1Ch 26:1-19 | Clarke | e4.org | CHAPTER XXVI The divisions of the porters , 1-12. The gates assigned to them , 13-19. Those who were over the treasures , 20-28. Different officers , 29-32. NOTES ON CHAP. XXVI Verse 1. The divisions of the porters ] There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to one of the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven. The eastern gate fell to Shelemiah; the northern , to Zechariah, ; the southern , to Obed-edom, ; the western , to Shuppim and Hosah, . These several persons were captains of these porter-bands or door-keepers at the different gates. There were probably a thousand men under each of these captains; as we find, from , that there were four thousand in all.

‏ 1 Chronicles 26:1-19

CHAPTER XXVI

The divisions of the porters, 1-12.

The gates assigned to them, 13-19.

Those who were over the treasures, 20-28.

Different officers, 29-32.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXVI

Verse 1. The divisions of the porters] There were four classes of these, each of which belonged to one of the four gates of the temple, which opened to the four cardinal points of heaven. The eastern gate fell to Shelemiah; the northern, to Zechariah, 1Ch 26:14; the southern, to Obed-edom, 1Ch 26:15; the western, to Shuppim and Hosah, 1Ch 26:16. These several persons were captains of these porter-bands or door-keepers at the different gates. There were probably a thousand men under each of these captains; as we find, from 1Ch 23:5, that there were four thousand in all.

Verse 5. For God blessed him.] "That is, Obed-edom; because of the ark of the Lord which was in his house; and to him was given the honour that he should see his children and grand-children, even fourscore and two, masters of the Levites."-T. In 1Ch 26:8, we have only sixty-two mentioned.

Verse 6. They were mighty men of valour.] They were not only porters or door-keepers in the ordinary sense of the word, but they were a military guard for the gates: and perhaps in this sense alone we are to understand their office.

Verse 12. The rest of this chapter, with the whole of the xxviiith, is wanting both in the Syriac and Arabic.

Verse 13. They cast lots-for every gate.] None of these captains or their companies were permitted to choose which gate they would guard, but each took his appointment by lot.

Verse 15. The house of Asuppim.] The house of the collections; the place where either the supplies of the porters, or the offerings made for the use of the priests and Levites, were laid up.

Verse 16. The gate Shallecheth] The gate of the projections: probably that through which all the offal of the temple was carried out.

Verse 17. Eastward were six Levites] It is supposed that there were more guards set at this eastern gate, because it was more frequented than the others. At each of the other gates were only four; at this, six.