1. Chronik 9:18

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past,.... Over the host, over the Levites, and the chief of them; which is to be understood of Phinehas the son of Eleazar, in the time of Moses, who succeeded his father in that post, see Num 3:32 though some think, as Kimchi observes, that this was not Phinehas the priest, but a certain Levite of this name in this post; but since he is said to be in time past, it may very well be understood of him: and it also is observed: and the Lord was with him; inspiring him with zeal for his honour and glory, assisting and strengthening him to do his will and work, as particularly in the affair of Zimri, Num 25:7, the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord was for his help;'' this may be said for the encouragement of him that was in the same office now.

This chapter intimates to us that one end of recording all these genealogies was to direct the Jews, now that they had returned out of captivity, with whom to incorporate and where to reside; for here we have an account of those who first took possession of Jerusalem after their return from Babylon, and began the rebuilding of it upon the old foundation. I. The Israelites (Ch1 9:2-9). II. The priests (Ch1 9:10-13). III. The Levites and other Nethinim (Ch1 9:14-26). IV. Here is the particular charge of some of the priests and Levites (Ch1 9:27-34). V. A repetition of the genealogy of king Saul (Ch1 9:35-44).