1 Chronicles 26

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 26

1¶ Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites [was] Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

2And the sons of Meshelemiah [were], Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

4Moreover the sons of Obededom [were], Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,

5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.

6Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they [were] mighty men of valour.

7The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren [were] strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.

8All 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.

9And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.

10Also 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;)

11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah [were] thirteen.

12Among 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.

13And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

14And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

15To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.

16To Shuppim and Hosah [the lot came forth] westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.

17Eastward [were] six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two [and] two.

18At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, [and] two at Parbar.

19These [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.

21[As concerning] the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, [even] of Laadan the Gershonite, [were] Jehieli.

22The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, [which were] over the treasures of the house of the LORD.

23Of the Amramites, [and] the Izharites, the Hebronites, [and] the Uzzielites:

24And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, [was] ruler of the treasures.

25And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.

26Which 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.

27Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.

28And 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.

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.

31Among 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.

32And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

1 Chronicles 26 details the meticulous organization of Levites into various roles for temple service and national administration under King David. It begins by listing the divisions of the porters, assigning them specific gates by lot. The chapter then outlines the responsibilities of those managing the temple treasures, including dedicated spoils, and concludes with the appointment of Levites as officers and judges throughout Israel, handling both divine and royal affairs.

Medium Summary

This chapter delineates the organized structure of Levite responsibilities established during King David's reign. It first details the divisions of the porters, or gatekeepers, from the families of Korah, Obededom, and Merari, enumerating their strong men and their assigned gates determined by lot. Obededom's family is noted for being greatly blessed by God, producing many valiant men. Following this, the chapter describes the Levites appointed as treasurers, responsible for the sacred items and dedicated spoils of war within the house of the LORD. Shelomith, a descendant of Moses, is highlighted as overseeing these dedicated treasures from various figures. Finally, the chapter outlines the roles of other Levites as officers and judges throughout Israel, managing "outward business" and serving both in matters pertaining to God and the king's affairs. These men, particularly from the Izharites and Hebronites, were recognized for their valour and administrative capabilities.

Long Summary

First Chronicles chapter 26 meticulously records the detailed organization of the Levites into distinct service divisions during the latter part of King David's reign. The chapter commences by enumerating the divisions of the porters, or gatekeepers, specifying the families of the Korhites, the sons of Obededom, and the children of Merari. It lists the names of their prominent sons and brethren, emphasizing their designation as "mighty men of valour" and "able men for strength" for the service of the house of the LORD. The allocation of specific gates to these porter divisions was determined by casting lots, ensuring a structured and impartial assignment for each watch. For instance, Shelemiah received the east gate, Zechariah the north, Obededom the south, and Shuppim and Hosah the west, with specific numbers of Levites assigned to each post daily. Following the porters, the chapter transitions to the Levites responsible for the temple's financial administration. It identifies those appointed over the "treasures of the house of God" and the "treasures of the dedicated things." Descendants of Laadan, particularly Jehieli, and later Shebuel, a grandson of Moses through Gershom, are named as chief treasurers. Shelomith, Shebuel's brother, and his brethren were specifically entrusted with all the dedicated items, which included spoils won in battles. These dedicated items were contributed by King David, chief fathers, military captains, and even historical figures like Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab, all intended to maintain the house of the LORD. The final section of the chapter details the appointment of Levites for broader administrative and judicial roles outside the immediate temple precincts. Chenaniah and his sons, from the Izharites, were designated for "the outward business over Israel," serving as officers and judges. Similarly, Hashabiah and his brethren from the Hebronites, numbering 1,700 valiant men, were appointed as officers in all matters of the LORD and the king's service on the west side of Jordan. Furthermore, Jerijah, another chief among the Hebronites, along with 2,700 valiant chief fathers, were made rulers over the trans-Jordanic tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh, overseeing both divine and royal affairs in those regions. This comprehensive organization underscores David's commitment to establishing a well-ordered system for both sacred and civil governance.

Core Concepts

  • Levitical DivisionsThe systematic organization of Levites into distinct groups for specific temple and national duties, such as porters, treasurers, officers, and judges, reflecting a structured administration under King David.
  • Porters (Gatekeepers)A specific division of Levites responsible for guarding the gates of the house of the LORD, with their assignments determined by lot and their families noted for their strength and valour.
  • Treasurers of the House of GodLevites appointed to manage the sacred treasures and dedicated items within the temple, including spoils of war consecrated for the maintenance of God's house.
  • Dedicated ThingsValuables, often spoils from battles, that were consecrated and set apart for the service and maintenance of the house of the LORD, overseen by specific Levitical families.
  • Officers and JudgesLevites appointed to administrative and judicial roles throughout Israel, handling "outward business" and serving in matters pertaining to both divine law and the king's governance.
  • Mighty Men of ValourA recurring description for many of the Levites appointed to these important roles, indicating their strength, capability, and suitability for leadership and service.
  • Divine and Royal ServiceThe dual nature of the Levites' responsibilities, encompassing both matters pertaining to God (religious duties, temple administration) and affairs of the king (civil administration, justice).