1.
Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
1 Chronicles 26:1. The porters— The word שׁעוים shoarim should be rendered guards, according to Dr. Delaney. This was an office of dignity, and conferred on men of the best quality, as appears plainly from this chapter.
2.
And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3.
Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
4.
Moreover the sons of Obed-edom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
5.
Ammiel the sixth, Issachar 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 threescore and two of Obed-edom.
9.
And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.
10.
Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)
11.
Hilkiah 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, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
14.
And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counseller, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
15.
To Obed-edom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.
1 Chronicles 26:15. The house of Asuppim— The storehouse, or that place in which the provision of the porters was laid up. Houbigant. See Mic 7:1 and Neh 12:25 in the Hebrew. Others suppose, that it was a place where the vessels and treasure of the temple were deposited.
16.
To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.
1 Chronicles 26:16. With the gate Shallecheth, &c.— With the gate of ejections, [or by which the filth of the temple and of the courts was cast out] towards the paved ascent. Houbigant. In the 17th verse, instead of four a day, Houbigant reads four Levites.
17.
Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
18.
At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
19.
These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
20.
And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
1 Chronicles 26:20. And of the Levites, Ahijah, &c.— But their brethren the Levites were over, &c. Houbigant, who reads the 21st and 22nd verses thus: 1 Chronicles 26:21. The sons of Laadan; of the sons of Laadan the Gershonite, the chiefs of the family of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehiel, and his sons: 1 Chronicles 26:22. But Jehiel, Zetham, and Joel, his brethren, were set over the treasures of the house of the Lord.
21.
As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.
22.
The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD.
23.
Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24.
And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.
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 treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands 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 Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.
29.
Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
1 Chronicles 26:29. Were for the outward business— That is, the business without the city of Jerusalem, which consisted in their being assessors with the ordinary judges. By the business of the Lord, in the next verse, is meant such causes as might be judged by the divine law; by the service of the king, such causes as were not determined by the law, but were left to the judgment of the king. See Bertram de Rep. Jud.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The porters seem to have been divided into the same number of courses as the rest of their brethren, each posted at their several gates by lot. They are spoken of as mighty men, strong and able, such as their post required, to keep constant guard, that no profane intruder might be admitted, nor the sacred house violated. The family of Obed-edom were employed in this office. He was blessed with a numerous family, and none more deserving of keeping the charge of the temple, than he who had so cheerfully entertained, and diligently waited on, the ark 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.
2nd, In the house of God there were great stores for the daily use and service of the altar, vestments, utensils, &c. and also great treasures, either offerings of the people, or things which had been dedicated to God by Samuel, David, Saul, Abner, and Joab, chiefly of the spoil won in war. Over these Ahijah at first presided; but afterwards they were under the care of different persons. Note; (1.) When God increases our stores with providential blessings, he is entitled to a part at least of the wealth that he bestows. (2.) There are in the church of Christ greater treasures, not indeed of silver and gold, for his kingdom is not of this world; but more valuable and durable treasures, of spiritual wisdom and divine grace; and not, like these, locked up, but freely dispensed to every faithful worshipper; and yet there still remains enough and to spare.
3rdly, The service at Jerusalem was well provided for: now the business of the country is alike taken care of. The Levites had the administration of justice, with the princes and elders of the several tribes, who may be supposed not so well skilled 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, whose usefulness ended only with his life. Note; (1.) While life endures, there is always something to be done for God. (2.) They are likely to be a happy people, who are taught to fear God and honour the king.
30.
And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service 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 tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.