Ver. 1. In the book of the kings.] Not now extant. This chapter, and 1 Chronicles 3:19,24, are noted for some parcels of the last passages, for history, of the Old Testament.
Ver. 2. Now the first inhabitants,] sc., After the return from captivity. (Ezra 1:1-2:60) That dwelt in their possessions.] The same they had before the captivity. A wonderful providence of God it was, that as the land kept her Sabbaths for those seventy years, so the country should be all that while kept empty, till the return of the natives: for we read not that any colonies were sent thither, nor any displaced to make room for these at their return. And the Nethinims.] Dedititii; these were the posterity of those old Gibeonites. (Joshua 9:3-17) [See Trapp on “Ezr 2:58”] Vocati ad vilia officia Deum respiciant, &c. Lavat.
Ver. 3. And in Jerusalem dwelt.] See Nehemiah 11:1,2.
Ver. 4. Uthai, &c.] See the same catalogue in Nehemiah 11:4-36, though with some alteration of names, as before often.
Ver. 5. And the Shilonites.] The posterity of Shelah, son of Judah. (Genesis 38:5) A Lapide.
Ver. 7. Hodaviah.] Alias Joed. (Nehemiah 11:7) Names are oft abbreviated.
Ver. 10. And of the priests.] He had reckoned four distinct orders or ranks of people among the Jews, (1 Chronicles 9:2) and here he instanceth the second order or classis; viz., Sacerdotalis: Priestly.
Ver. 11. The son of Hilkiah.] Who found the book of the law, which was presented to Josiah. (2 Kings 22:8-10) The ruler of the house of God.] Next to the high priest.
Ver. 13. For the work of the service.] Or, Men of work for the service, &c., that is, able and apt for the work.
Ver. 14. And of the Levites.] See 1 Chronicles 9:2,10.
Ver. 15. The son of Asaph.] Which Asaph is said to be the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer. (Nehemiah 11:17) [See Trapp on “Ne 11:17”]
Ver. 17. Shallum was the chief.] He was overseer of the overseers of the porters.
Ver. 18. Who hitherto.] Even till the time that this book was gathered out of the ancient chronicles. (1 Chronicles 9:1)
Ver. 19. Being over the host of the Lord,] viz, When they of old encamped round about the tabernacle, in the wilderness.
Ver. 20. And the Lord was with him.] To assist and accept him in his generous actions.
Ver. 22. In their set office.] Or, For their fidelity. Or, In their trust, committed unto them by God and the commonwealth.
Ver. 23. By wards,] i.e., By three distinct courses. (1 Chronicles 9:25)
Ver. 24. Towards the east.] The four parts of the temple answered to the four parts of the world. on Matthew 8:11.
Ver. 33. Were free,] i.e., Freed from all other employments.
Ver. 35. Saul’s race is here reiterated for some unknown cause, saith Diodate; for a preparation to the ensuing history, say others.
Ver. 44. These were the sons of Azel.] And here end the genealogies; the history followeth, and chiefly of David, in praise of whom this First Book of Chronicles, was especially written, as Vatablus observeth.