12To these divisions of the gatekeepers, the chief men, were given duties like their relatives to minister in the house of the LORD. 13They cast lots, the small and the great alike, according to their fathers’ households, for every gate. 14The lot to the east fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a counselor with insight, and his lot came out to the north. 15For Obed-edom it fell to the south, and to his sons went the storehouse. 16For Shuppim and Hosah it was to the west, by the gate of Shallecheth, on the ascending highway. Guard corresponded to guard. 17On the east there were six Levites, on the north four daily, on the south four daily, and at the storehouse two by two. 18At the Parbar on the west there were four at the highway and two at the Parbar. 19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers of the sons of Korah and of the sons of Merari.

Keepers of the Treasure

      20The Levites, their relatives, had charge of the treasures of the house of God and of the treasures of the dedicated gifts. 21The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, namely, the Jehielites, were the heads of the fathers’ households, belonging to Ladan the Gershonite.

      22The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, had charge of the treasures of the house of the LORD. 23As for the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites, 24Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was officer over the treasures. 25His relatives by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son and Shelomoth his son. 26This Shelomoth and his relatives had charge of all the treasures of the dedicated gifts which King David and the heads of the fathers’ households, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and the commanders of the army, had dedicated. 27They dedicated part of the spoil won in battles to repair the house of the LORD. 28And all that Samuel the seer had dedicated and Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah, everyone who had dedicated anything, all of this was in the care of Shelomoth and his relatives.

Outside Duties

      29As for the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were assigned to outside duties for Israel, as officers and judges. 30As for the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan, for all the work of the LORD and the service of the king. 31As for the Hebronites, Jerijah the chief (these Hebronites were investigated according to their genealogies and fathers’ households, in the fortieth year of David’s reign, and men of outstanding capability were found among them at Jazer of Gilead) 32and his relatives, capable men, were 2,700 in number, heads of fathers’ households. And King David made them overseers of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites concerning all the affairs of God and of the king.

Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Elam the fifth, Johanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Elam (the fifth), Jehohanan (the sixth), and Eliehoenai (the seventh).

King James Bible
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Elam the fifth, Johanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

Darby Bible Translation
Elam the fifth, Johanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

English Revised Version
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.

Webster's Bible Translation
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

World English Bible
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.

Young's Literal Translation
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

Cross References

1 Chronicles 26:2 Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

1 Chronicles 26:4 Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

Commentary

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Chapter 26

We have here an account of the business of the Levites. That tribe had made but a very small figure all the time of the judges, till Eli and Samuel appeared. But when David revived religion the Levites were, of all men, in the greatest reputation. And happy it was that they had Levites who were men of sense, fit to support the honour of their tribe. We have here an account, I. Of the Levites that were appointed to be porters (v. 1-19). II. Of those that were appointed to be treasurers and storekeepers (v. 20-28). III. Of those that were officers and judges in the country, and were entrusted with the administration of public affairs (v. 29-32).

Verses 1-19

Observe, I. There were porters appointed to attend the temple, who guarded all the avenues that let to it, opened and shut all the outer gates and attended at them, not only for the state, but for service, to direct and instruct those who were going to worship in the courts of the sanctuary in the decorum they were to observe, to encourage those that were timorous, to send back the strangers and unclean, and to guard against thieves and others that were enemies to the house of God. In allusion to this office, ministers are said to have the keys to the kingdom of heaven committed to them (Mt. 16:19), that they may admit, and exclude, according to the law of Christ.

II. Of several of those that were called to this service, it is taken notice of that they were mighty men of valour (v. 6), strong men (v. 7), able men (v. 8), and one of them that he was a wise counsellor (v. 14), who probably, when he had used this office of a deacon well and given proofs of more than ordinary wisdom, purchased to himself a good degree, and was preferred from the gate to the council-board, 1 Tim. 3:13. As for those that excelled in strength of body, and courage and resolution of mind, they were thereby qualified for the post assigned them; for whatever service God calls men to he either finds them fit or makes them so.

III. The sons of Obed-edom were employed in this office, sixty-two of that family. This was he that entertained the ark with reverence and cheerfulness; and see how he was rewarded for it. 1. He had eight sons (v. 5), for God blessed him. The increase and building up of families are owing to the divine blessing; and a great blessing it is to a family to have many children, when like these they are able for, and eminent in, the service of God. 2. His sons were preferred to places of trust in the sanctuary. They had faithfully attended the ark in their own house, and now were called to attend it in God's house. He that is trusty in little shall be trusted with more. He that keeps God's ordinances in his own tent is fit to have the custody of them in God's tabernacle, 1 Tim. 3:4, 5. I have kept thy law, says David, and this I had because I kept thy precepts, Ps. 119:55, 56.

IV. It is said of one here that though he was not the first-born his father made him the chief (v. 10), either because he was very excellent, or because the elder son was very weak. He was made chief, perhaps not in inheriting the estate (for that was forbidden by the law, Deu. 21:16, 17), but in this service, which required personal qualifications.

V. The porters, as the singers, had their post assigned them by lot, so many at such a gate, and so many at such a one, that every one might know his post and make it good, v. 13. It is not said that they were cast into twenty-four courses, as before; but here are the names of about twenty-four (v. 1-11), and the posts assigned are twenty-four, v. 17, 18. We have therefore reason to think they were distributed into as many companies. Happy are those who dwell in God's house: for, as they are well fed, well taught, and well employed, so they are well guarded. Men attended at the gates of the temple, but angels attend at the gates of the New Jerusalem, Rev. 21:12.

Links

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