BOOK 13 OF 66 · HISTORY · KING JAMES BIBLE

1 Chronicles 26

1 Chronicles book home•Chapter 26 of 29•32 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

1 Chronicles 26 Overview

The chapter organizes gatekeepers from several Levitical families, assigns them to the temple’s gates by lot, and identifies men responsible for treasuries, dedicated spoils, and administrative work outside Jerusalem. Some of the wealth dedicated from earlier wars is placed under supervision. The temple system therefore includes security, stewardship, accounting, and civil-religious administration as well as sacrifice and song.

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Before you read 1 Chronicles 26

Coming from

Chapter 25 organized the temple musicians into twenty-four courses.

In this chapter

This chapter completes major temple-support structures by assigning gatekeepers, treasury guardians, and officers for external business.

Leads into

Chapter 27 shifts from temple administration to the kingdom’s military divisions, tribal leaders, and royal officials.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Gatekeepers held positions of trust because they controlled access and guarded valuable sacred resources. The treasuries included gifts and spoils dedicated across generations. The chapter shows that stewardship and security are integral to ordered worship, even though these exact offices belong to Israel’s temple system.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

Sacred resources require trustworthy stewardship.

Truth 2

Necessary support roles are treated as real service, not as lesser work beneath attention.

Truth 3

David’s preparations include accountability for both people and property.

Truth 4

Temple administration extends beyond ceremonial acts at the altar.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

First Chronicles 9:17-32 earlier describes gatekeepers and their responsibilities in the restored community.

Connection 2

Second Kings 12 shows the importance—and possible abuse—of handling temple funds responsibly.

Connection 3

Ezra 8:24-34 records careful weighing and accountability for sacred treasures during the return from exile.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

Do not treat temple gatekeepers as the same office as modern church ushers or security personnel; the historical covenant setting differs.

Keep this clear 2

The presence of treasuries does not make religious wealth an end in itself; the resources are dedicated to defined service.

Keep this clear 3

Administrative competence is valuable, but it is not a condition for eternal salvation.

Read 1 Chronicles 26 watching for…

How gate assignments are distributed.

The families trusted with gatekeeping.

The different temple treasuries.

Earlier military spoils dedicated to the LORD.

The officers assigned to business beyond the temple precincts.

Chapter outline3 sections

1-19The gatekeepers and their assignments are divided by families and lots 20-28Levites are appointed over the temple treasures and dedicated things 29-32Levites serve as officers and judges in Israel

Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,

Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.

Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.

The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.

All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obededom.

And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.

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;)

Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

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.

And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counseller, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.

To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.

Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.

At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.

These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.

The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD.

Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.

And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

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.

Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.

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.

Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.

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.

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.

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.

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1 Chronicles 26:10

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