What happensPermalink
The leaders of the people live in Jerusalem, but most Jews remain in their ancestral towns throughout Judah. To strengthen and populate Jerusalem, the people cast lots to bring one-tenth of the population into the holy city. The rest of the chapter lists those living in Jerusalem and throughout Judea.
Why it mattersPermalink
Although Jerusalem’s walls have been rebuilt, the city still needs a faithful population to sustain and protect it. The repopulation of the holy city is part of restoring the worship and life of God’s people after exile. The chapter also emphasizes the willingness of the people to sacrifice for the good of the community.
Key versePermalink
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns.