1 Chronicles 26

The Divisions of the Gatekeepers

1 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.

4 And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom.

6 Also to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their families because they were strong, capable men.

7 Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers were Elihu and Semachiah, also capable men.

8 All these were descendants of Obed-edom; they and their sons and brothers were capable men with strength to do the work—62 in all from Obed-edom.

9 Meshelemiah also had sons and brothers who were capable men—18 in all.

10 Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first),

11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and brothers of Hosah numbered 13 in all.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did.

13 They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. ^[a] Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.

15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons.

16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway ^[b] fell to Shuppim and Hosah. There were guards stationed at every watch.

17 Each day there were six Levites on the east, four on the north, four on the south, and two pairs at the storehouse.

18 As for the court ^[c] on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court.

19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

The Treasurers, Officers, and Judges

20 Now their fellow Levites were ^[d] in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things.

21 From the descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan ^[e] and heads of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli, ^[f]

22 the sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD.

23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

24 Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the officer in charge of the treasuries.

25 His relatives through Eliezer included Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah ^[g] his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

26 This Shelomith and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and by the army commanders.

27 They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD.

28 Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was under the care of Shelomith and his brothers.

29 From the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons had the outside duties ^[h] as officers and judges over Israel.

30 From the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king.

31 As for the Hebronites, Jerijah ^[i] was the chief of the Hebronites, according to the genealogies of his ancestors. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the records were searched, and strong, capable men were found among the Hebronites at Jazer in Gilead.

32 Among Jerijah’s relatives there were 2,700 capable men who were heads of families. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Shelemiah is a variant of Meshelemiah; see verse 2.
• [b] Or on the upper road
• [c] Hebrew parbar; twice in this verse
• [d] LXX; Hebrew As for the Levites, Ahijah was
• [e] Ladan is a variant of Libni; see 1 Chronicles 6:17.
• [f] Jehieli is a variant of Jehiel; also in verse 22; see 1 Chronicles 23:8.
• [g] Jeshaiah is a variant of Isshiah; see 1 Chronicles 24:21.
• [h] Or the duties outside (the temple) or the duties outside (Jerusalem)
• [i] Jerijah is a variant of Jeriah; see 1 Chronicles 23:19.

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.