The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 128

Vers. 1-44.-Geneal-Ogy of the returned exiles. This chapter records the genealogies of Israel when, as exiles, they had returned from Dabylon. Almost all tho names recur in Nehemiah (xL). God':. people may be scattered and downtrodden and degraded in strange lands, but he bas his eye on each, and their names are in the book of life. Not one shall be missing when the Lord shall gather his own again in that land where they shall return to ~o no more out. The servants of God had each their work appor- tioned. Some had the charge of pans ; some had to number the vessels; some to carry them in and out. Some were porters at the door of the house of God; some porters at the king's gate; some "keepers of the entry ; " some to oversee the vessels; soma makers of "the ointment of the spices;" and some had the more exalted office of rulers of tbe house of God. Thus the occupation of each was widely different, but each one had his , lace iu the vineyard, some exalted, some humble. Oh to be able to say, in whatever position of life God may place us, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Let each one fill his post, however humble it may be, and "do it heartily as unto the Lord." The reward will be given, not according to the dignity of the post, but according to tLe faitlifulness of the servant. "De thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." There is one service in this list which is worthy of note. lt is that of the Levited who were singers. They were free because they were in the chambers of the house of God, and their work was to praise day and night (ver. 33). Surely praise is for all times, and is associated with freedom in the highest sense of the word. The soul that has been "made free" can sing; and praise, unlike prayer, will never end. 11 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." None can praise but those whom "the truth" has made II free," and they can sing, like Paul and Silas, even in a dungeon. These arc the true Levites. They are indeed in "the chambers "-the secret places of God's love. The service of praise is indeed "upon them" (margin). They must praise. They cannot do otherwise. Thoy know Jesus. They see him. And they look forward to that time when they shall praise him "as they ought." God hasten that glorious time, when heaven and earth shall be vocal with praise, and Jesus shall be the Object of it for ever!-W. Ver. 2.-Returned captives. The allusion made here to those who were the first to reoccupy their ancestral possessions in the Holy Land, may serve to introduce the subject of the returned captives, and may set us upon learning the permanent lessons of their restoration. Some account may be given of the moral ancl religious condition of the Jewish people while in Dabylon; of the literary, national, and religions influences exerted upon them by the associations of their captivity; of their measure of fitness on. IX, 1-4.4.] 'l'HE FIHS'l' BOOK OF 'rllE CHRONICLES. 119