1 Chronicles 26 Study Notes: Gatekeepers, Treasurers, and Officials
The Levite gatekeepers, including the God-blessed family of Obed-edom, receive their gates by lot. Other Levites guard the treasuries, including spoil from war set apart for the LORD’s house, while still others serve as judges and officials over Israel on both sides of the Jordan.
General
What had David, the family heads, and the army commanders done with some of the spoil captured in their wars (1 Chronicles 26:26-27)?
Answer: Set it apart to keep up the LORD’s house
Shelomith and his relatives oversaw the treasuries holding the gifts that King David, the family heads, and the army commanders had dedicated (26:26). They had set apart some of the spoil captured in their wars for repairing the LORD’s house (26:27). Gifts dedicated by Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab were kept there too (26:28). This matches David’s practice of dedicating to the LORD the gold and silver taken from the nations he defeated (18:11). Long before, Moses and Eleazar had brought gold given by commanders after a battle into the tabernacle as a memorial before the LORD (Numbers 31:54). At Jericho, too, the silver, gold, bronze, and iron were declared sacred to God and bound for His treasury (Joshua 6:19). Victories God gave became gifts for His house.
- 1 Chronicles 26:26-28 (BSB)“This 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. They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD. Everything 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.”Treasuries hold gifts dedicated from war plunder by David, his commanders, and earlier leaders.
- 1 Chronicles 18:11 (BSB)“and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.”David dedicated to the LORD the silver and gold taken from the nations.
- Numbers 31:54 (BSB)“And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.”Gold given by commanders after battle was brought into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial.
- Joshua 6:19 (BSB)“For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.””The metals of Jericho were declared holy to the LORD and placed in His treasury.
Theological
According to 26:26-27, what had been done with part of the spoil from Israel’s wars?
Answer: Set it apart to keep up the LORD’s house
Shelomith’s family guarded the treasuries of things dedicated by David, the family heads, and the army commanders (26:26), who had consecrated part of the spoil of their wars for the upkeep of the LORD’s house (26:27); earlier gifts from Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab were kept with them (26:28). The practice follows David’s dedication of the gold and silver taken from the nations he subdued (18:11) and the precedent of the commanders’ gold brought into the tabernacle as a memorial after the war with Midian (Numbers 31:54). At Jericho, too, the metals were declared sacred to God and bound for His treasury (Joshua 6:19). The fruits of victory God granted were returned to Him.
- 1 Chronicles 26:26-28 (BSB)“This 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. They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD. Everything 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.”Treasuries hold gifts dedicated from war plunder by David, his commanders, and earlier leaders.
- 1 Chronicles 18:11 (BSB)“and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.”David dedicated to the LORD the silver and gold taken from the nations.
- Numbers 31:54 (BSB)“And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.”Gold given by commanders after battle was brought into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial.
- Joshua 6:19 (BSB)“For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.””The metals of Jericho were declared holy to the LORD and placed in His treasury.
General
How does 26:12 describe the duties of the gatekeepers’ divisions?
Answer: As serving at the LORD’s house, like their relatives
The gatekeepers, organized under their chief men, were assigned to serve at the LORD’s house, just as their fellow Levites did (26:12). Guarding the doors was counted as real service to God. Earlier, gatekeepers had been appointed to positions of trust (9:22), and the chief gatekeepers had the duty of guarding God’s house and opening it each morning (9:26-27). A psalmist said he would rather keep the door of God’s house than live among the wicked (Psalm 84:10).
- 1 Chronicles 26:12 (BSB)“These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did.”The gatekeepers’ duties are described as ministering in the LORD’s house like their relatives.
- 1 Chronicles 9:22 (BSB)“The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.”Gatekeepers had been appointed to positions of trust.
- 1 Chronicles 9:26-27 (BSB)“But the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and the treasuries of the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they were responsible for guarding it and opening it every morning.”The chief gatekeepers guarded God’s house and opened it each morning.
- Psalm 84:10 (BSB)“For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”The psalmist would rather be a doorkeeper in God’s house than live with the wicked.
Theological
In what terms does 26:12 present the gatekeepers’ work?
Answer: As serving at the LORD’s house, like their relatives
Verse 12 counts the gatekeepers’ work as ministry at the LORD’s house on the same footing as that of the other Levites. Guarding the entrances was a trusted office (9:22) with real responsibility, including keeping watch and opening the house each morning (9:26-27). The psalmist prized even this humble post, preferring to keep the door of God’s house over dwelling among the wicked (Psalm 84:10).
- 1 Chronicles 26:12 (BSB)“These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did.”The gatekeepers’ duties are described as ministering in the LORD’s house like their relatives.
- 1 Chronicles 9:22 (BSB)“The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.”Gatekeepers had been appointed to positions of trust.
- 1 Chronicles 9:26-27 (BSB)“But the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the rooms and the treasuries of the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they were responsible for guarding it and opening it every morning.”The chief gatekeepers guarded God’s house and opened it each morning.
- Psalm 84:10 (BSB)“For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”The psalmist would rather be a doorkeeper in God’s house than live with the wicked.
General
True or False: The gatekeepers’ families cast lots to decide which gate each family would guard (1 Chronicles 26:13-16).
Answer: True
This is true. The gatekeepers drew lots gate by gate, family by family, with young and old treated alike (26:13). The lots assigned the gates on the east, north, south, and west, and the storehouses went to Obed-edom’s sons (26:14-16). No family claimed a post because of its rank. Proverbs says casting the lot settles disputes between strong opponents (Proverbs 18:18) and that every decision it gives comes from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33).
- 1 Chronicles 26:13 (BSB)“They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.”The gatekeepers cast lots for each gate by families, young and old alike.
- 1 Chronicles 26:14-16 (BSB)“The 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. The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons. The 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.”The lots assign the east, north, south, and west gates and the storehouses.
- Proverbs 18:18 (BSB)“Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.”The lot is said to settle quarrels between strong opponents.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The outcome of the lot is said to come from the LORD.
Theological
True or False: According to 26:13-16, the gatekeepers’ posts at the gates and storehouses were settled by lot.
Answer: True
This is true. Every gate was assigned by lot, family by family, with young and old on equal terms (26:13), and the posts on the east, north, south, and west, along with the storehouses, were all fixed by those lots (26:14-16). As with the divisions of chapters 24 and 25, no family claimed a post by rank; the lot ended rivalry between strong parties (Proverbs 18:18), and its outcome was the LORD’s to decide (Proverbs 16:33).
- 1 Chronicles 26:13 (BSB)“They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.”The gatekeepers cast lots for each gate by families, young and old alike.
- 1 Chronicles 26:14-16 (BSB)“The 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. The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons. The 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.”The lots assign the east, north, south, and west gates and the storehouses.
- Proverbs 18:18 (BSB)“Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.”The lot is said to settle quarrels between strong opponents.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The outcome of the lot is said to come from the LORD.
General
True or False: Some Levites were appointed as officials over Israel west and east of the Jordan, responsible both for the LORD’s work and for the king’s service (1 Chronicles 26:30, 32).
Answer: True
This is true. Some Levites had duties outside the temple as judges and officers (26:29). Hashabiah’s family oversaw the western side of the Jordan, handling all the LORD’s work and the king’s service (26:30), and Jerijah’s relatives were appointed over Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh’s tribe, for everything relating to God and to the king (26:32). David had earlier set aside Levites for this kind of work as judges and officers (23:4). The same division of responsibility appears later, when King Jehoshaphat set a chief priest over the LORD’s matters and a ruler over the king’s matters, with Levites serving as officers (2 Chronicles 19:11).
- 1 Chronicles 26:29-30 (BSB)“From the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons had the outside duties as officers and judges over Israel. From 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.”Levites serve as officers and judges and oversee Israel west of the Jordan.
- 1 Chronicles 26:32 (BSB)“Among 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.”Levites are appointed over the eastern tribes for matters of God and of the king.
- 1 Chronicles 23:4 (BSB)““Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,”David assigns some Levites to be officers and judges.
- 2 Chronicles 19:11 (BSB)“Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!””Jehoshaphat separates matters of the LORD from matters of the king, with Levites as officers.
Theological
True or False: According to 26:29-32, certain Levites served outside the temple as officials over Israel, handling matters relating to God and to the king.
Answer: True
This is true. Beyond the temple, Levites served as judges and officers (26:29): Hashabiah’s family on the western side of the Jordan in the LORD’s work and the king’s service (26:30), and Jerijah’s relatives over Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh for everything relating to God and to the king (26:32). This carried out David’s assignment of Levites as judges and officers (23:4) and anticipates Jehoshaphat’s later arrangement of the LORD’s matters and the king’s matters, with Levites as officers (2 Chronicles 19:11). Levites thus served God and the king on both sides of the Jordan.
- 1 Chronicles 26:29-30 (BSB)“From the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons had the outside duties as officers and judges over Israel. From 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.”Levites serve as officers and judges and oversee Israel west of the Jordan.
- 1 Chronicles 26:32 (BSB)“Among 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.”Levites are appointed over the eastern tribes for matters of God and of the king.
- 1 Chronicles 23:4 (BSB)““Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,”David assigns some Levites to be officers and judges.
- 2 Chronicles 19:11 (BSB)“Note that Amariah, the chief priest, will be over you in all that pertains to the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all that pertains to the king. And the Levites will serve as officers before you. Act resolutely; may the LORD be with the upright!””Jehoshaphat separates matters of the LORD from matters of the king, with Levites as officers.
General
After listing Obed-edom’s eight sons, what reason does the text give for his large family (1 Chronicles 26:4-5)?
Answer: God had poured out His blessing on him
After naming Obed-edom’s eight sons, the text adds a short explanation: God had blessed him (26:4-5). His descendants were able, strong men fit for the work, sixty-two in all (26:8). Scripture calls children a gift from the LORD (Psalm 127:3) and describes the God-fearing household as blessed, with children around the table (Psalm 128:1-4). Every good gift comes from God above (James 1:17).
- 1 Chronicles 26:4-5 (BSB)“And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom.”Obed-edom’s eight sons are listed, with the note that God had blessed him.
- 1 Chronicles 26:8 (BSB)“All 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.”Obed-edom’s descendants are described as capable men with strength for the work.
- Psalm 127:3 (BSB)“Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”Children are called a heritage and reward from the LORD.
- Psalm 128:1-4 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways! For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table. In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD.”The man who fears the LORD is pictured as blessed with children around his table.
- James 1:17 (BSB)“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.”Every good gift is said to come down from God.
Theological
What explanation does 26:5 attach to the list of Obed-edom’s sons?
Answer: God had poured out His blessing on him
In the middle of a list of gatekeepers, 26:5 pauses to explain Obed-edom’s eight sons: God had blessed him. The family that followed was strong and capable for the work, sixty-two men in all (26:8). The text traces fruitfulness to God’s favor, in keeping with the psalms that call children the LORD’s heritage (Psalm 127:3) and picture the blessed household of one who fears Him (Psalm 128:1-4), and with the apostolic teaching that every good gift comes from the Father above (James 1:17).
- 1 Chronicles 26:4-5 (BSB)“And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom.”Obed-edom’s eight sons are listed, with the note that God had blessed him.
- 1 Chronicles 26:8 (BSB)“All 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.”Obed-edom’s descendants are described as capable men with strength for the work.
- Psalm 127:3 (BSB)“Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”Children are called a heritage and reward from the LORD.
- Psalm 128:1-4 (BSB)“A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways! For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table. In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD.”The man who fears the LORD is pictured as blessed with children around his table.
- James 1:17 (BSB)“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.”Every good gift is said to come down from God.