1 Chronicles 26


1 Chronicles 26 is the twenty-sixth chapter of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE. This chapter describes particular duties of the Levites as gatekeepers, the temple treasurers, officers and judges. The whole chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingship of David, which from chapter 22 to the end does not have parallel in 2 Samuel.

Text

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language. It is divided into 32 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex, and Codex Leningradensis.
Extant manuscripts of a Koine Greek translation known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE, include Codex Vaticanus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Marchalianus.

The gatekeepers (26:1–19)

This section describes the gatekeepers as a part of David's administrative organization, whom are counted as Levites in the Chronicles. Verses 1–12 contain a list of the members, and their assignments by lots are detailed in verses 13–19 with verses 12–13 as a transition passage between the two parts. A group called "sanctuary guards" existed when David transported the ark earlier in his reign, and here the Levite gatekeepers were to perform guard duty, including opening the Temple gates in the morning. The gatekeepers were also to manage the temple vessels, including holy utensils, and materials, including flour, wine, spices and oil as well as to perform 'administrative service on behalf of the king'. The lottery determined which family to serve at which gate, so the numbers of family members did not affect the selection process. During the period of
return from exile the gatekeepers who were not of levitical rank gradually
achieved this status.

Verse 1

  • "Meshelemiah": written as "Shelemiah" in verse 14.
  • "Asaph": written as "Ebiasaph" in 1 Chronicles 6:37; 9:19.

    Verses 4–8

  • "Obed-Edom" and "Hosah" had been "porters" or "doorkeepers", from the time the ark was brought into Jerusalem.

    Treasurers, regional officials, and judges (26:20–32)

Some listed here are also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 23:6-23. The Levites were given board responsibilities such as 'oversight of Israel west of Jordan' and east of Jordan as 'officers and judges'. The list of treasury officers is linked to verses 29–31 as the Izharites and the Hebronites are mentioned in both passages. The record distinguishes between 'the treasuries of the house of God' under the responsibility of the Gershonites and 'the treasuries for the dedicated things' under the responsibility of the Kohathites. Shebuel of Amram's family seems to overview both treasuries. Unlike the treasuries of the house of God, those of the dedicated things are described in detail, including 'spoils of war' provided by various important persons in a 'democratic' manner which Chronicles probably take from Numbers 31:48, 52, 54 as a literary source. The wars were fought by David and Saul, Samuel, Abner and Joab. The administrative duties of Levites, in addition to their religious roles would become especially important during the Maccabean period. The order of these duties is based on David's plans and was partly carried out in post-exilic times, reflecting 'a time in which spiritual and secular elements were closely intertwined and the religious and political claim to Transjordanian territories had not been relinquished', which was important for the Chronicler to include entire region.

Verses 31–32

  • "Jerijah" was the leader of the Hebronites and with his brethren were appointed to be the superintendence of the two tribes and a half in the east side of Jordan, whereas "Hashabiah and his brethren" were assigned to the area west of Jordan.
  • "Fortieth year": David's last year of reign.
  • "Jazer of Gilead": is a Merarite city, whereas the Hebronites were Kohathites, so perhaps this should be read as “in the cities of Gilead.”
The distinction of matters related to the king and related to God is only noted in the Chronicles and Ezra 7:26.