Divisions of the Gatekeepers

 

 

1 Chronicle 26:1-19

 

April 18, 2023

 

Divisions of the Gatekeepers

 As for the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph, and Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh.  And Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God, blessed him.  Also to his son Shemaiah were sons born who were rulers in their fathers' houses, for they were men of great ability.  The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semachiah.  All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom.  And Meshelemiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen.  And Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief)

Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

 These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chiefen, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the Lord.  And they cast lots by fathers' houses, small and great alike, for their gates.  The lot for the east fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north.  Obed-edom's came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted the gatehouse.  For Shuppim and Hosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shallecheth on the road that goes up. Watch corresponded to watch.  On the east, there were six each day, on the north four each day, on the south four each day, as well as two and two at the gatehouse.  And for the colonnade on the west, there were four at the road and two at the colonnade.  These were the divisions of the gatekeepers among the Korahites and the sons of Merari.

Being a gatekeeper was a great honor and like David’s mighty men, they had been gifts for the work God had called them to.  

 

Often, we the Church, and once again I find it necessary to define the Church, it is not a building it is not a religion, it is a relationship, with the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  We are also guilty of looking to people with great talent and abilities as if they got to that point without God doing it all for them.  Many both in and out of the Church, begin to believe the things people are saying and their flesh what to take created for the skill, and not give God the glory.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice