THE GENRALOGIES AND THE RETURN FROM CAPTIVITY RECORDING THE END OF GENEALOGIES Historically, this chapter comes at the end the second book of Chronicles; But by putting it here, the author intends to confirm that the return from captivity is an extension of the Israelite nation; And that God, in His love for His people, does not wish to separate between the people before captivity and after it. And the way, the worship in the tabernacle of meeting and the temple, before the captivity, was characterized by order, together with joy and exultation, So it will remain after captivity. The author put this chapter here, to show his care for the people in his time, and their need as a nation for the return to God, so that what dwelt upon their fathers, who fell into captivity because of their idol-worship, would not dwell upon them;. The author feared lest those returning from captivity, would get preoccupied with the formal reforms, and with care for material issues at the expense of the divine commandment. In the previous chapter we saw the beginning of royalty according to the body (Saul). Here, the author shows us the ultimate desolation of the people; when Judah was captivated to Babylon because of their treason against God. According to human mind, Judah, geographically, was on the way between Babylon and Egypt, at a serious location between two strong competitive nations; Yet its desolation was not because of its geographical location, nor of taking the side of one of them against the other; as much as it was because of its treason against God. Here in this chapter, he talks about the return of a weak few to Jerusalem and Judah, as mentioned in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. This chapter came bound to the eleventh chapter of the book of Nehemiah, although differs from it in significance. Here, the author reveals what is not proclaimed by Nehemiah; namely that some of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh, who were probably left in the land of Canaan after the captivation of their tribes, came to Jerusalem and resided in it together with the children of Judah and Benjamin. The ninth chapter binds between the past, since Adam, until the fall of Jerusalem and the captivation of Israel, and the present with the return of some from captivity. If the past of Israel was glorious, captivity would not be able to kill such a past; and those returning from captivity would enter into the same glorious procession, as a people committed to belong to God, the secret of their life and glory. It is befitting of the believers not to let themselves be destroyed by captivity and its bitten events; but to put their hope in God who cares for His people and pours the heavenly joy into their hearts. The author refers to four groups of those who returned from captivity: the people, the priests, the Levites, and the servants of the temple. Among the people, he referred to Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh; showing that all Israel were, therefore, represented in those returning; as Judah and Benjamin represented the south; while Ephraim and Manasseh represented the north, being of the most important of the northern tribes. Most of the list here appears again in Nehemiah 11, being a list of the heads of households who lived in Judah in the days of Nehemiah. However, the list mentioned in Nehemiah disregarded Ephraim and Manasseh. At the end of the ninth chapter, the genealogies of Saul were mentioned again, turning from the genealogies to the story with which the book is preoccupied; namely, establishing the kingdom of David; which, although had taken the position of leadership as a royal tribe, yet, its foremost care was the temple and the worship of God. The story of Saul came without details; for its goal was that his life ended by his bones cast in disgrace by the enemies; before some good people collected them, together with the bones of his children, to bury them. Saul sinned, by not listening to the word of God (1 Samuel 13: 8-15; 15: 1-33); and sought the counsel of the medium (1 Samuel 28: 7-19). This book presents to us two very important persons: Saul, the first king of Israel, as an example of how a king should not be; showing a practical model of the fruit of sins and its results in the life of the later kings (2 Chronicles 12: 2; 21: 10; 25: 20); And David, an ideal king; as a living example of how a king should be. It starts by a great statement concerning keeping the genealogies: “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 captives to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness” (1) Obviously, the genealogies of each of the tribes of Israel, were recorded and kept in the temple until the people were taken into captivity; but the records were carried to Jerusalem. And when the temple was rebuilt by the hands of the few who returned from captivity, they brought the records back to it; and by the time the Lord Christ was born, those records were intact. We can imagine that the enemies of the Lord Jesus had surely attempted to look attentively into his genealogy; For, the gospel according to St Matthew wrote the genealogy of St. Joseph, from whom the Lord Jesus has taken the legal title of the throne of David; while the gospel according to St. Luke wrote the genealogy of the virgin St. Mary, from whom He took the genealogy of the blood for the throne of David. We know that those genealogies were not disputed by anyone, because they were very accurate, and at the disposal of whoever wished to examine them. Obviously those records of genealogies were destroyed during the destruction of the temple in the year 70 AD by the hands of the Roman Titus; but what concerns us is that the book of the Chronicles followed the genealogies up to the time of captivity. And after the return of the few from captivity, the records of genealogies continued until the coming of the Lord Christ. Allowing for them to disappear after His life on earth; God intends to confirm to us that He is (very man of very man); and that the Lord Jesus Christ came as a descendant of Adam; as He is the second Adam, with no third one after Him. There are only two families: the family of Adam, and the family of God; the family of Adam is lost; and all of us were born in it, sinners and sojourners from God; which is obvious if we look at the world around us; as the whole human race are within the family of Adam; and “In Adam all die” (1 Corinthians 15: 22). But we have hope in Christ, the last or the second Adam, the Head of the other family; namely the family of God; for He creates many in this new family; and this genealogy goes back to Him alone “the One born from the Spirit”; For all those who believe in Christ the Savior, have been born from the water and the Spirit (John 3: 5) through the holy sacrament of baptism; belonging to the family of the last Adam. In this family there is life; for the Lord Jesus said: “I am the Life”; and He also said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10: 10) . The journey in Him shall be a journey to heaven, to His very presence The rest of the ninth chapter concentrates on the tribe of Levi. By which ends the genealogy, the longest in the Holy Book; with nothing like it in the literature or the history of the world; starting from the first Adam, and ends in the last Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ. It is important to notice certain omissions in the genealogies; as for example, those of Cain and his family, on account of that his genealogy came to an end by the great flood; as is mentioned in the seventh chapter of the book of Genesis The author left the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin at the end of the list, to move from it to the story of the people, and to talk about Jerusalem that was on the southern border of the tribe of Benjamin. The author describes their numerous responsibilities (23-34); giving special interest for the singers of praise in the temple (14-16); whose list of names came directly after that of the priests (10-13). He showed great appreciation to the choir of the temple; among their leaders were Asaph (15) and Jeduthun (16). There are some difference between the genealogies here and what came in Nehemiah; as the lists here and there include some names and leave some others, in Nehemiah. As for the numbers, they differ with the different times. The gatekeepers of the temple had an important role in keeping its sanctity. 1- Heads of fathers’ houses from captivity 1 - 9 2- Priests from captivity 10 - 13 3- The system of the singers of praise 14 - 16 4- The system of gatekeepers 17 - 27 5- The duties of the gatekeepers 28 - 32 6- The duties of the singers of praise 33 – 34 7- The genealogy of king Saul 35 - 44 1- HEADS OF FATHERS’ HOUSES FROM CAPTIVITY: “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 in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness” (1) Here, he tells us that the previously mentioned genealogies were collected from the books of the kings of Israel and Judah; not those written in the Holy Book, but in the civil records, which are trustworthy. Together with one’s personal responsibility for his own works, he is committed to pray for the sake of the sanctification of the congregation as a whole; lest the wrath of God would dwell upon all. By “all Israel” he means Israel and Judah. Captivation happened because the people as a whole have fallen into idolworship; despite the continuous warnings to them by the Lord through His prophets. As even those who did not pervert to idol-worship, have also fallen into captivity, it is befitting of the believer to cry out to God in repentance, and to return to Him; not just for his own sake, or that of his family, but for the sake of the whole congregation. Indeed, we shall not be judged for the sins of others, even those very close to us; but, with love, we are committed to desire, seek, and do our best for the salvation of all. “And the first inhabitants who dwelt in their possessions in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and the Nithinim” (2) By “the first inhabitants”, he means the first to return from captivity; for this chapter conforms to the eleventh chapter of Nehemiah. “The Nethinim” A Hebrew name, meaning (the dedicated); came in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, to refer to the Gentiles who were assigned to serve the temple, like the Gibeonites (Joshua 9: 27), the captivated Midianites (Numbers 31: 47); and those assigned by David to help the chiefs in their ministry of the temple, and of the priests Levites (Ezra 8: 20); who were wood-cutters and water carriers. Although it was David who initiated the job of the Nethinim; yet the name followed them later on; yet was only mentioned in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, and only once in the book of the Chronicles (9: 30). The number of the Nethinim was not sufficient for all services in the temple, particularly in the days of king Solomon. “Now in Jerusalem, the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh” (3) The two tribes of Judah and Benjamin were the most prominent among those returning from captivity (Ezra 1: 5). “Jerusalem”, Not considered a part of the promised land in the days of Joshua the son of Nun; was, accordingly, not given to any tribe, but remained in the possession of the Canaanites; particularly the ‘Jebusites’. Having been called ‘Jebus’, it was a stronghold, difficult to overcome; but the armies of David took it over in the year 992 BC; and he made it the capital of his kingdom (2 Samuel 5: 6-7). Hence, Jerusalem, contrary to other cities inhabited by the Israelites, was dwelt by several tribes. Moving the Ark of the covenant into it, after making it the capital, Jerusalem became a religious center; and after the temple was built by Solomon, it became the dwelling place of priests, Levites, and other liturgical ministers (10-12). By “the children of Benjamin and the children of Ephraim and Manasseh”, mentioned here, he means people of the tribes close to Jerusalem to the north, who worshipped the Lord, and united with Judah (2 Chronicles 30: 10, 18). “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” (4) “Uthai”; A Hebrew name, meaning (he surpassed Jehovah); one of those who returned to Jerusalem after the captivity “Ammihud”; A Hebrew name, meaning (My uncle is reverred) Omri”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (successful) Imri”; A Hebrew name, an abbreviation of ‘Imriah’ Bani”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a building); probably an abbreviation of ‘Banaiah’ Perez”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a gap). “Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons” (5) “Asaiah”;A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah worked), the firstborn of the Shilonites (5) “Of the sons of Zerah: Jeuel, and their brethren – six hundred and ninety” (6) “The Shilonites”; The inhabitants of Shiloh; a family of Judah that resided in Jerusalem after captivity. “Jeuel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (heals) or (keeps); More than one bore this name, among whom were: 1- Father of Gibeon, a Benjamite ancestor of Saul 2- A descendant of Judah “Of the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah” (7) “Sallu”; A Hebrew name, meaning (consecrated); a Benjamite. “Meshillam”; A Hebrew name, meaning (who got his reward); more than one bore this name, among whom were:The Benjamites: Meshillam son of Hodeviah (7), and Meshillam son of Shephatiah (8) “Hodaviah”;A Hebrew name, meaning (glory be to Jehovah) “Hassenuah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (the hated) “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” (8) “Ibneiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah builds), son of Jeroham and father of Reuel; they were probably two persons. “Elah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (An Oak tree) “Michri”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (a price); a Benjamite, grandfather of Elah. “Shephatiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah made judgment); a Benjamite who dwelt in Jerusalem after captivity. “Reuel”; A Hebrew name, meaning (friend of God); a Benjamite chief “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” (9) The names mentioned here, particularly those who returned to Jerusalem, were preoccupied with worshipping God with a flaring zeal. Even though the temple was not yet rebuilt; yet that did not dampen their zeal to worship God. 2- PRIESTS FROM CAPTIVITY: “Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin” (10) “Jedaiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah knows) “Jehoiarib”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah protests) or Jehovah strives); a descendant of Aaron, a member of the first group of priests in the days of David; and his family dwelt in Jerusalem. “Jachin” A Hebrew name, meaning (abides); chief of the twenty-first group of priests in Jerusalem. “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” (11) “Azariah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Whom Jehovah helped); he was a great priest; Azariah got a special interest, although his role was supervising the cleanliness of the temple. The Holy Book cared to include his name in the genealogies, the same way it cared to include the names of priests and Levites who were responsible for teaching and singing praise; and even leaders who enjoyed high honor in the congregation. God’s appreciation for man is not based upon the kind of work he does or his position in the society; as much as the purity of his heart and his faithfulness in doing his work. That is why The Lord commended those on the right hand on the great day of the Lord, saying: “You were faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25: 21). “Hilkiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah is my portion) “Zadok”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Just or righteous); a priest descendant of great priests. “Meraioth”; Meaning (disobedience); a priest (11); son of Ahitub. “Ahitub”; A Hebre name, meaning (brother of kindness) “Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah; Messai, the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer” (12) “Adaiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (adorned by Jehovah) “Jeroham”; A Hebrew name, meaning (on whom God has mercy); the son of Ibneiah who dwelt in Jerusalem (8); a priest of the house of Malchijah. “Pachur”; Probably an Egyptian name, meaning (portion of god Hurus); a founder of a family of priests; some of whom returned from Babylon. “Malchijiah”;A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah is the King) “Messai”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah’s work); a priest “Adiel”;A Hebrew name, meaning (the adornment is for God); son of ‘Jahzerah’, father of Messai, one of the heads of a priestly families. “Jahzerah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (take care) “Meshillemith”; A Hebrew name, meaning (punishment); a priest descendant of Immer “Immer”; A Hebrew word, meaning (sheep); a priest in the days of David; the sixteenth group of priests were his descendants; and he probably was the ancestor of the priests mentioned in (1 Chronicles 9: 12). “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” (13) Being the heads of their fathers’ houses, they were mighty men of valor, not in battles against enemies, nor in material possibilities, but in the service of the house of the Lord and in confronting vanity. It is as though the house of the Lord is a battle field; and it is befitting of the ministers of God to be mighty men of valor to stand against the devil himself, and the hosts of darkness. 3- THE SYSTEM OF THE SINGERS OF PRAISE: Twenty-four groups of Levites practiced the singing of praise in the house of God, with an elaborate order and system; not as a job for earning their living, but as worship from hearts dedicated and consecrated to the Lord; whose mission was to present an experience of the deposit of heavenly life. The singers of praise were fathers who presented to the people the joyful and exultant life; and who found their happiness in the happiness of the people in God, the source of joy. “Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the sons of Merari” (14) “Shemaiah”; Meaning (Jehovah hears); a Levite, supervisor over the outside work of the house of God in the days of Nehemiah (14) “Hasshub”; A Hebrew name, probably meaning (of whom God thinks); a Merari Levite “Azrikam”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God arose to help me); More than one bore this name, among whom were: 1- The son of Azel; a descendant of Jonathan son of Saul (9: 44) 2- The son of Hashabiah, the son of Merari; a Levite “Hashabiah”;A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah ordained or judged); “Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah, the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph” (15) “Bakbakkar”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a researcher); a Levite “Heresh”; A Hebrew name, meaning (mute and deaf); a head of a Levite family working in the tabernacle in the year 445 BC “Galal”;A Hebrew name, meaning (God rolled over….) a Levite. More than one bore this name, among whom were: 1- A Levite (15) 2- Another Levite (16) “Mattaniah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (A gift from Jehovah); a Levite singer, of the children of Asaph. “Micah”;A Hebrew name, meaning (Who is like Jehovah?); More than one bore this name, among whom were: 1-The son of Mephibosheth or Merib-Baal, grandson of Jonathan (9: 40-41) 2- A Levite, son of Zichri son of Asaph (15) “Zichri”; A Hebrew name, meaning (mentioned); a Levite “Asaph”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a grant); one of the Levite gatekeepers of the temple; responsible for the east gate through which the king used to enter (170 “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” (16) Most of the priests and Levites returning from captivity dwelt in Jerusalem (34); but few of them dwelt in the villages around it, for lack of space. “Obadiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (servant of Jehovah). More than one bore this name, among whom were: 1- Son of Azel, a grandson of Jehoshaphat, son of Saul (44) 2- Son of Shemaiah, son of Elkanah; who dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites (16) 3- A Levite gatekeeper of the temple in the days of Nehemiah; probably the same Obadiah the son of Shemaiah (16) “Jeduthun”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a thanks-giver) or a (praiser); a Levite; one of the three great singers appointed by David; and founder of a musical family in the temple; his group worked in the temple after it was rebuilt after returning from captivity. Berechiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (blessed by God); a Levite son of Asa (16) “Asa”; A Hebrew name, meaning (the comforter) or (the physician); might be an abbreviation of ‘Jehovah Asa’, namely (the Lord healed); A Levite son of Elkanah who dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites after returning from captivity. “Elkanah”; A Hebre name, meaning (God created) or (acquired); a Levite who dwelt in a village of the Netophathites. “The Netophathites”; Netopha was a town in Judah 5 miles south of Bethlehem (2: 54; Nehemiah 7: 26). After captivity 56 of its inhabitants returned to it. At the beginning it was not a portion of the Levites; but some of them and some singers dwelt in it after the return from captivity 4- THE SYSTEM OF GATEKEEPERS: The gatekeepers occupy a prominent position among the officers of the temple (17-26), that goes back to the time of the wilderness; then continued their work in the days of Samuel and David in the tabernacle (23). They were known for their faithfulness (22); and were all descendants of Korah. “And the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, , Talmon, Ahiman, and their brethren. Shallum was the chief” (17) “Ahiman”; A Hebrew name, meaning (my brother is agrant); a Levite gatekeeper; responsible for the eastern gate through which the king enters “Until then they had been gatekeepers of the camps of the children of Levi at the king’s gate n the east” (18) The gatekeepers guarded the four entrances of the temple; opened the gates in the morning for those who enter to worship, and close them at night. They carried out, as well, daily chores in the temple, like cleaning, preparing the offerings and sacrifices, keeping away any unclean thing from entering into the temple; directing the worshippers to the desired locations, instructing them not to behave contrary to what befits the holiness of the sanctuary; and guarding the treasuries of the temple. With all these duties, it was befitting of all who work in the house of the Lord to be faithful and loyal.. “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 of the camp of the Lord” (19) The system of gate-keeping and other services in the house of the Lord was inherited from fathers to sons; since the days of David. “Kore”; A Hebrew name. “Eliasaph”; A Hebrew name, meaning (My father gathered plenty or an increase) ”Korah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (terror). His descendants lived and were famous in the service of the temple “The Korahites”; the descendants of Korah; some of them were gatekeepers (31) “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in the time past; the Lord was with him” (20) “Phinehas”; An Egyptian name, meaning (the Nubian); the senior officer over the gatekeepers of the tabernacle; The weapon of Phinehas son of Eleazar was that “The Lord was with him”. “Eleazar”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God helped) “Zachariah the son of Meshelemiah was keeper of the door of the tabernacle of meeting” (21) … “Meshelemiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (whom Jehovah rewards); father of a gatekeeper in the days of David. “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” (22) It was not allowed for anyone to be counted among the gatekeepers of the temple, unless he is registered in the records of genealogies, that confirm his descendance of Abraham. If the prophet Samuel died before the enthronement of king David; yet it is obvious that he had partaken in organizing the worship; although this is mentioned nowhere else in the Holy Book. “So they and their children were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, the house of the tabernacle, by assignment” (23) The priests and the Levites , beside dedicating much time and effort in worshipping, they took care of the tools of service; helped by their families who did many works “to let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14: 40). All of them worked hard to let the congregation, when they come to worship, feel that they encounter the King of kings, in the fittest way. “The gatekeepers were assigned to the four directions: the east, west, north, and south” (24) King David, himself, desired to partake of the service of gate keeping the temple saying: “A day in Your court is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness-” (Psalm 84: 10) “And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time for seven days” (25) On Saturdays, the group of gatekeepers who served for a week was replaced by a new group. They dwelt in their villages until the time of their shift to come to Jerusalem to serve. “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” (26) “And they lodged all around the house of God because they had the responsibility, and they were in charge of opening it every morning” (27) 5- DUTIES OF THE GATEKEEPERS: “Now some of them were in charge of the serving vessels, for they brought them in and took them out by count” (28) Bringing the serving vessels in, and taking them out, were elaborately handled by weight and number, for they were very expensive (Ezra 8: 24-34). “Some of them were appointed over the furnishing 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” (29) “And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices” (30) “Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans” (31) “Mattithiah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (gift from Jehovah); A Korahite Levi, was responsible for the things that were baked in the pans (31) “Shallum”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a reward); chief of the gatekeepers of the sanctuaries (17-19) “Mechullam” member of the family of (Zadok), the high priest; a predecessor of Ezra, lived before Nebuchadnezzer put Jerusalem under siege.(11) “And some of their brethren of the sons of the Kohathites were in charge of preparing the showbread for every Sabbath” (32) Every Saturday, they used to take the old showbread away, and replace it with new bread (Leviticus 24: 8) 6- DUTIES OF THE SINGERS OF PRAISE: “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” (33) They were relieved of doing any other work; of paying taxes, and of military service. There were several groups of praise-singers; not for the duration of minutes or hours during the day, but all day and night. They were Levites, great leaders, heads of their fathers’ houses; for the ministry of singing praise was not a secondary ministry, but an essential work, that raises the people and the leaders up to the level of heavenly angelical choirs; it was befitting to practice it, not as a kind of routine or entertainment, but as a living encounter with God, praised by the heavenly hosts. . “These heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites were heads throughout their generations. They dwelt in Jerusalem” (34) Singing praise was a perpetual ministry that produces a heavenly joyful atmosphere. Having been completely dedicated to minister day and night, the singers of praise used to dwell in Jerusalem. In verses 35 – 44, we notice the commitment to do everything decently and in order in the service of the house of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14: 40). 7- THE GENEALOGY OF KING SAUL: “Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maachah, dwelt at Gibeon” (35) The author then goes back to the genealogies of king Saul, to set the stage for the battle of Gilboa (1000 BC), at the beginning of the next chapter, in which Saul died, and David was enthroned a king. “Gibeon”; A Hebrew name, meaning (hill); the main city of the Horites of Canaan. After several generations, when Saul killed the Gibeonites, justice was done by killing and crucifying his seven sons. Gibeon became a portion of the Benjamites; and its common-lands were given to the children of Aaron. It was inhabited by the ancestors of Saul for some time, where they had influence (35) “Maachah”; A Semite name, meaning (injustice or oppression); the name of Jeiel’s wife, from whom Saul descended. “His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab” (36) “Abdon”; A Hebrew name, meaning (the enslaved) “Zur”; A Semite name, meaning (a rock); son of the founder of Gibeon, “Baal”; A Semite name, meaning (lord), (master), of (husband); the name of a Canaanite god, son of god ‘El’, and husband of the goddess ‘Baalh, or Ashetoreth; known as god ‘Hadad’, of the fields, and fertility of livestock. “Ner”; A Hebrew name, meaning (light or lamp); son of Jeiel and Maacha, and father of ‘Kish’ father of ‘Saul;. “Nadab”;A Hebrew name, meaning (generous) a chief of his father’s house who dwelt in Gibeon. “Gedor, Ohio, Zechariah, and Mikloth” (37) “Gedor”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a stronghold or a walled place); an ancestor of Saul. “Mikloth”; A Hebrew name, meaning (disobeyed) (37-38) “And Mikloth begot Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren” (38) “Shimeam”; A Benjamite, son of Mikloth, who dwelt in Jerusalem. “Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal” (39) “Jonathan”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Jehovah gave) “Malchishua”; A Hebrew name, meaning (the king is salvation) “Abinadab”; A Hebrew name, meaning (The Father is generous) “Esh-Baal”; A Hebrew name, meaning (manof Baal); the former name of Ishbosheth son of Saul (49) “The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah” (40) “Meri-Baal”; Also called Mephibosheth; a Hebrew name, meaning (taking idols away) “The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz” (41) “Melech”; A Hebrew name, meaning (a king); son of Micah, grandson of Mephibosheth “Tahrea”;A Hebrew name, meaning (crafty); a descendant of Saul by Jonathan “Ahaz”; A Hebrew name, meaning (he took hold, or the Lord took hold); a descendant of Jonathan (42) “And Ahaz begot Jarah, Jarah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza” (42) “Jarah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (honey comb); a descendant of Saul (42) “Azmaveth”; A Hebrew name, meaning (death is strong); the son of Jehoiadah a descendant of Jonathan, son of Saul; In 1 Chronicles 9: 42, it came that this ‘Azmaveth’ was the son of ‘Jarah’. “Zimri”; A Hebrew name, meaning (like a wild bull); a descendant of Jonathan son of Saul. “Alemeth”A Hebrew name, meaning (hiding); a Benjamite, son of Jehoiadah; a descendant of Saul. “Moza begot Binea, Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son” (43) “Moza”; A Hebrew name, meaning (Exodus); a descendant of Saul (42-43) “Binea”; Son of Moza, a descendant of Jonathan, son of Saul (43) “Eleasah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God did); a descendant of Jonathan and Saul. “And Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel” (44) “Bocheru”; A Hebrew name, meaning (firstborn); son of Azel “Ishmael”; A Hebrew name, meaning (God hears) “Sheariah”; A Hebrew name, meaning (the might of Jehovah); a descendant of Saul “Hanan”; A Hebrew name, meaning (compassionate), (merciful) or (generous); son of Azel; a descendant of Jonathan son of Saul. ------------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM 1 CHRONICLES 9 MY HEART AND BODY SHOUT BY THE LIVING GOD + My God, my sins and those of my fathers have corrupted the joy of the Spirit in the congregation, as well as in my heart; By returning and attaching to you; You will give me back, more than what I lost; And will bring me and my brethren to the deposit of heaven. + By returning from the captivity of sin to the higher Jerusalem; I shall enjoy, together with my brethren, union with You; I shall not be preoccupied with whether I am a regular member of the people; Or a priest, or one of the singer Levites; Or a gatekeeper of Your holy house; As all of them are almost like a heavenly hosts; Our hearts, together with our bodies, will shout to You, O the Living God; You pour Your holiness upon all; O Sanctifier of all; Your Holy Spirit works in all; To bear the feature of faithfulness! For indeed, we shall become members of Your body, O Son of David. ======================== ANNEX # 1 OF 1 CHRONICLES 9 QUICK TOUCHES OF SOME PERSONALITIES THAT CAME IN THE GENEALOGIES ADAM (1 Chronicles 1: 1) As what he got was beyond the imagination of the heavenlies; and how he ended up was beyond ours, we came to be in need of a new Adam to belong to, instead of the first Adam (Genesis 2-3) SHETH (1: 1) He was born to Adam and Eve after the murder of their son Abel to help and comfort them. He was born according to his father’s image (Genesis5: 3). In that he was a symbol of the Son of God, who is One with the Father. But there is great difference between the symbol and the symbolized. ENOSH (1: 1) The first to teach mankind “to call on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4: 26) ENOCH (1: 3) A living example of those who attach themselves to the Heavenly One, and quickly depart to the Lord. METHUSELAH (1: 3) Although he lived to reach 969 years of age; the highest of any man on earth, yet he ultimately died. NOAH (1: 4) Obedience to God has its amazing reward; by it we enter as though into a new world. The great flood that happened was a symbol of the new birth by baptism; and the ark was a symbol of the church (Genesis 6-9), ABRAHAM (1: 27) The practical living faith turned his life into an enjoyable journey with God (Genesis 11-35) ISAAC (1: 28) His acceptance of being slain for the sake of God, made him a symbol of the sacrifice of the Lord Christ (Genesis 21-35) ESAU (1: 34) Violence turned his life and that of others into bitterness (Genesis 25-35) AMALEK (1 39) Evil corrupts the life of the individual as well as of the congregation (Exodus 17: 8-16) JACOB (2: 1) Although he was the Man of the divine promises, Yet, as it is the case of all men, he had his weaknesses that disturbed his life (Genesis 25-30) JUDAH (2: 3) Getting married to a Canaanite girl “daughter of Shua” (Genesis 38: 1-3); proves that being chosen as a royal tribe, of whose descendants the Word of God was to incarnate, is not set upon human righteousness, but through the grace of God that turns that faulty action into good. As by his marriage to a Canaanite girl, he opened the door of hope before the Gentiles; that salvation is presented to all. TAMAR (2: 4) God realizes His plan even through our faults (Genesis 38) PEREZ (2: 5) God deals with us, regardless of our familial background (Genesis 38: 27-30) BOAZ (2: 12) Sowing compassion toward the widow ‘Ruth’ and her mother-inlaw, he enjoyed the mercy of God; and among his descendants came Jesse, then David; then the Son of David (Ruth) JESSE (2: 13) Being a godly man, he got the grace that David the first king of Israel came as his son. The living believer has his activity upon his descendants.(1 Samuel 16) DAVID (2: 15) Although the Lord Himself testifies to him, that he was After God’s own heart.(1 Samuel 13: 14); yet he had his own sins, but with every fall into sin in his life, he presented repentance with tears, to become of more splendor. JOAB (2: 16) Those who seek the authority of the world, will come out of it naked (2 Samuel 2: 13; I kings 2). AMNON (3: 1) Surrendering to carnal lusts destroys man’s life (2 Samuel 13). ABSALOM (3: 2) His love of authority made him lose everything; and his life tragically ended up (2 Samuel 13-18) ADONIJAH (3: 2) Not perceiving the position of God in his life, made him lose even his temporal life (1 Kings 1-2) BATHSHUA (3: 5) (or Bathsheba). Holding fast to God’s promises, realized her heart’s desire (2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Kings 1-2) SOLOMON (3: 5) Seeking wisdom from God, He granted him what he did not seek: of glory, authority, and wealth (1 Kings 1) JABEZ (4: 9-10) His mother so called him, on account of that she delivered him with pain; But he was called more honorable than his brothers; The secret of his greatness was that he Made God the center of his life and work. OTHNIEL 4: 13) The first judge of Israel; reformed the people, and realized peace in the land (Judges 1: 9-15’ 3: 5-11) CALEB, SON OF JEPHUNNEH (4: 15) One of the twelve sent by Moses to spy the promised land; and, together with Joshua the son of Nun, he came back to confirm the realization of God’s promise of the possibility of taking over the promised land (Number 13=14; Joshua 14-15) REUBEN (5: 1) Through a passing carnal lust, he lost true perpetual blessings; particularly his firstborn rights (Genesis 35: 22; 37: 49: 3-4) AARON (6: 3) He accompanied his brother Moses in his whole ministry. Moses represented the Word of God; and Aaron represented the worship (Exodus 4; Numbers 20) NADAB (6: 3) Together with his brother ‘Abihu’, offered profane fire in his censor; and were consumed by fire from the Lord (Leviticus 10: 1-2) ELEAZAR (6: 3) His abidance in faith made him a role model (Numbers 20: 25- 34; Joshua 24-33) KORAH (6: 22) Rebelling against the leaders appointed by God, is counted as rebelling against God himself.(Numbers 16) JOSHUA (7: 27) Joshua could never cross over with his people to the promised land, without the ministry of Moses; And the ministry of Moses would never be consummated without Joshua. SAUL (7: 27) He started by a spirit of humility; but through his love of authority he lost all his privileges (1 Samuel 8: 31) JONATHAN (8: 33) In his love and loyality to David, he had no hatred for the one appointed by God to replace his father Saul on the throne (1 Samuel 14-31) ANNEX # 2 OF 1 CHRONICLES 9 THE PROCESSION OF OUR JOURNEY TO HEAVEN 1- ADAM – JACOB (Ch. 1) -- God cares for me, as though I am like Adam on the day He created him; But I shall have no place in the procession without my brethren (the holy congregation); God cares for the whole congregation, as well as for every member of it. 2- JUDAH (2: 3; 4: 23) -- The commitment of the existence of kings and leaders (the royal tribe) -- As the kings and leaders have their own weaknesses, it is befitting of them to wash the feet of their subjects. -- There is no success of the kings and leaders except by the dwelling of Christ in them; the Shepherd and Savior of mankind; From that tribe came the incarnate King of kings, the Savior of the world. -- No one is above the law. Even David, the beloved king fell under chastisement; and certain kings of his descendants were taken captives. 3- SIMEON (4: 24 - 43). -- His name means (listening); He who listens to the commandment will have his place in the procession; and will be cherished by God. 4- REUBEN (5: 1 – 10) -- He lost his privilege as firstborn, for he defiled his father’s bed -- His position of leadership was given to Judah -- Joseph was given the enjoyment of the two portions (Ephraim and Manasseh) -- Although he destroyed himself and his tribe, yet he was rewarded for his holy touches. -- The Reubenites did not suffer for the sake of their father’s sin 5, 6- GAD (5: 11-22); MANASSEH (5: 23 – 36) -- Together with Reuben, God gave them their heart’s desire (the eastern bank of the Jordan, rich in pasture land for their livestock; instead of agricultural land). -- The 2 ½ tribes lived in the east as though one entity. -- They had conquest over the Hagrites, for the sake of their unity, strive, and trust in the Lord. -- Having fallen into idol-worship after receiving the promised land from the hand of God, they were the first to be taken into captivity. 7- LEVI AND THE CITY OF REFUGE (2) -- The Lord being their portion, the cities of refuge became their cities. Every priest is committed to be a city of refuge. -- The spiritual leadership had to be in the midst of all the tribes to minister to all without feeling that they are more exalted, or isolated from them. -- The king, as well as the priest, each has his own role; and they both work in harmony together. -- As there were great leaders for the edification of the congregation, there were, as well, corrupt leaders who destroyed a multitude. -- As there is no one without sin, they should not deify themselves, nor be deified by the people. -- Their language is singing praise day and night, to stir up the spirit of joy, and to present the deposit of heaven in their practical life, together with joy and seriousness in worship. -- They had no portion in the promised land, to have their sight concentrated upon the Creator of heaven and earth. 8- ISSACHAR (7: 1 – 5) -- The tribe of Issachar, perpetually working, “rejoice in their tents” (Deuteronomy 33: 18). 9- BENJAMIN (7: 6 – 12) -- His father Jacob described him as a ravenous wolf (Genesis 49: 27). Saul the son of Jesse the Benjamite, not faithful to God, has been a tyrant who devoured his people like a ravenous wolf to lambs, instead of caring for them like a father to his children. -- Many of the mighty men of valor who were around Saul, were drawn to David, and showed him every faithfulness and loyalty. -- With the dissension of the kingdom, the tribe of Benjamin attached themselves to Judah in the southern kingdom of Judah. 10- NAPHTALI (7 – 13) -- In his love for freedom, he was likened by his father to “a doe” (a female deer) let loose in an open wilderness and in the valley, with no hurdles, and moves wherever it wishes. (Genesis 49: 21) 11- THE SECOND HALF OF MANASSEH (7: 14 – 19) Of the descendants of Manasseh, there was Zelophehad who had no sons but only daughters; who sought their right to inherit their father (Joshua 17: 3) 12- EPHRAIM (7: 20-49) The author concentrated on the genealogies of Joshua the son of Nun (27), the most prominent member of that huge tribe; who was, in many aspects, a symbol of Jesus Christ (20-29). 13- ASHER (30: 40) His father prophesied that he will be rich; and Moses said that he is the most blessed of sons; and prophesied that he will dip his foot in oil (Deuteronomy 33: 24). Both prophesies were realized; as the tribe of Asher enjoyed fertile land rich in olive trees from which oil was extracted. The produce of his land was so plentiful that they exported their surplus to the other tribes. That was beside their location on the sea coast that enabled them to import goods to sell to the other tribes. This tribe refers to the flood of grace in the life of those who spiritually strive. 14- BENJAMIN (8: 1 – 40) Genealogy here brings us forth to Saul and his household, to show how the first king of Israel was chosen according to the human mind; with features sought by the people in their king, by which they could boast of him among the nations and the kings around them. But, because he failed to realize the portrait of the divine kingdom in his life, in his worship, and in his dealing with his people; there was need to send him away to leave the stage for king David who was chosen according to the choice of God and the counsel of the divine grace. 15- THE INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM AFTER CAPTIVITY (9) Here the author intends to confirm that the return from captivity is an extension of the Jewish nation; and that God in His love for his people, does not wish to discern between the people before and after captivity; And as worship in the tabernacle of meeting and in the temple, before captivity, was done decently and with order, together with joy and exultation; so it will be after the return from captivity.
Welcome