Bible Commentaries

5. The Porters and other Temple Officers

CHAPTER 26

1. The porters (1 Chronicles 26:1-12)

2. The keepers of the gates (1 Chronicles 26:13-19)

3. The Levites over the treasures (1 Chronicles 26:20-28)

4. Officers and judges (1 Chronicles 26:29-32)

Ninety-three porters are mentioned, which held the position of chiefs. The whole number of porters was 4,000 (1 Chronicles 23:5). Asaph in verse 1 must be changed to Ebiasaph (9:19), for Asaph was not a Korahite, but a Gershonite. Obed-edom is especially mentioned. God blessed him (verse 5). He had sheltered the ark (8:14), “and the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.” And here the blessing is seen in a remarkable increase. “All these of the sons of Obed-edom; they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were three score and two of Obed-edom” (Psalms 127:3). How faithful the Lord is. He did not forget Obed-edom’s service and rewarded him richly.

Then there were the gate keepers. The temple was still unbuilt, no plans had been drawn by man, but the Lord had revealed the plan to David (1 Chronicles 28:11-13), and he ordered the keepers of the gates according to the divine plan. Then follows the appointment of the Levites who had charge over the treasures and the appointment of officers and judges. Their number was 6,000 (1 Chronicles 23:4). They were divided into three classes: 1. For the outward business of Israel (verse 29). 2. Those who had the oversight of Israel beyond Jordan westward, 1,700 persons, for all the business of the Lord, and for service of the King (verse 30). 3. The third class consisted of 2,700 who were rulers for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king (verses 31-32). All was divinely planned and arranged through David in anticipation of the glorious reign of his son. And even so all is planned and appointed for the coming reign of the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace.