Verse 1

Full, satisfied, in the last year of his reign, and the 70th of his age. (Du Hamel) --- Cur non ut plenus vitæ conviva recedit? (Lucretius iii.) --- Israel. This example was much followed by succeeding kings. (Calmet) --- Yet this is controverted. (Houbigant) (Haydock)

Verse 2

Princes, heads of families, or officers of the army, chap. xxv. 1. (Menochius)

Verse 3

Numbered at the same time, when David caused his son to be crowned, and made these fresh regulations, ver. 27., and chap. xxvi. 31. --- Upwards, according to the plan given by Moses. David afterwards ordered people of twenty years of age, to begin to serve in the tabernacle, as it was now fixed, and consequently the labours were diminished. This tended to augment the splendour of the religious worship, and to edify the people, who could not attend so constantly, in person.

Verse 4

Overseers. Hebrew shoterim. Septuagint, "scribes." Others suppose "lictors and executioners," who attended the judges. (Grotius) --- These were functions from which the priests were exempted; (Calmet) so that the Levites alone are meant. (Menochius) --- Judges. They had to decide the causes of the people, 2 Paralipomenon xxix. (Du Hamel)

Verse 5

David. Literally, "he." Septuagint, "they." Protestants, "which I made (said David) to praise therewith." (Haydock)

Verse 6

Into 24 courses, like the priests, that each class might serve twice a year for a whole week, chap. xxiv. 31. (Tirinus) --- God had already made choice of the posterity of Levi; and David, with the princes, Sadoc, &c., disposed of them by lots, (chap. xxiv. 6.) to serve in the tabernacle, and in the future temple. (Worthington)

Verse 7

Leedan, or Lebni, Numbers iii. 18. (Menochius)

Verse 8

Chief, head of the rest; (Haydock) or all these three were chiefs, (Junius) no less than the sons of Semei, ver. 9.

Verse 9

Semei; perhaps (Calmet) sons of Joel. (Du Hamel) --- The brother of Leedan had four sons, ver. 10. (Menochius)

Verse 10

Ziza. Hebrew has "Zina," but reads "Ziza," ver. 11. (Calmet)

Verse 11

Children. All together were not more than the children of each of the preceding, so that they only formed one class. (Tirinus) --- It would have been too burdensome for them to have performed the same service with those who were far more numerous: (Haydock) therefore the sons of Semei were joined with the family of Leedan: (Calmet) or rather Jaus and Baria went together, as one family. --- Counted. Hebrew, "in one class, according to their father's house." (Haydock)

Verse 13

Minister. Hebrew, "to sanctify the holy of holies." --- His. Hebrew, "in his name," with solemnity, Numbers vi. 23. The Levites might bless the name of the Lord.

Verse 14

Levi, but not among the priests, (Calmet) though their father was an extraordinary priest, appointed by God to anoint Aaron, Psalm xcviii. (Du Hamel)

Verse 15

Eliezer. His being uncircumcised, had almost proved fatal to his father, Exodus iv. 24. (Menochius) --- First. He might have other brothers, (Calmet) though the title may be given to an only son, ver. 17., and Matthew i. 25. Subuel was perhaps (Haydock) chief of a family, (Calmet) and was appointed over the treasury, chap. xxvi. 24. (Menochius)

Verse 19

CHAPTER XXIII.

Verse 24

Old. See ver. 3., and Numbers iv. 3. --- And upwards; as long as they were able to serve. They were excused from carrying the tabernacle, &c., at fifty years of age, Numbers viii. 25. (Abulensis) (Menochius) --- To those who were turned of thirty, the higher offices were entrusted; while the Levites began at twenty, to exercise themselves in things of less consequence, under the direction of their elder brethren. (Tirinus) --- The kings might declare, by the advice of the Sanhedrim, what laws were of a temporary nature. (Grotius) (Du Hamel)

Verse 25

Ever. They will not have to carry, the sacred vessels about, as formerly. (Haydock) --- In order that they may not be idle, we must therefore provide them some other employment, ver. 28, &c. (Tirinus)

Verse 28

Place. Hebrew, "purifying all that is holy;" (Haydock) keeping clean all that is used about the sacred ministry. (Calmet)

Verse 29

And the priests, &c. This is not found in Hebrew or Septuagint. The Levites might prepare these things; though the priests alone were to offer them in sacrifice. (Tirinus) (Chap. ix. 32., and Leviticus xxiv. 8.) --- Others think that (Calmet) the priests received flour from the people, and baked it. (Menochius) --- But St. Jerome follows the tradition of the Jews, intimating that the priests sowed the corn, and did every thing about the loaves of proposition, Malachias i. 6. --- Flour, Leviticus ii. 1. --- Cakes, Exodus xxix. 2. --- Roasting the first-fruits, Leviticus ii. 14. (Menochius) --- Measure. A standard was kept in the temple, (Exodus xxx. 13.; Calmet) to prevent any fraud. The Ediles at Rome performed the same office. (Tirinus) --- There were not two measures in the country, as that would have caused confusion. (Du Hamel)

Verse 30

And the Levites. This also is omitted in Hebrew, "and to stand," &c., as all the preceding offices pertained to the Levites, (Haydock) and priests were bound equally with them to praise the Lord.

Verse 31

Lord. Music accompanied this service twice a day, as it did the sacrifices which were offered for the prince, or for the nation, Numbers x. 10. (Calmet) --- Rest. Hebrew, "the set festivals, by number, according to the order prescribed unto them continually," &c. (Haydock)

Verse 32

Brethren. Let them follow the directions of the high priests, who are of the same tribe. (Menochius)