The First Book of the Chronicles
1 Chronicles 26
Chapter XXVI · Vol. II, pp. 839–840
1 The divisions of the porters. 13 The gates assigned by lot. 20 The Levites that had charge of the treasures. 29 Officers and judges.
1 Concerning the divisions1 of the porters: Ofa the Korhites was Meshelemiah bthe son of Kore, of the sons of cAsaph.
1 This chapter concludes the account of the careful organization of the great Levitical body established under the direction of David, and carried into effect after the erection of the temple by Solomon his son. The new distribution appears to have arisen partly out of the great increase in the number of the Levites, which must have rendered it difficult to give to a large proportion of them a share in their proper duties; and still more on account of the temple which was about to be erected, and the more extensive and varied duties connected with which rendered a modified arrangement necessary.—I.
a ch.9.17. Jn.10.3.
b Or, Shelemiah, ver.14.
c Or, Ebiasaph, ch.6.37; 9.19.
2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the first-born, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
4 Moreover, the sons of dObed-edom were, Shemaiah the first-born, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
d ch.13.14; 15.18; 16.38.
5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed ehim.2
e That is, Obed-edom. As ch.13.14. Ps.127.3; 128.1-5. 1 Co.15.58.
2 That is, God had blessed Obed-edom, the father, mentioned ver. 4. This note is given in memorial of his reception and care of the ark.—C.
6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were fmighty men of valour.
A.M. 2988. B.C. 1016.
f ver.7-9. 2 Ki.24.14. ch.15.24. Pr.28.1. It required both strength and courage to render them fit to guard the temple and its treasures, and to keep order among the assembled multitude.
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,3 were threescore and two of Obed-edom.
3 They were not mere porters, but guards of the gates, and required this strength with which God had blessed them, for the preservation of order amongst the assembled thousands of Israel.—C.
10 Also hHosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the first-born, yet his father imade 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, kas well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
14 And the lot eastward fell to lShelemiah; then for Zechariah his son (a wise counsellor) they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
l Called Meshelemiah, ver.1,2,9.
15 To mObed-edom southward; and to his sons the house of 4Asuppim.5
m ver.4-8.
4 Heb. gatherings.
5 Asuppim signifies gatherings or collections, and as Obed-edom is said to be over the treasures (2 Ch. 25.24), this is probably the house where the offerings for the priests and Levites were kept.—C.
16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth,6 by the ncauseway 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 oParbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
o Or, out part, 2 Ki.23.11.
19 These are the divisions of the porters among the psons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
p Nu.26.11. ver.1,10.
20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the qtreasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated7 things.8
q ver.22,26-28. 1 Ki.7.51; 14.26; 15.18. 2 Ki.18.15. Mal.3.10. De.12.6,11.
7 Heb. holy things.
8 Treasures—not merely money, but vessels, garments, wine, oil, flour, &c. Dedicated things, principally here the holy things dedicated by Samuel, David, the princes, or people, for building and beautifying, and future maintenance of the temple. See ver. 26, 28. C.—This verse as it stands in the Hebrew and in the Authorized Version is very obscure. Ahijah is not mentioned in any of the previous lists, and he is introduced abruptly. Besides, according to the statement here made, he was over all the treasures, and consequently united in his own person those offices of which the occupants are named in the verses that follow. I am therefore of opinion that by a very slight clerical error the original Hebrew word signifying 'their brethren' has been changed into a proper name. The Septuagint preserves the true meaning:—'And the Levites their brethren were over the treasures,' &c.—P.
21 As concerning the sons of rLaadan;9 the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were sJehieli.
r Or, Libni, ch.6.17; 23.7.
9 The text here has appeared to all interpreters exceedingly perplexed and mutilated; and yet all the ancient versions seem to have followed the same reading. The whole of this part of the chapter (viz., from ver. 12 to the end), as also chap. xxviii., is wanting in the Arabic and Syriac versions.—I.
s Or, Jehiel, ch.23.8; 29.8.
22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the ttreasures of the house of the LORD.
t ver.20. 1 Ki.7.51.
23 Of uthe Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites;
u ch.23.12-20. Nu.3.19,27. Ex.6.18.
25 And his brethren by yEliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son:
y ch.23.15,17,18.
26 Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, whichz David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.
A.M. 2988. B.C. 1016.
z 1 Ki.7.51. ch.18.11; 22.14; 29.2-9; ver.27,28.
27 Outa of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate bto maintain the house of the LORD.
a Heb. out of the battles and spoils, Nu.31.50. Ju.8.21,24,27.
b 2 Ki.12.14. Ne.10.32.
28 And all that cSamuel 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.1
c 1 Sa.9.9; 11.11; 15.15; 17.52; 14.50. 2 Sa.8.16.
1 It appears from the statements in ver. 20-28 that there were three distinct treasure-houses, with keepers and guards: 1. The treasures of the house of God, over which were placed the sons of Jechieli. These were the free-will offerings. 2. Shebuel was prince over other treasures, probably those accumulated from the tax of the sanctuary, redemption-money, and vow-money. 3. The treasure of dedicated offerings, over which were four guardians.—P.
29 Of the dIzharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for ethe outward business2 over Israel, for officers and judges.
d ch.23.12,18.
e 2 Ch.34.13. Ne.11.16. ch.23.4.
2 For instructors and rulers among the tribes, and for regulating their intercourse with foreigners—in modern language, ministers and officials of foreign affairs.—C.
30 And of the fHebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were gofficers3 among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward, in all the business of the LORD,4 and in the service of the king.
f ch.23.12,19; 24.23; 27.17.
g Heb. over the charge, 2 Ch.19.8,11; 17.8. De.16.18. Ps.45.16. ver.30.
3 The word rendered officers is that famous word shoterim, which is of indefinite and general application. In the present case it seems to denote a general superintending power, perhaps involving judicial functions; while the 'judges,' shophetim, may have been magistrates with more restricted power.—I.
4 In providing for the regular service of the temple, guarding against idolatry, and expounding the divine law.—C.
31 Among the Hebronites was hJerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the ifortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at kJazer of Gilead.
Notes
Reflections.—Great order ought to take place in Christ's church; and great care with respect to the admission or dismission of members, or approaches to and returns from solemn work. What distinguished blessings attend those who, like Obed-edom, are careful of God's ark and interests in a day of distress! It is proper to bestow on works of piety and charity what God bestows upon us in extraordinary favours; and to preserve carefully whatever is dedicated to the Lord. While our life continues there is always something to be done for God. And the nearer our end approaches, the greater ought to be our industry in doing good. They bid fair to be a happy nation who are taught to fear God and honour the king. And those parts of nations and churches which are weakest and most exposed ought to be taken particular care of.