1 Chronicles 26
HAWEIS1 Chronicles 26:1-19
We have here an account, 1. Of the Levites that were to be porters, ver. 1—19. 2. Of those that were to be treafurers and five-Angers, ver. 20—28. 3. Of those that were to be officers and judges in the country, ver. 29—32.
Or Shele-miah, Ver. 1a. Philipph, Chap. vi. 35. & vi. 19. a Chap. vii. b Chap. vii. 35. § Heb. At-well for the small as for the great. Chap. xix. 2. Methle-miah, Ver. 1.
- Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Corhites was Methle-miah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2. And the sons of Methle-miah, were Zechariah the first-born, Jeshael the second, Ze-badiah the third, Jathmel the fourth. 3. Elam the fifth, Jehohaeah the sixth, Elomai the seventh. 4. Moreover, the sons of Obed-edom were Shemaiah the first-born, Je-hozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth. 5. Ammiel the sixth, Iffachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him. 6. Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour. 7. The sons of Shemaiah, Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men; Elihu and Semachiah. 8. All these of the sons of Obed-edom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were therefore and two of Obed-edom. 9. And Methle-miah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen. 10. Also Hosah of the children of Mezeri had sons; Simri the chief (for though he was not the first-born, yet his father made him the chief). 11. Hikiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen. 12. Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD. 13. ¶ And they cast lots of as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers for every age. 14. And the for endward fell to Shele-miah; then for Zechariah his son (a wise
counsel) they cast lots, and his lot came out northward. 15. To Obed-edom Southward, and to his sons, the house of Akippim. 16. To Shuppim and Hosah, the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallenbeth, by the causey of the going up, ward against ward. 17. Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Akippim two and two. 18. At Parbar westward, four at the causey, and two at Parbar. 19. These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Me-rari.
The porters seem to have been divided into the same number of courses as the rest of their brethren, each poll-ed at their several gates by lot. They are spoken of as mighty men, strong and able, such as their past required, to keep con-ftaun guard, that no position intrudes might be admitted, nor the sacred house violated. The family of Obed-edom were em-ployed in this office. He was blessed with a numerous family, and again more deserving of keeping the charge of the temple, than he came had to cheerfully entertained, and diligently waited on, the sick at his own house. They who have been faithful in lesser services, deserve to be preferred. Simri, one of the sons of Hosah, was chief, his elder brother being probably by bodily indisposition incapacitated for the service.
- And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the trea-fures of the house of God, and over the treafures of the dedicate things. 21. At concerning the sons of Laadan: the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fa-thers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jcheli. 22. The sons of § Jcheli; Zeetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treafures of the house of the LORD. 23. Of the Amramites, and the Izhariites, the Hebron-ites, and the Dzazielites: 24. And Shehuel the son of Gershon the son of Mozes, was under of the treafures. 25. And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son. 26. Which Shelomith and his brethren, were over all the treafures of the dedicate things, which David the king and the chief fathers, the captains over thousand and hundreds, and the captains of the host had dedicated. 27. § Out of the spoils won in battles, did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD. 28. And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kisib, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joah the son of Zerniah had dedicated, and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.
1 Chronicles 26:20-28
In the house of God there were great stores needed for the daily use and services of the altar, vestments, utensils, &c. and also great treafures, either offerings of the people, or things which had been dedicated to God by Samuel, David, Saul, Abner, and Joah, chiefly of the spoil won in war. Over these Atiyah at first presided, but afterwards they were under the care of different persons. Note, (1.) When God in-cesses our stores with providential blessings, he is entitled to a part at least of the wealth he believes. (2.) There is in the church of Christ greater treafures, not indeed of silver and gold, for his kingdom is not of this world; but more valuable and durable treafures, of spiritual wisdom, and divine grace; and not, like these, locked-up, but freely dispensed to every faith-said worshipper, and yet there still remains enough and to spare.
- ¶ Of the Izzabites, Chenajah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. 30. And of the Hebronites, Hathabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward, in all business of the LORD, and in the ser-vice of the king. 31. Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David, they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour, at Jazer of Gilead. 32. And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-stube of Manasseh, for every matter per-taining to God, and affairs of the king.
1 Chronicles 26:29-32
The service at Jerusalem was well provided for; here the business of the country is alike taken care of. The
Leviers had the administration of justice, with the prisons and others of the several tribes, who may be supported not to well defiled in the law, and in need of their assistance. All matters relating to God’s worship also, and the king’s revenue, came under their care. In the remote tribes beyond Jordan, the greatest number was stationed, where they would be most in danger, but by their presence might be preserved faithful in the service of God, and loyal to their sovereign. These regulations employed the last year of David, which infidENDS ended only with his life. Note, (1.) Whilst life endures, there is always something to be done for God. (2.) They are like to be a happy people, who are taught to fear God, and honour the king.