My sons. — A condescending term from the king; just as my father was a term of respect (2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings 5:13; 2 Kings 13:14).
Be not now negligent. — The Niphal form of the verb shalah (“to be at ease”) occurs nowhere else. The margin is incorrect.
The Lord hath chosen you. — You hath the Lord chosen. The pronoun is emphatic. (Comp. the similar words: 1 Chronicles 23:13; Deuteronomy 10:8.)
To stand before him, (in order) to serve him, is the construction.
And that ye should minister. — Literally, And to become to him ministers and thurifers.
The thoughts and the style of the royal address make it evident enough that it is a free composition, in the well-known manner of ancient historians.