91 So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies ; and behold , they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel . And Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness . 2 Now the first who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel , the priests , the Levites and the temple servants . 3 Some of the sons of Judah , of the sons of Benjamin and of the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem : 4 Uthai the son of Ammihud , the son of Omri , the son of Imri , the son of Bani , from the sons of Perez the son of Judah . 5 From the Shilonites were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons . 6 From the sons of Zerah were Jeuel and their relatives , 690 e e of them. 7 From the sons of Benjamin were Sallu the son of Meshullam , the son of Hodaviah , the son of Hassenuah , 8 and Ibneiah the son of Jeroham , and Elah the son of Uzzi , the son of Michri , and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah , the son of Reuel , the son of Ibnijah ; 9 and their relatives according to their generations , e e . All these were heads of fathers' households according to their fathers' houses . 10 From the priests were Jedaiah , Jehoiarib , Jachin , 11 and Azariah the son of Hilkiah , the son of Meshullam , the son of Zadok , the son of Meraioth , the son of Ahitub , the chief officer of the house of God ; 12 and Adaiah the son of Jeroham , the son of Pashhur , the son of Malchijah , and Maasai the son of Adiel , the son of Jahzerah , the son of Meshullam , the son of Meshillemith , the son of Immer ; 13 and their relatives , heads of their fathers' households , 1,760 e e e very able men for the work of the service of the house of God .
14 Of the Levites were Shemaiah the son of Hasshub , the son of Azrikam , the son of Hashabiah , of the sons of Merari ; 15 and Bakbakkar , Heresh and Galal and Mattaniah the son of Mica , the son of Zichri , the son of Asaph , 16 and 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 Now the gatekeepers were Shallum and Akkub and Talmon and Ahiman and their relatives (Shallum the chief 18 being stationed until now at the king's gate to the east ). These were the gatekeepers for the camp of the sons of Levi . 19 Shallum the son of Kore , the son of Ebiasaph , the son of Korah , and his relatives of his father's house , the Korahites , were over the work of the service , keepers of the thresholds of the tent ; and their fathers had been over the camp of the Lord , keepers of the entrance . 20 Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously , and the Lord was with him. 21 Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent of meeting . 22 All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds were 212 e e . These were enrolled by genealogy in their villages , whom David and Samuel the seer appointed in their office of trust . 23 So they and their sons had charge of the gates of the house of the Lord , even the house of the tent , as guards . 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides , to the east , west , north and south . 25 Their relatives in their villages were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them; 26 for the four chief gatekeepers who were Levites , were in an office of trust , and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 9:1-26
Chapter Contents
Genealogies.
This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Revelation 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.