1 Chronicles 26

1 For the courses of the doorkeepers: of the Korchi, Meshelemyah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaf.
2 Meshelemyah had sons: Zekharyah the firstborn, Yedi`a'el the second, Zevadyah the third, Yatni'el the fourth,
3 `Elam the fifth, Yehochanan the sixth, Elyeho`enai the seventh.
4 `Oved-'Edom had sons: Shemayah the firstborn, Yehozavad the second, Yo'ach the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Netan'el the fifth,
5 `Ammi'el the sixth, Yissakhar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him.
6 Also to Shemayah his son were sons born, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor.
7 The sons of Shemayah: Othni, and Rephael, and `Oved, Elzavad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachyahu.
8 All these were of the sons of `Oved-'Edom: they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service; sixty-two of `Oved-'Edom.
9 Meshelemyah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen.
10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief),
11 Hilkiyah the second, Tevalyahu the third, Zekharyah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
12 Of these were the courses of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the house of the LORD.
13 They cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to their fathers' houses, for every gate.
14 The lot eastward fell to Shelemyahu. Then for Zekharyah his son, a discreet counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
15 To `Oved-'Edom southward; and to his sons the store-house.
16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watch against watch.
17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the store-house two and two.
18 For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
19 These were the courses of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korchi, and of the sons of Merari.
20 Of the Levites, Achiyah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
21 The sons of La`dan, the sons of the Gershoni belonging to La`dan, the heads of the fathers' [houses] belonging to La`dan the Gershonite: Yechie'li.
22 The sons of Yechie'li: Zetham, and Yo'el his brother, over the treasures of the house of the LORD.
23 Of the `Amrami, of the Izharites, of the Hevroni, of the `Uzzi'eli:
24 and Shevu'el the son of Gershom, the son of Moshe, was ruler over the treasures.
25 His brothers: of Eli`ezer [came] Rechavyah his son, and Yesha`yah his son, and Yoram his son, and Zikhri his son, and Shelomit his son.
26 This Shelomit and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers' [houses], the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.
27 Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of the LORD.
28 All that Shemu'el the seer, and Sha'ul the son of Kish, and Aviner the son of Ner, and Yo'av the son of Tzeru'yah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomit, and of his brothers.
29 Of the Izharites, Kananyah and his sons were for the outward business over Yisra'el, for officers and judges.
30 Of the Hevroni, Hashavyah and his brothers, men of valor, one thousand seven hundred, had the oversight of Yisra'el beyond the Yarden westward, for all the business of the LORD, and for the service of the king.
31 Of the Hevroni was Yeriyah the chief, even of the Hevroni, according to their generations by fathers' [houses]. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Ya`zer of Gil`ad.
32 His brothers, men of valor, were two thousand and seven hundred, heads of fathers' [houses], whom king David made overseers over the Re'uveni, and the Gadi, and the half-tribe of the Manashshi, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.

1 Chronicles 26 Commentary

Chapter 26

The offices of the Levites.

- The porters and treasurers of the temple, had occasion for strength and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary, and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar; flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps; quantities of these were kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house, enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries, the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness, we must give him the glory, and endeavour to dispose of our abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church, as truly as the ministry, and must not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man. Wisdom, courage, strength of faith, holy affections, and constancy of mind in doing our duty, are requisite or useful for every station.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 26

In this chapter we have a further account of the disposition and distribution of the Levites, to serve in other offices, as of porters at the several gates of the temple, for which they cast lots, 1Ch 26:1-19 of others, as over the treasures of the house of the Lord, 1Ch 26:20-28, and of others that were appointed judges in the land, to administer justice to the people, 1Ch 26:29-32.

1 Chronicles 26 Commentaries

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.