Numbers 9:19

“And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, etc.] Or years, for days are sometimes put for years, and in some places the cloud tarried several years; or however, if it stayed but a month or a year in any place, as in (<040922>Numbers 9:22); then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not; they not only kept watching when it would move, or set sentinels for that purpose to observe it, but they kept the charge, order, or commandment, which the tarrying of the cloud was a token of, and did not attempt to proceed in their journey until they had an intimation so to do by its motion; and all this while, likewise, the tabernacle being up, they observed…”

“when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle, . . . then Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not--A desert life has its attractions, and constant movements create a passionate love of change. Many incidents show that the Israelites had strongly imbibed this nomad habit and were desirous of hastening to Canaan. But still the phases of the cloud indicated the command of God: and whatsoever irksomeness they might have felt in remaining long stationary in camp, "when the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle many days, they kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not." Happy for them had they always exhibited this spirit of obedience! and happy for all if, through the wilderness…”

“The charge - That is, the command of God, that they should stay as long as the cloud stayed. Numbers 9:21”

“9:19-23 The fiery cloud, witnessed even by Israel’s enemies (14:14), was a clear symbol of God’s glorious presence and the means by which he directed their movement.”

“tarried long: Heb. prolonged kept the: Num 1:52, Num 1:53, Num 3:8; Zac 3:7 Numbers 9:21”