Join us as we delve into the profound narratives of 1 Chronicles chapters 26 and 27. These passages highlight the essential roles and responsibilities in ancient Israel, offering a glimpse into the structured division of gatekeepers and their significant duties. We explore how these historical roles mirror the divine purpose assigned to each of us today. From the gatekeepers to the army leaders, and from the treasury managers to the tribal chiefs, these chapters underscore the importance of obedience to God’s calling and the power of community in achieving collective success.
Welcome to Add Bible, an audio daily devotion from the Ezra Project. We join Allen J. Huth as he shares Bible passages and comments from over 30 years of his personal Bible reading journals.
SPEAKER 01 :
Today we are in 1 Chronicles chapters 26 and 27. Listen to Faith Comes By Hearing’s recording of these two chapters.
SPEAKER 04 :
1 Chronicles 26 As for the divisions of the gatekeepers, of the Korahites, Mishel Amaya, the son of Cori, of the sons of Asaph. And Meshulamaiah had sons, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediel the second, Zebediah the third, Jethneel the fourth, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh. And Obed-Edom had sons. Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nathanael the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulothi 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, Raphael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers were able men, Elihu and Semechiah. All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service. 62 of Obed-Edom. And Meshulamiah had sons and brothers, able men, eighteen. And Hosah of the sons of Merari had sons, Shemri 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.
SPEAKER 03 :
These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, 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 Shalamiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a shrewd counselor, and his lot came out for the north. Obed-Edoms came out for the south, and to his sons was allotted the gatehouse. For Shupim and Hosah it came out for the west, at the gate of Shalekith, 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. And of the Levites, Ahijah had charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts. The sons of Ladan, the sons of the Gershonites belonging to Ladan, the heads of the fathers’ houses belonging to Ladan the Gershonite, Jehieli. The sons of Jehieli, Zetham and Joel his brother, were in charge of the treasuries of the house of the Lord. Of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzialites. And Shebul, the son of Gersham, son of Moses, was chief officer in charge of the treasuries. His brothers from Eliezer were his son Rehobiah, and his son Jeshea, and his son Joram, and his son Zichri, and his son Shalemoth. This Shalemoth and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts that David the king and the heads of the fathers’ houses and the officers of the thousands and the hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated. From spoil won in battles they dedicated gifts for the maintenance of the house of the Lord. Also all that Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Kish and Abner the son of Ner and Joab the son of Zeruiah had dedicated. All dedicated gifts were in the care of Shalemoth and his brothers. Of the Israelites, Kenaniah and his sons were appointed to external duties for Israel as officers and judges. Of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brothers, 1,700 men of ability, had the oversight of Israel westward of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the service of the king. Of the Hebronites, Jerijah was chief of the Hebronites of whatever genealogy or father’s houses. In the fortieth year of David’s reign, search was made and men of great ability among them were found at Jazer in Gilead. King David appointed him and his brothers, 2,700 men of ability, heads of father’s houses, to have the oversight of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites for everything pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king. First Chronicles 27 This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers’ houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering twenty-four thousand.
SPEAKER 04 :
Jashobiam, the son of Zabdiel, was in charge of the first division in the first month. In his division were twenty-four thousand. He was a descendant of Perez and was chief of all the commanders. He served for the first month. Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division of the second month. In his division were 24,000. The third commander for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest. In his division were 24,000. This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty. Amizabad, his son, was in charge of his division. Asahel, the brother of Joab, was fourth for the fourth month, and his son Zebediah after him. In his division were 24,000. The fifth commander for the fifth month was Shamhath the Israelite. In his division were 24,000. Sixth for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ichish the Tekhoite. In his division were 24,000. Seventh for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim. In his division were 24,000. Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibachai the Hushethite of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand. Ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite. In his division were twenty-four thousand. 10th for the 10th month was Mehorai of Netopha of the Zerahites. In his division were 24,000. 11th for the 11th month was Benaiah of Pirithon of the sons of Ephraim. In his division were 24,000. 12th for the 12th month was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel. In his division were 24,000. over the tribes of Israel. For the Reubenites, Eleazar the son of Zichri was chief officer. For the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah. For Levi, Hashabiah the son of Chemuel. For Aaron, Zadok. For Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers. For Issachar, Amri the son of Michael. For Zebulun, Ishmael the son of Obadiah. For Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azrael. For the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah. For the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedeah. For the half-tribe of Manasseh and Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah. For Benjamin, Jaaziel the son of Abner. For Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroen. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
SPEAKER 03 :
David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but did not finish. Yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David. Over the king’s treasuries was Asmaveth, the son of Adiel. And over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan, the son of Uzziah. And over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil, was Ezri, the son of Kelub. And over the vineyards was Shimei, the Ramethite. And over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars, was Zabdi, the Shiphmite. Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephila was Baal-hanan the Gadirite, and over the stores of oil was Joash. Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitri the Sharonite. Over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai. Over the camels was Obel, the Ishmaelite. And over the donkeys was Judea, the Moronothite. Over the flocks was Jasez, the Hagrite. All these were stewards of King David’s property. Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel, the son of Hachmoni, attended the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s army.
SPEAKER 01 :
In 1983, at 28 years old, I read 1 Chronicles 23-27 all on one day. And I’ve already shared this journal entry, but I’ll share it again. David’s people, leaders in music, defense, army, etc. And I had a little asterisk. Formula for success? Be obedient to God and surround yourself with good, God-fearing, trustworthy people. In 1997, at 42 years old, I read 1 Chronicles 26 and 27 on one day, and I wrote names, and then I wrote, spoils taken from enemies were used in house of Lord. And in 2009… When I was 54 years old, I read 1 Chronicles 26 and 27 on the same day, and I wrote, Everybody has a job to do. Some were gatekeepers, some priests, some commanders of divisions, some overseers, some counselors to the king, some members of the army. God designs each of us for a purpose, a mission, a job to do on the earth. The question is, do we find it and then do we do it? Chronicles is filled with names of people, people God called to do certain things. Today the earth is filled with people, people God has called to do certain things. Are we doing it? What God created us and called us to do. That would be the application out of these two chapters, wouldn’t it? A chapter filled with a long list of names and assignments. But the question is to you. Do you know what God has put you on the earth to sojourn for? Are you interested? Do you even care? Have you ever asked the Lord what he created you for? And then, if he revealed it to you, are you willing to do it? Are you willing to live the life he’s outlined for you? Are you more interested in living the life you have planned for yourself? Though the chapters might have been a little challenging to listen to, this question is very important to life. I believe God has purposed every one of us. He created us for His reasons. I encourage you to seek Him out. Ask Him. And He says, if you seek Me, you will find Me. So seek Him out. Ask Him why He created you. What is your purpose here on earth? And then, Lord, give us the courage to do it. Father, we pray. We thank you that you created each one of us individually. Our fingerprints are all unique. And yet you have something in mind for us to do for you. And everything that we would do would help some way build your kingdom. So Lord, let us set our selfishness aside and pursue that which you’ve created us for. And then enlighten us, Lord. Give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to see your purpose and then the courage to do it. We ask these things in Jesus’ holy and precious name. Amen. Thanks for listening to AdBible. Our host stations are hearing from you listeners. People are calling in to say thanks for adding AdBible to their program selection. Thank you for tuning in to this program. AdBible is sponsored by the Ezra Project, a ministry started in 2002 to connect God’s people to God’s Word. We speak in churches, provide audio and written resources at EzraProject.net, and find radio as a way to reach deeply committed Christians. You can learn more about the Ezra Project by searching us from your phone, tablet, or computer. You may really enjoy the short video describing how the Lord led us to start this ministry and how he has blessed it for decades. I encourage you to also find the video tab and check out our newest message, AI. It’s not what you think it is, but it is a very relevant message in a world engulfed in artificial intelligence. Get a biblical view of it at EzraProject.net. And hey, while you’re on the Ezra Project website, consider a financial gift by selecting the donate button for a one-time gift or monthly support. Your support keeps this program on the air and provides AdBible to thousands of listeners around the world. I know you’re going to enjoy it.
