(27) Out of the spoils won in battles.--The verse is an explanatory parenthesis. Literally, Out of the wars, and out of the spoils; a hendiadys, i.e., out of the spoils of war.

To maintain the house.--In 2Kings 12:8 the verb means to repair or restore. (Comp. Nehemiah 3:4; Nehemiah 3:7.) Here to make strong appears to be the idea. (Comp. 1Chronicles 29:12.)

Verse 27. - For such proceeds of war, see 2 Samuel 8:10-12, etc.

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.Out of the spoils won in battle did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord. When it should be built; for as yet it was not; both to repair it when necessary, and to provide sacrifices for it; or to confirm, strengthen, and animate the heart of the king to build it, so some, and put it into the power of his hands to do it; so the Romans dedicated the best of their spoil, and laid it up in the temple of Jupiter Feretrius, after the example of Romulus, their first king (f); yea, sometimes out of the spoil they erected temples, as Tarquinius Superbus (g) did; or repaired and ornamented them, as the temple at Delphos, and others (h).

(f) Vid. Valtrinum de re militar. Roman. l. 7. c. 21. (g) Flori Hist. l. 1. c. 7. (h) Vid. Strabo, Geograph. l. 6. p. 190. Liv. Hist. l. 10. c. 46.