1 Chronicles Chapter 9    

“Now the first inhabitants who settled again in their possessions.” This is extra information that Ezra does not add about the return from Babylon. Although some commentators think that this refers to the first settlements in the Promised Land at the time of Joshua, the wording of 1 Chronicles refers to times after the Promised Land was settled by the Israelites.

“Israelites.” The people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel had not totally gone away with the Assyrian conquest. Israelites had been migrating into Judah for a long time before that, and the attacking Assyrians may have driven even more Israelites into Judah.

“the Temple servants.” These people, the “Nethinim” in Hebrew, were slaves that were serving the Levites in the work of the Temple. See commentary on Ezra 2:43.

“Shilonites.” These are from the town of Shiloh.

“ancestral.” The Hebrew is “father’s” but here it is used for ancestors. The men who were leaders followed their ancestry.

“the ruler of the house of God.” Azariah was the High Priest, and thus ruler of the Temple (cp., 2 Chron. 31:13).

“the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.” The “Tent of Meeting,” known as the Tabernacle, had one entrance and it was on the east side.

“permanent positions.” This is a meaning of the Hebrew word, which refers to being “faithful,” “established,” or here “permanent.” The KJV has “set office,” which catches the idea. The Koren Tanakh has “permanent office.”

“were to come in every seven days, in turn, along with them.” Every seven days the Levites who were on duty changed.

“lodged.” These Levites left their villages and came to Jerusalem when their turn to serve came up, and they lodged at night in the vicinity of the Temple rather than go back to their homes.

“over the key for opening it.” The Hebrew text has the word “key,” and there is no reason not to think that is literal, although many scholars think it is simply a way to express that these Levites had the responsibility for opening the doors in the morning.

“the articles used in serving God.” These were probably the vessels made of gold or silver, because they had to be counted when taken in and out of the Temple. These expensive vessels were in contrast to the common vessels and the other “holy vessels” that were used but were not as valuable.

“prepared the mixture of the spices.” Spices were blended for use in the Tabernacle and the Temple. See Exodus 30:23-25; 35:8.

“over baking the flatbreads.” There were a number of grain offerings (cp. Lev. 6:19-23).

“the Bread of the Presence.” The Bread of the Presence was large cakes of bread that were in the Tabernacle and Temple (see commentary on Exod. 25:30).

“prepare it.” This included setting it out in order on the table, not just preparing it by mixing it or baking it. The preparation included setting the cakes in stacks properly on the table in the Tabernacle or Temple.

“Esh-baal.” This is the same person as “Ish-bosheth.”