I Chronicles Chapter 26
Please read: I Chronicles 26 –
There is so much detail given as to the organization that David set up for the temple that it is hard to remember that all of this was done in his later years before his death. What is even more difficult to remember is that all of this was recorded many years later by the chronicler after Israel had been taken into captivity to provide a record of what was and to give the people hope.
This chapter describes the positions of the gatekeepers of the temple. These men were both a physical gatekeeper to the temple, but probably more important a spiritual gatekeeper. As a spiritual gatekeeper they would not allow anyone to enter who was not ready to serve or to worship God. You may recall reading in II Kings 21 how the king of Judah, Manasseh brought idols of gods into the temple of God. Had the gatekeepers been doing their job this might not have happened. But there is no mention in scripture of the gatekeepers trying to stop the king from doing such despicable things in the house of the LORD.
Let's Reflect
1. There were three family lines of Levi. His three sons were Kohath, Gershon, and Merari. The gatekeepers were chosen from what family lines? See verses 1, 10, and 19.
2. The position of gatekeeper also meant that they might need to physically remove some object or some person who was not allowed to enter the temple. According to verse 6 a man named Shemiah had sons who were qualified for this position. What does the verse say about his sons?
3. Were the gatekeepers posted at the front entrance on the east side only?
4. From the Gershon family there was a great responsibility given to keep charge over the treasuries of the temple. This included monies, gold, silver and bronze given to the temple. The family of Shelomoth and his brothers were officers of the treasures that were brought to the temple as described in verse 27. What were those treasures and what were they used for?
5. Verses 29-32 describe an organization that David set up for outside the temple area. These positions seem to be like our modern position of a town magistrate, only these were probably in charge of a region of the kingdom rather than a small town. They used the law of God to answer disputes and questions. These men were chosen carefully, appointed by King David. What does the last phrase of verse 32 say the main responsibility of their position was?
