1 Chronicles 26: 1 – 32
Gatekeeper
26 Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 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, Eliehoenai the seventh. 4 Moreover the sons of Obed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth; for God blessed him. 6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they were men of great ability. 7 The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men. 8 All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom. 9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men. 10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first), 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 gatekeepers, among the chief men, having duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the LORD. 13 And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house. 14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate; 15 to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse. 16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway—watchman opposite watchman. 17 On the east were six Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the storehouse two by two. 18 As for the Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari. 20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the dedicated things. 21 The sons of Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Laadan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were over the treasuries of the house of the LORD. 23 Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites: 24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries. 25 And his brethren by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son. 26 This Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things which King David and the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. 27 Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of the LORD. 28 And all that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, every dedicated thing, was under the hand of Shelomith and his brethren. 29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons performed duties as officials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem. 30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred able men, had the oversight of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king. 31 Among the Hebronites, Jerijah was head of the Hebronites according to his genealogy of the fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought, and there were found among them capable men at Jazer of Gilead. 32 And his brethren were two thousand seven hundred able men, heads of fathers’ houses, whom King David made officials over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.
If I introduced myself and my job title as ‘The Director of Gatekeeping’, what is the first thing that comes into your mind?
I would say that the first thing you would think of me is that there is something wrong with me. I am someone whose elevator does not go up to the top floor. I am trying to impress you with some important title while in fact I am a nobody. Am I right?
Here are a few of my favorite creative titles in regards to this line of thinking:
Crockery cleansing Operative – Dishwasher
Director of First Impressions -receptionist
Dispatch service facilitator – postal worker
Knowledge navigator – teacher
Loss prevention officer – security guard
Media distribution officer – paper delivery person
Vision clearance engineer – window cleaner
Sanitation engineer – garbage collector
Revenue protection officer – ticket taker
Environmental health advisor – pest control
Doorman - bouncer
Reprographics expert – copy guy
Coin facilitation engineer – toll both collector
Technical horticultural maintenance officer – gardener
Flueologist – chimney sweep
Unskilled speaker – politician
Now what about the title I first mentioned – Gatekeeper?
Gates are mentioned often in Scripture, and gatekeepers were an important part of maintaining order in ancient societies. Gatekeepers were guards stationed for protection at various kinds of gates, which could be city gates, palace gates, or temple gates. Ancient cities had high, thick walls around them to keep out wild beasts and invading armies (Joshua 7:5; Judges 5:8; Nehemiah 12:30). Heavy gates were set within those walls to allow entrance and exit. A gatekeeper had to be trustworthy and alert for any signs of trouble. A gatekeeper lax in his duties could bring ruin upon an entire civilization, so the idea of gatekeeping implies alertness and security. The keeper of the gates in Psalm 141:3 is none other than the Lord Himself, as He guards our mouths, preventing us from unwise speech, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
David and Samuel appointed 212 gatekeepers for “positions of trust” in guarding the temple of the Lord (1 Chronicles 9:22), and those so appointed rotated through week-long assignments (verse 25). Verses 26–29 speak of the four principal gatekeepers, “who . . . were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning. Some of them oversaw the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out. Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the special flour and wine, and the olive oil, incense and spices.” Temple gatekeepers oversaw who went in and who went out. They ensured order and reverence for God’s house.
We can easily see the parallel for our own lives. Our conscience, the fear of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit are “gatekeepers” for our hearts. “Through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided” (Proverbs 16:6). The Spirit desires our sanctification, giving us the power to repel sin. When temptation comes knocking at our gate, the Holy Spirit nudges our Scripture-informed conscience: “That’s dangerous. Don’t go there.” The divine Gatekeeper acts on our behalf to keep invaders from destroying us.
When we ignore our Gatekeeper, we put ourselves and those we love in jeopardy. But when we, in godly fear, heed the warnings of the Word and the Holy Spirit, we are safe. Our hearts and lives are protected from Satan’s invasive schemes (Ephesians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 2:11).
Today we pick up more information regarding the ‘Gatekeeper’s’. So, will all the facts I just gave you I know that we all realize that these individuals do not just have ‘fancy pants job titles’ but are valuable and needed servants.
The gatekeepers appear to have been sons of Kohath, son of Levi, and of Merari, son of Levi. It will be noted that some of the gatekeepers in the time of David have the same names as some of the gatekeepers of the returnees from Exile. This was not accidental. There is good reason to think that at least some of the returning Exiles deliberately took the names of their ancient forebears as a sign that they were forming the new Israel. The idea was that Israel was being renewed as of old. So, for example, Meshelemiah (verse 1) and his son Zechariah (verse 2) parallel with chapter 9.21. Note the reference to David in 9.22. There was a conscious re-establishment of things as they were in the time of David even to the extent of names.
26 Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
It is immediately made clear that Meshelemiah was a descendant of Kohath, and that his father was descended from Asaph, the chief singer. It has been quite apparent in the text that gatekeepers also sang and played instruments, and that is confirmed here. What better job assignment is for a gatekeeper to sing or shout out warnings.
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, Eliehoenai the seventh.
Obed-edom the doorkeeper was a son of Jeduthun, who was clearly a Levite, being a leading singer (16.38). If Ethan (15.17) and Jeduthun (16.42) were the same, as is probable, then Jeduthun was stated to be a descendant of Merari (15.17).
This would seem to be confirmed by the fact that Obed-edom was paired as a doorkeeper with Hosah (verse 11), who was also a son of Merari (16.38).
4 Moreover the sons of Obed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth; for God blessed him.
A list of Obed-edom’s trueborn sons is now given, numbering eight in all. The number of his sons is said to be a sign that God had blessed him. Having numerous offspring was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing.
6 Also to Shemaiah his son were sons born who governed their fathers’ houses, because they were men of great ability. 7 The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men.
Shemaiah, Obed-edom’s firstborn also had sons, six in all, who ruled over the house of their father. They were all men of substance, both capable and wealthy. The ‘brothers’ (relations in the sub-clan) of Elzabad were also men of substance.
8 All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom.
The wider family of Obed-edom, excluding his sons, provided sixty-two gatekeepers who were capable men and quite sufficient for their service. The number sixty-eight in 16.38 is inclusive of Obed-edom and his sons, of whom not all had apparently reached the age of service.
9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, eighteen able men.
Having brought out that Obed-edom’s wider household numbered sixty-two, and Meshelemiah’s household numbered eighteen.
A third group of gatekeepers, also of the house of Merari, were Hosah and his descendants. Hosah is linked with Obed-edom as a gatekeeper in 16.38.
10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons: Shimri the first (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him the first), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth; all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
Hosah had four sons, and although Shimri was not the eldest he made him chief of the sub-clan. It is clear that his potential had been duly noted. The others were Hilkiah, Tebaliah and Zechariah.
Together with the other members of the sub-clan the household of Hosah numbered thirteen in all. So, the number of the ‘households’ of the gatekeepers in total was sixty-two plus eighteen plus thirteen which equals ninety-three, to which need to be added, at least in the case of Obed-edom, his sons.
All must be done in accordance with the wishes of YHWH, and so lots are now cast to determine which gatekeepers should oversee which gates. There were gates to the north, the east, the south and the west. These would be the gates into the court which was around the Sanctuary, into which only acknowledged Israelites (which would include proselytes who truly worshipped YHWH) would be allowed.
12 Among these were the divisions of the gatekeepers, among the chief men, having duties just like their brethren, to serve in the house of the LORD.
This verse connects what follows with what has gone before. Just described in the previous verses have been the courses of the gatekeepers, and their chief men, who like their fellow-Levites each had an office to fulfil in the house of YHWH.
13 And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house.
All of these, both those who were important, and those who were unimportant, cast lots for which of the fathers’ houses should be at which gate. It applied to both small and great. None were to be excluded from such an important task. We are given no explanation as to how this was achieved. This is a reminder that in God’s house every member of God’s people is important in God’s eyes even if they may not seem to be so to us.
You know that sometimes as fallen humans we might get down on ourselves if the lot fell out for us to watch a non-essential gate. Would you agree? However, we must realize that an enemy who wanted access to cause damage, what entrance would they pick? One in which is highly traveled or one which might not be concerned with so much. This is why each assignment must be considered of the utmost importance.
14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate;
The eastward gate fell to Shelemiah (Meshelemiah). He and his household, apart from his son Zechariah and his household (verse 14b), were responsible for the oversight of the important east gate.
Because there were four gates, and only three Levitical families involved, one family had to be responsible for two gates. Thus Zechariah, the son of Shelemiah, who was especially able, together with his household, formed a fourth group. Lots were cast, and he and his family were made responsible for the oversight of the north gate.
15 to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse.
Obed-edom and his family received by lot the responsibility for the south gate. And because they were so numerous they were also given responsibility for ‘the store house’ or ‘house of collection’. ‘The store house’ may be a composite term for all storage places in the courts of the house of God, which would include storage for hides and meat from the sacrifices, storage for sacred vessels and equipment, and possibly security for the treasures later mentioned in verses 20-28.
16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway—watchman opposite watchman.
The westward gate which was named Shallecheth (only mentioned here), together with the ascending Causeway, was the responsibility of Shuppim and Hosah.
The introduction of Shuppim who has previously not been mentioned, is unexpected to us. A good reason for introducing Shuppim might be that he and his family were responsible for Parbar (verse 17).
17 On the east were six Levites, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, and for the storehouse two by two. 18 As for the Parbar on the west, there were four on the highway and two at the Parbar.
The number on watch at each watch each day is now given. Six Levites at the important east Gate; four at the north gate; four at the south gate; four over the storehouses; and six at the west gate, four watching the causeway and two at Parbar. These thus number twenty-four in all, coinciding with the number of courses of the other Levites (Levites, priests and singers). But here it was twenty-four on duty at a time. Parbar would appear to have been a road, area or room adjacent to the Temple. This may have been Shuppim’s special responsibility.
19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the sons of Korah and among the sons of Merari.
What has been said summarizes the courses of the doorkeepers/gatekeepers at the Sanctuary (and to begin with no doubt at both Sanctuaries) and confirms that all involved were either Korahites or Merariites.
Other Levites had responsibility for the Sanctuary treasures as now described.
20 Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasuries of the house of God and over the treasuries of the dedicated things.
The one who had total overall responsibility over all the treasures was named Ahijah. He was both over the treasures of the house of God and over the treasures of the dedicated things. In what follows those responsibilities are then divided. It is a surprise that his descent is not described, but its non-mention, apart from the fact that he was a Levite, may have been deliberate so as not to limit this post to one clan, leaving it open to any qualified Levite.
21 The sons of Laadan, the descendants of the Gershonites of Laadan, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Laadan the Gershonite: Jehieli.
This verse may also have been in order to underline the fact that while the Gershonites have not been mentioned among the gatekeepers previously, they are now introduced as also having been given security duties in that they were responsible for the security of the treasures of the house of YHWH.
22 The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were over the treasuries of the house of the LORD.
For we now learn that Jehieli and his two sons Zetham and Joel, were made responsible for the security and preservation from profanity of ‘the treasures of the house of YHWH’, which would include its most sacred vessels and other sacred movable items.
23 Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
Control of the treasures of dedicated things is in the hands of the sons of Kohath in equal measure, in the hands of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites. At this time, after David’s wars, this treasure would have been enormous.
24 Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was overseer of the treasuries.
The member of the house of Kohath who had overall responsibility at this time over the treasury of dedicated things (under Ahijah) was Shebuel of the house of Gershom, the son of Moses (see 23.15-16).
25 And his brethren by Eliezer were Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
Working alongside Shebuel was Rehabiah the only son of Eliezer. Eliezer was Gershom’s brother and a son of Moses. The position of ‘chief’ over the treasures of dedicated things eventually passes to his line, so that after four (or more) generations his descendant Shelomoth holds the position along with ‘his brothers’.
26 This Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things which King David and the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated. 27 Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of the LORD.
So Shelomoth and his brothers were over all the treasures of dedicated things. The huge amounts involved are made clear here. The treasures of dedicated things included all the spoils which over time David and his commanders had dedicated for the repair of the house of YHWH. And this included the commanders over large units, the commanders over smaller units, and the commanders over the host. Every successful battle, whether large or small, had added to that treasure. The amount was probably incalculable.
28 And all that Samuel the seer, Saul the son of Kish, Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated, every dedicated thing, was under the hand of Shelomith and his brethren.
And added to that treasure were the spoils accumulated by Samuel, Saul, and Abner (Ishbosheth’s general), as well as by Joab the king’s commander-in-chief. Whatever spoils had been dedicated to YHWH over two centuries were under the hand of Shelomoth and his brothers (brothers in a wider sense) which would include the descendants of Shebuel. So, the descendants of Moses had prime responsibility for the treasures dedicated over the centuries to YHWH.
Other Levites had responsibilities outside the immediate concerns of the Sanctuary. Those experienced in such thing acted as ‘officers and judges over Israel’ (Deuteronomy 17.9), and helped to run the king’s affairs and matters related to God. The descriptions are wide, and the significance of them uncertain. It is like saying that they were ‘civil servants’ with the wide ramifications. Their duties were too numerous to mention.
Whilst Israel under Saul had been mainly tribal, with Saul as warleader with a small standing army, the much more complicated kingdom of David would require much more central administration, with its officers needing to be widespread to carry out the wishes of the central administration. These came mainly from certain families of the Izharites and Hebronites, whose knowledge and administrative experience would be useful.
29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons performed duties as officials and judges over Israel outside Jerusalem.
The officers and judges came mainly from the family of Chenaniah (otherwise unknown) who had no doubt honed these skills in their work as Levites (Deuteronomy 17.9). They were concerned with the outward business over Israel and would be trusted by the Israelites because of their status. It was no small thing to be a Levite. They were already scattered around the country in the Levitical cities and had wide experience of judging.
30 Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, one thousand seven hundred able men, had the oversight of Israel on the west side of the Jordan for all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.
Those having oversight over Israel west of Jordan, fulfilling the business of YHWH and serving the king, were Hashabiah and his brothers, descendants of Hebron son of Kohath. In all, one large unit and seven smaller units, composed of men of solid worth were involved in the task.
31 Among the Hebronites, Jerijah was head of the Hebronites according to his genealogy of the fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought, and there were found among them capable men at Jazer of Gilead.
One of these Hebronites was Jerijah, who was chief over the Hebronites. Why exactly they were sought out in the final years of his reign we are not told, perhaps because David required them to bring some organization to disparate elements beyond the Jordan. Looking for Levites who would be suitable for the task he found them, under the leadership of Jerijah, in Jazer, a Levitical city in the territory of Gad (Joshua 21.39).
32 And his brethren were two thousand seven hundred able men, heads of fathers’ houses, whom King David made officials over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.
Having found Jerijah, David set him and his ‘two thousand seven hundred’ heads of houses (families), who were men of solid worth, over the king’s affairs, and over things pertaining to God, in Reuben, Gad and half-Manasseh. More would be needed for this task east of Jordan, as compared with west of Jordan, because of the nature of the manner of living of the people as herdsmen and shepherds. They would be less centralized, and less controlled by the king’s own administrators. But David wanted to make them into one nation included within his system of justice.
