The Families of the Gatekeepers
Study note
The gatekeepers were Levites responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple. Two main families served in this role: the family of Meshelemiah from the Korahites and the family of Obed-edom. Obed-edom was especially blessed by God, having eight sons and many grandsons -- 62 strong men in all. Meshelemiah had 18 sons and brothers who were also strong. Hosah from the family of Merari had 13 sons and brothers. These gatekeepers were organized into divisions just like the priests and musicians.
1 The gatekeepers were organized into groups. From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, from Asaph's family. Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
2 Meshelemiah had sons. Zechariah was the first. Jediael was second. Zebadiah was third. Jathniel was fourth. And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
3 Elam was fifth, Jehohanan was sixth, and Elioenai was seventh. Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.
4 Obed-Edom's sons were: Shemaiah (firstborn), Jehozabad (second), Joah (third), Sacar (fourth), and Nethanel (fifth). 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 was sixth, Issachar was seventh, and Peulthai was eighth. God had blessed Obed-Edom with many sons. Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.
6 His son Shemaiah also had sons who were leaders in their family. They were strong, able men. Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.
7 Shemaiah's sons included Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad. His relatives Elihu and Semachiah were also strong men. The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.
8 All of Obed-Edom's descendants were strong and capable workers. From his family alone there were 62 men. 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 Meshelemiah had 18 sons and relatives who were all strong men. And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.
10 From the family of Merari, Hosah also had sons. Simri was made the head of the family even though he was not the oldest, because his father chose him for that role. 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 was second, Tebaliah was third, and Zechariah was fourth. Hosah's sons and relatives totaled 13. Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.
12 These gatekeeper groups were led by their leaders. They had jobs for serving in the Lord's temple, just like their relatives did. 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.
Gate Assignments
Study note
The gatekeepers cast lots to determine which family would guard which gate. The gates faced east, north, south, and west. The assignments were made fairly regardless of family size. The east gate, which was the main entrance, had six Levites on duty. The north and south gates each had four per day. The storehouse area had two guards at a time. The western gate called Shallecheth, near the upper road, had four guards at the road and two at the outer court. This careful system ensured that the temple was always properly guarded.
13 They drew lots to decide which gate each family would guard. Small families and large families were treated the same. And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.
14 The east gate assignment went to Shelemiah. His son Zechariah, known for his wise advice, drew the lot for the north gate. And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
15 Obed-Edom was assigned to the south gate, and his sons were put in charge of the storehouses. To Obed-edom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.
16 Shuppim and Hosah were assigned to the west gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the upper road. The guards were stationed side by side. To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.
17 Six Levites were posted each day at the east gate, four at the north gate, four at the south gate, and two pairs at the storehouses. Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
18 At the western court area, four guards watched the road and two guarded the court itself. At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.
19 These were the gatekeeper groups from the families of Korah and Merari. These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
Treasurers of the Temple
Study note
The temple held enormous wealth in the form of dedicated gifts and war plunder. Ahijah oversaw the main treasuries. Shebuel, a descendant of Moses through Gershom, was the chief treasurer. Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the items that had been dedicated to God by King David, the family heads, military commanders, and earlier leaders like Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab. The wealth from battles won over the years was set aside to maintain the house of the Lord.
20 Among the other Levites, Ahijah watched over two things. He managed God's temple wealth. He also managed the wealth from items given to the Lord. And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.
21 From Laadan's children in the Gershonite family, Jehieli was a family head. As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.
22 Jehieli's sons -- Zetham and his brother Joel -- managed the Lord's temple treasuries. The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD.
23 Other people in charge of the treasuries came from the Amramite, Izharite, Hebronite, and Uzzielite families. Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:
24 Shebuel was in charge of all the treasuries. He came from Moses' son Gershom. And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.
25 His relatives through Eliezer's line were Rehabiah, then Jeshaiah, then Joram, then Zichri, then Shelomith. 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 Shelomith and his kin managed all the treasuries. These held gifts set apart for the Lord. King David, family leaders, army chiefs, and other officers had given them. 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 They had set aside some of the wealth captured in battles specifically to maintain the Lord's temple. Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.
28 Samuel the prophet had set apart some items. So had King Saul, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah. Shelomith and his kin cared for all these. 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.
Officials and Judges Across Israel
Study note
Not all Levites served at the temple. Some were assigned to govern and judge throughout Israel. Chenaniah and his sons from the Izharites handled matters outside the temple. Hashabiah and 1,700 capable men from the Hebronites served as officials west of the Jordan River. Jerijah, also a Hebronite, led 2,700 skilled men who served as officials east of the Jordan over the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They handled both religious and government affairs.
29 From the Izharite family, Chenaniah and his sons were given work outside the temple. They served as officials and judges across Israel. Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.
30 Hashabiah was from the Hebronite family. He and 1,700 skilled kin managed the Lord's work. They also managed the king's business west of the Jordan River. 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, Jerijah was the chief. In the fortieth year of David's reign, a search of the family records found capable men from this family at Jazer in Gilead. 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 Jerijah had 2,700 capable relatives who served as family leaders. King David put them in charge of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and eastern Manasseh, handling all matters related to God and the king. 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.