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Gatekeepers

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers: from the Korahites: Meshelemiah, Kore’s son, one of Ebiasaph’s[a] family.

Meshelemiah’s family: Zechariah the oldest, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh.

Obed-edom’s family: Shemaiah the oldest, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. God truly blessed him. To his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their household, because they were valiant men. Shemaiah’s family: Othni, Rephael, Obed, Elzabad, and his relatives, Elihu and Semachiah, who were valiant men. All these were members of Obed-edom’s family, they, their sons, and their relatives. They were valiant and strong in their service, 62 men belonging to Obed-edom. Meshelemiah’s family and relatives, valiant men, numbered 18.

10 Hosah, one of Merari’s family, also had a family: Shimri the first (though he wasn’t the oldest, his father gave him that status), 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. All of Hosah’s family and relatives numbered 13.

12 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers with their leaders, who were responsible to minister in the Lord’s temple, along with their relatives. 13 They cast lots for each gate in the same way, whether their household was small or large. 14 The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. They then cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot indicated the North Gate. 15 Obed-edom was assigned the South Gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses. 16 Hosah[b] was assigned the West Gate, that is, the chamber[c] gate on the upper road.

The guards had the same task: 17 each day[d] the East had six, the North four, and the South four, with two at each of the storehouses. 18 At the courtyard on the West, there were four at the road and two at the courtyard. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers from Korah’s family and Merari’s family.

20 Their fellow[e] Levites were in charge of the treasuries of God’s temple and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts: 21 from Ladan’s family, the family of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, and the heads of the households belonging to Ladan the Gershonite: Jehieli. 22 Jehieli’s family: Zetham and Joel his brother were in charge of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple. 23 From the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites: 24 Shebuel, a descendant of Gershom, Moses’ son, was the chief officer in charge of the treasuries. 25 His relatives through Eliezer included his son Rehabiah, his son Jeshaiah, his son Joram, his son Zichri, and his son Shelomoth. 26 This Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries of the gifts dedicated by King David, by the household leaders, by the commanders[f] of the units of a thousand and a hundred, and by the army officers. 27 They had dedicated some of the valuable objects won in battle to repair the Lord’s temple. 28 Everything that was dedicated by Samuel the seer, as well as by Saul, Kish’s son; Abner, Ner’s son; and Joab, Zeruiah’s son—in fact, anything that had been dedicated—was under the supervision of Shelomoth[g] and his relatives.

29 From the Izharites: Chenaniah and his family had responsibilities over Israel outside the temple as officials and judges. 30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were put in charge of Israel west of the Jordan concerning all of the Lord’s affairs and the king’s service. 31 From the Hebronites: Jerijah was the head of the Hebronites according to the family records of their households. In the fortieth year of David’s rule, a search was made and capable men were found among them in Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jerijah’s relatives, capable men, were 2,700 heads of households. King David put them in charge of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh concerning all of God’s and the king’s affairs.

Divisions of the military

27 This is the list of the Israelites, the heads of households, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and their officers. They served the king in every way their divisions required, and they were on duty for a month at a time through all the months of the year. Each division numbered 24,000.

In charge of the first division for the first month was Jashobeam, Zabdiel’s son. His division numbered 24,000. He was a Perezite and the head of all the army officers for the first month.

In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite.[h] His division numbered 24,000.

The third army commander for the third month was Benaiah the chief priest Jehoiada’s son. His division numbered 24,000. This Benaiah was a warrior of the Thirty and in command of the Thirty. In command of his division was his son Ammizabad.

The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel, Joab’s brother, and after him his son Zebadiah. His division numbered 24,000.

The fifth for the fifth month was the commander Shammoth the Zerahite.[i] His division numbered 24,000.

The sixth for the sixth month was Ira the Tekoite Ikkesh’s son. His division numbered 24,000.

10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite from Ephraim’s family. His division numbered 24,000.

11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite from the Zerahites. His division numbered 24,000.

12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer of Annathoth from the Benjaminites. His division numbered 24,000.

13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite from the Zerahites. His division numbered 24,000.

14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite from Ephraim’s family. His division numbered 24,000.

15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite from Othniel. His division numbered 24,000.

Tribal leaders

16 In charge of the tribes of Israel:

for the Reubenites—the leader was Eliezer, Zichri’s son;

for the Simeonites—Shephatiah, Maacah’s son;

17 for the Levites—Hashabiah, Kemuel’s son;

for Aaron—Zadok;

18 for Judah—Eliab,[j] one of David’s relatives;

for Issachar—Omri, Michael’s son;

19 for Zebulun—Ishmaiah, Obadiah’s son;

for Naphtali—Jerimoth, Azriel’s son;

20 for the Ephraimites—Hoshea, Azaziah’s son;

for half the tribe of Manasseh—Joel, Pedaiah’s son;

21 for half the tribe[k] of Manasseh in Gilead—Iddo, Zechariah’s son;

for Benjamin—Jaasiel, Abner’s son;

22 for Dan—Azarel, Jeroham’s son.

These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David didn’t count those younger than 20 years of age, because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. 24 Joab, Zeruiah’s son, began to count them, but he never finished. Since Israel experienced wrath because of this, the number wasn’t entered into the official records of King David.

Civil servants

25 In charge of the king’s treasuries—Azmaveth, Adiel’s son;

in charge of the treasuries in the country, cities, villages, and towers—Jonathan, Uzziah’s son;

26 in charge of agricultural workers cultivating the fertile land—Ezri, Chelub’s son;

27 in charge of the vineyards—Shimei the Ramathite;

in charge of the vineyard’s produce for the wine cellars—Zabdi the Shiphmite;

28 in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the western foothills—Baal-hanan the Gederite;

in charge of the stores of oil—Joash;

29 in charge of the cattle that grazed in Sharon—Shitrai the Sharonite;

in charge of the cattle in the valleys—Shaphat, Adlai’s son;

30 in charge of the camels—Obil the Ishmaelite;

in charge of the female donkeys—Jehdeiah the Meronothite;

31 in charge of the flocks of sheep and goats—Jaziz the Hagrite.

All these were stewards of King David’s property.

Royal advisors

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel, Hachmoni’s son, took care of the king’s sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s political advisor.[l] 34 After Ahithophel came Benaiah’s son Jehoiada, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s army.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 26:1 LXX; MT Asaph
  2. 1 Chronicles 26:16 MT Shuppim and Hosah
  3. 1 Chronicles 26:16 LXX; MT Shallecheth
  4. 1 Chronicles 26:17 LXX; MT Levites
  5. 1 Chronicles 26:20 LXX; MT Ahijah
  6. 1 Chronicles 26:26 LXX; MT to the commanders
  7. 1 Chronicles 26:28 LXX; MT Shelomith
  8. 1 Chronicles 27:4 LXX; MT adds and his division, and Mikloth the leader.
  9. 1 Chronicles 27:8 Cf 27:11, 13; MT Izrahite
  10. 1 Chronicles 27:18 LXX; MT Elihu
  11. 1 Chronicles 27:21 LXX, Vulg; MT lacks for half the tribe.
  12. 1 Chronicles 27:33 Or friend

The Gatekeepers

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers:(A)

From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

Meshelemiah had sons:

Zechariah(B) the firstborn,

Jediael the second,

Zebadiah the third,

Jathniel the fourth,

Elam the fifth,

Jehohanan the sixth

and Eliehoenai the seventh.

Obed-Edom also had sons:

Shemaiah the firstborn,

Jehozabad the second,

Joah the third,

Sakar the fourth,

Nethanel the fifth,

Ammiel the sixth,

Issachar the seventh

and Peullethai the eighth.

(For God had blessed Obed-Edom.(C))

Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders in their father’s family because they were very capable men. The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also able men. All these were descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their relatives were capable men with the strength to do the work—descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all.

Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, who were able men—18 in all.

10 Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first),(D) 11 Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering(E) in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had. 13 Lots(F) were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

14 The lot for the East Gate(G) fell to Shelemiah.[a] Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah,(H) a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. 15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom,(I) and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. 16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.

Guard was alongside of guard: 17 There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. 18 As for the court[b] to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court[c] itself.

19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.(J)

The Treasurers and Other Officials

20 Their fellow Levites(K) were[d] in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.(L)

21 The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite,(M) were Jehieli, 22 the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries(N) of the temple of the Lord.

23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites:(O)

24 Shubael,(P) a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the official in charge of the treasuries. 25 His relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son and Shelomith(Q) his son. 26 Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated(R) by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders. 27 Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the Lord. 28 And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer(S) and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.

29 From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges(T) over Israel.

30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah(U) and his relatives—seventeen hundred able men—were responsible in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the king’s service. 31 As for the Hebronites,(V) Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth(W) year of David’s reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

Army Divisions

27 This is the list of the Israelites—heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam(X) son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division. He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army officers for the first month.

In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai(Y) the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah(Z) son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division. This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel(AA) the brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah was his successor. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth(AB) the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira(AC) the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

10 The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez(AD) the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

11 The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai(AE) the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer(AF) the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

13 The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai(AG) the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

14 The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah(AH) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

15 The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai(AI) the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel.(AJ) There were 24,000 men in his division.

Leaders of the Tribes

16 The leaders of the tribes of Israel:

over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zikri;

over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maakah;

17 over Levi: Hashabiah(AK) son of Kemuel;

over Aaron: Zadok;(AL)

18 over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David;

over Issachar: Omri son of Michael;

19 over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;

over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel;

20 over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah;

over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah;

21 over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah;

over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner;

22 over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham.

These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less,(AM) because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars(AN) in the sky. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering,(AO) and the number was not entered in the book[e] of the annals of King David.

The King’s Overseers

25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses.

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers.

26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land.

27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig(AP) trees in the western foothills.

Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil.

29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon.(AQ)

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

31 Jaziz the Hagrite(AR) was in charge of the flocks.

All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons.

33 Ahithophel(AS) was the king’s counselor.

Hushai(AT) the Arkite was the king’s confidant. 34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.(AU)

Joab(AV) was the commander of the royal army.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 26:14 A variant of Meshelemiah
  2. 1 Chronicles 26:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  3. 1 Chronicles 26:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  4. 1 Chronicles 26:20 Septuagint; Hebrew As for the Levites, Ahijah was
  5. 1 Chronicles 27:24 Septuagint; Hebrew number