1 Chronicles Chapter 26
1 For the divisions of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him.
6 Sons were also born to Shemaiah his son, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valour.
7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
8 All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom: they and their sons and their brothers, able men in strength for the service: sixty-two of Obed-Edom.
9 Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen.
10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief),
11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
12 Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the LORD's house.
13 They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers' houses, for every gate.
14 The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
15 To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse.
16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watchman opposite watchman.
17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two.
18 For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
19 These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of God's house and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
21 The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers' households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.
22 The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of the LORD's house.
23 Of the Amramites, of the Izharites, of the Hebronites, of the Uzzielites:
24 and Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler over the treasures.
25 His brothers: of Eliezer, Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son.
26 This Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers' households, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.
27 They dedicated some of the plunder won in battles to repair the LORD's house.
28 All that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated, whoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brothers.
29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, men of valour, one thousand and seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of the LORD, and for the service of the king.
31 Of the Hebronites, Jerijah was the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers' households. They were sought for in the fortieth year of the reign of David, and mighty men of valour were found amongst them at Jazer of Gilead.
32 His brothers, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred, heads of fathers' households, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.
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1 Chronicles Chapter 26 Guide
In no particular did the arrangements of the king fall short. Not only Levites, priests, and singers were arranged for, but porters also, and such as had charge of all the stores set apart for the sacred work. These, moreover, were sons of the first of the nation, as well as of others less known; and the same principle of democratic selection is casting the lots - "as well the small as the great" took part.
It is interesting in this section to note, moreover, how long men had looked forward to building the Temple. In the statement that the dedicated treasure was in the care of Shelomoth, some is specified as set apart by Samuel, some by Saul, some by Abner, and some by Joab. In giving to Solomon the charge to build David had spoken of the treasure he had gathered and said, "Thou mayest add thereto." Now it appears that others before himself also had made contributions to the great whole.
These facts are suggestive and helpful. None of us can ever do a complete thing for God. All His works are too great. Nothing we touch is other than a piece of work begun and dropped ere the weary hands had completed their task. And, in turn, nothing we take up can we complete. But there are always others coming on who will continue the toil, for God's work must be done. Let us count it greatest honour to have touched the work at all, and be content to have put in one day's work thereon between morning and sunset.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Chronicles Chapter 26 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The offices of the Levites.
Verses 1-32
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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.