The leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city while nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities. The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem (V.1-2).
The names of the children of Judah who dwelt in Jerusalem (v.4-6).
The names of the sons of Benjamin who dwelt in Jerusalem (v.7-9).
The names of the priests who dwelt in Jerusalem (v.10-14).
The names of the Levites who dwelt in Jerusalem. Total of 284 Levites dwelt in the city (v.15-18).
The gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren who kept the gates numbered 172 (v.19).
The rest of Israel, of the priests and Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his own inheritance (v.20). But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel with Ziha and Gishpa over them (v.21).
The overseer 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 in charge of the service of the house of God. The king commanded concerning them that a certain portion should be for singers, a quota day by day. Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was the king’s deputy in all matters concerning the people (v.22-24).
The people dwelling outside Jerusalem were recorded from verse 25 to 36.
As for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kirjath Arba and its villages, Dibon and its villages; Jekabzeed and its villages; in Jeshua, Modadah, Beth Pelet, Hazar Shual, and Beersheba and its villages; in Ziklag and Meconah and its villages; in En Rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; in Lachish and its fields; in Azekah and its villages. They dwelt from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom (v.25-30).
The children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel, and their villages; in Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah; in Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim; in Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat; in Lod, Ono, and the Valley of Craftsmen. Some of the Judean divisions of Levites were in Benjamin (v.31-35).
COMMENTARY
The people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city. Casting lots was to determine the will of God. “The lot is cast into the lap but its every decision is from the LORD.” (Prov. 16:33) The last recording in the bible when lots were cast is in Acts 1:26.
It was to determine which among two disciples namely Barsabas and Matthias should be chosen to replace Apostle Judas who had betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver and hung himself to death. Thenceforth after the downpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, lots were no longer used to determine the will of God. The Lord Jesus guided the church in all her decisions by His Spirit (Acts 16:6-7).
One out of ten people were to dwell in the city of Jerusalem and they were picked by the casting of lots. That was an exercise to repopulate the city of Jerusalem. One tenth of the people was the proportion deemed necessary for its strength and viability.
Those chosen included heads of the province, 486 men from the tribe of Judah, 928 sons from the tribe of Benjamin, 128 priests and 284 Levites. Gatekeepers Akkub, Talmon and their brethren numbered 172.
The church ordains elders and deacons and preachers, and appoints holy workers such as church committee members, religious education teachers and administrators, hymn singing leaders and sermon speakers.
The number of brothers and sisters to be ordained as fulltime preachers and elders and deacons, to be appointed as fulltime staff and church council members and workers ought to be in proportion to the size of the church membership, as well as to the volume and nature of the gospel work. Fulltime preachers and church ministers if ordained more than the optimum number, and staff and workers appointed beyond the needed manpower, it may impede the growth of the church work and result in many negative developments.
The biblical requirements for ordination of church ministers and appointment of gospel workers are that they are baptised believers filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, be those of good reputation and full of faith (Acts 6:3,5). They are also not novices lest they be puffed up (I Tim. 3:6; II Tim. 1:10-11).
Only one-tenth of the Levites and of the priests were to dwell in the city of Jerusalem. Lots were cast to determine who among them were to dwell in Jerusalem. The will of the LORD was sought in the selection of the one tenth.
Similarly, when ordaining church ministers and preachers, not every one of those who have the requirements of faith, of good reputation, full of wisdom and of the Holy Spirit and deemed suitable as a candidate should be ordained. Due diligence ought to be given to seek the will of God through ceaseless prayers and fasting.
Spiritual discernment and prudence that result from heeding the Holy Spirit and from the fear of God would ensure that each divine office minister is ordained according to God’s will (eg. Joshua’s inauguration Num. 27: 15-23).
The people blessed all those who willingly offered themselves to dwell in the city of Jerusalem. For they, the one-tenth who dwelt in the city of Jerusalem, have forsaken their responsibility to tend to their own land inherited from their fathers, which Joshua allotted to them when he distributed the promised land after driving out the Canaanites.
Church ministers and workers make sacrifices too when they take up the responsibility to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in His church. Therefore, the brethren ought to bless such workers and church ministers by praying for them, heeding their leadership and obeying them (Eph.6:19; Col 4:2-4, Heb. 13:17, 7).
The exact number of those from the tribe of Judah, from the tribe of Benjamin, the Levites and gatekeepers were recorded. Church preachers and ministers, workers and staff are remembered by the Lord God for their sacrifices, if they diligently and faithfully serve Him.
TEACHINGS
He who desires the divine ministry of fulltime preacher, of an elder and of a deacon desires a good work. Seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit that one may serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel work and in the church (I Tim.3:1, I Cor.12:4-11, 28-30).
Seek the grace of God to dwell in the city of Jerusalem especially to be those with steadfast and enduring faith to serve Him in His church and participate in the ministry of the gospel of salvation to the whole creation (Acts 26:16-18; Mark 16:15-16).
Those brethren who do not hold divine office nor appointed by the church to specific work and committee, also should guard the faith and contend for the truth as well as to proclaim the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into His marvellous light. They too are the chosen generation of the Lord Jesus Christ (I Pet. 2:9)
