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1 Chronicles 26:1-32

Gatekeepers and Treasurers

1These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.

4And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom.

6Also to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their families because they were strong, capable men.

7Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers were Elihu and Semachiah, also capable men.

8All these were descendants of Obed-edom; they and their sons and brothers were capable men with strength to do the work—62 in all from Obed-edom.

9Meshelemiah also had sons and brothers who were capable men—18 in all.

10Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first),

11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and brothers of Hosah numbered 13 in all.

12These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did.

13They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

14The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.

15The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons.

16The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway fell to Shuppim and Hosah. There were guards stationed at every watch.

17Each day there were six Levites on the east, four on the north, four on the south, and two pairs at the storehouse.

18As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court.

19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

20Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things.

21From the descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and heads of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli,

22the sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD.

23From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

24Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the officer in charge of the treasuries.

25His relatives through Eliezer included Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

26This Shelomith and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and by the army commanders.

27They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD.

28Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was under the care of Shelomith and his brothers.

29From the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons had the outside duties as officers and judges over Israel.

30From the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king.

31As for the Hebronites, Jerijah was the chief of the Hebronites, according to the genealogies of his ancestors. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the records were searched, and strong, capable men were found among the Hebronites at Jazer in Gilead.

32Among Jerijah’s relatives there were 2,700 capable men who were heads of families. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

Berean Standard Bible

The gatekeeper families are named, beginning with the Korahites and Merarites. Meshelemiah has seven sons, Obed-edom has eight sons, and the record notes that God blessed Obed-edom. Their families are assigned gates by lot, and the lots are treated as a practical means of receiving responsibility.

The gatekeepers serve on the east, north, south, and west sides of the house of God. Some are assigned to the storehouses and chambers, and others guard the approach. The work involves access, security, and care for what the community has entrusted to the LORD.

Shelomith and his brothers oversee the treasuries containing the consecrated gifts brought by David, the commanders, and other leaders. These treasures have a history. They are gifts set apart for the house of God, not private property waiting for a powerful person to claim.

Other Levites serve as officials and judges for Israel west and east of the Jordan. The chapter makes administration part of the community's spiritual life. Protecting doors, keeping resources, and judging matters all require trustworthiness before God.

Questions

1 How were the gate assignments made?

AnswerThe gate assignments were distributed by lot among the gatekeeper families.

2 What did the gatekeepers guard?

AnswerThey guarded the entrances, storehouses, chambers, and approaches to the house of God.

3 What did the treasuries contain?

AnswerThey contained consecrated gifts brought by David, military commanders, and other leaders.

4 What other work did the Levites perform?

AnswerSome served as officials and judges for the people west and east of the Jordan.

What This Means for Us

Trust is built through careful handling of access, money, space, and decisions. Work that looks administrative can protect people and preserve what a community holds sacred.

Give practical responsibility to people who will treat it as service rather than possession. Faithfulness is visible in the way a person handles doors, records, resources, and authority.

Prayer

LORD, make us trustworthy with every responsibility You place in our hands. Help us guard what is vulnerable, handle resources honestly, and make decisions that protect people rather than serve ourselves. Amen.