71 Now on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle , he anointed it and consecrated it with all its furnishings and the altar and all its utensils ; he anointed them and consecrated them also. 2 Then the leaders of Israel , the heads of their fathers' households , made an offering (they were the leaders of the tribes ; they were the ones who were over the numbered men). 3 When they brought their offering before the Lord , six covered carts and twelve e oxen , a cart for every two of the leaders and an ox for each one , then they presented them before the tabernacle . 4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 5 "Accept these things from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting , and you shall give them to the Levites , to each man according to his service ." 6 So Moses took the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites . 7 Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon , according to their service , 8 and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari , according to their service , under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest . 9 But he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 7:1-9
Commentary on Numbers 7:1-9
(Read Numbers 7:1-9)
The offering of the princes to the service of the tabernacle was not made till it was fully set up. Necessary observances must always take place of free-will offerings. The more any are advanced, the greater opportunity they have of serving God and their generation. No sooner was the tabernacle set up, than provision is made for the removal of it. Even when but just settled in the world, we must be preparing for changes and removes, especially for the great change.