1.
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
Nehemiah 11:1. The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem— Observing that the number of the inhabitants of Jerusalem was too few, Nehemiah had ordered that the principal men of the nation should, by way of example, fix their habitations there; causing at the same time the rest to cast lots, whereby a tenth part of the whole people of Judah and Benjamin became obliged to dwell at Jerusalem, though those who came voluntarily were better received. One reason why the bulk of the Jews, who were generally shepherds, and lovers of agriculture, might rather choose to live in the country than at Jerusalem, was, because it was more suited to their genius and manner of life; but at this time their enemies were so enraged to see the walls built again, and so restless in their designs to keep the city from rising to its former splendor, that it terrified many from coming to dwell there, thinking themselves more safe in the country, where their enemies had no pretence to disturb them. Though the casting of lots is certainly forbidden where the thing is done out of a spirit of superstition, or with a design to tempt God; yet on some occasions it is enjoined by God himself; and the most holy persons both in the Old and New Testament have practised it in particular cases. The wise man acknowledges the usefulness of this custom when he tells us, that the lot causeth contention to cease, and parteth between the mighty, Proverbs 18:18.; and therefore it was no bad policy, as things now stood, to take this method of division; since the lot, which all allowed was under the divine direction, falling upon such a person rather than another, would be a great mean, no doubt, of making him remove more contentedly into the city. See Le Clerc and Calmet.
2.
And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
3.
Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.
4.
And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;
5.
And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
6.
All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
7.
And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah.
8.
And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
9.
And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
10.
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
11.
Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.
12.
And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
13.
And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14.
And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.
15.
Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16.
And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
17.
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Nehemiah 11:17. Was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer— Presided over the hymns and praises in prayer. Houbigant.
18.
All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.
19.
Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.
20.
And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
21.
But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.
22.
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.
23.
For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
Nehemiah 11:23. It was the king's commandment, &c.— 1:e. As it is generally thought, the commandment of the king of Persia, who, out of his great munificence, gave it for their better support; it being common in all countries to have a particular regard for those who sung hymns in praise of their gods. Houbigant renders the words, was at the king's hand, in the next verse, was the king's minister.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Jerusalem, the holy city, though now walled, and the temple service carried on, was but thinly inhabited. Note; (1.) The fear of man deters many from dwelling in the holy city. (2.) Selfish ends and private advantages are generally more powerful inducements than God's glory, and the interests of his church and people. To remedy this evil, we have the steps taken to replenish it with inhabitants.
1. The rulers of the people, with their families and attendants, fixed there, as the duty of their office required, and as an encouragement to others to follow their example. Note; (1.) They whom God distinguishes with honour should distinguish themselves by zeal for his cause. (2.) A great and good example is very prevalent.
2. Many voluntarily offered themselves, and received the deserved commendations of their brethren, who could not but praise that generous self-denial which they cared not to imitate. Note; (1.) Many more will commend what is excellent than copy it. (2.) They who, for God's glory, forego their own advantage, shall never lose their reward.
24.
And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.
25.
And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,
26.
And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,
27.
And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and in the villages thereof,
28.
And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
29.
And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
30.
Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
31.
The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages,
32.
And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33.
Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34.
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35.
Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36.
And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.