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 gates[¹] 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 set[¹] 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.