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1 Chronicles Chapter Twenty-six                            

 

1 Chronicles 26

Chapter Contents

The offices of the Levites.

The porters and treasurers of the temple had occasion for strength and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended daily upon the altar; flour wine oil salt fuel beside the lamps; quantities of these were kept beforehand besides the sacred vestments and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. These treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries the unsearchable riches of Christ all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness we must give him the glory and endeavour to dispose of our abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinance of God for the good of the church as truly as the ministry and must not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the service of the sanctuary none of the singers or porters were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man. Wisdom courage strength of faith holy affections and constancy of mind in doing our duty are requisite or useful for every station.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on 1 Chronicles

 

1 Chronicles 26

Verse 5

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

Blessed him — With a numerous posterity and other blessings for his respect and affection to the ark. The increase and building up of families is owing to the Divine blessing. And a great blessing it is to have many children when they are like these eminent in the service of God.

Verse 6

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

Of valour — This clause is divers times mentioned because their office required both strength and courage: for they were to shut the doors of the temple one whereof was so great and weighty that in the second temple it required twenty men to open and shut it. They were also to keep the guard to keep out all unclean or forbidden persons to prevent or suppress any tumults or disorders which might happen in the temple or in its courts to keep the treasures of the temple verse 20 22 24 26 to be officers and judges over Israel verse 29 and to manage every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king verse 32.

Verse 10

[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;)

Made him the chief — Not in inheriting the estate; (this was forbidden by the law) but in this service for which he was better qualified than his elder brother.

Verse 12

[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.

Wards — Heb. having wards answerably to their brethren the other Levites who were divided into twenty-four courses as the priests also and the porters were.

Verse 13

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

Cast lots — Determining the times and places of their service not by age or dignity but merely by lot.

Every gate — That it might be known to whom the care of each gate was more especially committed.

Verse 15

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

Asuppim — Or of gatherings probably so named from the assembly of the elders who met there to consult about the affairs of the temple.

Verse 16

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

Shallecheth — A gate of the court so called as some think because the ashes and filth of the temple were cast out on that side which was the most convenient for that purpose because that was a private quarter the great ways to the temple lying on the other sides.

Going up — By which causeway they went up towards the temple.

Ward against ward — As one gate was over against another the west against the east and the north against the south so one ward was over against another.

Verse 17

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

Six — For that being the chief gate of the temple required a better guard.

Verse 20

[20] And of the Levites Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

Treasures — There seem to be two different kinds of treasures the former containing the sacred vessels and other treasures which by God's command were appropriated to the maintenance of the house; the latter only those things which had been freely given or dedicated to God.

Verse 23

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

The Amramites — 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 Numbers 3:27 or because there was none of them fit to be employed and trusted in these matters.

Verse 24

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

Ruler — The chief over all the treasures mentioned before or afterward as his title shews which is peculiarly given to him and to none of the rest.

Verse 27

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

Maintain — Or repair it.

Verse 29

[29] Of the Izharites Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel for officers and judges.

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.

Verse 30

[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.

Of the Lord — In all things which concerned the house or worship of God; to take care that such monies as were given towards building the temple or towards the sacrifices and other holy ministrations should be gathered and received and faithfully sent up to Jerusalem; and to see to the execution of all the laws of God among the people.

Service of … — They served the king in the execution of his decrees by which the several rights of the king and people were established. And as the king was the principal person intrusted with the execution of God's laws so these Levites chiefly were his eyes by which he saw his people's transgressions and his hands by which he inflicted due censures upon them for their miscarriages.

Verse 31

[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.

Fortieth year — His last year in which he made all the orders of families and officers recorded in these chapters. We should be so much the more diligent in doing good as we see the day approaching. If we live not to enjoy the fruit of our labours let us not grudge it to them that come after us.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on 1 Chronicles

 

26 Chapter 26

 

Verse 5

1 Chronicles 26:5

For God blessed him.

The blessing of Obed-edom

Learn--

I. That god will honour signal service.

II. That signal service thus rewarded is commended to our notice.

1. That we may discern the goodness of God.

2. That we may imitate the example. (J. Wolfendale.)

The banning of Obed-edom

I. What it consists of.

1. Family increase.

2. Family honour.

3. Family reputation.

II. How it is gained.

1. By a right mind.

2. By right action. (J. Wolfendale.)

──The Biblical Illustrator