1 Chronicles26
New King James Version
1Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2And the sons of Meshelemiah were Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4Moreover the sons of Obed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth; for God blessed him.
6Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they were men of great ability.
7The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men.
8All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom.
9And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men.
10Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),
11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
12Among these were the divisions of the gatekeepers, among the chief men, having duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the Lord.
13And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.
14The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate;
15to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse.
16To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway—watchman opposite watchman.
17On the east were six Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the storehouse two by two.
18As for the Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar.
19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari.
20Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the dedicated things.
21The sons of Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Laadan the Gershonite: Jehieli.
22The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were over the treasuries of the house of the Lord.
23Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries.
25And his brethren by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
26This Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things which King David and the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.
27Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of the Lord.
28And all that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, every dedicated thing, was under the hand of Shelomith and his brethren.
29Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons performed duties as officials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem.
30Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred able men, had the oversight of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the business of the Lord, and in the service of the king.
31Among the Hebronites, Jerijah was head of the Hebronites according to his genealogy of the fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought, and there were found among them capable men at Jazer of Gilead.
32And his brethren were two thousand seven hundred able men, heads of fathers’ houses, whom King David made officials over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God and 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.