Ver. 2. Of the of Kohath.] Kohath was not Levi’s firstborn, but Gershom: and yet he hath the pre-eminence, and chief charge, as of the ark, tables, candlestick, altars, &c., (Numbers 3:31) perhaps because Moses and Aaron were of that family.
Ver. 3. To do the work.] The work of the ministry is not an idle man’s occupation, but a labouring even to lassitude; compared therefore to harvest work, and to that of cleaving wood, digging in mine pits, rowing with oars, &c. All the comfort is, that God that helped the Levites to bear the ark of the covenant, (1 Chronicles 15:26) will not be wanting to his weak, but willing servants, “that labour in the word and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17)
Ver. 5. And when the camp setteth forward.] Which was not till the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle, by the Lord, (Numbers 10:11,12) who went before them. Semper memento illud Pythagoricum, Επον θεω, Let God lead us, and we cannot miscarry. Boetius.
Ver. 8. And cover the same.] It is well observed, that only the ark (representing Christ), and the table with show bread, (representing the Church), had three coverings; all the other holy things had but two, for “a covert from storm and from rain.” Thus, “upon all the glory shall be a defence.” (Isaiah 4:5,6)
Ver. 13. The ashes from the altar.] The fire from heaven was also carefully kept alive, (Leviticus 6:12) though nothing be here said of it.
Ver. 15. Lest they die.] As Uzzah did. (1 Chronicles 13:10) The burden of the sons of Kohath.] Who, as they had the honos, so the onus See Numbers 4:1. “ Fructus honos oneris, fructus honoris onus. ”
Ver. 16. And to the office of Eleazar.] Called therefore prince of the princes of the Levites. (Numbers 3:32)
Ver. 18. Cut ye not off,] i.e., Cause them not, by your default, to be cut off. Heed must be taken, that we neither give offence carelessly, nor take offence causelessly.
Ver. 20. But they shall not go in to see.] The men of Bethshemesh paid for their peeping. (1 Samuel 6:9) Search not into God’s secrets: hic oportet mirari, non rimari (Deuteronomy 29:29) Remember that saying of Xenocrates the philosopher: Nihil interesse, pedesne quisquam, an oculos in aliena domo ponat, It is as great unmannerliness to pry into another man’s house as to press into it. Plutarch, De Curiosit.
Ver. 30. From thirty years.] The Greek hath it, from twenty-five years: for then they began to be learners and probationers; and at thirty, they set upon the service. See Numbers 8:24. In their old age they had leave to retire.
Ver. 32. By name ye shall reckon.] That all might be ready and forthcoming, when the sanctuary was set up again. Christ “knoweth” and “calleth” all his “by name,” (John 10:3) not the meanest of them is missing. (John 17:12)
Ver. 44. Three thousand and two hundred.] By this diversity of number among the Levite families, God showeth his wisdom, saith an interpreter, in fitting men for the work, whereunto he hath appointed them, whether it requireth multitude or gifts. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, &c., dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:8,12) It is reported, that in Luther’s house was found written, Res et verba Philippus, res sine verbis Lutherus, verba sine re Erasmus, Melancthon hath both matter and words; Luther hath matter, but wants words; Erasmus hath words, but wants matter. Every one hath his own share: all are not alike gifted.
Ver. 48. Eight thousand, &c.] What a poor few were these to the other tribes! God’s portion is ever the least.