Obededom. A Levite was judged more proper to guard the ark, chap. xv. 18. --- Gethite. Because he had dwelt in Geth. (Worthington) CHAPTER XIII. Hiram. This embassy, and the war with the Philistines, took place before the ark was removed. (Calmet) Perceived, by divine revelation, or by his constant success, (Menochius) as well as by the presents of "the king of Tyre, and the unanimity" of all the people. (Du Hamel) --- Over his. Hebrew and Septuagint, on account of his people. Kings are more for their subjects than for themselves. (Calmet) Eliphalet and Noga are not mentioned, 2 Kings vi. 15. (Calmet) See chap iii. 9. (Haydock) Baaliada, probably the same with Eliada. (Calmet) Seek him, with a design to oppress him, before his throne was established. (Haydock) Baalpharasim, "the god or master of divisions." (Calmet) --- The place was so called afterwards. (Du Hamel) Burnt, conformably to Deuteronomy vii. 25. These idols were commonly made of wood, and covered with plates of gold, &c. The Philistines took them along with them to battle, as the Hebrews carried the ark on many occasions. The Greeks, at the siege of Troy, had their gods on board their vessels; (Homer, Iliad ix.) and the Romans had theirs on their ensigns, in their wars. CHAPTER XIV. Pear or mulberry trees, (2 Kings v. 23.; Calmet) on the side where the idols were. (Tirinus) Tops, or on the height. God sent an invisible army to David's assistance. Gazera, on the borders of the Philistines, near Azotus. (Calmet) All countries and nations, in the vicinity. (Haydock) Houses, or magnificent palaces, which afterwards caused him to be ashamed, seeing the ark was lodged under skins, 2 Kings vii. 10. --- For it, entirely new. The old tabernacle was left at Gabaon. (Calmet) (Du Hamel) Levites, of the family of Caath, ver. 13., and Numbers iv. 5. He was rendered more cautious by the death of Oza. (Calmet) --- For ever, as long as this law subsists. (Haydock) Brethren. Relations. (Du Hamel) Elisaphan, a Caathite, (Exodus vi. 18, 22.) as well as Hebron and Oziel. (Calmet) --- Perhaps Caath was also called by the first name. (Du Hamel) Sanctified. Free from every legal uncleanness, continent, and washed. (Calmet) Struck us. He partakes in the misfortune of Oza. (Haydock) --- The law through ignorance. You must attend and give proper directions. (Menochius) --- Hebrew, "because we did not seek him with judgment," (Du Hamel) or, "after the due order." (Protestants) CHAPTER XV. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were masters of the first band of musicians, in the reign of David. They played on the cymbals of brass, ver. 19. Ben. His name is omitted, ver. 20, and in the Septuagint. The Syriac, &c., have "the son of Jaziel:" but we find the 9th Psalm addressed "to Ben, chief of the hand of young women," who sung and played on nables, ver. 20. (Calmet) --- And Jaziel, called Oziel, ver. 20, as the Septuagint have here. (Haydock) Zacharias, &c., presided over the second band, with nables, and Mathathias over the third, which had instruments of eight strings. The priests sounded the trumpets, (ver. 24.) which Chonenias directed all the music, in this solemn processions. (Calmet) --- Psalteries. Literally, "nables." (Haydock) --- The Vulgate sometimes renders it psalterion, at other times lyra, (Menochius) or symphonia. (St. Jerome, ad Dard.) (Tirinus) --- Some have supposed that the word denotes bagpipes; but it was a stringed instrument made of wood. (Calmet) --- Hebrew, "with nebalim over halamoth, " concerted things, or virgins, (Psalm lxvii. 26.) who sung the mysterious words of God. (Haydock) Ozaziu does not occur before. Septuagint have Ozias both here and [in] ver. 18, after Jehiel. (Haydock) --- Of victory, such as was customary on the like occasions. --- For the octave. Hebrew hasheminith, according to the Jews, means an instrument of eight strings; so when ten is mentioned, the Septuagint frequently supply "strings," Psalm xxxii. 2. (Menochius) --- Hebrew, "they had guitars, and presided over the eighth band to intone. All the bands formed four choirs, distinguished by their instruments, the cymbal, nable, cinnor, (or guitar) and trumpets. (Calmet) The prophecy. Singing praises to God is here called prophecy: the more, because these singers were often inspired men. (Challoner) --- Hebrew Massa signifies a song, (Haydock) elevation, (Calmet) burden. (Syriac) So the Vulgate has onus Moab, &c., the burden or dreadful prediction against Moab. (Calmet) --- Prophecy often denotes no more than a melodious canticle, 1 Kings x. 10. (Haydock) --- Chonenias directed all this music. Septuagint simply style him "prince of the Levites, prince of the musicians" (Calmet) or Greek: archon ton odon (who gave out the songs) "because he was intelligent." (Haydock) Jehias is called Jehiel, ver. 18., and 21. He, Obededom, Barachias, and Elcana, (ver. 23.) were probably the four chief porters who attended the ark in arms; and others were, afterwards, stationed at the temple, chap. ix. 17. The two former took part also in the music, ver. 21. (Calmet) --- Perhaps two preceded and two went behind the ark, to keep off the crowd. (Menochius) Rams, in thanksgiving, that they had not been treated like Oza. (Calmet) --- The Jews pretend that the ark was no burden to the Levites. (Tirinus) --- Love makes all duties easy. (Haydock) Linen. Hebrew, "a cloak of byssus," or of the finest white linen. (Du Hamel) --- Bysus has often occurred before in the Vulgate, but we find the Hebrew buts, here for the first time. It probably denotes the brilliant yellow silk taken from the fish pinna, of which St. Basil speaks. (Hexa. vii.) Justinian was clothed with it, on account of its rarity and brightness. (Procopius, de fabric. Yet as it would hardly assume any colour but black, it was not so much sought after as the silk of Persia. Not only David, but all the Levites, were thus richly adorned; as the latter were at the dedication of the temple, 2 Paralipomenon ii. 14. There was a manufactory of this byssus established by David, chap. iv. 21. That of Egypt was white, and is called schesch, or "cotton," Exodus xvi. 4. (Calmet) --- Ephod. Septuagint, "a stole of byssus," or a long silken robe, (Haydock) which has been already expressed; (Tirinus) or rather, the ephod was only a girdle, which was not peculiar to the sacred ministers, 1 Kings ii. 18. (Calmet) --- Samuel, though a child, wore one. (Worthington) Heart, and reproached him for appearing without his regal ornaments, (Haydock; 2 Kings vi. 20.) as if he had been naked. No reproach could have been more unfounded, as we see David had on a robe of byssus, with the ephod. (Calmet) Lord, wishing them all felicity, and making them presents, like the master of a family, ver. 43, and 2 Kings vi. 18. (Calmet) --- Any superior may bless. (Worthington) Oil. The precise signification of the Hebrew Ashisha, is not known. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "a flagon of wine. " (Haydock) --- It denotes any thing "exhilarating." (Tirinus) (Du Hamel) Appointed, as a prophet, (Haydock) or by dispensation. The high priest has supreme spiritual power, Deuteronomy xvii. 18., &c. (Worthington) Zacharias, at the head of the second band. These played on the nable and kinnor, as the women did not sing in the tabernacle. Jahiel should be Oziel, (chap. xv. 18., &c. Calmet) unless he be the same person, chap. xv. 18. (Haydock) --- Instruments. Literally, "organs." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "the instruments of nables." (Vatable) (Menochius) Jaziel. We read Eliezer, &c., chap. xv. 24. --- Continually. At the appointed times. Made. Hebrew, "gave first, to thank the Lord, into the hand of Asaph and his brethren this psalm, " (Haydock) in order the 104th; and from ver. 23 we find the 95th in the Psalter, with some improvements. (Tirinus) Power. The ark was frequently the instrument of God's power; and his people are exhorted to present themselves to pray before it. (Calmet) --- God seemed to dwell there, and often displayed his wonders. (Du Hamel) Israel. In Psalm civ., Abraham. Prophets. The ancient patriarchs ruled their families as kings, and directed them by word and example, like the most holy prophets. (Calmet) --- Both are frequently styled anointed. (Haydock) Place. In Psalm xcv. 6., holiness and majesty in his sanctuary. Hebrew, "strength and beauty in," &c. God is served in his tabernacle with piety. CHAPTER XVI. Sacrifice, of flour and wine. --- Beauty. Hebrew, "in the beauty of his sanctuary." Psalms, Come into his courts: adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Presence. Here the psalm adds, say ye among, as [in] ver. 31. And say, &c., is not in the psalm; and it seems not to agree with the flourishing state of David's kingdom: yet he might speak with the spirit of prophecy, or with that all his subjects might live in happiness and concord under him. (Calmet) --- Others think that Esdras inserted these verses to be sung in the second temple, (Lyranus; Estius) when many still remained in captivity. Yet them may refer to the time of Christ. (Du Hamel) And sing. Hebrew, "and Alleluia," or, "all....said, (or shall say) truth and praise be to the Lord." Sadoc was to minister at Gabaon, with Heman, Idithun, &c., while Abiathar, Asaph, &c., officiated at Jerusalem. (Calmet) --- This regulation continued till towards the end of David's reign, (Haydock) when fresh orders were given, chap. xxiii., &c. We find Abiathar and Sadoc were both at Jerusalem, when David was obliged to flee, 2 Kings xv. 24., and 3 Kings i. 7. The altar at Gabaon continued some time longer, 3 Kings iii. 3. Bless, or feast, (Du Hamel) with his family, on part of the sacred victims. (Haydock) Cedar. Such were esteemed the most magnificent, ver. 6. See 2 Kings vii. A place permanent and secure, while I have had no fixed abode. (Calmet) --- No more, for a long time: and unless they provoke me by their crimes, as they did afterwards, and were exposed to more severe chastisements. Constant rest is not always expedient. (Tirinus) Seed, even till Christ shall be born of the Blessed Virgin, of the family of David. Ever often means only a long duration. The dominion of Christ shall have no end. (Calmet) --- The Church founded by this true David, (Haydock) falls heir to these promises. (Du Hamel) Thee. The posterity of Saul lost the throne. (Haydock) --- If Solomon was reprobated, his children were permitted to reign. It is also presumed that he did penance; though this is not certain. Men. Who was ever more favoured by God than David? Hebrew, "Thou hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree." (Protestants) (Haydock) Known him. Treating him with love and tenderness, as a friend. How can David sufficiently testify his gratitude? Himself. Hebrew adds, "and to make thee a name." Begun. Hebrew, "be pleased, (Haydock) or thou hast had the goodness to bless." Syriac, "I pray thee bless."