The sons of Samuel— The sons of Samuel, Joel his first-born, Abiah his second. See 1 Chronicles 6:33 and 1 Samuel 8:2. At the end of the 27th verse, instead of Elkanah his son, read Samuel his son. Houbigant.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, As Judah had the pre-eminence, and Joseph the birthright, Levi had the honour of the priesthood. Among the descendants of Kohath were Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, whose names are great in God's book. Two of the sons of Aaron, on whom the priesthood was settled, suffered for their daring presumption. In the others, the priestly line was maintained. The line of Eleazar to the captivity is drawn, during which the high-priesthood in general continued in that family; though, in the time of the judges, we find it for a while transferred to the descendants of Ithamar, till Solomon again restored Zadok. Azariah is mentioned as officiating in Solomon's temple, perhaps when Uzziah invaded the priest's office, whom he so nobly withstood. They who have a zeal for God, fear not to testify against the sins of the greatest men, though at the hazard of prison or death.
2nd, When David had brought up the ark from Obed-edom's house, he appointed a solemn choir of Levites, for the constant singing of God's praises; at the head of which were Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, one out of each of the three great houses of Levi, with their children, as many as were musical at least. The other Levites, according to the classes into which they were divided, did the rest of the service, kept the gates, prepared the sacrifices, &c. Note; (1.) The work of praise in the great congregation should be as much the minister's care, as the work of prayer. It is a sure sign of a decay of godliness, when there is a neglect of divine psalmody. (2.) That only is to God a pleasing service of song, when in the heart, as well as the lips, we make melody to God. (3.) In God's house there must be no idlers; the work is important, and calls for labour and diligence.
3rdly, Sacrificing was peculiarly appropriated to the priests, the sons of Aaron. They alone shed the blood of atonement, and burnt incense; and herein they were typical of him, who, himself both priest and sacrifice, by one oblation of himself once offered, hath obtained eternal redemption for us.