The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 238

and of the Levites, is constantly observed (eh. be the singers. Thie was the first step xii. 26, 27; xxvii. 17). The mention of the towards what we huve already rend in oh. six representative Levitical families follows. vi. 31-39, 44; ix. 33, 34 (where see notes). That of Xohath (ver. 5) takes the lead, Yer. 18.-:Ben. This word is either because, though seoond in order of birth altogether an accidental interpolation, or (Gen. xlvi. 11; Exod. vi. 16-19; eh. vi. 1- a remnant of some statement of the pa- 30), its priestly importance gave it always trouymic character regarding Zeohariah. first rank. To the same head belonged also Another indication of the state of the text three of the remainiug five families, viz. in this verse is to be found in the probable Hebron (ver. 9) and Uzziel (ver. 10), who were omission of the name .Azaziah of ver. 21, hroth,·rs, as being both sons of Kohath after Jeiel. It will be observed that no trace (Exorl. "i. 18); a•Hl Elizaphan, who, though of this word Ben is found in the repeated l!On of Uzziel (Exod. vi. 22), had come to list of ver. 20. represent a distinct family (Numb. iii. 30). Vere. 19-21.-The psalteries on Alamoth T!,e other two required to complete the s~ (ver. 20), and harps on the Sheminith to exoel .. re Asaiah (ver. 6) of the house of Meran, (ver. 21), are descriptions the exe.ct signifi- and Joel (ver. 7) of the house of Gerohom. cmnce of which is not yet satisfactorily The representatives, then, of these six ascertained. Yet their connection in a families, with the company of the brethren sei·ies of four divisions of musical duty does belonging to each of them, and the two throw some light upon them, These four priests Zadok and Abiathar (ver. 11 ), are verses manifestly purport to describe a now summoned into the presence of David, special part to be performed by those of to receive a short but special charge. whom they respectively speak. Geseuius Ver. 12.-Sanctifyyourselvee, both ye and explains psalteries on .Alamoth _to _mean ~uch your brethren. Kothing of the appointed instruments as savoured of vugm tone or obserrnnces of the Law are to be omit- pitch, i.e. high as 4::ompared _with the lo_wer ted this time, as in the haste and want pitch of men's voices. This lower pitch of nrerneditation of the former occasion he considers intimated by the word "She- (Exod. xix. 22; xxviii. 41; xl. 13; Lev. viii. minitb," litera_lly, the eighth, ~r octave. The 12; xx. 7; xxi. 8; 2 Chron. v. 11; nix. 15). added expression, "to excel, need scarcely These "sanctifyings" consisted of different be, with him, ~nderstood to mean "to take observances accordina to the person and the the lead musically," but may be read occasion, b~t largely of ablutions of ~he generally to mark their supassing quality. body washing of the clothes, and keepmg Ver. 22.-For song. There is consid_erabla sepa;ate from all natural and ceremonial diversity of opinion as to the meanmg of causes of uncleanness in ordinary cases this word. Some think its meaning to be of Levitical service. That ye may bring "in the carrying (t1~7'!:!)" i.e. of the ark. np the ark. The word here employed for Its exact position here seems D(lt unfavourable "bring" is not the same with the "carry" to such interpretation. On the oth~r hand, of nrs. 1 and 2. But the following verses its position iu ver. 27 seems conclusively to (13-15) seem to intimate that, whatever the point to the translation of. the_ Septuagint exe.ct reason for which Uzzah had been and of our Authorized Version ID this pince peremptorily cut off, the Levites ha<l also as the correct one. Dr. Murphy, however, been to blame in not sanctifying themselves to escape this thinks "with the singers" in to carry the ark by its staves in the way ver. 27 to be e. "copyist's inadvertent originally appointed. Ver. 13.-This verse purports to say that repetition." Ver. 23.-llerechiah and Elkanah, H the Levites bad been deficient in their duty appears from the following verse that there in the double sense of not having themselves was also another couple of doorkeepers (i.e. exclw,ively undertaken the removal of the persons to protect tho openings ot: the nrk, ark, and not having executed that removal that it should not be opened), viz. Obed- after the due urder. Ver. 15.-(So see Exod. xxv. 13-15: edpm and Jehiah. Ver. 24.-Between these couples probnbly Numb. iv. 15; vii. 9.) It ia plain the.t from went the seven priests blowing the trumpets the first stress was laid upon the rings and (Numb. x. 1-9). '-';hese trumpets_ were of the staves through them by which the ark solid silver, of one piece, wtire straight and was to be carried, e.s also the " table narrow and ha<l an expanded mouth. They of shittim wood " (Exod. xxv. 26-28) nn<l are fo~nd on the arch of Titus, and are the "altar" (Exod. xxvii. 4--7) e.nd the described by Jo,ephus. On the other hnud, " e.ltar of incense" (Exod. xxx. 4, 5). How- the trumpet more correctly ren<lered '' cor- ever, these rings and staves were not found net" (;o\iil' ns distinguished from our lil the permanent furniture of the temple, ex~ept only for the ark. n;J/\:i:n ), •wl;ich was used for proclaiming Vezs. 16, 17.-To appoint their brethren to the' jilbi!ee, for announcing the new year 0.11:. x'f. 1-29.) THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 233