1 Chronicles 9

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 9

1¶ So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they [were] written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, [who] were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

2Now the first inhabitants that [dwelt] in their possessions in their cities [were], the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.

3And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim, and Manasseh;

4Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, of the children of Pharez the son of Judah.

5And of the Shilonites; Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons.

6And of the sons of Zerah; Jeuel, and their brethren, six hundred and ninety.

7And of the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hasenuah,

8And Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;

9And their brethren, according to their generations, nine hundred and fifty and six. All these men [were] chief of the fathers in the house of their fathers.

10And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,

11And Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God;

12And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;

13And their brethren, heads of the house of their fathers, a thousand and seven hundred and threescore; very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

14¶ And of the Levites; Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari;

15And Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Micah, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;

16And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.

17And the porters [were], Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum [was] the chief;

18Who hitherto [waited] in the king's gate eastward: they [were] porters in the companies of the children of Levi.

19And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, [were] over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, [being] over the host of the LORD, [were] keepers of the entry.

20And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, [and] the LORD [was] with him.

21[And] Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah [was] porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

22All these [which were] chosen to be porters in the gates [were] two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.

23So they and their children [had] the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, [namely], the house of the tabernacle, by wards.

24In four quarters were the porters, toward the east, west, north, and south.

25And their brethren, [which were] in their villages, [were] to come after seven days from time to time with them.

26For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in [their] set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.

27And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge [was] upon them, and the opening thereof every morning [pertained] to them.

28And [certain] of them had the charge of the ministering vessels, that they should bring them in and out by tale.

29[Some] of them also [were] appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.

30And [some] of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.

31And Mattithiah, [one] of the Levites, who [was] the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans.

32And [other] of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, [were] over the shewbread, to prepare [it] every sabbath.

33And these [are] the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, [who remaining] in the chambers [were] free: for they were employed in [that] work day and night.

34These chief fathers of the Levites [were] chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.

35¶ And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife's name [was] Maachah:

36And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab,

37And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zechariah, and Mikloth.

38And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.

39And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

40And the son of Jonathan [was] Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah.

41And the sons of Micah [were], Pithon, and Melech, and Tahrea, [and Ahaz].

42And Ahaz begat Jarah; and Jarah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza;

43And Moza begat Binea; and Rephaiah his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.

44And Azel had six sons, whose names [are] these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these [were] the sons of Azel.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

First Chronicles chapter 9 details the genealogies of those who resettled Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, emphasizing the roles of various tribes and priestly families. It lists the inhabitants from Judah, Benjamin, priests, and Levites, highlighting their specific duties in the service of the house of God. Key roles include gatekeepers, overseers of sanctuary vessels, and singers, all organized by their ancestral lines.

Medium Summary

This chapter begins by noting that all Israel's genealogies were recorded, particularly those who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It then enumerates the initial inhabitants of Jerusalem, including members of Judah, Benjamin, priests, Levites, and Nethinims. Detailed lists are provided for the chief men of Judah and Benjamin, followed by the priests, such as Azariah, who were "very able men for the work of the service of the house of God." The Levites are also listed, with a significant focus on the porters or gatekeepers, including Shallum, who were responsible for the gates of the tabernacle and the house of God, a duty ordained by David and Samuel. Other Levites had specific charges over sanctuary vessels, provisions, and the preparation of shewbread. The chapter concludes by mentioning the singers, who were dedicated to their work day and night, and then provides a genealogy of Saul's family, tracing his lineage through Jehiel of Gibeon.

Long Summary

First Chronicles chapter 9 resumes the genealogical records of Israel, specifically focusing on those who were carried away to Babylon for their transgressions and subsequently returned to inhabit their cities. The chapter identifies the primary residents of Jerusalem as Israelites, priests, Levites, and Nethinims. It then provides specific genealogical lines for the children of Judah, including Uthai of Pharez, Asaiah of the Shilonites, and Jeuel of Zerah, along with their numerous brethren. The children of Benjamin are also detailed, listing Sallu, Ibneiah, Elah, and Meshullam, noting their significant numbers and their status as chief fathers. A substantial portion is dedicated to the priests, such as Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, Azariah (son of Hilkiah), Adaiah, and Maasiai, who are described as "very able men for the work of the service of the house of God." Following this, the Levites are enumerated, including Shemaiah, Bakbakkar, and Mattaniah. A particular emphasis is placed on the porters or gatekeepers, such as Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, and Ahiman, who were organized into companies and had the crucial responsibility of guarding the gates of the tabernacle and the house of the LORD. These porters, numbering two hundred and twelve, were chosen by genealogy and ordained by David and Samuel, overseeing the gates by wards and lodging around the temple. Beyond gatekeeping, other Levites were charged with managing the ministering vessels, sanctuary instruments, and provisions like fine flour, wine, oil, frankincense, and spices, with some priests preparing holy ointment. The Kohathites were specifically tasked with preparing the shewbread every Sabbath. The chapter also highlights the singers, who were chief Levites dedicated to their musical service day and night, residing in Jerusalem. Finally, the chapter concludes with a detailed genealogy of the family of Jehiel, the father of Gibeon, tracing the lineage through Ner, Kish, and Saul, down to Azel and his six sons, thereby connecting the post-exilic community to significant historical figures.

Core Concepts

  • Post-Exilic ResettlementThe chapter begins by identifying the inhabitants of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, emphasizing the return and re-establishment of the community in their ancestral cities.
  • Genealogical RecordsA core theme is the meticulous recording of genealogies for the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and especially the priestly and Levitical families, underscoring the importance of lineage and identity.
  • Temple Service RolesThe chapter details the specific duties of various groups within the house of God, including priests, Levites, porters (gatekeepers), overseers of vessels and provisions, and singers, illustrating the organized nature of temple worship.
  • Porters (Gatekeepers)A significant focus is placed on the Levite porters, who were responsible for guarding the gates of the tabernacle and the house of the LORD, a vital role ordained by King David and the prophet Samuel.
  • Levitical DutiesBeyond gatekeeping, Levites were assigned diverse tasks such as managing sacred vessels, preparing offerings like shewbread, and leading musical worship, demonstrating their comprehensive involvement in sanctuary operations.
  • Saul's GenealogyThe chapter concludes with a detailed lineage of Saul's family, connecting the post-exilic records to a prominent historical royal line, possibly to show continuity or to complete a previous genealogical account.