1 Chronicles 26

1 Chronicles 23–27 describes how David organized the Levites and officials for the service of the temple. Within this section, chapter 26 follows the preceding chapter's list of singers and records the gatekeepers, the keepers of the treasuries, and the officials charged with outside affairs.

Outline

• Verses 1–3 Meshelemiah of the descendants of Korah and his seven sons
• Verses 4–8 The eight sons and the grandsons of Obed-edom. The text explains this with the words "for God blessed him" and records that sixty-two were descended from Obed-edom.
• Verse 9 The sons and brethren of Meshelemiah, eighteen in all
• Verses 10–11 The sons of Hosah of the descendants of Merari. Although Shimri was not the firstborn, his father made him chief; the sons and brethren of Hosah numbered thirteen.
• Verses 12–19 The gatekeepers cast lots for the gates they would keep, without regard to whether their families were great or small. The east fell to Shelemiah, the north to Zechariah, the south to Obed-edom, the storehouse to the sons of Obed-edom, and the west, with the gate Shallecheth, to Shuppim and Hosah. The number of men to be stationed at each gate is also recorded.
• Verses 20–28 The men in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things. Named here are Ahijah; Zetham and Joel, descendants of Ladan the Gershonite; Shebuel, a grandson of Moses through Gershom; and Shelomith, a descendant of Eliezer. Shelomith and his brethren oversaw the dedicated things that David, the chief officers, Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab had set apart from the spoils won in battle.
• Verses 29–32 The men in charge of affairs outside the temple. Chenaniah of the Izharites served as an officer (an official who administered affairs) and judge. Hashabiah of the Hebronites and 1,700 men of valor had charge west of the Jordan. Jerijah's brethren, 2,700 men found at Jazer of Gilead in the fortieth year of David's reign, were set over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

Key Verses

• 1 Chronicles 26:5 "for God blessed him." This reflects the Chronicler's perspective, which interprets numerous descendants as a blessing from God.
• 1 Chronicles 26:13 "And they cast lots, as well the small as the great." This shows that duties were assigned by lot rather than by the standing of a family.
• 1 Chronicles 26:27 Spoils won in battle were dedicated "to maintain the house of the LORD." The verse identifies a source of the temple's resources.

People and Places

• Meshelemiah (Shelemiah): Chief of the gatekeepers among the descendants of Korah; he was assigned the east gate.
• Obed-edom: A Levite gatekeeper; he was assigned the south gate.
• Hosah: A gatekeeper of the descendants of Merari; he was assigned the west gate.
• Shelomith: A descendant of Eliezer the son of Moses; he had charge of the treasuries of the dedicated things.
• Hashabiah and Jerijah: Hebronites who had charge of affairs west and east of the Jordan, respectively.
• Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab: Mentioned as those who dedicated holy things.
• The gate Shallecheth: A gate leading to the main western road.
• Jazer of Gilead: A town east of the Jordan where Jerijah's brethren were sought out and found.

Points for Reflection

• Many interpreters regard the "Asaph" of verse 1 as a different person from Asaph the singer of 1 Chronicles 25. This interpretation identifies him with Ebiasaph in the Korahite genealogy (1 Chronicles 9:19).
• Interpreters differ on whether "Obed-edom the Gittite," who kept the ark of the covenant for three months and was blessed (2 Samuel 6), is the same person as the Levite Obed-edom of this chapter.
• The arrangements in this chapter are presented as David's advance preparation for temple service before the temple was built.
• The practice of assigning duties by lot also appears in the New Testament, when Matthias was chosen as an apostle (Acts 1:26).
• The chapter is sometimes read alongside Psalm 84, a psalm of the sons of Korah: "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God" (Psalm 84:10).

In the Korean Church

In preaching, verses 4–5 are frequently cited together with 2 Samuel 6 when treating "the blessing of Obed-edom." The gatekeepers' duties are also used as an illustration when explaining forms of church service such as ushering and facility management.