1 Chronicles 26: Gatekeepers and Treasuries
The gatekeepers are stationed at every gate, the treasures of God's house are entrusted to faithful keepers, and officials are appointed for the affairs of God and king.
1 Chronicles 26 (WEB)
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, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethanel the fifth,
5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him.
6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born, who ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor.
7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, 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, 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 Yahweh’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 counselor, 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, watch against watch.
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 Yahweh’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 Yahweh’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 valor, one thousand seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Yahweh, and for the service of the king.
31 Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers’ households. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead.
32 His brothers, men of valor, were two thousand seven hundred, heads of fathers’ households, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.
1 Chronicles 26 (KJV)
1 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was 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, Elioenai the seventh.
4 Moreover the sons of Obed–edom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.
6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.
7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
8 All these of the sons of Obed–edom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obed–edom.
9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.
10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)
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 porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the Lord.
13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
14 And 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 house of Asuppim.
16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.
17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
18 At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
19 These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
21 As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.
22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the Lord.
23 Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24 And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.
25 And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
26 Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.
27 Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord.
28 And 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; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.
29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
30 And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the Lord, and in the service of the king.
31 Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.
32 And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.
1 Chronicles 26 (ASV)
1 For the courses of the doorkeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2 And Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the first-born, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.
4 And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the first-born, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethanel the fifth,
5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth; for God blessed him.
6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled over the house of their father; for they were mighty men of valor.
7 The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were valiant men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men in strength for the service; threescore and two of Obed-edom.
9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, valiant men, eighteen.
10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the first-born, yet his father made him chief),
11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
12 Of these were the courses of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brethren, to minister in the house of Jehovah.
13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for every gate.
14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a discreet counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
15 To Obed-edom southward; and to his sons the store-house.
16 To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goeth up, watch against watch.
17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the store-house two and two.
18 For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
19 These were the courses of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.
20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, 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’ houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli.
22 The sons of Jehieli: Zetham, and Joel his brother, over the treasures of the house of Jehovah.
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 And his brethren: of Eliezer came Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomoth his son.
26 This Shelomoth and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the heads of the fathers’ houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.
27 Out of the spoil won in battles did they dedicate to repair the house of Jehovah.
28 And 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, whosoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomoth, and of his brethren.
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 brethren, men of valor, a thousand and seven hundred, had the oversight of Israel beyond the Jordan westward, for all the business of Jehovah, and for the service of the king.
31 Of the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even of the Hebronites, according to their generations by fathers’ houses. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valor at Jazer of Gilead.
32 And his brethren, men of valor, were two thousand and seven hundred, heads of fathers’ houses, whom king David made overseers over the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites, for every matter pertaining to God, and for the affairs of the king.
Summary
This chapter assigns the gatekeepers, treasurers, and officials of the temple. The gatekeepers, drawn from the Korahites and the sons of Merari, are listed by family, including the household of Obed-Edom, whom God had blessed with many capable sons. As with the priests and musicians, lots are cast, small and great alike, to assign each family a gate, east, north, south, and west, with watches set so the house of God is guarded at every point. Next, the keepers of the treasuries are named: Ahijah over the treasures of God's house, and Shelomoth and his brothers over the dedicated things that David, the commanders, and former leaders like Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab had set apart from the spoils of war to maintain the house of the Lord. Finally, Levites are appointed to outward business as officers and judges over Israel, including Hashabiah's group west of the Jordan and Jerijah's Hebronites overseeing the eastern tribes for every matter of God and the king. The chapter shows that guarding access to God's presence, stewarding sacred wealth, and administering justice are all holy work, requiring trustworthy, valiant, and capable people.
Key Figures
- The gatekeepers — Levites from the Korahites and Merarites stationed by lot at every gate to guard the house of God around the clock.
- Obed-Edom — A gatekeeper whom God blessed with many able sons, his household counted among the mighty men fit for service.
- Shelomoth and his brothers — Keepers over the treasures of the dedicated things gathered from the spoils of battle to maintain the Lord's house.
- Chenaniah and the Hebronites — Levites appointed to the outward business as officers and judges, overseeing Israel's affairs for God and the king.
Key Verse
1 Chronicles 26:12 (WEB)
Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in Yahweh’s house.
Lessons Learned
- Guarding the place and people of worship is holy, valued work (1 Chronicles 26:12-13).
- God blesses faithfulness; Obed-Edom's household flourished under his hand (1 Chronicles 26:5).
- Sacred resources require trustworthy stewards (1 Chronicles 26:20, 26).
- Administration and justice in everyday affairs are part of serving God (1 Chronicles 26:29-30).
- Even unseen roles like keeping a gate are described as ministering in the Lord's house.
- Humble posts are real ministry. The gatekeepers had "offices like their brothers, to minister in Yahweh's house" (1 Chronicles 26:12, WEB).
- God blesses the faithful. Obed-Edom's sons were many and able, "for God blessed him" (1 Chronicles 26:5, WEB).
- Sacred wealth needs trustworthy keepers. Ahijah was "over the treasures of God's house, and over the treasures of the dedicated things" (1 Chronicles 26:20, WEB).
- What is given to God is set apart to sustain his work. Leaders "dedicated some of the plunder won in battles to repair Yahweh's house" (1 Chronicles 26:27, WEB).
- Justice and administration serve God too. Levites handled "all the business of Yahweh, and... the service of the king" as officers and judges (1 Chronicles 26:30, WEB).
- Why does Scripture call the work of the gatekeepers "ministering in Yahweh's house"?
- What encouragement do you find in the note that God blessed Obed-Edom with capable sons?
- Why was it important to appoint trustworthy people over the temple treasures?
- How does this chapter expand our idea of what counts as serving God?
- What "behind the scenes" role might God be calling you to embrace as genuine service to him?
- Standing watch over the gates protected the holiness and order of worship. The text dignifies this as ministry, reminding us that no faithful service in God's house is small or insignificant.
- Obed-Edom had once housed the ark and was blessed; here his line flourishes in service. Encourage the group that faithfulness, though often quiet, is seen and honored by God.
- Handling dedicated treasure required integrity above reproach. Help the group see that stewardship of money and resources for God's work is a serious spiritual responsibility.
- Worship, guarding, finance, justice, and administration are all woven together as service to God. This broadens our view of vocation and calling beyond explicitly religious tasks.
- A gentle application question. Invite people to value and perhaps step into unseen roles, ushering, counting, organizing, caretaking, as offerings to God rather than lesser tasks.