Bible Commentaries

Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites [was] Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of ^a Asaph.

(a) This Asaph was not the notable musician, but another of that name also called Ebiasaph in (1 Chronicles 6:23) , (1 Chronicles 6:37) , (1 Chronicles 9:19) and also Jasaph.

Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God ^b blessed him.

(b) In giving him many children.

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

(c) Or, like their father's house, meaning, worthy men and valiant.

All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for ^d strength for the service, [were] threescore and two of Obededom.

(d) Fit to serve the office of the portership.

Among these [were] the divisions of the porters, [even] among the chief men, [having] wards one ^e against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

(e) According to their turns as well the one as the other.

And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, ^f a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

(f) One expert and fit to keep that gate.

To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of ^g Asuppim.

(g) This was a house where they used to resort to consult things concerning the temple, as a convocation house.

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

(h) At which they used to cast out the filth of the city.

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

(i) Meaning two one day and two another.

At ^k Parbar westward, four at the causeway, [and] two at Parbar.

(k) Which was a house in which they kept the instruments of the temple.

Of the ^l Amramites, [and] the Izharites, the Hebronites, [and] the Uzzielites:

(l) These also had charge over the treasures.

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 ^m dedicated.

(m) According as the Lord commanded, (Numbers 31:28).

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

(n) Meaning of things that were out of the city.

[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 ^o the king.

(o) That is, for the king's house.

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 ^q God, and affairs of the king.

(q) Both in spiritual and temporal things.