_the king’s gate eastward_] That the king had an entrance into the Temple named after him appears from 2 Kings xvi. 18, and that this gate was on the east from Ezekiel xlvi. 1, 2. _for the camp of the children of Levi_] i.e. the Temple; but the phrase, which is derived from Numbers ii. 17, in its original context of course signifies the Tabernacle of the Mosaic period. Doubtless it is used with the implication that the institution of the gatekeepers dated back to that age: compare verse 19 _ad fin._, and contrast verse 22. ¹⁹And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of his father’s house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates¹ of the tabernacle²: and their fathers had been over the camp of the LORD, keepers of the entry; ¹ Hebrew _thresholds_. ² Hebrew _Tent_. =19.= _over the camp of the LORD, keepers_] We might expect the reference to the Temple or Tabernacle to be continued; but, as nothing is said in the Pentateuch of “keepers of the entry _to the tabernacle_,” probably the entry _to the camp_, not to the tabernacle, is meant in the present phrase. With this view agrees the mention of Phinehas (verse 20), for it apparently was the profanation of the camp in general, not of the tabernacle, which Phinehas avenged (Numbers xxv. 6‒8), thus earning a blessing (Numbers xxv. 11‒13). ²⁰and Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them in time past, _and_ the LORD was with him. =20.= and _the LORD was with him_] Render, =May the Lord be with him=, a pious exclamation, customary on mentioning the name of a famous and righteous person deceased. The phrase is common in later Jewish literature; but this passage seems to be the earliest instance of its use. ²¹Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tent of meeting. All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates¹ were two hundred and twelve. ¹ Hebrew _thresholds_. =21.= _Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah_] Compare xxvi. 2, 14, according to which Zechariah’s watch was on the north. _the tent of meeting_] The reference would be to the Mosaic tent, if the verse be taken, as is natural, in close connection with verses 19, 20. If the verse be treated in conjunction with verse 22 it must refer to the tent of the ark in David’s time. The ambiguity is perhaps intentional. ²²These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set¹ office. ¹ Or, _trust_. =22.= _All these_] Compare Ezra ii. 42 (= Nehemiah vii. 45); Nehemiah xi. 19. The discrepancy in numbers between Chronicles and Nehemiah and also between Nehemiah vii. and Nehemiah xi. may be explained by supposing some difference in the manner of reckoning or some difference in the period referred to. _in their villages_] Compare verses 16 and 25.