1 Chronicles 26

1 The divisions of the gatekeepers: Of the Korchim: Meshelemyahu the son of Kore, of the descendants of Asaf.
2 Meshelemyahu had sons: Z'kharyahu the firstborn, Y'dia'el the second, Z'vadyahu the third, Yatni'el the fourth,
3 'Eilam the fifth, Y'hochanan the sixth and Ely'ho'einai the seventh.
4 'Oved-Edom had sons: Sh'ma'yah the firstborn, Y'hozavad the second son, Yo'ach the third, Sakhar the fourth, N'tan'el the fifth,
5 'Ammi'el the sixth, Yissakhar the seventh, and Pe'ultai the eighth; for God blessed him.
6 To his son Sh'ma'yah were born sons who ruled over their father's clan, because they were strong, brave men.
7 The sons of Sh'ma'yah: 'Otni, Refa'el and his brothers 'Oved and Elzavad, valiant men; also Elihu and S'makhyahu.
8 These were all from the sons of 'Oved-Edom, they and their sons and brothers, men of ability and strength for service, sixty-two from 'Oved-Edom.
9 Meshelemyahu had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen.
10 Hosah, from the descendants of M'rari, had sons: Shimri the chief, for although he was not the firstborn, nevertheless his father made him the chief;
11 Hilkiyahu the second, T'valyahu the third and Z'kharyahu the fourth; all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their chief men, had duties, just as their kinsmen did, serving in the house of ADONAI.
13 Great or small, they cast lots according to their clans for every gate.
14 The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemyahu. Then they cast lots for his son Z'kharyahu, a sensible adviser, and he was allotted the north gate.
15 'Oved-Edom was allotted the south gate and his sons the storehouse.
16 Shupim and Hosah were allotted the west gate and the Shallekhet Gate at the highway that goes up, with corresponding guards.
17 For the east there were six L'vi'im, for the north four a day, for the south four a day, for the Storehouse two and two,
18 while for the courtyard to the west there were four at the highway and two at the courtyard itself.
19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers, consisting of descendants of the Korchim and descendants of M'rari.
20 Of the L'vi'im, Achiyah was responsible for the stores in the house of God and the stores of holy articles.
21 The sons of La'dan, the descendants of the Gershuni belonging to La'dan, the heads of clans belonging to La'dan the Gershuni: Yechi'eli;
22 and the sons of Yechi'eli: Zetam and Yo'el his brother, over the stores in the house of ADONAI.
23 Of the 'Amrami, of the Yitz'hari, of the Hevroni, of the 'Uzi'eli,
24 Sh'vu'el the descendant of Gershom, the son of Moshe, was in charge of the stores.
25 His kinsmen: from Eli'ezer: Rechavyahu his son, Yesha'yahu his son, Yoram his son, Zikhri his son and Shlomit his son.
26 This Shlomit and his kinsmen were in charge of all the stores of the dedicated things that David the king, the clan heads, the captains over thousands and hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated.
27 From the spoil won in wars they had dedicated these things to repair the house of ADONAI.
28 Also included was all that Sh'mu'el the seer, Sha'ul the son of Kish, Avner the son of Ner and Yo'av the son of Tz'ruyah had dedicated. In short, if anyone had dedicated anything, Shlomit and his brothers were in charge of it.
29 Of the Yitz'hari: K'nanyahu and his sons were assigned to be over Isra'el in regard to outside business as officers and judges.
30 Of the Hevroni: Hashavyah and his kinsmen, 1,700 valiant men, had the oversight of Isra'el west of the Yarden in regard to all the business of ADONAI and the service of the king.
31 Yeriyah was chief of the Hevroni according to their generations by clans. In the fortieth year of David's reign the Hevroni were sought out, and there were found among them strong, brave men at Ya'zer in Gil'ad.
32 King David appointed 2,700 of his kinsmen, valiant men and clan leaders, as overseers over the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of the M'nashi for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

1 Chronicles 26 Commentary

Chapter 26

The offices of the Levites.

- 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 26

In this chapter we have a further account of the disposition and distribution of the Levites, to serve in other offices, as of porters at the several gates of the temple, for which they cast lots, 1Ch 26:1-19 of others, as over the treasures of the house of the Lord, 1Ch 26:20-28, and of others that were appointed judges in the land, to administer justice to the people, 1Ch 26:29-32.

1 Chronicles 26 Commentaries

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.