1 Chronicles 9: 1 – 44
I’m just a Nethinim.
9 So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. 2 And the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim. 3 Now in Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh: 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah. 5 Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. 6 Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren—six hundred and ninety. 7 Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah; 8 Ibneiah the son of Jeroham; Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 and their brethren, according to their generations—nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men were heads of a father’s house in their fathers’ houses. 10 Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin; 11 Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the officer over the house of God; 12 Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; 13 and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God. 14 Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; 15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; 16 Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. 17 And the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brethren. Shallum was the chief. 18 Until then they had been gatekeepers for the camps of the children of Levi at the King’s Gate on the east. 19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father’s house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the LORD. 20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him. 21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 22 All those chosen as gatekeepers were two hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office. 23 So they and their children were in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment. 24 The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south. 25 And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days. 26 For in this trusted office were four chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27 And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning. 28 Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count. 29 Some of them were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices. 30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. 31 Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans. 32 And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were in charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath. 33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night. 34 These heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites were heads throughout their generations. They dwelt at Jerusalem. 35 Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, dwelt at Gibeon. 36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 And Mikloth begot Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren. 39 Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. 40 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah. 41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. 42 And Ahaz begot Jarah; Jarah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza; 43 Moza begot Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son. 44 And Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.
Nethinim ("the given ones", or "subjects"), or Nathinites or Nathineans, was the name given to the Temple assistants in ancient Jerusalem. The term was applied originally in the Book of Joshua (where it is found in its verbal form) to the Gibeonites. Later in the Book of Ezra they are counted alongside the ‘Servants of Solomon’. It is likely that the Nethinim descended from non-Israelites.
In the Book of Joshua the Nethinim are mentioned in a passage concerning the 'leaders (nesi'im) of the congregation', the ruling assembling of post-exilic Yehud Medinata. The passage has been read as one that confers legitimacy on this class.
The Nethinim are mentioned at the return from the Exile and particularly enumerated in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7. The original form of the name was Nethunim and means "given" or "dedicated," i.e., to the temple. In all, 612 Nethinim came back from the Exile and were lodged near the "House of the Nethinim " at Ophel, towards the east wall of Jerusalem so as to be near the Temple, where they served under the Levites and were free of all tolls, from which they must have been supported. They are ordered by David and the princes to serve the Levites (Ezra 8:20).
Many of the names enumerated in Ezra 2 for the Nethinim appear to indicate a foreign heritage with nicknames appropriate to slaves. Most of the names of the parents suggest that the Nethinim could not trace back to any definite paternity; and this is supported by the enumeration of those who could not "show their father's house" (Ezra 2:60; Nehemiah 7:62).
So, after reading and studying this chapter I did my own inventory and understood that I mostly fit in with this group of people. All in all, I can say that it does not bother me where I fit in as long as I fit in or am one of The Good Servant’s flock. I take to heart the same words that a loved and faithful man of God said in the book of Psalms 84 verse 10, “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
9 So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they were inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.
This book is mentioned again in 2 Chronicles 20.34). It clearly included genealogies of the tribes, but no doubt also other information of which the Chronicler would make use.
These words both close the genealogies, indicating that overall they ended at the Exile (the exception was David’s line), and also introduce what is about to come. There is a clear recognition here that the Exile was a due punishment for sin.
In the previous seven chapters we have read of the way in which Israel, and the priests and Levites, were initially established in their cities, dwelling in their possessions and how Jerusalem had been populated. Now after the Exile we are told of those who once more dwelt in their possessions in the cities, and of those who once more dwelt in Jerusalem, in line with the previous familiar pattern. Israel was once more being established. It was springing up anew.
To the Chronicler it must have seemed like a miracle. All had been lost. Israel had been crushed and lay in the dust. But now it had been raised up and was alive again. The land was again populated with true worshippers of YHWH, and Jerusalem itself was once more inhabited.
There is good reason for thinking that this was written before the coming of Nehemiah, when Jerusalem was still in a period of transition. The ruined unwalled city was slowly being restored, but it contained large parts still not inhabited and in ruins, and the numbers who dwelt there permanently were comparatively few (Nehemiah 7.4). In addition, it was open to the constant harassment of raiders, and of local enemies of the Jews (Ezra 4.4; Nehemiah 1.3; 4.8). (Which was why Nehemiah determined to have it fully populated). Nevertheless, the Temple service required the presence of leading priests and Levites, and while they were on duty they resided in the city. But once their duties were over they retired to their local towns and villages to be replaced by those who had responsibility for the next shift. Of the Temple personnel only certain of the Nethinim (Temple under-servants) lived there permanently as a whole for they were constantly required to fulfil the menial duties of the Temple. The point is being made that Jerusalem was living again, and the Temple activities had been fully restored.
Later, once Nehemiah had returned, and the walls of Jerusalem had been built, he would arrange for Jerusalem to be fully and permanently occupied and made defensible (Nehemiah 11). But that time was not yet.
2 And the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nethinim.
Mentioned first is that of ‘Israel’ dwelling in their possessions, together with the priests, the Levites and the Nethinim (Temple servants). This was a necessary beginning after the return from Exile. The gatekeepers, who are mentioned later, are here included among the Levites (verse 26)
3 Now in Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh:
But in time, as in the days of David, Jerusalem was ready to be inhabited and awaited the arrival of God’s people, despite its ruined state. Those mentioned here are those who ‘first dwelt in Jerusalem’. This time it was indwelt by people from Judah, people from Benjamin, and people from Ephraim and Manasseh, who would set about building themselves houses amidst the ruins of the city. Many would have been families that had previously dwelt in Jerusalem before the Exile and saw it as ‘home’. But there would be huge gaps and much of the city would remain unoccupied. Others would have had a vision of a restored Jerusalem and have been determined to bring it about, even though progress was slow. These two kinds of people would form the main bulk of those who settled in Jerusalem prior to Nehemiah’s injunction. The tribes mentioned were the tribes who were of old nearest to Jerusalem. But they would turn out to be insufficient to ensure the safety of Jerusalem.
Those who had taken up residence in the city are now described, men who were determined to raise it from its ruined state. We do not know at what point in time this census was taken, but it was prior to the coming of Nehemiah, for Nehemiah 11 tells us of further people who took up residence in the city at Nehemiah’s injunction.
4 Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the descendants of Perez, the son of Judah. 5 Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. 6 Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren—six hundred and ninety.
Those of Judah who had taken their place in Jerusalem at this stage were chiefs of the sons of Perez, headed by Uthai the son of Ammihud; chiefs of the sons of Shiloh headed by Asaiah the firstborn, and the sons of Zerah in larger numbers under the chieftainship of Jeuel. In other words Jerusalem was partially inhabited by leading representatives of the descendants of Judah’s three surviving sons, with their households (which would be numerous), and by a larger number of Zerahites. The long genealogy following Uthai’s name illustrates his importance. The six hundred and ninety sons of Zerah were probably picked by lot to become inhabitants of Jerusalem, leaving the Shilonites and the Perezites to continue to inhabit the land. Alternately they might have been enthusiasts who volunteered.
In the time of Nehemiah’s injunction to inhabit Jerusalem more effectively (described in Nehemiah 11), a good number of Perezites would join the Zerahites (468 Perezite warriors - Nehemiah 11.6). These would be accompanied by further Perezite chieftains over whom were Athaiah the son of Uzziah, and Maaseiah the son of Baruch (Numbers 11.4-5). This was necessary at that stage to fully defend what had been a sparsely inhabited Jerusalem.
7 Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah; 8 Ibneiah the son of Jeroham; Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri; Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; 9 and their brethren, according to their generations—nine hundred and fifty-six. All these men were heads of a father’s house in their fathers’ houses.
Of the sons of Benjamin, along with their chieftain Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, 956 warriors took up their residence with their wider families. Later under Nehemiah they would be joined by another Sallu, the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed. This Sallu would be accompanied by Gabbai, Sallai, and Joel the son of Zichri, along with 928 warriors over whom he was overseer (Nehemiah 11.7-8), thus strengthening the numbers.
Nothing is said about the Ephraimites and the Mannassites. They probably settled in smaller numbers and were simply mentioned to make clear that the whole of Israel had an interest in Jerusalem. The bulk of returnees were from Judah and Benjamin.
The priests would necessarily establish themselves in Jerusalem from the start for they had to carry out their priestly duties. But a battered and partly ruined Jerusalem was no place to live permanently. Thus they probably had residences both in Jerusalem and in their cities. They apparently dwelt outside Jerusalem when not on duty. They could, however, be ‘residing in Jerusalem’, for they did so part of the time. However, while this ensured the smooth running of the Temple it meant that, if attacked, there would be a shortage of warrior priests to deal with the attackers. Under Nehemiah the same priests were required to become permanent residents of Jerusalem to enable the city to be defended.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin;
The three leading priests who initially operated in Jerusalem once the Temple was up and running were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib and Jachin. Jedaiah was Jehoiarib’s son and being named first had presumably at some stage taken over the High Priesthood from an ailing father. By the time of Nehemiah’s injunction Jehoiarib had died. In Nehemiah 11.10 the leading priests were Jedaiah, the son of Joiarib, and Jachin.
They took it in turns to oversee the priesthood in Jerusalem, residing in Jerusalem when they were on duty, and retiring to their estates when they were not. Later Nehemiah required their full-time presence in Jerusalem so that they could organize the defenses around the Temple area when it was required. They were after all the two men to whom the priests looked.
11 Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the officer over the house of God;
Next to them came Azariah the ruler of the house of God, the one who in general presided over the Temple (in 2 Chronicles 35.8 three men were ‘rulers of the house of God’, probably necessary in the time of Josiah’s reformation). Azariah too was one of the ‘chief priests.’ He was thus probably also a son of Jehoiarib, along with Jedaiah. In Nehemiah 11.11 he is named as Seraiah, but Seraiah and Azariah are regularly parallel names for the same person.
Azariah also appears to have resided in Jerusalem when performing his duties, whilst living outside when his deputy was standing in for him. He too was called on by Nehemiah to make his presence in Jerusalem permanent.
12 Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
Adaiah is also mentioned in Nehemiah 11.12 although here his line of descent is foreshortened (an interesting and certain example of a shortened genealogy with names missing). The fact that in Nehemiah 11 he follows reference to the ‘brothers who did the work of the House’, indicates that while important, he was of lesser importance than the four mentioned above. Welcome to the family Adaiah.
13 and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.
These men may well have dwelt in Jerusalem full time to look after the Temple permanently, although even some of them may have worked shifts, coming to Jerusalem from surrounding villages as they were required. Brave warriors were required to defend the Temple area when attacks took place.
14 Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;
As the chief Levite Shemaiah is also mentioned in Nehemiah 11. Here he resided in Jerusalem when on duty but would leave for his permanent residence when his service was ended. Under Nehemiah he was required to take up full time residence in Jerusalem. He would be very necessary in rallying the Levites if Jerusalem came under attack. Here it is made clear that he was of the sons of Merari, who was a son of Levi. Merari was one of the three main sub-tribes of Levi. Shemaiah was one of those who could trace his line back to its earlier days, a man of great authority.
15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph; 16 Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.
In the book of Nehemiah 11.17 Bakbukia is mentioned after Mattaniah as ‘the second among his brothers’. From what has been said above strict protocol appears to be being observed. Possibly they had died. But more probably they already dwelt permanently in Jerusalem and are therefore not in Nehemiah’s list.
Both would appear to be musicians (one is descended from Asaph, the other from Jeduthun). Here they only resided temporarily in Jerusalem when required. Otherwise they dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites. Later Nehemiah required them to take up full residence in Jerusalem.
The position of gatekeeper was an important one and a position of great trust. The chief gatekeepers would not be at the gates but would rather be supervising those who were. They had heavy responsibilities. They had to ensure that no one entered the Temple who was not qualified to do so. They also took responsibility for the Temple treasury and furniture and watched over the use of the Temple chambers.
17 And the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brethren. Shallum was the chief. 18 Until then they had been gatekeepers for the camps of the children of Levi at the King’s Gate on the east.
There were four chief gatekeepers because they had to watch over gates to north, south, east and west (verse 24). Their brothers were their fellow-helpers as gatekeepers. Shallum was chief over the four. He and his brother under-gatekeepers watched the east side of the Temple where ‘the king’s gate’ was, a name brought forward from the previous Temple. This was the most important gate. Akkub, Talmon and Ahiman watched the other gates. The gatekeepers had responsibility for the security of the Temple, and of what was in it.
It will be noted that in Nehemiah 11 there is no mention of Shallum, or of Ahiman. They were probably already in full time residence in the city in order to fulfil their duties. This was especially necessary for Shallum who was the chief gatekeeper. It was Akkub and Talmon, who resided in Jerusalem when on duty, but otherwise dwelt elsewhere, who were there required to take up full time residence in Jerusalem, along with their 172 ‘brothers’.
19 Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, from his father’s house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, gatekeepers of the tabernacle. Their fathers had been keepers of the entrance to the camp of the LORD.
Here we learn more about Shallum. He was a Korahite, for it was they who were responsible for oversight of the Temple and for ensuring that the Temple servants did their work properly (‘over the work of the service’). They had been entrusted with its security. So, he and his wider family were keepers of the thresholds, guarding the entrances, and checking those who moved in and out lest a stranger be found among them. In the same way their fathers before them had watched over the camp of YHWH, and had guarded the entry to the Tabernacle.
20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him.
Their status was enhanced by the fact that looking back in history, the godly Phinehas, the son of Eliezer the High Priest, had been responsible for them, and YHWH had been with him in it, just as He was now.
21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
Around that time also Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah had been gatekeeper at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting. He is mentioned in 26.2 as living in the time of David. The aim is to link these present gatekeepers with their prestigious history. As in the idealistic time of David, so for them
22 All those chosen as gatekeepers were two hundred and twelve. They were recorded by their genealogy, in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their trusted office.
The number who had been chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds of the Temple area was two hundred and twelve. They had been carefully vetted, and their genealogies had been checked. No stranger must take on this solemn task. After all it was originally Samuel and David who had, at different times, ordained the original gatekeepers. Once again prestige is added to their position. They were official gatekeepers in the line of the gatekeepers appointed in the time of Phinehas and in the time of David. They had to ensure that Levitical regulations were observed, and they had important responsibilities in the Temple. They had an office of trust.
23 So they and their children were in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment.
At all times, in shifts, they had oversight of the entries into the house of YHWH. None must be allowed to enter who was not qualified.
24 The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south.
This continues the description in the previous verse. These permanently dwelling gatekeepers fulfilled their duties in every direction.
25 And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days.
Here the situation is made clear. Their assistants did not reside in Jerusalem, but lived in villages outside Jerusalem, and they came to Jerusalem for seven-day periods from time to time, in order to fulfil their obligations and assist the chief gatekeepers. We are not told how far Nehemiah pressed them to become permanent residents.
26 For in this trusted office were four chief gatekeepers; they were Levites. And they had charge over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God. 27 And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning.
The four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, necessarily dwelt permanently in Jerusalem. They were in an office of trust and permanently resided around the house of God because they were responsible for its security. They not only kept under observation those who sought to enter the Temple, but also watched over the various chambers in the Temple which were used by Temple officials and for storage, and they watched over the treasuries of the house of God. And each day it was their responsibility to open the gates morning by morning. They did all this, of course, with the aid of their staff.
28 Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count.
Some selected from among them were responsible to ensure the safety of the vessels used in the Temple, and each day they were counted out, and then counted in again when they were returned for storage. Everything was watched over meticulously. Nothing must go missing.
29 Some of them were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices.
Their responsibilities were wide. Others were appointed to take charge of the Temple furniture, and the vessels of the Sanctuary, and to store and protect the fine flour, wine, oil, frankincense and spices which would be used by the priests. They would not, of course, be allowed into the Holy Place. That was for the priests alone. But they would take charge of them once they were outside the Sanctuary. We now have briefly explained some of the activities of the other Levites. These included being responsible for what was baked in pans, for the showbread, and for its preparation every Sabbath. These did not require to be made by the priests. It was enough that it was done by Levites. Others were responsible for, and were solely set apart for, the presentation of the music in the house of God.
A good lesson for believers today is to realize in all these duties being required to maintain the Temple is also occurring in churches today. There are many people behind the scene which do which many see as minor tasks but without them people would not enjoy their time of worship and the word of God.
30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.
In leading up to the responsibilities of the other Levites, other than the gatekeepers, it was important to make clear that there were certain tasks that they could not fulfil because they were the reserve of the priests. And one of these was the making up the holy spices used in worship and the preparation of the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30.22-38).
31 Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans.
Mattithiah, who was the firstborn son of Shallum the chief gatekeeper, was responsible for what was baked in pans (meal offerings), a position of great trust as he had to ensure that the correct procedures were followed.
32 And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were in charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath.
The preparation of the showbread was in the hands of the Kohathites. They prepared it every Sabbath.
33 These are the singers, heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.
A further activity of the Levites was that of the music for the Temple. A certain section of them were ‘singers’ (and musicians), here represented by the heads of father’s houses. They dwelt in the Temple chambers, and therefore in Jerusalem, being free from other service because they were employed in their work day and night.
Today we recognize the importance of musicians and singers. They help us to settle our hearts to enter in the worship of our Great God Yeshua and prepare us to receive His message from His word.
34 These heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites were heads throughout their generations. They dwelt at Jerusalem.
It was the responsibility of the heads of father’s houses of the Levites, their chief men, to reside in Jerusalem from the beginning, although not necessarily permanently.
The reigns of David and Solomon are seen as the prototype for the coming King who will establish a kingdom of righteousness, peace and rest, to rule over the everlasting kingdom.
Central to the whole section is YHWH’s promise to David that He will establish his dynastic house, and that the seed of one of his sons will establish the everlasting kingdom and will build a house for YHWH, not made of cedar, but of living people (chapter 17).
David mistakenly sees this last as an indication that he can, through his son, build a physical house for YHWH, and having sinned high-handedly by numbering Israel, commences providing for the building of the Temple as a kind of penance (there is no indication anywhere that David enquired of YHWH as to whether the Temple, which YHWH had previously refused, should be built.) It is possibly significant that this follows the passage where we learn of Satan’s attempts to deceive David. For there can be no doubt that whilst being at times a blessing, the Temple would certainly be the downfall of Israel time and again. It was Satan’s greatest deception.
But just as YHWH had taken on board Israel’s request for a king, which was contrary to His wishes, and had subsequently been prepared to bless that king if he had been obedient, so He takes on board David’s desire to build a Temple, and gives him advice in that direction, being prepared to bless Israel through it if they will be obedient. His one provison is that the Temple should be a symbol of the kingdom of peace.
In the same way the history of the Christian church is full of examples where man brings his own ideas into the overseeing of Christ’s church, ideas which God goes along with, but which in the end prove harmful to His people. He allows us to learn through our mistakes.
This subsection commences with the genealogy of Saul (9.35-44) and closes with a description of the death of Saul and the ending of his dynasty.
We are probably to see this genealogy, as an introduction to the final end of Saul and his sons as described in 10.1-14. Here we have a picture of his rise and fall, and yet of the continued usefulness to Israel of his descendants. It indicates that while God had punished Saul and had ended his dynasty, He had not wholly written off his house. This last would be important to many of the returnees from Babylon who were Benjamites.
35 Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, dwelt at Gibeon.
The house of Saul had its origin in Gibeon, the city renowned for its deceit in the time of Joshua (Joshua 9.3-27). Perhaps we are to see in this a premonition of what Saul would become. His ancestor, Jeiel, was ‘the father of Gibeon’, that is, its establisher after its inhabitants had been expelled, and its lord. His wife’s name was Maacah. The list of Gibeon’s sons here specifically includes Ner and Mikloth. Saul, descended from Ner, was a product of Gibeon.
36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.
The ten sons of Gibeon are here listed. Ner was the ancestor of Kish (named after Ner’s brother), and Kish was the father of Saul. In 1 Samuel 9.1 Kish’s father is named Abiel, but that is because Ner was not the father of Kish but his clan ancestor (in the same way as Amram was probably the clan ancestor of Aaron and Moses and not their father).
38 And Mikloth begot Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren.
Mikloth was noted for ‘begetting’ a descendant named Shimeam (Shimeah), who lived in Jerusalem as a clan leader in the days of David, in friendly relations with ‘his brothers’, that is, with the clan leaders of his own and other tribes. He was thus a supporter of the throne of David, dwelling there among his brothers, the tribal and clan leaders of Israel, whilst overseeing from there his brothers the Benjamites. He would appear to have been a faithful servant of King David. But Ner was especially noted in that he was the ancestor of Kish, the father of Saul, the first king of Israel.
It is important to recognize that David had much support in Benjamin even in the time of Saul. Jonathan had made a covenant of lifelong friendship with him (1 Samuel 18.1-4). Many of his captains in exile were Benjamites (12.16-18), together with three of his military units (12.29). Others were no doubt well disposed towards him even though they supported Saul out of tribal loyalty. It was only Saul’s followers, and those who were jealous of him, who opposed him. Thus, Benjamites could see themselves as an honorable part of ‘all Israel’.
39 Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.
Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul. So was Saul born into the world to become the first king of Israel Saul begat four sons, Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal (Ishbosheth). The first three were slain on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31.2), where Israel were defeated by the Philistines, and Saul himself died. After that Eshbaal was supported by the Israelite general Abner in opposition to David. The writer in Samuel gave him the name Ishbosheth which means ‘man of shame’, probably because his name included the name of Baal (which was originally also used of YHWH as ‘Lord’, compare Hosea 2.16, but was later seen as a thing of shame), but also possibly partly because he opposed David. Apart from this reference, and the parallel in 8.33, Eshbaal is totally ignored by the Chronicler for, as far as he was concerned, the dynasty of Saul ceased at his death.
40 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah. 41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. 41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.
Saul’s son Jonathan, the friend of David, had a son named Meri-baal (Mephibosheth). It was to him that David showed kindness ‘for Jonathan’s sake’ (2 Samuel 9.1). And we are now given in some detail the descendants of Meribaal, almost down to the Exile, a sign that God did not hold Saul’s sins against them but it was also a hint that Saul’s influence ceased at the Exile.
Meri-baal had a son whose name was Micah, and Micah had four sons, as named, who were no doubt all ‘mighty men’.
42 And Ahaz begot Jarah; Jarah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza; 43 Moza begot Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son. 44 And Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.
The descent of the line of Saul and Jonathan continues. The line ends with the six sons of Azel, and unless names have been missed out, this was well before the Exile. It is probably deliberate that Saul’s genealogy ends with six sons, while David’s ends with seven (3.24). Six was the number of man but seven was the number of God. Saul had been man’s favorite, but David was God’s. After this Saul’s line disappears into obscurity having served the house of David well. So, as we now learn of the end of Saul, it is with a recognition that his end was not the end of his house, which from then on served David, but it was the end of his dynasty.
