1 Chronicles · chapter 26 of 29
Updated on
1 Chronicles 26 lists the Levite gatekeepers, who receive their gates by lot, Obed-edom with his eight sons blessed by God, those in charge of the treasuries of the house of the Lord and the dedicated gifts, and the Levites who served as officers and judges throughout Israel. David appoints capable men for every matter of the Lord and of the king, both in the temple and among the tribes.
The author completes the organization of the Levitical service with three functions less visible than music or sacrifices: guarding the gates, caring for the treasuries and administering justice. It shows that in David's kingdom the sacred and the everyday were joined. Worship, money and justice were entrusted to people chosen for their ability and faithfulness.
First the gatekeepers are listed, descendants of Korah and of Merari. Of Meshelemiah and his sons it is said that they were capable gatekeepers. Obed-edom had eight sons, because God had blessed him, and all were able men for the service. His sons, and those of other gatekeepers, were heads of families, with strength for the work. In all, the gatekeepers of the family of Obed-edom were sixty-two, all fit for the service.
The gates were assigned by lot, to the small as to the great, according to their families. Shelemiah received the east gate, his son Zechariah the north, Obed-edom the south with the storehouse, and Shuppim and Hosah the west, by the Shallecheth gate on the ascending road. There were guards at every gate, and the shifts are described.
Then we hear of the Levites in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts. Among the dedicated gifts there is spoil from wars that David, the leaders and the captains had consecrated for the upkeep of the house of the Lord, and also what Samuel the seer, Saul, Abner and Joab had dedicated. Finally, some Levites, such as Chenaniah and his sons, were appointed officers and judges over Israel, for outside affairs. The Hebronites, with Hashabiah and seventeen hundred able men, were in charge of all the business of the Lord and the service of the king west of the Jordan, and Jerijah with his men to the east. In the fortieth year of David's reign a search was made among them and men of great ability were found at Jazer in Gilead, and David put them over the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and the king.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Obed-edom's sons were eight because God had blessed him. The text connects that blessing with the time when the ark was in his house, and shows that God cares for those who receive him and serve him faithfully.
They cast lots for each gate, small and great alike, according to their families. The assignment did not depend on rank but on the lot, and shows that the service of guarding the gates was as worthy as any other.
The Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and of the dedicated gifts. The money and goods of the house of the Lord were entrusted to chosen persons, with responsibility and order. Integrity in handling resources is part of serving God.
Part of the spoil from wars was dedicated for the upkeep of the house of the Lord. What was won in war became an offering for worship, which shows Israel's gratitude for the victory God gave them.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Because God had blessed him, and he had eight sons. — 1 Chronicles 26:4-5
Answer: By lot, to the small as well as the great, according to their families. — 1 Chronicles 26:13
Answer: To Shelemiah. — 1 Chronicles 26:14
Answer: The treasuries of the house of God and those of the dedicated gifts. — 1 Chronicles 26:20
Answer: A portion for the upkeep of the house of the Lord. — 1 Chronicles 26:27
Answer: A search was made among them and men of great ability were found at Jazer in Gilead. — 1 Chronicles 26:31
The chapter gives value to the work nobody sees. Guarding a gate, keeping the accounts or administering justice are not showy tasks, but they hold up the house of God. In a church or small group, you can recognize those who handle the finances, open the building, keep order or resolve practical matters, and thank them for their faithfulness.
It also encourages us to see daily work as service to God. The Hebronites served in matters of the Lord and of the king at once. Today faith is not limited to what happens inside the church building: it is also lived out in work, administration and justice. Ask the members of the group how they can do their work as though it were for the Lord.
1 Chronicles 26 completes the picture of Levitical service: gates, treasuries and justice. The next chapter moves to the civil and military order of the kingdom, with the twelve monthly army commanders, the officers of the tribes, the stewards of the king's property and the counselors.
He is the man in whose house the ark stayed three months, according to chapter 13, and whom God blessed. Here he appears as a Levite gatekeeper with eight sons, all fit for service. His story shows that one who received the ark with respect was brought into the service of the temple.
They were goods that people such as David, Samuel, Saul, Abner and Joab had consecrated to the Lord, especially from the spoil of war, to maintain the house of God. A separate storehouse, under the care of Levites, ensured those goods were used only for their purpose.
The Levites knew God's law and were fit to apply it. Some served as officers and judges among the tribes, and others, such as the Hebronites, handled matters of the Lord and of the king. So the law was applied to public life, not only to worship.