5 And they brought H3947 that which Moses H4872 commanded H6680 before H6440 the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150 and all the congregation H5712 drew near H7126 and stood H5975 before H6440 the LORD. H3068
Then Solomon H8010 assembled H6950 the elders H2205 of Israel, H3478 and all the heads H7218 of the tribes, H4294 the chief H5387 of the fathers H1 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 unto Jerusalem, H3389 to bring up H5927 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD H3068 out of the city H5892 of David, H1732 which is Zion. H6726 Wherefore all the men H376 of Israel H3478 assembled H6950 themselves unto the king H4428 in the feast H2282 which was in the seventh H7637 month. H2320
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Leviticus 9
Commentary on Leviticus 9 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 9
Aaron and his sons, having been solemnly consecrated to the priesthood, are in this chapter entering upon the execution of their office, the very next day after their consecration was completed.
Lev 9:1-7
Orders are here given for another solemnity upon the eighth day; for the newly-ordained priests were set to work immediately after the days of their consecration were finished, to let them know that they were not ordained to be idle: He that desires the office of a bishop desires a good work, which must be looked at with desire, more than the honour and benefit. The priests had not so much as one day's respite from service allowed them, that they might divert themselves, and receive the compliments of their friends upon their elevation, but were busily employed the very next day; for their consecration was the filling of their hands. God's spiritual priests have constant work cut out for them, which the duty of every day requires; and those that would give up their account with joy must redeem time; see Eze. 43:26, 27. Now,
Lev 9:8-22
These being the first offerings that ever were offered by the levitical priesthood, according to the newly-enacted law of sacrifices, the manner of offering them is particularly related, that it might appear how exactly they agreed with the institution.
Lev 9:23-24
We are not told what Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle to do, v. 23. Some of the Jewish writers say, "They went in to pray for the appearance of the divine glory;' most probably they went in that Moses might instruct Aaron how to do the service that was to be done there-burn incense, light the lamps, set the show-bread, etc., that he might instruct his sons in it. But, when they came out, they both joined in blessing the people, who stood expecting the promised appearance of the divine glory; and it was now (when Moses and Aaron concurred in praying) that they had what they waited for. Note, God's manifestations of himself, of his glory and grace, are commonly given in answer to prayer. When Christ was praying the heavens were opened, Lu. 3:21. The glory of God appeared, not while the sacrifices were in offering, but when the priests prayed (as 2 Chr. 5:13), when they praised God, which intimates that the prayers and praises of God's spiritual priests are more pleasing to God than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
When the solemnity was finished, the blessing pronounced, and the congregation ready to be dismissed, in the close of the day, then God testified his acceptance, which gave them such satisfaction as was well worth waiting for.