Bible Glide

1 Chronicles 26 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

1 Chronicles 26 records how David organized the gatekeepers, treasurers, and other Levites for steady service at the house of the Lord. The chapter emphasizes order, trust, and capable people assigned to practical work that supported worship and public life.

What happens in 1 Chronicles 26?

This chapter names the Levite families assigned to guard the gates, manage the storehouses, and handle outside duties. The gatekeepers are distributed by lot for the east, north, south, west, and other entrances, with regular watches set in place. Other Levites oversee the treasuries for dedicated gifts and battle spoils set apart for the Lord's house. The chapter also lists officers and judges who help carry out the work of God and the king, showing a carefully arranged system led by capable men.

1 Chronicles 26 follows the chapter on the musicians and continues David's preparation for the life of worship in Jerusalem. It moves from praise to the practical structures needed to protect, manage, and administer the temple service. This chapter fits within the wider section where David organizes the Levites and prepares the kingdom for stable, ordered service.

  • Order in ServiceThe chapter shows that God's work was assigned with structure and clear responsibility.
  • Faithful GuardianshipThe gatekeepers and treasurers protected what was set apart for the Lord.
  • Capable LeadershipMany roles were given to strong and trusted men who could carry real responsibility.
  • What does the careful assignment of duties teach about serving God faithfully?
  • Why is it significant that both worship and practical administration are included here?
  • How do the repeated references to capable men shape your view of leadership in this chapter?

Read the full text of 1 Chronicles 26 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Chronicles 26

The Divisions of the Gatekeepers

1These were the divisions of the gatekeepers:

From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.

4And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom.

6Also to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their families because they were strong, capable men.

7Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers were Elihu and Semachiah, also capable men.8All these were descendants of Obed-edom; they and their sons and brothers were capable men with strength to do the work—62 in all from Obed-edom.

9Meshelemiah also had sons and brothers who were capable men—18 in all.

10Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first),

11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and brothers of Hosah numbered 13 in all.

12These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their brothers did.13They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

14The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah.

Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.

15The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons.

16The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway fell to Shuppim and Hosah.

There were guards stationed at every watch.

17Each day there were six Levites on the east, four on the north, four on the south, and two pairs at the storehouse.18As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court.19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.

The Treasurers, Officers, and Judges

20Now their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated things.21From the descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and heads of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli,22the sons of Jehieli, Zetham, and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the LORD.23From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:

24Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the officer in charge of the treasuries.

25His relatives through Eliezer included Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.26This Shelomith and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and by the army commanders.27They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD.28Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was under the care of Shelomith and his brothers.

29From the Izrahites, Chenaniah and his sons had the outside duties as officers and judges over Israel.

30From the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, had charge of the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the LORD and for the service of the king.

31As for the Hebronites, Jerijah was the chief of the Hebronites, according to the genealogies of his ancestors. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the records were searched, and strong, capable men were found among the Hebronites at Jazer in Gilead.32Among Jerijah’s relatives there were 2,700 capable men who were heads of families. King David appointed them over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and to the affairs of the king.

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