And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices. For though the Levites had the care of the spices, they might not make the ointment with them, only the priests, see Exodus 30:23 . read more
And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite ,.... Of whom see 1 Chronicles 9:19 , had the set office over the things that were made in the pans ; the meat offerings that were made in pans; and so had the care of the fine flour, oil, and frankincense used in them, which he delivered to the priests when necessary, see Leviticus 2:5 , the Septuagint version is,"over the works of the sacrifice of the pan of the high priest;'as if it respected... read more
And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath ,.... Twelve loaves of which were set every week before the ark upon the shewbread table, and the old ones taken away: now the work of these Levites was to make this shewbread, and get it ready every week to be set upon the table, and which was done not by them, but by priests; under the second temple, the family of Garmu was set over this work F1 Misn. Shekalim, ut supra. (c.... read more
The sons of the priests made the ointment - Only the priests were permitted to make this ointment; all others were forbidden to do it on pain of death; see Exodus 30:34-38 ; (note), and the notes there. read more
The vessels and other things required for the daily sacrificial service are here spoken of; the verses receive abundant illustration from various Old Testament passages ( Exodus 25:6 ; Exodus 30:23-38 ; Le Exodus 2:1-7 , etc.). read more
Mattithiah . The ubiquitous Shallum, that designates the family, not the individual, is probably here quoted, Mattithiah being at the time in question the representative son. The things that were made in the pans . The word here employed ( הַחֲבִתִּים ) is not found elsewhere, but other derivatives of the same root are often found (Le 1 Chronicles 2:5 ; 1 Chronicles 6:21 ; 1 Chronicles 7:9 ; 1 Chronicles 23:29 ; Ezekiel 4:3 ). read more
The shewbread ( מַעֲרֶכֶת ); literally, a pile , and hence applied to the cakes, which were piled in two rows (Le 1 Chronicles 24:5-8 ) "on the pure table before the Lord." read more
Mattithiah ... the first-born of Shallum the Korahite - This Shallum would seem to be the person mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:19, whose actual first-born was Zechariah 1 Chronicles 26:2. Mattithiah may have been his eldest lineal descendant at the time here spoken of. read more
1 Chronicles 9:30-31. The sons of the priests made the ointment This is added to show, that though the Levites were intrusted with the keeping of this ointment, yet none but the priests could make it. Over the things made in the pans Was to take care that fine flour might be provided, that when occasion required they might make cakes in pans. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 9:14-34
We have here a further account of the good posture which the affairs of religion were put into immediately upon the return of the people out of Babylon. They had smarted for their former neglect of ordinances and under the late want of ordinances. Both these considerations made them very zealous and forward in setting up the worship of God among them; so they began their worship of God at the right end. Instances hereof we have here. I. Before the house of the Lord was built they had the house... read more