So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites.
The princes went first, and gave first, those elevated in power must lead in goodness, not follow. Wealth and authority are worth nothing unless they serve God and others. Necessary duties come before free-will gifts; order matters.
AI summary
Commenting on Numbers 7:1-9
And Moses took the wagons and the oxen,.... Of the princes, as he was directed: and gave them unto the Levites; the Gershonites and Merarites; for, as for the Kohathites, they had no part of them, for a reason after given, Num 7:9.
The wagons were covered conveyances like those used in Egypt and Asia, drawn by oxen, two to each wagon. Moses apportioned them by labor: the Gershonites got fewer because they carried only light drapery, while the Merarites got twice as many to haul the heavy boards, bars, pillars, and sockets. The metal alone in those bases would have taxed even that number severely.
AI summary