1 Chronicles Chapter 23
23:1. See the note on 29:22.
23:14. The term man of God stresses the nature of the relationship between god and His servant: he is God's man.
The term is often used also to designate a prophet. See the note on 1 Samuel 9:6-11.
23:28. A clear division of duties is detailed here. The Levites in general were to assist those descended directly
from Aaron. Those in the line of Aaron would continue to lead in the priestly ministries, especially in the worship
service (cf. Num. 18). As for the rest, in addition to their musical ministries (cf. 15:16-24), many of the Levites would
be occupied with the care of the equipment and physical facilities.
1 Chronicles Chapter 24
24:2. No mention is made here of the crime for which Nadab and Abihu forfeited their priesthood and were
executed (see Lev. 10:1-5). The high priestly prerogatives fell then upon Eleazar and Ithamar. See the note on 1
Samuel 2:31-36.
24:3. For Ahimelech, see the note on 18:16.
24:4. Because Eleazar had inherited the privileged status of firstborn, his line received double the amount of the
priestly courses (v. 16) that were assigned to the line of Ithamar (v. 8). The priests were thus divided into 24 groups
(vv. 7-19) which officiated at the worship services in turn, either one or two weeks at a time, twice a year (cf. 2 Chr.
23:8).
24:10. The division of the priestly courses of the house of Aaron was reinstituted after the return from the Exile.
The father of John the Baptist served in his day as the representative of the course of Abijah (Luke 1:5).
24:20-31. These priests apparently served as assistants to the sons of Aaron and were likewise assigned their
posts by lot.
1 Chronicles Chapter 25
25:1. The Levitical musicians were also organized by David, who was greatly concerned for the ministry of music in
the worship services (cf. 6:31-48; 15:16-24; 16:4-7, 37, 41, 42; 23:5). For Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, see the
note on 6:31-48. These, too, were divided by lot into 24 courses (vv. 9-31), corresponding to those of the priests
and Levites (ch. 24).
25:7. Apparently there were some 288 master musicians. First Chronicles 23:5 lists some four thousand musicians
in all. Therefore, since both master musicians and the lesser musicians (perhaps pupils) were available for the
drawing of lots for duty in the 24 courses of service at the temple (v. 8), probably some of each level of musicians
served in each of the courses.
1 Chronicles Chapter 26
26:1. The rosters here compromise three classes of Levitical duties: gatekeepers (vv. 1-19; cf. 9:17-27; 16:38),
treasury guards (vv. 20-28; cf. 9:28, 29; 23:5, 28, 29), and important civil and judicial officials (vv. 29-32).
26:12-19. The gatekeepers were assigned to their posts by lot. Parbar is perhaps to be equated with the Parwar
"court" (or "suburbs") of the Hebrew text of 2 Kings 23:11.
26:20. The Gershonites were charged with the care of the offerings and the implements of worship (vv. 21, 22; cf.
9:28, 29; 23:28, 29). The Amramites had charge of the consecrated gifts (vv. 27, 28).
26:29. The Levites also played an important role in secular affairs *(cf. 2 Chr. 19:4-11). All of Israel's life was to be
characterized by holy standards!
1 Chronicles Chapter 27
27:1. A military force of 24,000 men served on active one month at a time; hence, David's standing army consisted
of 288,000 men. The names of the commanders of these men follow closely those found in the roster of David's
mighty men (cf. 2 Sam. 23:8-39; 1 Chr. 11:26-47).
27:16-22. These are names of the tribal leaders.
27:23, 24. No census figure for the whole nation could be given, due to David's pre-exclusion of those under 20
years old and to the divine wrath that fell upon the nation in the form of a plague (cf. 21:6-14).
27:25-31. These officials administered the royal property.
27:32-34. These important officials served as royal confidants and counselors.
1 Chronicles Chapter 28
28:1. This is the third telling of the Lord's promise to David. The Davidic covenant was announced to David
(17:1-27; cf. 2 Sam. 7:2-29), was related by David to Solomon (22:6-13), and is now rehearsed by David in the
hearing of all Israel (vv. 2-8).
28:5. In a very real measure, the kingdom belongs to the LORD. Israel's king was God's designated early
representative (cf. Is. 52:7).
28:9, 10. Although David's charge to Solomon that he serve ... the LORD with a perfect heart (cf. Matt. 5:48) and a
willing mind (cf. Ex. 35:21, 29) was directed primarily at his son, his point was doubtless not lost on the assembled
congregation (cf. 29:9).
28:19. As in the case of the tabernacle (cf. Ex. 25:9; 26:30), so the temple was built in accordance with divine plans
and instructions.
28:20. See the note on Joshua 1:6-9.
1 Chronicles Chapter 29
29:2-5. See the note on 22:5.
29:3, 4. The figure mentioned here seems to be at variance with David's claim in 22:14. Actually, the huge
expenditure listed was an initial giving for the building of the temple. The sun mentioned here is a later gift over and
above what he had already donated.
29:6-9. See the note on 28:9, 10 (cf. Ex. 25:2).
29:10. David again shows himself to be a man of prayer (cf. 16:2, 7-36; 17:26, 27). Those who stand before God's
people should likewise be capable of leading them in genuine intercession and communion with God.
29:18, 19. David understands that God's covenant with him has been given by the promise-keeping God of
Abraham (Gen. 17:1; 26:24), Isaac (Gen. 28:13), and of Israel (Gen. 50:24; Ex. 3:15).
29:22. Solomon had been anointed as king previously in a smaller ceremony due to the attempted usurpation of
power by Adonijah. (See the note on 1 Kin. 1:38-40.) For the installation of Zadok as high priest, see 1 Kings 2:27,
35.
29:29. These are non-canonical source materials, which the author of Chronicles was, under divine inspiration, led
to consult. Many other such Hebrew writings are mentioned by the Old Testament authors (e.g., Josh. 10:13; 2
Sam. 1:18; 1 Kin. 11:41; 14:29; 2 Chr. 9:29; 12:15; 13:22; 24:27; 26:22; 33:19) and, doubtless, others existed and
were circulated as well. However, no claim can be made for the inspiration of all these now lost books, inspiration
being the Holy Spirit's particular work in recording God's revealed truth solely as contained in the canonical
Scriptures (cf. Luke 24:44; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; 3:2).