261 The teams of security guards were from the family of Korah: Meshelemiah son of Kore (one of the sons of Asaph). 2 Meshelemiah's sons were Zechariah, the firstborn, followed by Jediael, Zebadiah, Jathniel, 3 Elam, Jehohanan, and Eliehoenai - seven sons. 4 Obed-Edom's sons were Shemaiah, the firstborn, followed by Jehozabad, Joah, Sacar, Nethanel, 5 Ammiel, Issachar, and Peullethai - God blessed him with eight sons. 6 His son Shemaiah had sons who provided outstanding leadership in the family: 7 Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also exceptional. 8 These all came from the line of Obed-Edom - all of them outstanding and strong. There were sixty-two of them. 9 Meshelemiah had eighteen sons and relatives who were outstanding. 10 The sons of Hosah the Merarite were Shimri (he was not the firstborn but his father made him first), 11 then Hilkiah, followed by Tabaliah and Zechariah. Hosah accounted for thirteen. 12 These teams of security guards, supervised by their leaders, kept order in The Temple of God, keeping up the traditions of their ancestors. 13 They were all assigned to their posts by the same method regardless of the prominence of their families - each picked his gate assignment from a hat. 14 Shelemiah was assigned to the East Gate; his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, got the North Gate. 15 Obed-Edom got the South Gate; and his sons pulled duty at the storehouse. 16 Shuppim and Hosah were posted to the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the high road. 17 six Levites per day on the east, four per day on the north and on the south, and two at a time at the storehouse. 18 At the open court to the west, four guards were posted on the road and two at the court. 19 These are the teams of security guards from the sons of Korah and Merari. Financial Affairs: Accountants and Bookkeepers
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 26:1-19
Chapter Contents
The offices of the Levites.
The porters and treasurers of the temple, had occasion for strength and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary, and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar; flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps; quantities of these were kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house, enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries, the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness, we must give him the glory, and endeavour to dispose of our abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church, as truly as the ministry, and must not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man. Wisdom, courage, strength of faith, holy affections, and constancy of mind in doing our duty, are requisite or useful for every station.