John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Concerning the divisions of the porters , etc.] Or doorkeepers, whose business it was to open and shut the doors of the temple, to keep all impure and improper persons from entering into it, or any of the vessels being carried out of it, and to prevent tumults and riots about it; these, as it seems, David divided into a like number of classes, as the singers, to take their turns in waiting: of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph ; not Asaph the singer, who was a Gershonite, but the same with Eliasaph, ( 1 Chronicles 6:23,27) a Korhite.
Ver. 2, 3. And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn , etc.] And six more, who are mentioned in their order: Jediael, Zebadiah, and Jathniel, Elam, Jehohanan, and Elioenai .
Ver. 4 ,5. Moreover, the sons of Obededom , etc.] The same at whose house the ark was, before it was brought by David to Zion; his sons were porters also, as himself, ( 1 Chronicles 15:24 16:38), mention is made of eight sons of his, according to their birth: Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sacar, Nethaneel, Ammiel, Issachar, Peulthai; for God blessed him ; as with wealth and riches, so with a numerous offspring, and that because of his entertainment of the ark at his house; the great increase of his family is aggravated by the Jews beyond all credit, that all in his family brought eight at a birth; the Targum here makes them eighty two in all. Ver. 6 . Also unto Shemaiah his son , etc.] His firstborn, ( 1 Chronicles 26:4) were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father ; were heads of families, eminent and principal men: for they were mighty men of valour ; which their office sometimes required them to be, to guard the temple at night as well as day from thieves and robbers, and to hinder resolute men entering in, unfit for it, and seize on rioters, and quell tumults raised.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The offices of the Levites.
--The porters and treasurers of the temple, had occasion for strengt and valour to oppose those who wrongly attempted to enter the sanctuary, and to guard the sacred treasures. Much was expended dail upon the altar; flour, wine, oil, salt, fuel, beside the lamps quantities of these were kept beforehand, besides the sacred vestment and utensils. These were the treasures of the house of God. Thes treasures typified the plenty there is in our heavenly Father's house enough and to spare. From those sacred treasuries, the unsearchabl riches of Christ, all our wants are supplied; and receiving from his fulness, we must give him the glory, and endeavour to dispose of ou abilities and substance according to his will. We have an account of those employed as officers and judges. The magistracy is an ordinanc of God for the good of the church, as truly as the ministry, and mus not be neglected. None of the Levites who were employed in the servic of the sanctuary, none of the singers or porters, were concerned in this outward business; one duty was enough to engage the whole man Wisdom, courage, strength of faith, holy affections, and constancy of mind in doing our duty, are requisite or useful for every station _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew למחלקות4256 לשׁערים7778 לקרחים7145 משׁלמיהו4920 בן1121 קרא6981 מן4480 בני1121 אסף׃623
