1 Chronicles26
New American Standard
1For the divisions of the gatekeepers there were of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3Elam the fifth, Johanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.
4Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth; God had indeed blessed him.
6Also to his son Shemaiah sons were born who ruled over the house of their father, for they were valiant mighty men.
7The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers, Elihu and Semachiah, were valiant men.
8All these were of the sons of Obed-edom; they and their sons and relatives were able men with strength for the service, sixty-two from Obed-edom.
9Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, eighteen valiant men.
10Also Hosah, one of the sons of Merari had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father made him first),
11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth; the sons and relatives of Hosah were thirteen in all.
12To these divisions of the gatekeepers, to the chief men, were given duties like their relatives, to serve in the house of the Lord.
13They cast lots, the small and the great alike, according to their fathers’ households, for every gate.
14The lot to the east fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a counselor with insight, and his lot came out to the north.
15For Obed-edom it fell to the south, and to his sons went the storehouse.
16For Shuppim and Hosah it was to the west, by the gate of Shallecheth, on the ascending highway. Guard corresponded to guard.
17On the east there were six Levites, on the north four daily, on the south four daily, and at the storehouse two by two.
18At the annex on the west there were four at the highway and two at the annex.
19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.
20The Levites, their relatives, were in charge of the treasures of the house of God and of the treasures of the dedicated gifts.
21The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, namely, the Jehielites, were the heads of the fathers’ households, belonging to Ladan the Gershonite.
22The sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and his brother Joel, were in charge of the treasures of the house of the Lord.
23As for the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites,
24Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was officer over the treasures.
25His relatives by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son.
26This Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of all the treasures of the dedicated gifts which King David and the heads of the fathers’ households, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and the commanders of the army, had dedicated.
27They dedicated part of the spoils won in battles to repair the house of the Lord.
28And all that Samuel the seer had dedicated, and Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, everyone who had dedicated anything, all of this was under the care of Shelomoth and his relatives.
29As for the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were assigned to outside duties for Israel, as officers and judges.
30As for the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were responsible for the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan, for all the work of the Lord and the service of the king.
31As for the Hebronites, Jerijah the chief (these Hebronites were sought out according to their genealogies and fathers’ households, in the fortieth year of David’s reign, and men of outstanding capability were found among them at Jazer of Gilead)
32and his relatives, capable men, numbered 2,700, heads of fathers’ households. And King David appointed them as overseers of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites concerning all the affairs of God and of the king.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 26.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The offices of the Levites. (1-32).
vv1-32
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.
Key Words
מַחֲלֹקֶת: a section (of Levites, people or soldiers)
שׁוֹעֵר: a janitor
קׇרְחִי: a Korchite (collectively) or descendants of Korach
מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה: Meshelemjah, an Israelite
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
קוֹרֵא: Kore, the name of two Israelites
אָסָף: Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
זְכַרְיָה: Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites
בְּכוֹר: firstborn; hence, chief
יְדִיעֲאֵל: Jediael, the name of three Israelites
Cross References
1 Chronicles 26Explains how and why God blessed Obed-edom: because of his custody of the Ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel showing the Korahites as keepers of the entry gates of the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the lineage of Asaph/Ebiasaph as a descendant of Korah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts the father choosing Simri as chief over the firstborn with standard inheritance law.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions the ascending causeway to the Temple, built by Solomon, matching the Shallecheth gate road.
Supported by JFB
Shows the division between the matters of the Lord and the affairs of the king.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Provides the geographical context of Parbar as related to the suburbs of Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB
Identifies the six thousand Levites appointed as officers and judges in Israel.
Supported by JFB
Lists Obed-edom among the porters designated during the bringing up of the Ark.
Identifies Jazer in Gilead as a Levitical city where mighty men of valour were located.