1 Chronicles 9

Chapter context

What is happening in 1 Chronicles 9?

memoryworshipgenealogyDavid

1 Chronicles 9 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Saul’s death. First Chronicles surveys Israel through genealogies and then retells David’s reign with special attention to worship, Levites, and preparations for the temple. Read this chapter with the wider themes of memory, worship, and genealogy in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

¹ So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. ² Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims. ³ And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh; ⁴ Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah. ⁵ And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons. ⁶ And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety. ⁷ And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah, ⁸ And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; ⁹ And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men were chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers. ¹⁰ And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin, ¹¹ And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God; ¹² And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; ¹³ And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God. ¹⁴ And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; ¹⁵ And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; ¹⁶ And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. ¹⁷ And the porters were, Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum was the chief; ¹⁸ Who hitherto waited in the king’s gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi. ¹⁹ And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry. ²⁰ And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him. ²¹ And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. ²² All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office. ²³ So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards. ²⁴ In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south. ²⁵ And their brethren, which were in their villages, were to come after seven days from time to time with them. ²⁶ For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. ²⁷ And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them. ²⁸ And certain of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale. ²⁹ Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices. ³⁰ And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. ³¹ And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans. ³² And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath. ³³ And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. ³⁴ These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem. ³⁵ And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife’s name was Maachah, ³⁶ And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, ³⁷ And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth. ³⁸ And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren. ³⁹ And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. ⁴⁰ And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah. ⁴¹ And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, and Ahaz. ⁴² And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza; ⁴³ And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. ⁴⁴ And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel.

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Glossary

Babylon Place v. 1: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Babylon.
Benjamin Person v. 3, 7: Son of my right hand. (1. ) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel ( Gen. 35:18 ). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place.
Jerusalem Place v. 3, 34, 38: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Ammihud Person v. 4: People of glory; i. e., “renowned. ” (1. ) The father of the Ephraimite chief Elishama, at the time of the Exodus ( Num. 1:10 ; 2:18 ; 7:48 , 53). (2. ) Num. 34:20 . (3. ) Num. 34:28 .
Meshullam Person v. 7-8, 11-12: Befriended. (1. ) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham ( 1 Chr. 5:13 ). (2. ) Grandfather of Shaphan, “the scribe,” in the reign of Josiah ( 2 Kings 22:3 ). (3. ) A priest, father of Hilkiah.
Jeroham Person v. 8, 12: Cherished; who finds mercy. (1. ) Father of Elkanah, and grandfather of the prophet Samuel ( 1 Sam. 1:1 ). (2. ) The father of Azareel, the “captain” of the tribe of Dan ( 1 Chr. 27:22 ). (3. ) 1 Chr. 12:7 ; a Benjamite.
Michri Person v. 8: Prize of Jehovah, a Benjamite, the father of Uzzi ( 1 Chr. 9:8 ).
Reuel Person v. 8: Friend of God. (1. ) A son of Esau and Bashemath ( Gen. 36:4 , 10; 1 Chr. 1:35 ). (2. ) “The priest of Midian,” Moses’ father-in-law ( Ex. 2:18 )=Raguel ( Num. 10:29 ). If he be identified with Jethro.
Uzzi Person v. 8: The Lord is my strength. (1. ) The son of Bukki, and a descendant of Aaron ( 1 Chr. 6:5 , 51; Ezra 7:4 ). (2. ) A grandson of Issachar ( 1 Chr. 7:2 , 3). (3. ) A son of Bela, and grandson of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 7:7 ).
Jachin Person v. 10: Firm. (1. ) The fourth son of Simeon ( Gen. 46:10 ), called also Jarib ( 1 Chr. 4:24 ). (2. ) The head of one of the courses (the twenty-first) of priests ( 1 Chr. 24:17 ).
Jedaiah Person v. 10: (1. ) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (2. ) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from Babylon ( Neh. 3:10 ). (3. ) Knowing Jehovah.
Jehoiarib Person v. 10: Jehovah defends, a priest at Jerusalem, head of one of the sacerdotal courses ( 1 Chr. 9:10 ; 24:7 ). His “course” went up from Babylon after the Exile ( Ezra 2:36-39 ; Neh. 7:39-42 ).
Ahitub Person v. 11: Brother of goodness = good. (1. ) The son of Phinehas. On the death of his grandfather Eli he succeeded to the office of high priest, and was himself succeeded by his son Ahijah ( 1 Sam. 14:3 ; 22:9 , 11, 12, 20).
Azariah Person v. 11: Whom Jehovah helps. (1. ) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah ( 1 Chr. 2:8 ). (2. ) Son of Ahimaaz, who succeeded his grandfather Zadok as high priest ( 1 Chr. 6:9 ; 1 Kings 4:2 ) in the days of Solomon.
Hilkiah Person v. 11: Portion of Jehovah. (1. ) 1 Chr. 6:54 . (2. ) 1 Chr. 26:11 . (3. ) The father of Eliakim ( 2 Kings 18:18 , 26, 37). (4. ) The father of Gemariah ( Jer. 29:3 ). (5. ) The father of the prophet Jeremiah (1:1).
Meraioth Person v. 11: Rebellions. (1. ) Father of Amariah, a high priest of the line of Eleazar ( 1 Chr. 6:6 , 7, 52). (2. ) Neh. 12:15 , a priest who went to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. He is called Meremoth in Neh. 12:3 .
Zadok Person v. 11: Righteous. (1. ) A son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazer ( 2 Sam. 8:17 ; 1 Chr. 24:3 ), high priest in the time of David ( 2 Sam. 20:25 ) and Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:4 ).
Adiel Person v. 12: Ornament of God. (1. ) The father of Azmaveth, who was treasurer under David and Solomon ( 1 Chr. 27:25 ). (2. ) A family head of the tribe of Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:36 ). (3. ) A priest ( 1 Chr. 9:12 ).
Pashur Person v. 12: Release. (1. ) The son of Immer (probably the same as Amariah, Neh. 10:3 ; 12:2 ), the head of one of the priestly courses, was “chief governor [Heb. paqid nagid, meaning “deputy governor”] of the temple” ( Jer. 20:1 , 2).
Hashabiah Person v. 14: Regarded by Jehovah. (1. ) Merarite Levite ( 1 Chr. 6:45 ; 9:14 ). (2. ) A son of Jeduthun (25:3, 19). (3. ) Son of Kemuel (26:30). (4. ) One of the chief Levites ( 2 Chr. 35:9 ). (5. ) A Levite ( Neh. 11:22 ).
Merari Person v. 14: Sad; bitter, the youngest son of Levi, born before the descent of Jacob into Egypt, and one of the seventy who accompanied him thither ( Gen. 46:11 ; Ex. 6:16 ).
Shemaiah Person v. 14, 16: Whom Jehovah heard. (1. ) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam ( 1 Kings 12:22-24 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:29 . (3. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (4. ) A priest ( Neh. 12:42 ). (5. ) A Levite ( 1 Chr. 9:16 ). (6. ) 1 Chr. 9:14 ; Neh. 11:15 .
Asaph Person v. 15: Convener, or collector. (1. ) A Levite; one of the leaders of David’s choir ( 1 Chr. 6:39 ). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a “seer”.
Mattaniah Person v. 15: Gift of Jehovah. (1. ) A Levite, son of Heman, the chief of the ninth class of temple singers ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 16). (2. ) A Levite who assisted in purifying the temple at the reformation under Hezekiah ( 2 Chr. 29:13 ).
Micah Person v. 15, 40-41: A shortened form of Micaiah, who is like Jehovah? (1. ) A man of Mount Ephraim, whose history so far is introduced in Judg.
Zichri Person v. 15: Remembered; illustrious. (1. ) A Benjamite chief ( 1 Chr. 8:19 ). (2. ) Another of the same tribe ( 1 Chr. 8:23 ).
Asa Person v. 16: Physician, son of Abijah and grandson of Rehoboam, was the third king of Judah.
Elkanah Person v. 16: God-created. (1. ) The second son of Korah ( Ex. 6:24 ), or, according to 1 Chr. 6:22 , 23, more correctly his grandson.
Jeduthun Person v. 16: Lauder; praising, a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David ( 1 Chr. 16:41 , 42; 25:1-6). He is called in 2 Chr. 35:15 .
Netophah Place v. 16: Distillation; dropping, a town in Judah, in the neighbourhood, probably, of Bethlehem ( Neh. 7:26 ; 1 Chr. 2:54 ). Two of David’s guards were Netophathites ( 1 Chr. 27:13 , 15). Modern identification: Khirbet Badd Faluh.
Obadiah Person v. 16, 44: Servant of the Lord. (1. ) An Israelite who was chief in the household of King Ahab ( 1 Kings 18:3 ).
Ahiman Person v. 17: Brother of a gift = liberal. (1. ) One of the three giant Anakim brothers whom Caleb and the spies saw in Mount Hebron ( Num. 13:22 ) when they went in to explore the land. They were afterwards driven out and slain.
Akkub Person v. 17: (another form of Jacob). (1. ) The head of one of the families of Nethinim ( Ezra 2:45 ). (2. ) A Levite who kept the gate of the temple after the return from Babylon ( 1 Chr. 9:17 ; Ezra 2:42 ; Neh. 7:45 ).
Shallum Person v. 17, 19, 31: Retribution. (1. ) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” ( 2 Kings 15:10 ).
Levi Person v. 18: Adhesion. (1. ) The third son of Jacob by Leah. The origin of the name is found in Leah’s words ( Gen. 29:34 ).
Korah Person v. 19: Ice, hail. (1. ) The third son of Esau, by Aholibamah ( Gen. 36:14 ; 1 Chr. 1:35 ). (2. ) A Levite, the son of Izhar, the brother of Amram, the father of Moses and Aaron ( Ex. 6:21 ).
Tabernacle Object v. 19, 21, 23: (1. ) A house or dwelling-place ( Job 5:24 ; 18:6 , etc. ). (2. ) A portable shrine (comp. Acts 19:24 ) containing the image of Moloch ( Amos 5:26 ; marg. and R. V., “Siccuth”). (3. ) The human body.
Eleazar Person v. 20: God has helped. (1. ) The third son of Aaron ( Ex. 6:23 ). His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas ( Ex. 6:25 ). After the death of Nadab and Abihu.
Phinehas Person v. 20: Mouth of brass, or from old Egypt, the negro. (1. ) Son of Eleazar, the high priest ( Ex. 6:25 ).
Meshelemiah Person v. 21: Friendship of Jehovah, a Levite of the family of the Korhites, called also Shelemiah ( 1 Chr. 9:21 ; 26:1 , 2, 9, 14). He was a temple gate-keeper in the time of David.
Zechariah Person v. 21, 37: Jehovah is renowned or remembered. (1. ) A prophet of Judah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly extraction. He describes himself (1:1) as.
David Person v. 22: Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .
Samuel Person v. 22: Heard of God. The peculiar circumstances connected with his birth are recorded in 1 Sam. 1:20 .
Kohathites People v. 32: The descendants of Kohath. They formed the first of the three divisions of the Levites ( Ex. 6:16 , 18; Num. 3:17 ).
Shewbread Object v. 32: Ex. 25:30 (R. V. marg., “presence bread”); 1 Chr. 9:32 (marg., “bread of ordering”); Num. 4:7 : called “hallowed bread” (R. V., “holy bread”) in 1 Sam. 21:1-6 .
Gibeon Place v. 35: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: El Jib.
Kish Person v. 36, 39: A bow. (1. ) A Levite of the family of Merari ( 1 Chr. 23:21 ; 24:29 ). (2. ) A Benjamite of Jerusalem ( 1 Chr. 8:30 ; 9:36 ). (3. ) A Levite in the time of Hezekiah ( 2 Chr. 29:12 ).
Ner Person v. 36, 39: Light, the father of Kish ( 1 Chr. 8:33 ). 1 Sam. 14:51 should be read.
Zur Person v. 36: Rock. (1. ) One of the five Midianite kings whom the Israelites defeated and put to death ( Num. 31:8 ). (2. ) A Benjamite ( 1 Chr. 8:30 ).
Mikloth Person v. 37-38: Staves. (1. ) An officer under Dodai, in the time of David and Solomon ( 1 Chr. 27:4 ). (2. ) A Benjamite ( 1 Chr. 8:32 ; 9:37 , 38).
Abinadab Person v. 39: Father of nobleness; i. e., “noble. ” (1. ) A Levite of Kirjath-jearim, in whose house the ark of the covenant was deposited after having been brought back from the land of the Philistines ( 1 Sam. 7:1 ).
Jonathan Person v. 39-40: Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1. ) A Levite descended from Gershom ( Judg. 18:30 ). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30.
Saul Person v. 39: Asked for. (1. ) A king of Edom ( Gen. 36:37 , 38); called Shaul in 1 Chr. 1:48 .
Hanan Person v. 44: Merciful. (1. ) A Benjamite ( 1 Chr. 8:23 ). (2. ) One of David’s heroes ( 1 Chr. 11:43 ). (3. ) Jer. 35:4 . (4. ) A descendant of Saul ( 1 Chr. 8:38 ). (5. ) One of the Nethinim ( Ezra 2:46 ).