Bible Commentaries

Particulars respecting various Temple Officials

1. The divisions of the porters] i.e. the courses of the gate-keepers or sentries who stood on guard at the entrances of the Temple. They were drawn from three families, Meshelemiah (the 'Shallum' of 1 Chronicles 9:19), Obededom, and Hosah. Asaph] the 'Ebiasaph' of 1 Chronicles 9:19.

5. For God blessed him] see 1 Chronicles 13:14. The blessing consisted in the number of his children: cp. Genesis 1:28; Genesis 24:60.

13. For every gate] Though the Temple was not yet built, David is regarded as having settled the plan of it: see 1 Chronicles 28:11.

14. Shelemiah] the 'Meshelemiah' of 1 Chronicles 28:1, 1 Chronicles 28:2.

15. The house of Asuppim] RV 'the storehouse,' and so in 1 Chronicles 28:17.

16. To Shuppim and] the name Shuppim is an accidental repetition of the previous 'Asuppim.' To each of the three families of porters were allotted the gates on one of the four sides of the house, the gates on the fourth side being assigned to the eldest son of Meshelemiah. The gate Shallecheth has not been identified. The causeway] some road leading up the Temple hill.

18. Parbar] RM 'the Precinct,' possibly a colonnade or portico.

25. His brethren] i.e. his cousins.

27. Out of the spoils] So in Joshua's time, the spoils of Jericho were put into the treasury of the Lord: Joshua 6:24.

30. On this side Jordan westward] RV 'beyond Jordan westward': an expression which indicates that the writer did not live in Palestine.

31. Jazer of Gilead] a town in the territory of God: Joshua 13:25; Joshua 21:39.