Chronicles I 26

1 And for the divisions of the gates: the sons of the Corites Mosellemia, of the sons of Asaph.
2 And Mosellemia's first-born son Zacharias, the second Jadiel, the third Zabadia, the fourth Jenuel,
3 the fifth Jolam, the sixth Jonathan, the seventh Elionai, the eighth Abdedom.
4 And to Abdedom sons, Samaias the first-born, Jozabath the second, Joath the third, Sachar the fourth, Nathanael the fifth,
5 Amiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Phelathi the eighth: for God blessed him.
6 And to Samaias his son were born the sons of his first-born, chiefs over the house of their father, for they were mighty.
7 The sons of Samai; Othni, and Raphael, and Obed, and Elzabath, and Achiud, mighty men, Heliu, and Sabachia, and Isbacom.
8 All of the sons of Abdedom, they and their sons and their brethren, doing mightily in service: in all sixty-two to Abdedom.
9 And Mosellemia eighteen sons and brethren, mighty men.
10 And to Osa of the sons of Merari sons, keeping the dominion; though he was not the first-born, yet his father made him chief of the second division.
11 Chelcias the second, Tablai the third, Zacharias the fourth: all these the sons and brethren of Osa, thirteen.
12 To these the divisions of the gates, to the chiefs of the mighty men the daily courses, even their brethren, to minister in the house of the Lord.
13 And they cast lots for the small as well as for the great, for the several gates, according to their families.
14 And the lot of the east gates fell to Selemias, and Zacharias: the sons of Soaz cast lots for Melchias, and the lot came out northward.
15 To Abdedom the south, opposite the house of Esephim.
16 for the second to Osa westward, after the gate of the chamber by the ascent, watch against watch.
17 Eastward six in the day; northward four by the day; southward four by the day; and two at the Esephim,
18 to relieve guard, also for Osa westward after the chamber-gate, three. a ward over against the ward of the ascent eastward, six in a day, and four for the north, and four for the south, and at the Esephim two to relieve guard, and four by the west, and two to relieve guard at the pathway.
19 These the divisions of the porters for the sons of Core, and to the sons of Merari.
20 And the Levites their brethren over the treasures of the house of the Lord, and over the treasures of the hallowed things.
21 These the sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gersonite: to Ladan the heads of the families: of Ladan the Gersonite Jeiel.
22 The sons of Jeiel Zethom, and Joel; brethren over the treasures of the house of the Lord.
23 To Ambram and Issaar belonged Chebron, and Oziel.
24 And Subael the of Gersam, the of Moses, over the treasures.
25 And Rabias son to his brother Eliezer, and Josias, and Joram, and Zechri, and Salomoth.
26 This Salomoth and his brethren over all the sacred treasures, which David the king and the heads of families consecrated, the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, and princes of the host,
27 things which he took out of cities and from the spoils, and consecrated some of them, so that the building of the house of God should not want ;
28 and over all the holy things of God dedicated by Samuel the prophet, and Saul the son of Kis, and Abenner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Saruia, whatsoever they sanctified by the hand of Salomoth and his brethren.
29 For the Issaarites, Chonenia, and sons the outward ministration over Israel, to record and to judge.
30 For the Chebronites, Asabias and his brethren, a thousand and seven hundred mighty men, over the charge of Israel beyond Jordan westward, for all the service of the Lord and work of the king.
31 Of the of Chebron Urias chief, even of the Chebronites according to their generations, according to their families. In the fortieth year of his reign they were numbered, and there were found mighty men among them in Jazer of Galaad.
32 And his brethren two thousand seven hundred mighty men, chiefs of their families, and king David set them over the Rubenites, and the Gaddites, and the half-tribe of Manasse, for every ordinance of the Lord, and business of the king.

Chronicles I 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.

Chronicles I 26 Commentaries

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.