16. the children of Israel . . . kept the dedication . . . with joy—The ceremonial was gone through with demonstrations of the liveliest joy. The aged who had wept at the laying of the foundation [Ezr 3:12] were most, if not all of them, now dead; and all rejoiced at the completion of this national undertaking.

     17. twelve he-goats—as at the dedication of the tabernacle (Nu 7:87; 8:17).

     18. they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses . . . as it is written in the book of Moses—Although David arranged the priests and Levites in courses according to their families, it was Moses who assigned to the priests and Levites their rights and privileges, their stations and several duties.

     Ezr 6:19-22. AND OF THE PASSOVER.