261 For the divisions of the gatekeepers there were 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 , Johanan the sixth , Eliehoenai the seventh . 4 Obed-edom had sons : Shemaiah the firstborn , Jehozabad the second , Joah the third , Sacar the fourth , Nethanel the fifth , 5 Ammiel the sixth , Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth ; God had indeed blessed him. 6 Also to his son Shemaiah sons were born who ruled over the house of their father , for they were mighty men of valor . 7 The sons of Shemaiah were Othni , Rephael , Obed and Elzabad , whose brothers , Elihu and Semachiah , were valiant men . 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-edom ; they and their sons and their relatives were able men with strength for the service , 62 e from Obed-edom . 9 Meshelemiah had sons and relatives , 18 e valiant men . 10 Also Hosah , one of the sons of Merari had sons : Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn , his father made him first ), 11 Hilkiah the second , Tebaliah the third , Zechariah the fourth ; all the sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 e . 12 To these divisions of the gatekeepers , the chief men , were given duties like their relatives to minister in the house of the Lord .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 26:1-12
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.