1 Chronicles 9:20-30

20 Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of the gatekeepers in earlier times, and the LORD had been with him.

21 And later Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was responsible for guarding the entrance to the Tabernacle.

22 In all, there were 212 gatekeepers in those days, and they were listed according to the genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed their ancestors because they were reliable men.

23 These gatekeepers and their descendants, by their divisions, were responsible for guarding the entrance to the house of the LORD when that house was a tent.

24 The gatekeepers were stationed on all four sides—east, west, north, and south.

25 Their relatives in the villages came regularly to share their duties for seven-day periods.

26 The four chief gatekeepers, all Levites, were trusted officials, for they were responsible for the rooms and treasuries at the house of God.

27 They would spend the night around the house of God, since it was their duty to guard it and to open the gates every morning.

28 Some of the gatekeepers were assigned to care for the various articles used in worship. They checked them in and out to avoid any loss.

29 Others were responsible for the furnishings, the items in the sanctuary, and the supplies, such as choice flour, wine, olive oil, frankincense, and spices.

30 But it was the priests who blended the spices.

1 Chronicles 9:20-30 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 9

The genealogies of the several tribes being given, according as they were written in the books of the kings of Israel, 1Ch 9:1, an account follows of those who first settled in Jerusalem after their return from the Babylonish captivity; of the Israelites, 1Ch 9:2-9, of the priests, 1Ch 9:10-13 of the Levites, and of the charge and offices of several of the priests and Levites, 1Ch 9:14-34, and the chapter is concluded with a repetition of the genealogy of the ancestors and posterity of Saul king of Israel, 1Ch 9:35-44.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew Tent of Meeting.