1 CHRONICLES LESSON 29


     We will begin this lesson in I Chronicles 26:1 "Concerning the
divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites [was] Meshelemiah the son of
Kore, of the sons of Asaph."

     The porters would be the keepers of the entrance to the temple.
Again, David is preparing all of this ahead of time for his son,
Solomon. We discussed in a previous lesson, that Solomon was,
probably, quite young. David was helping him, so he would not make an
error about the Levitical family caring for the worship in the temple.
This would all be set ahead of time, and there would be no trouble
about who would do the different things. All of the men above are
Levites. They are in the service of the LORD, as keepers of the
entrance to the temple.

     I Chronicles 26:2 "And the sons of Meshelemiah [were], Zechariah
the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the
fourth," I Chronicles 26:3 "Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth,
Elioenai the seventh."

     Meshelemiah was a Levite of the family of Kore. He, with his
seven sons and brethren, were keepers of the eastern gate. Zechariah
was the only exception. It was his duty to watch the northern gate.

     I Chronicles 26:4 "Moreover the sons of Obed-edom [were],
Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and
Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth," I Chronicles 26:5 "Ammiel
the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed
him." I Chronicles 26:6 "Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born,
that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they [were]
mighty men of valour." I Chronicles 26:7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni,
and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren [were] strong men,
Elihu, and Semachiah." I Chronicles 26:8 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."

     All of those of Obed-edom were 62. Each of his sons were spoken
of as being mighty men of great strength.

     I Chronicles 26:9 "And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong
men, eighteen."

     This eighteen, added to the 62 of Obed-edom, make the keepers of
the gates, or doors, from the Korahites a total of 80.

     I Chronicles 26:10 "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;)"

     Hosah was one of the porters mentioned at the time they moved the
ark. The fact that Simri was made chief, probably, indicates that the
firstborn had died.
     I Chronicles 26:11 "Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third,
Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah [were]
thirteen."

     This thirteen added to the eighty Korathites, bring the count to
ninety-three porters or, doorkeepers. .

     I Chronicles 26:12 "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."

     These ninety-three were actually the leaders of the four thousand
porters who would guard the entrances. The numbers varied from time to
time.

     I Chronicles 26:13  "And they cast lots, as well the small as the
great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate."

     The casting of lots was the same as in the other circumstances,
to find out which watch they would take. It, also, would determine
what gate they would watch. This would make it fair for everyone.

     I Chronicles 26:14 "And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then
for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot
came out northward." I Chronicles 26:15 "To Obed-edom southward; and
to his sons the house of Asuppim." I Chronicles 26:16 "To Shuppim and
Hosah [the lot came forth] westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the
causeway of the going up, ward against ward."

     Each family was responsible for the gate they received by lot.
Within the family, they took turns watching their gate.

     I Chronicles 26:17 "Eastward [were] six Levites, northward four a
day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two [and] two."
I Chronicles 26:18 "At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, [and]
two at Parbar."

     We see that at each gate, there were no fewer than 2 men at any
given time. There were 6 men all the time on the eastern side. There
were 4 on the north and 4 on the south. There seemed to be 2 on 2
gates toward Asuppim. The 4 at the causeway and 4 at Parbar bring the
total guards on duty at any one time to 24.

     I Chronicles 26:19 "These [are] the divisions of the porters
among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari."

     The porters were Levites, also. They were in the service of the
LORD the same as the priests. They were just serving in a different
area. These porters were descended from Merari and Kore.

     I Chronicles 26:20  "And of the Levites, Ahijah [was] over the
treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated
things."

     This has jumped from porters to treasurers of the house of God.
Again, they were Levites. Ahijah had the special ministry of caring
for the treasury of the temple.

     I Chronicles 26:21 "[As concerning] the sons of Laadan; the sons
of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, [even] of Laadan the
Gershonite, [were] Jehieli." I Chronicles 26:22 "The sons of Jehieli;
Zetham, and Joel his brother, [which were] over the treasures of the
house of the LORD."

     Just as in the other ministerial activities, they worked their
shift and turned the ministry over to the next person in charge, so
did the treasurers. These mentioned above, who were in charge of the
treasures, were Gershonites. They are descended through Laadan. Libni
is the same as Laadan.

     I Chronicles 26:23 "Of the Amramites, [and] the Izharites, the
Hebronites, [and] the Uzzielites:" I Chronicles 26:24 "And Shebuel the
son of Gershom, the son of Moses, [was] ruler of the treasures."

     This family goes back to Amram through Moses. It appears from
this, that Moses' descendents were to be the ruler over the treasures,
and the others mentioned were to do the actual work of keeping track
of it. The Izrahites were the family of Izhar, brother of Amram. The
Hebronites were the family of Hebron, brother of Amram.

     I Chronicles 26:25 "And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his
son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and
Shelomith his son." I Chronicles 26:26 "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."

     This seems to be too many people to be over the treasures, until
we remember back that David had dedicated billions of dollars worth of
gold, and silver, and so much bronze it was too much to weigh.
Thinking in that line, we can see the need for all of these men to
work with those things dedicated to the house of the LORD. Eliezer,
here, is speaking of the brother of Gershom. Their father is Moses.
The workers in the treasures as captains are descended from Moses.

     I Chronicles 26:27 "Out of the spoils won in battles did they
dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD."

     This is explaining where this great wealth came from. Most of it
came from spoils of war.

     I Chronicles 26:28 "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."

     It appears that Samuel, Saul, Abner, and Joab had all added to
the dedicated things. God had been greatly with Israel in battle
during the time of Saul, as well as in the time of David. Much wealth
was accumulated and dedicated to the house of the LORD from the
battles they were in. Abner was Saul's uncle, but he was best known
for being a mighty warrior. At one time, he was commander-in-chief of
Saul's army. Joab led David's army.

     I Chronicles 26:29  "Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons
[were] for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges."

     The family of Izhar was in service to the LORD as judges and
officers. They were scribes, as well.

     I Chronicles 26:30 "[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."

     These were of the family of Hebron. These were like keepers of
the law in civil matters.

     I Chronicles 26:31 "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."

     Jerijah was the same as Jeriah. This is the end of David's reign
which lasted 40 years. They were found at Jazer of Gilead at the end
of David's reign. It appears, that they were part of the men that were
classified as David's mighty men.

     I Chronicles 26:32 "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."

     The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh were on
the eastern side of the Jordan. All of the matters of the land were
pertaining to God. The civil law and the moral law were both part of
the Levitical law. It appears, they watched over these tribes across
the Jordan to make sure they were keeping God's law. They were
actually in service to the LORD, but served David, as well.












                      1 Chronicles 29 Questions


1.  Who were the porters?
2.  Why was David making great preparation for the temple?
3.  Meshelemiah was a Levite of the family of ________.
4.  They were keepers of the __________ gate.
5.  Zechariah was keeper of the __________ gate.
6.  How many were there of Obed-edom?
7.  How many men of Meshelemiah were there?
8.  Hosah was of the children of __________.
9.  What special thing had Hosah done?
10. How many porters, or doorkeepers, who were leaders, were there?
11. The casting of lots was for what?
12. How many men were on duty at the eastern gate at any time?
13. How many total guards were there at one time?
14. Verse 20 says, that ___________ was over the treasures of the
    house of God.
15. Who were some of the other men whose ministry was the treasures?
16. Who was ruler over the treasures?
17. Who was he descended from?
18. Why are all of these people over the dedicated things not too many
    men?
19. Where had the treasures come from?
20. Who had gathered these dedicated things?
21. Who was Abner?
22. _______ led David's army.
23. Who were the judges and officers?
24. In verse 30, the men were keepers of the law in _________ matters.
25. How long did David's reign last?
26. Who were made rulers of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half
    tribe of Manasseh?
27. What were they watching over them for?