SERIES K --- ISRAEL’S GOLDEN AGE --- LESSON 20

MINISTRY FOR ALL

THE DOORKEEPERS AND OFFICERS OF THE TEMPLE

From 1 Chronicles 26

A number of men were appointed as doorkeepers or guards of the temple. One group was from Asaph’s family, which was descended from Korah. The leader of this group was Meshelemiah, the son of Kore. His assistants were his seven sons: Zechariah, Jediael, Zebadiah, Jathniel, Elam, Jehohanan and Elioenai. Another group was made up of the sons of Obed-edom. Their names were Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sacar, Nethanel, Ammiel, Issachar and Peulthai. Obed-edom was richly blessed with these eight sons. Shemaiah, the oldest son of Obed-edom, had some outstanding sons who were leaders within their family. Their names were Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad. Their brothers Elihu and Semachiah were also outstanding men. Altogether, Obed-edom had sixty-two sons and grandsons, all highly qualified men. The eighteen sons and brothers of Meshelemiah, who also served as doorkeepers, were highly qualified for their work too. Hosah, who belonged to the family of Merari, put his son Shimri in charge of his other sons, even though he was not the eldest. Some of Hosah’s other sons were Hilkiah, Tebaliah and Zechariah. Altogether there were thirteen of them. The doorkeepers, who served at the temple, were assigned as guards at certain gates by casting lots. No preference was shown to anyone because he was older or more experienced. The guards were all Levites and were considered ministers at the temple, just as other Levites were. The various divisions of the guards, or doorkeepers, were named for their leaders. By casting lots, the leaders chose Shelemiah and his followers to guard the eastern gate. The north gate went to his son Zechariah, a man who had great insight, the south gate to Obed-edom and the storehouse to his sons. The west gate and Shallecheth Gate on the upper road were assigned to Shuppim and Hosah. Each day six guards were posted at the east gate, four at the north gate, four at the south gate and two at each storehouse. Each day six guards were posted at the west gate, four at the upper road and two at [the parbar] [an area which is not known today, all these guards were from the families of Korah and Merari. Ahijah was put in charge of the temple treasures brought as gifts or offerings. Others under his leadership included men from the family of Ladan, which was part of the family of Gershom. These were Zetham and Joel, sons of Jehieli. Shebuel, son of Gershom and grandson of Moses, represented Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel as the chief treasure officer. Shelomith and his brothers were placed over all the treasures which David and the Israelite leaders, including the clan leaders and military officers, gave to the temple. They were descended from Eliezer through Rehabiah, Jeshaiah, Joram and Zichri. These leaders of Israel gave the treasures gathered in war to the ministry of the temple. Shelomith and his brothers were also in charge of all given by Samuel, Saul, Abner, Joab and other distinguished leaders. Chenaniah and his sons, from the family of Izhar, was appointed as recorders and judges for the people of Israel. Hashabiah and seventeen hundred of his family members from Hebron, all outstanding men, were placed over the territory west of the Jordan River to serve in the work of Adonai and the king. Also, twenty-seven hundred other outstanding men from the family of the Hebronites, led by Jerijah, were placed in charge of the affairs of Adonai and the king in the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These men were all highly qualified and were chosen because of their families and because of their military might at Jazer in Gilead during the fortieth year of David’s reign as king.

COMMENTARY

GATEKEEPERS OR GUARDS, FOR THE TEMPLE

Each family of the Levites had a special task to perform in the temple ministry. Whether a Levite served as a guard at the gate or was in charge of temple treasures, each person’s contribution was important. Hundreds of Levites were needed to keep the tabernacle and later the temple, in operation. The Levites contributed the high priests and the other priests, but they were also responsible for the day-to-day chores that kept the temple operating smoothly. They cleaned and cared for the courts and rooms, prepared the grain offerings and showbread, cleaned the vessels and utensils used for sacrifices and provided the music. David, with the assistance of the prophet Samuel, appointed two hundred twelve Levites to act as gatekeepers. All from the Korah and Merari clans, their family tree had to be well established before they could serve. These men guarded the four entrances to the tabernacle; east, west, north and south. They were appointed to their particular gate by casting lots. There were four chief gatekeepers, who were in charge of the offices and the treasures of the shrine. They lived nearby, so that they might watch over the shrine and keep it open to the public every morning. Their relatives were sometimes assigned to help with their duties for a week at a time. Divisions of the guards or gatekeepers were named for their leaders. Duties were to count the sacred utensils as they were taken out for service or as they were returned, to care for the shrine furniture and mix the incense and to watch over the supplies of fine flour, wine, oil, incense and spices. Mattithiah made the flat cakes used with some sacrifices. The gatekeepers also keep account of the valuable gifts brought to the shrine and guarded them. These gifts sometimes included rich loot which was taken in war and given to keep up the work of the sanctuary.