(15) To Obed-edom (the lot fell) southward; and to his sons (fell by lot) the house of Asuppim.--"Asuppim" occurs only in 1 Chronicles 26:15; 1 Chronicles 26:17 of this chapter, and in Nehemiah 12:25. It seems to mean collections, stores of provisions and material for the use of the Temple and its ministers; so that Beth-h?-asuppim is the storehouse or magazine. Nothing more is known about it. (The Vulgate takes 'asuppim to mean "Council of Elders;" confusing the word with 'asuppoth,Ecclesiastes 12:11.)
26:1-32 The offices of the Levites. - The porters and treasurers of the temple, had occasion for strength and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary, and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar; flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps; quantities of these were kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house, enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries, the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness, we must give him the glory, and endeavour to dispose of our abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church, as truly as the ministry, and must not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man. Wisdom, courage, strength of faith, holy affections, and constancy of mind in doing our duty, are requisite or useful for every station.
To Obededom southward,.... Where were two gates in later times, called the gates of Huldah (x):
and to his sons, the house of Asuppim; the word has the signification of gathering, hence some take it to be a council house, where the sanhedrim or elders gathered together, and sat; and others, rather a treasure house, where things of value were collected and laid up, since Obededom had the charge of gold and silver, and the vessels of the house, 2 Chronicles 25:24, but Dr. Lightfoot (y) is of opinion, that"Asuppim were two gates in the western wall, which stood most south, or nearest to Jerusalem; "and the house of Asuppim" was a large piece of building that ran between them, which was a treasury, or various rooms for treasuring or laying up something for the use of the temple;''though L'Empereur thinks (z) it was the chamber Korban, which is not so probable.
(x) Ib. (Misn. Middot), c. 1. sect. 3.((y) Prospect of the Temple, ch. 5. sect. 3.((z) Not. in Middot, c. 1. sect. 1. No. 5.
and to his sons, the house of Asuppim; the word has the signification of gathering, hence some take it to be a council house, where the sanhedrim or elders gathered together, and sat; and others, rather a treasure house, where things of value were collected and laid up, since Obededom had the charge of gold and silver, and the vessels of the house, 2 Chronicles 25:24, but Dr. Lightfoot (y) is of opinion, that"Asuppim were two gates in the western wall, which stood most south, or nearest to Jerusalem; "and the house of Asuppim" was a large piece of building that ran between them, which was a treasury, or various rooms for treasuring or laying up something for the use of the temple;''though L'Empereur thinks (z) it was the chamber Korban, which is not so probable.
(x) Ib. (Misn. Middot), c. 1. sect. 3.((y) Prospect of the Temple, ch. 5. sect. 3.((z) Not. in Middot, c. 1. sect. 1. No. 5.