1Ch 26:1 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
The divisions of the porters - There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to one of the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven. The eastern gate fell to Shelemiah; the northern, to Zechariah, 1Ch_26:14; the southern, to Obed-edom, 1Ch_26:15; the western, to Shuppim and Hosah, These several persons were captains of these porter-bands or door-keepers at the different gates. There were probably a thousand men under each of these captains; as we find, from 1Ch_23:5, that there were four thousand in all.
Concerning the divisions of the porters - Or doorkeepers, whose business it was to open and shut the doors of the temple, to keep all impure and improper persons from entering into it, or any of the vessels being carried out of it, and to prevent tumults and riots about it; these, as it seems, David divided into a like number of classes, as the singers, to take their turns in waiting:
Concerning the divisions of the porters — There were four thousand (1Ch_23:6), all taken from the families of the Kohathites and Merarites (1Ch_26:14), divided into twenty-four courses - as the priests and musicians.
the sons of Asaph - not Asaph the singer, who was a Gershonite, but the same with Eliasaph, 1Ch_6:23 a Korhite.
the divisions - There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven.
1Ch 26:2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
1Ch 26:3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
1Ch 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
Moreover, the sons of Obededom - Obededom and Hosah 1Ch_26:10 had been “porters,” or door - keepers, from the time of the bringing up of the ark into Jerusalem 1Ch_15:24; 1Ch_16:38.
Moreover, the sons of Obededom - The same at whose house the ark was, before it was brought by David to Zion; his sons were porters also, as himself, 1Ch_15:24, mention is made of eight sons of his, according to their birth: From this passage we learn that Obededom belonged to the Kohathite family of the Korahites.
1Ch 26:5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.
For God blessed him - That is, Obededom; The occasion of the blessing was his faithful custody of the ark (2Sa_6:11, 2Sa_6:12). The nature of the blessing (Psa_127:5) consisted in the great increase of progeny by which his house was distinguished.
1Ch 26:6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.
for they were mighty men of valour - which their office sometimes required them to be, to guard the temple at night as well as day from thieves and robbers, and to hinder resolute men entering in, unfit for it, and seize on rioters, and quell tumults raised. They were not only porters, or door keepers, in the ordinary sense of the word, but they were a military guard to the gate.
mighty men of valour — The circumstance of physical strength is prominently noticed in this chapter, as the office of the porters required them not only to act as sentinels of the sacred edifice and its precious furniture against attacks of plunderers or popular insurrection - to be, in fact, a military guard - but, after the temple was built, to open and shut the gates, which were extraordinarily large and ponderous.
1Ch 26:7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
1Ch 26:8 All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obededom.
All these of the sons of Obededom - And grandsons: The whole number of doorkeepers of Obed-edom's family, his sons and brethren, was sixty-two; able men with strength for the service.
1Ch 26:9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.
1Ch 26:10 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;)
though he was not the firstborn - the firstborn being unfit for service, either through want of an intellectual capacity, or of strength of body, or through some defect or another, or perhaps he was dead without leaving any descendant.
1Ch 26:11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
1Ch 26:12 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.
Among these were the divisions of the porters - These before named were the principal men of the porters, among which was a division or distribution of them into classes or courses, in which they served weekly in turn:
having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the Lord - meaning either to watch in, as on the north against the south, and the east against the west, and "vice versa". They had wards or courses answerable to those of the priests, and the other Levites, the singers, and were distributed into twenty four classes or courses as they, which are thus reckoned at the east six, at the north four, at the south four, at Asuppim two and two, which were four, at the west four, and at Parbar two; lo, twenty four; according to 1Ch_26:17.
Wards - That is, classes against each other. Ward formerly signified a class or division. We still apply the term to the different apartments in hospitals.
1Ch 26:13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
They cast lots for every gate - None of these captains or their companies were permitted to choose which gate they would guard, but each took his appointment by lot.
as well the small as the great - meaning, not little ones and grown persons in a family, but the smaller and poorer families, and the larger and richer ones, had their places assigned them at the several gates, as the lot directed; they did not go according to the dignity and precedence of their families, but according to lot.
1Ch 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
then for Zechariah his son (a wise counsellor) - and who was his firstborn, 1Ch_26:2 a man of great parts and learning
his lot came out northward - where was a gate in later times, called Teri or Tedi, which differed from other gates in this, that it had no threshold, only one stone was laid upon another, and was not commonly used.
1Ch 26:15 To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.
To Obededom southward - Where were two gates in later times, called the gates of Huldah
The house of Asuppim – Opinions on what this was varies. Several suggestions are listed in this study. The house of the collections; the place where either the supplies of the porters, or the offerings made for the use of the priests and Levites, were laid up.
The house of Asuppim - the word has the signification of gathering, hence some take it to be a council house, where the sanhedrin or elders gathered together, and sat; and others, rather a treasure house, where things of value were collected and laid up, since Obededom had the charge of gold and silver, and the vessels of the house, 2Ch_25:24.
the house of Asuppim — probably a storehouse, where were kept the grain, wine, and other offerings for the sustenance of the priests.
1Ch 26:16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.
The gate Shallecheth - literally, The gate of the projections: the gate through which were thrown out the sweepings of the temple, the ashes, the offal of the victims, and the like.
Ward against ward - Or, “watch opposite to watch.” Hosah had in charge both the western gate of the temple, and also the gate Shallecheth, which was in the outer wall, opposite. Hence, he had to keep two watches, one over against the other.
To Shuppim and Hosah - Of Shuppim no mention is before made;
by the causeway of the going up — probably the ascending road which was cast up or raised from the deep valley between Mount Zion and Moriah, for the royal egress to the place of worship (2Ch_9:4).
1Ch 26:17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
Toward Asuppim two and two - It is conjectured that the storehouse in question had two doors, to each of which two porters were appointed.
Eastward were six Levites - It is supposed that there were more guards set at this eastern gate, because it was more frequented than the others. The eastern gate, being the way of entrance into the temple, required more porters: At each of the other gates were only four; at this, six.
1Ch 26:18 At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
At Parbar westward - A gate at the western wall; the Jewish writers generally interpret it an outward place.
At Parbar westward - Parbar must designate here the space between the western wall of the temple building and the wall of the court, which would be a sort of “precinct” or “colonnade” of the temple. Here were two gates, at one of which two guards were stationed; while at the Shallecheth, which gave upon the causeway, there were four. In this whole account, the temple is spoken of as if it were existing, when it was not as yet built.
1Ch 26:19 These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
1Ch 26:20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
The treasures of the house of God - Where the money was kept, which was to be expended in oblations for the temple.
The treasures of the house of God - as the tithes, vessels, vestments, wine, and oil, and other things; such an one was Phinehas at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by Vespasian, who being taken, showed and delivered the priests' garments, and many other precious things and sacred ornaments under his care: and over the treasures of the dedicated things; voluntarily devoted for sacrifices and repairs of the temple; and this Ahijah had the care of each of those at first, which afterwards were divided, and put under the care of different persons.
Ahijah —Ahijah, whose name occurs after the Levites, is not mentioned in the previous lists. It is totally unknown and is introduced abruptly without further information. 1 Chronicles 26:20 And the Levites their brethren [were] over the treasures of the house of the Lord, and over the treasures of the hallowed things. (Septuagint) The Masoretic (KJV) reading differs from the Septuagint.
1Ch 26:21 As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.
1Ch 26:22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD.
1Ch 26:23 Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
Of the Amramites and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites - Who sprang from the four sons of Kohath, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, Exo_6:18 The persons following were of these, or the most of these families. Only here is none of the family of the Uzzielites; either because that family was now extinct, whence it is that we read no more of them in the scripture, but only in this place, and Num_3:27, or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.
1Ch 26:24 And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.
Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures -This is the first time that any of the posterity of Moses are taken notice of, as being in any office of honor, authority, and trust.
Ruler - The chief over all the treasures.
1Ch 26:25 And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
And his brethren by Eliezer - His kinsmen that descended from Eliezer, the brother of Gershom, the ancestor of Shebuel. These descendants of Eliezer were called brethren of Shebuel, because they were descended through Eliezer from Moses, as Shebuel was through his father Gershon.
1Ch 26:26 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.
the treasures of the dedicated things - which had been devoted for the service of God, and of the temple particularly:
which David the king had dedicated - out of the spoils he took in war, 2Sa_8:11 King David also dedicated them to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all nations which he subdued:
the chief fathers - princes of tribes, and heads of families:
1Ch 26:27 Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.
The spoils won in battles did they dedicate - It seems these were intended for its repairs.
1Ch 26:28 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.
And all that Samuel the seer and Saul - The foundations of a sacred treasury had therefore been laid as far back as the time of Samuel, when the Israelites began to recover from their last servitude. Such a treasury had been once before established, namely, under Joshua Jos_6:24; but it appears to have been soon exhausted, and we hear nothing of it under any of the later judges until Samuel.
1Ch 26:29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
Outward business over Israel - Which was done out of the temple, and out of Jerusalem, in the several parts of the country:
for officers and judges - to administer justice and judgment, and to take care that the laws of God were observed, both with respect to things civil and religious, and delinquents punished.
officers and judges — The word rendered “officers” is the term which signifies scribes or secretaries, so that the Levitical class here described were magistrates, who, attended by their clerks, exercised judicial functions; there were six thousand of them (1Ch_23:4), who probably acted like their brethren on the principle of rotation, and these were divided into three classes - one (1Ch_26:29) for the outward business over Israel; one (1Ch_26:30), consisting of seventeen hundred, for the west of Jordan “in all business of the Lord, and in the service of the king”; and the third (1Ch_26:31, 1Ch_26:32), consisting of twenty-seven hundred, “rulers for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.”
Judges - Judges over the people, in the several cities and towns, to determine questions and controversies which might arise among them. And the reason why the Levites were intrusted with these matters was, because the common law of Israel, by which they had and held all their rights was no other than the law of God, whereof the priests and Levites being the established interpreters, must needs be the most proper judges of things depending thereon.
1Ch 26:30 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.
In all the business of the Lord - Every thing that concerned ecclesiastical matters. The “business of the Lord” in the provinces would consist especially in the collection of the tithes, the redemption-money, and the free-will offerings of the people. It may perhaps have included some religious teaching.
In the service of the king - Every thing that concerned civil affairs: In things divine and civil, what appertained to the worship of God, and the support of civil government, and to take care that all the laws were observed, moral, ceremonial, and judicial, and that both the Lord was feared, and the king honored, and both had what was due unto them.
1Ch 26:31 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.
in the fortieth year of the reign of David - which was the last year of his reign, in which year all the above things were done; the distribution of the priests into their classes and courses, and so of the Levites, singers, and porters; as well as the appointment of those several judges and officers employed in divers parts of the land: and particularly in this year those
Hebronites were sought for - and there were found among them mighty men of valor, at Jazer of Gilead; a city on the other side Jordan, which belonged to the tribe of Gad. Jazer was a Levite city in the tribal domain of Gad, assigned, according to Jos_21:39, to the Merarites.
1Ch 26:32 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.
Rulers - This term is somewhat too strong. The same kind of office was assigned to Jerijah and his brethren in the trans-Jordanic region as to Hashabiah and his brethren in western Palestine 1Ch_26:30, namely, a superintendence over religious matters and over the interests of the king.
over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh - all which lay on the other side Jordan; and being so remote from the seat of civil government, and of the worship of God, they were in greater danger of revolting or being under the influence of idolatrous nations, both from their obedience to their king, and duty to their God; land therefore so large a number was appointed over them, to instruct them and keep them in their duty to both.
