hundreds (10 see Exod, xviii. 21/ 25; the Lord, is probably no mere reminiscence Numb. xxxi. 14, etc.; Deut, i. 15; 1 Se.m, of the temple or semi-sacred business (such viii. 12, etc.). Captains of the host (so as the gathering of the tithes, etc.), but Deut. xx, 9; Josh. v. 14, 15; Judg. iv, 2; rather the recognition of the fact that all I Se.m. xvii. 55, olc.). that pertained to the right clische.r"'e of the Ver. 27.-For such proceeds of we.r, see civil duties of an Israelite's life l;y within 2 Se.m. viii. 10-12, etc. that description. Ver. 28.-lt is, perhaps, somewhat re- Ver. 31.-This verse is e.t first si"'ht markable that, though the se.cred history obscure; but its purport is to say that the suggests to us numerous fit occasions for Hebronite family we.a, in the last year of the "dedications" spoken of in this verse, Davi,!'s reign, found at J'azer of Gilead yet they are not described in detail, nor which seems e. Merarite city (Josh. xiii. 25; even alluded to at tho times when they xxi. 39: Numb. xxi. 32), and that J'erijah occurred. Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab (eh. xxiii. 19; xxiv. 23) was then chief of ha<l then been unwittingly finding some of them. He o.nd his brethren were now the treasures now disposed to highest use nppointed to the superintendence of the two by David. tribes e.nd a half eastward of Jordan, while Vere. 29-32.-The chapter closes with "Hashabie.h o.nd his brethren" fulfilled some enumeration of those who were ap- the like duties westward of Jordan. The pointed to the outward business (i"l~N~'f~ number of those east of Jordon constituted ;i;iv•r:i~) over Israel, i.e. the secular or ci vie overseers seems large in proportion to those mentioned on the west; but we must bear ra.ther than temple business. in mind that the numbers of Chenanio.l?. Ver. 29.-Thougb the Authorized Version and their range of sphere e.re not stated. of eh. xv. 22 would make it appear very These will presumably complete the six unlikely that the Chenaniah, a "chief of thousand of eh. xxi<i. 4. Otherwise we the Levites," here spoken of we.s identical have but to full be.ck on the oonviclion that with the present Chene.niah, yet the other the present account is imperfect e.s well o.s translation of tho.t passage, and the view brief. that some take of it us describing one who Ver. 32.-Chief fathers. The number of he.d the specio.l ordering of the carrying of chief fathers mentioned in this verse lee.de the ark, would leave it more likely. For Keil to point out very justly that here ut the otlioers and judges, see eh. xxiii. 4 ; least the designation co.nnot mean anything 2 Chron. xix, 5-11. Tho too generic term beyond the fotllere of individual fe.ruilies- "officers" (Exod. v. 6-19; Numb. xi. 16, cannot mean the heads of those groups etc.) may be udvnntageously superseded by wllich a.re composed of ull the branches or tho word "scribes." These scribes o.nd relations of one house. They must have judges, it appenrs, were taken from the been heads of housellolds (1raTtpu), not families of Izhnr uud Hebron o.lono, without heads of fatherd' houses ( ,ra,,.p,af). The am- o.ny A.mra.mite or Uzzielite of the other biguity is owing to the uso of the words Koho.thites, O.t:!d without e.ny Gershonite or n\JNi"l •t,, in var. 32, tllo latter of whioh Merarite of the other Levites. Ver. 30.- Wore offioers among them of words ha'.e so often supposed the word n•:i Israel. The simpler translation wonld be, to precede it, coupled to it by a hvphen·: 0
toere f<rr the ruperintending of lBTael ( com- Adding the nnmbors of vers. 30 nnd 32, wo po.re the verb in ver. 32 ). On this side find e. total of Hebronite "officers and J'ordan westward; litero.lly, acJ'oss Jordan judges" nmonnting to four thousl\nd four toestu,ard, tile point of view boing from the hundred. The remaining sixteen hundrect Persian sirle. So Ezm iv. 16; vi. 6; viii. to complete the "six thousand" were dro. wn 36; Neh. ii. 7; but o.leo Josh. v. I; xxii. 7, from tho Gershon, Amre.m, o.nd lzh,., when tile point of view was that of those families. Some of the Uzzielites prol1a.,.• who ho.rl still to cross the Jordan to the helped the Hebronites. west. The expression, in all the bueiness of
HOMILIES BY VA RIO US AUTHORS. Ver. 14.-" A wise counsellor." Nothing more is told us or this person than is con- tained in these words; but bow much does even so brief a reconl imply 1 I. THE EVENTS OF HUMAN LIFE OF':EN CALL FOR THE EXERCISE OF WISDOM IN COUNSF.L. It is so in the Church, in order that provision may be made for spiritual wants, that employment may be found for spiritual gifts, that differences may bo composed o.rHI 11tren~th consoliJated, It is so in the world; for h~rnao society presents so many THE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [cH. xxv1. 1-32.
difficult problems, and folly and ignorance are so general, that only a leaven of wisdom can preserve mankind from corruption and dissolution. II. THOSE NOT PERSONALLY OONCERNED IN ANY DUSINESS ARE SOMETIMES MOST FITTED TO ADVISE. A wise man is not only wise for himself; his wisdom is intended by Provi- dence to be placed at the service of others. And the impartiality of an onlooker often enables him to take a wider view and to form a fairer judgment than can be possible to others more interested and excited. III. THERE ARE QUALITIES WHICH ARE SPECIALLY CONTRIBUTIVE TO WISDOM. These may be enumerated-natural sagacity, prolonged experience, knowledge, impartiality of mind, sympathy with human foelings, insight into character, etc. Such gifts and acquirements make a man "a wise counsellor." lV. Goo, IN HIS PROVIDENCE, IS EVER RAISING UP SUCH COUNSELLORS FOR THE SERVICE OF MANKIND. It has often been observed that, in the conduct of great movements, Provi- dence employs men of impulse and energy, and conjoins with them in service men of deliberate, calm, sagacious judgment. And it is not only in what are called great affairs that this arrangement is observable. Wise men ma.y be found in all conditions of life. • V. THE HAPPIEST RESULTS FOLLOW THE COUNSELS OF THE WISE.• They are the means of directing the young, of succouring the tempted, of guiding the affairs of Htate of promoting the peace of Churches, of advancing the gospel of Christ.-T. '