And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
The rulers ... dwelt at Jerusalem. That city being the metropolis of the country, it was right and proper that the seat of government should be there. But the exigency of the times required that special measures should be taken to ensure the residence of an adequate population, for the custody of the buildings and the defense of the city. From the annoyances of restless and malignant enemies, who tried every means to demolish the rising fortifications, there was some danger attending a settlement in Jerusalem; and hence, the greater part of the returned exiles, in order to earn as well as secure the rewards of their duty, preferred to remain in the country or the provincial towns. (As to Nethinims and the children of Solomon's servants, see the notes at 1 Chronicles 9:2; Ezra 2:43; Ezra 2:58; Ezra 7:7; also 7:60.)
To remedy this state of things, it was resolved to select every tenth man of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin by lot, to become a permanent inhabitant of the capital. The necessity of such an expedient commended it to the general approval. It was the more readily submitted to, that the lot was resorted to on all the most critical conjunctures of the Jewish history and regarded by, the people as a divine decision (Proverbs 18:18). This awakened strongly the national spirit; and patriotic volunteers came readily forward to meet the wishes of the authorities-a service which, implying great self-denial as well as courage, was reckoned in the circumstances of so much importance as entitled them to the public gratitude. No wonder that the conduct of these volunteers drew forth the tribute of public admiration; because they sacrificed their personal safety and comfort for the interests of the community, Jerusalem being at that time a place against which the enemies of the Jews were directing a thousand plots, and, therefore, residence in it at such a juncture was attended with expense and various annoyances from which a country life was entirely free.