Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 18:12

12 And Jethro Moses father in law took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and the Elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses father in law before God .

(i. e.) Gave or offered, as that verb is used Psal. 68. 18. compared with Eph. 4. 8. also Exod. 25. 2. Which he did that he might publickly testifie both his embracing of the true Religion, [illegible: 1+ letters]nd his thankfulness to God for the great deliverance given to his people, wherein also himself and family were concerned. And he took or offered these not immediately or by himself, (which would have seemed a presumptuous and unwarrantable action for a stranger to undertake in the Church of Israel) but by those who were appointed to do it, in which sence David is said to have sacrificed 2 Sam. 24. 25. and Solomon, 1 King. 8. 63. and all those who brought their offerings to the Priests to offer for them.

To wit, of thanksgiving, as is expressed Exod. 24. 5. for part of these the offerers with others did eat, Levit. 7. 15. whereas no man might eat of the burnt-offerings, Lev. 1. 9.

(i. e.) to feast together of the remainders of the sacrifices.

Either before the cloudy pillar: or rather, before the altar, and in the place of publick worship: for some such place undoubtedly they had, though the Tabernacle was not yet built: and that was the place appointed for such feasts. See Deut. 12. 7. and 27. 7. 1 Chron. 29. 21. Psal. 116. 17.