Matthew Henry on 1 Chronicles 9:14-34
We have here a further account of the good posture which the affairs of religion were put into immediately upon the return of the people out of Babylon. They had smarted for their former neglect of ordinances and under the late want of ordinances. Both these considerations made them very zealous and forward in setting up the worship of God among them; so they began their worship of God at the right end. Instances hereof we have here.
I. Before the house of the Lord was built they had the house of the tabernacle, a plain and movable tent, which they made use of in the mean time. Those that cannot yet reach to have a temple must not be without a tabernacle, but be thankful for that and make th…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 9:18
the king's gate--The king had a gate from his palace into the temple (Kg2 16:18), which doubtless was kept constantly closed except for the monarch's use; and although there was no king in Israel on the return from the captivity, yet the old ceremonial was kept up, probably in the hope that the scepter would, ere long, be restored to the house of David. It is an honor by which Eastern kings are distinguished, to have a gate exclusively devoted to their own special use, and which is kept constantly closed, except when he goes out or returns (Eze 44:2). There being no king then in Israel, this gate would be always shut.
Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 10
Adam Clarke on 1 Chronicles 9:20
And Phinehas - The Targum says, "And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, was ruler over them from ancient times, from the day in which the tabernacle was set up in the wilderness; and the Word of the Lord was his assistant."
John Gill on 1 Chronicles 9:27
And they lodged round about the house of God,.... In chambers on the outward wall about it, that they might be near to do their office:
because the charge was upon them; to guard the house:
and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them; that is, the opening of the doors of the mountain of the house, and the court of women; for as for others, that appertained to the priests, as Dr. Lightfoot (u) observes; under the second temple, it is said (w), Ben Geber was over the shutting of the gates in the evening, and so of opening in the morning.
(u) Temple-Service, c. 7. sect. 1.((w) Misn. Shekalim, c. 5. sect. 1.
