And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given [them]: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
Ver. 10. And I perceived] Heb. I took knowledge, and was soon sensible of it, as a great public mischief: for ad tenuitatem beneficiorum necessario sequitur socordia sacerdotum, lean benefits make leaden ministers (Panormit.). This the magistrate must look to, and provide that they may have the double honour that is due to them, of countenance and maintenance, 1 Timothy 5:17; or else religion will soon go to wreck.
That the portions of the Levites had not been given them] And why? because the high priest was so bad, and the Levites, therefore, thought to be little better. How apt are men to dispute God out of his own! How witty to save their purses! How ready to say, with William Rufus, The Church bread is sweet bread! and with Julian, the apostate, to take away the ministers' maintenance, pretending conscience; for that too much living would be a burden to them; and who knows how Eliashib and his Levites may misemploy it?
For the Levites and singers, that did the work] And are, therefore, worthy of their wages, must have their honorary stipends, or cannot subsist; are not of the chameleon kind, to live by air; but, as harvest labourers, must have that which is good; as oxen that tread out the corn must have more than straw allowed them.
Were fled every one to his field] For stark need, in the fail of temple maintenance; they were glad to do as they might, and let their charge lie. Though tithes were not paid, yet they had some glebe land A portion of land assigned to a clergyman as part of his benefice. to live upon.