1 Chronicles26
New International Version
1The divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth and Eliehoenai the seventh.
4Obed-Edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sakar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth. (For God had blessed Obed-Edom.)
6Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders in their father’s family because they were very capable men.
7The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also able men.
8All these were descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their relatives were capable men with the strength to do the work—descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all.
9Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, who were able men—18 in all.
10Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first),
11Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all.
12These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had.
13Lots were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
14The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.
15The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom, and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons.
16The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah. Guard was alongside of guard:
17There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse.
18As for the court to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court itself.
19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.
20Their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.
21The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli,
22the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the temple of the Lord.
23From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites:
24Shubael, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the official in charge of the treasuries.
25His relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son and Shelomith his son.
26Shelomith and his relatives 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 commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders.
27Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the Lord.
28And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.
29From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel.
30From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives—seventeen hundred able men—were responsible in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the king’s service.
31As for the Hebronites, Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth year of David’s reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead.
32Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs 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.