27-34). V. A repetition of the genealogy of king Saul (Ch1 9:35-44).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 9 The genealogies of the several tribes being given, according as they were written in the books of the kings of Israel, Ch1 9:1, an account follows of those who first settled in Jerusalem after their return from the Babylonish captivity; of the Israelites, Ch1 9:2, of the priests, Ch1 9:10 of the Levites, and of the charge and offices of several of the priests and Levites, Ch1 9:14, and the chapter is concluded with a repetition of the genealogy of the ancestors and posterity of Saul king of Israel, Ch1 9:35.

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past,.... Over the host, over the Levites, and the chief of them; which is to be understood of Phinehas the son of Eleazar, in the time of Moses, who succeeded his father in that post, see Num 3:32 though some think, as Kimchi observes, that this was not Phinehas the priest, but a certain Levite of this name in this post; but since he is said to be in time past, it may very well be understood of him: and it also is observed: and the Lord was with him; inspiring him with zeal for his honour and glory, assisting and strengthening him to do his will and work, as particularly in the affair of Zimri, Num 25:7, the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord was for his help;'' this may be said for the encouragement of him that was in the same office now.

All Israel reckoned by genealogies, Ch1 9:1. The first inhabitants of Jerusalem, after their return from their captivity, who were chiefs of the fathers, Ch1 9:2-9. Of the priests, Ch1 9:10-13; Levites, Ch1 9:14-16; porters, their work, lodgings, etc., Ch1 9:17-29; other officers, Ch1 9:30-32; the singers, Ch1 9:33, Ch1 9:34. A repetition of the genealogy of Saul and his sons, Ch1 9:35-44.

The king's gate - That by which the kings of Judah went to the temple; see on Kg2 16:18 (note).

ORIGINAL REGISTERS OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH'S GENEALOGIES. (1Ch. 9:1-26) all Israel were reckoned by genealogies--From the beginning of the Hebrew nation, public records were kept, containing a registration of the name of every individual, as well as the tribe and family to which he belonged. "The book of the kings of Israel and Judah" does not refer to the two canonical books that are known in Scripture by that name, but to authenticated copies of those registers, placed under the official care of the sovereigns; and as a great number of the Israelites (Ch1 9:3) took refuge in Judah during the invasion of Shalmaneser, they carried the public records along with them. The genealogies given in the preceding chapters were drawn from the public records in the archives both of Israel and Judah; and those given in this chapter relate to the period subsequent to the restoration; whence it appears (compare Ch1 3:17-24) that the genealogical registers were kept during the captivity in Babylon. These genealogical tables, then, are of the highest authority for truth and correctness, the earlier portion being extracted from the authenticated records of the nation; and as to those which belong to the time of the captivity, they were drawn up by a contemporary writer, who, besides enjoying the best sources of information, and being of the strictest integrity, was guided and preserved from all error by divine inspiration.

the king's gate--The king had a gate from his palace into the temple (Kg2 16:18), which doubtless was kept constantly closed except for the monarch's use; and although there was no king in Israel on the return from the captivity, yet the old ceremonial was kept up, probably in the hope that the scepter would, ere long, be restored to the house of David. It is an honor by which Eastern kings are distinguished, to have a gate exclusively devoted to their own special use, and which is kept constantly closed, except when he goes out or returns (Eze 44:2). There being no king then in Israel, this gate would be always shut. Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 10

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 9 The genealogies of the several tribes being given, according as they were written in the books of the kings of Israel, Ch1 9:1, an account follows of those who first settled in Jerusalem after their return from the Babylonish captivity; of the Israelites, Ch1 9:2, of the priests, Ch1 9:10 of the Levites, and of the charge and offices of several of the priests and Levites, Ch1 9:14, and the chapter is concluded with a repetition of the genealogy of the ancestors and posterity of Saul king of Israel, Ch1 9:35.

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past,.... Over the host, over the Levites, and the chief of them; which is to be understood of Phinehas the son of Eleazar, in the time of Moses, who succeeded his father in that post, see Num 3:32 though some think, as Kimchi observes, that this was not Phinehas the priest, but a certain Levite of this name in this post; but since he is said to be in time past, it may very well be understood of him: and it also is observed: and the Lord was with him; inspiring him with zeal for his honour and glory, assisting and strengthening him to do his will and work, as particularly in the affair of Zimri, Num 25:7, the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord was for his help;'' this may be said for the encouragement of him that was in the same office now.