1 Chronicles 26

This chapter details the duties and organization of the gatekeepers in the temple, focusing on their responsibilities, lineage, and divisions. It also outlines the treasurers and other officials tasked with overseeing the temple and its wealth. The chapter emphasizes the importance of order and duty in the service of God, highlighting the Levitical families entrusted with these critical tasks.

1 Chronicles 26:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 Moreover the sons of Obed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth; for God blessed him.

These verses describe the sons of Meshelemiah and Obed-Edom, who were gatekeepers for the temple. The gatekeepers had the critical role of protecting the entrance to the temple, ensuring order and purity in worship. Obed-Edom, a man previously noted for keeping the ark of the covenant, was particularly blessed by God, which is shown by his numerous sons. This blessing was a sign of God’s favor and provision for those who faithfully served Him. The specific mention of the sons highlights the importance of family legacy in temple service.

1 Chronicles 26:6-8 (NKJV)
6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they were men of great ability.
7 The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men.
8 All 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.

Shemaiah’s sons were noted for their leadership abilities and physical strength. These qualities were essential for their roles as gatekeepers, where vigilance, wisdom, and strength were necessary for protecting the temple. The emphasis on their strength and capability shows that serving in God’s house required dedication and the ability to carry out duties effectively. The large number of descendants (sixty-two) from Obed-Edom highlights his blessed lineage, reinforcing the idea that God's favor rests on faithful servants.

1 Chronicles 26:9-10 (NKJV)
9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men.
10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first),

Meshelemiah and Hosah are mentioned with their sons and brothers, all capable men ready for temple service. The note about Shimri being made first despite not being the firstborn shows that in some cases, capability was more important than birth order when it came to temple responsibilities. This reflects God’s choice of people not based on human traditions or customs but on ability and faithfulness to fulfill His work.

1 Chronicles 26:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
12 Among 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.
13 And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.
14 The 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;
15 to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse.

The sons and brothers of Hosah were divided for temple service, ensuring the gatekeeping roles were shared among many. Casting lots was a common practice to determine specific duties in a fair and unbiased way, showing that each family had equal opportunity in serving. Zechariah’s wisdom is specifically highlighted, suggesting that wisdom was as important as strength in serving. Obed-Edom’s family was entrusted with guarding both a gate and the storehouse, indicating their trustworthiness in handling the temple’s resources.

1 Chronicles 26:16-19 (NKJV)
16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway—watchman opposite watchman.
17 On the east were six Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the storehouse two by two.
18 As for the Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar.
19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari.

The positions at the gates were carefully organized, with specific numbers of men assigned to each gate. The attention to detail in the number of gatekeepers shows the importance of maintaining order and security in God’s house. The phrase "watchman opposite watchman" highlights the idea of constant vigilance. This section reinforces the structured and well-organized nature of temple service, ensuring that the house of God was well protected at all times.

1 Chronicles 26:20-24 (NKJV)
20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the dedicated things.
21 The sons of Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Laadan the Gershonite, Jehieli.
22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were over the treasuries of the house of the Lord.
23 Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries.

This passage shifts focus to the Levites responsible for the treasuries. These treasuries were the sacred offerings dedicated to the Lord, and only trusted families, like those of Laadan and Moses’ descendant Shebuel, were given the charge to oversee them. The lineage of these Levites demonstrates the connection to key figures in Israel’s history, such as Moses, emphasizing the faithfulness and heritage of those entrusted with the temple’s wealth.

1 Chronicles 26:25-28 (NKJV)
25 And his brethren by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
26 This 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.
27 Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of the Lord.
28 And 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.

These verses highlight the wealth dedicated to the temple from various leaders, including King David and the military leaders. Shelomith and his family were responsible for overseeing these treasuries. The items dedicated included spoils of war, indicating that military victories were seen as blessings from God, and the spoils were used to maintain and honor the temple. The involvement of past leaders like Samuel and Saul shows how long the tradition of dedicating offerings to the Lord had been practiced.

1 Chronicles 26:29-32 (NKJV)
29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons performed duties as officials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem.
30 Of 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.
31 Among the Hebronites, Jerijah was the 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.
32 And 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.

This final section outlines the officials and judges appointed from the Izharites and Hebronites to serve in matters of governance both inside and outside of Jerusalem. These men were selected for their capabilities and trustworthiness, reflecting the importance of godly leadership in both spiritual and civic matters. The oversight of different regions shows a well-organized structure in managing the tribes of Israel, ensuring that both religious duties and royal responsibilities were fulfilled under the leadership of David’s trusted men.