---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse 1 Chronicles 6:1. The sons of Levi — It has been well remarked that the genealogy of Levi is given here more ample and correct than that of any of t"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/1-chronicles/6"
---

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:1](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/1). ***The sons of Levi*** — It has been well remarked that the genealogy of *Levi* is given here more ample and correct than that of any of the others. And this is perhaps an additional proof that the author was a *priest*, felt much for the priesthood, and took care to give the genealogy of the Levitical and sacerdotal families, from the most correct tables; for with such tables we may presume he was intimately acquainted.

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:4](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/4). ***Eleazar begat Phinehas*** — As the high priesthood continued in this family for a long time, the sacred historian confines himself to this chiefly, omitting *Nadab* and *Abihu*, and even the family of *Ithamar*.

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:8](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/8). ***Ahitub begat Zadok*** — Through this person the high priesthood came again into the family of Eleazar.

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:10](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/10). ***Johanan*** — Supposed to be the same as *Jehoiada*.
***Executed the priest's office*** — Probably this refers to the dignified manner in which Azariah opposed King Uzziah, who wished to invade the priest's office, and offer incense in the temple. See [2 Chronicles 26:17-18](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/26/17-18).

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:14](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/14). ***Seraiah*** — He was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar, [2 Kings 25:18](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/18); [2 Kings 25:21](../../../kjv/2-kings/25/21).

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:22](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/22). ***Korah*** — See the history of this man, and his rebellion, [Numbers 16:1-33](../../../kjv/numbers/16/1-33).

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:28](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/28). ***The first-born Vashni, and Abiah.*** — There is a great mistake in this verse: in [1 Samuel 8:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/8/2) we read, *Now the name of his* (Samuel's) *first-born was Joel; and the name* *of his second Abiah*. The word יואל *Joel* is lost out of the text in this place, and ושני *vesheni*, which signifies *the second*, and which refers to *Abiah*, is made here into a proper name. The *Septuagint, Vulgate*, and *Chaldee*, copy this blunder; but the *Syriac* and *Arabic* read as in [1 Samuel 8:2](../../../kjv/1-samuel/8/2). The MSS. have all copied the corrupted Hebrew in this place. *Jarchi* labours to restore the true reading, and yet preserve the integrity of the text, by paraphrasing thus: "*And the second*, (ושני vesheni,) in respect of the first, he was *Abiah; and the second*, in respect of Abiah, he was *Joel*."
These, *Joel* and *Abiah*, were the two sons of Samuel, who administered justice so badly that the people, being oppressed, began to murmur, and demanded a king. See [1 Samuel 8:1](../../../kjv/1-samuel/8/1), &c.

Verse 31. ***After that the ark had rest.*** — The Targum says, "These are they whom David set over the service of the singing, in the house of the sanctuary, or tabernacle of the Lord, at the time in which the ark was brought into it;" that is, when it was brought from the house of Obed-edom.

Verse 32. ***According to their order.*** — This order is specified below.

Verse 39. ***Asaph*** — This person, with *Heman*, the sons of *Kora,* *Ethan, Jeduthun*, c., are celebrated in these books, and in the Psalms, for their skill in singing, and the part they performed in the public worship of God.
It is very likely that their singing was only a kind of recitative or chanting, such as we still find in the synagogues. It does not appear that God had especially appointed these singers, much less any musical instruments, (the silver trumpets excepted,) to be employed in his service. Musical instruments in the house of God are, at least under the Gospel, repugnant to the *spirit* of Christianity, and tend not a little to corrupt the worship of God. Those who are fond of music in the theatre are fond of it in the house of God when they go thither and some, professing Christianity, set up such a spurious worship in order to draw people to hear the Gospel! This is doing evil that good may come of it; and by this means, light and trifling people are introduced into the Church of Christ, and when in, are generally very troublesome, hard to be pleased, and difficult to be saved.

Verse 50. ***These*****are*****the sons of Aaron*** — We have already had a list of these, (see [1 Chronicles 6:3-16](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/3-16);) this is a second, but less extensive, and is a proof that the writer of this book had several lists before him, from which he borrowed as he judged proper.

Verse 54. ***Theirs was the lot.*** — All the tribes and families obtained their respective inheritances by lot, but to the sons of Aaron was the *first lot*; and so the *Syriac* and *Arabic* have understood this place. The first lot, says *Jarchi*, fell to Judah, that they might give to the priests and the Levites the cities marked below. See an account of the possessions of the priests and Levites, [Joshua 20](../../../kjv/joshua/20), [Joshua 21](../../../kjv/joshua/21).

Verse 60. ***All their cities*****- were*****thirteen*** — But there are only *eleven* reckoned here, *Gibeon* and *Juttah* being omitted, and the names of some of the others changed. None of the versions give the full number of names, although they all give the whole sum *thirteen*.

Verse 65. ***Which are called by*****their*****names.*** — Probably each family gave its own name to the city that fell to its lot.

Verse 69. ***Aijalon with her suburbs*** — There are the *two* cities wanting here, *Eltekeh* and *Gibethon*. See [Joshua 21:23](../../../kjv/joshua/21/23).

Verse [1 Chronicles 6:71-77](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/71-77). We shall see from [Joshua 21:28](../../../kjv/joshua/21/28), c., that several of these cities have different names.
How barren to us is this register, both of incident and interest! and yet, as barren rocks and sandy deserts make integral and necessary parts of the globe so do these genealogical tables make necessary parts of the history of providence and grace in the maintenance of truth, and the establishment of the Church of Christ. Therefore no one that fears God will either despise or lightly esteem them.

Verse 72. [1 Chronicles 6:71](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/71).

Verse 73. [1 Chronicles 6:71](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/71).

Verse 74. [1 Chronicles 6:71](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/71).

Verse 75. [1 Chronicles 6:71](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/71).

Verse 76. [1 Chronicles 6:71](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/71).

Verse 77. [1 Chronicles 6:71](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/71).

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