20 In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was the official in charge of the gatekeepers, and the Lord was with him.
20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the Lord was with him.
20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the chief officer over them in time past; the Lord was with him.
20 In the early days, Phinehas son of Eleazar was in charge of the security guards - God be with him!
20 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the Lord was with him.
20 Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers in earlier times, and the Lord had been with him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 9:20
Chapter Contents
Genealogies.
This chapter expresses that one end of recording all these genealogies was, to direct the Jews, when they returned out of captivity, with whom to unite, and where to reside. Here is an account of the good state into which the affairs of religion were put, on the return from Babylon. Every one knew his charge. Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order. Thus was the temple a figure of the heavenly one, where they rest not day nor night from praising God, Revelation 4:8. Blessed be His name, believers there shall, not in turn, but all together, without interruption, praise him night and day: may the Lord make each of us fit for the inheritance of the saints in light.