Historical Books 1 Chronicles

Receiving God's Blessing

Discover Jesus as: Son of David 1 Chronicles 25-26 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 299 of 730
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INTRO

This is a time to celebrate. This is lesson 100, and you’ve almost made it through the entire first year of study. That’s an accomplishment! As we continue through the historical books, we’re nearing the end of the study of 1 Chronicles. First Chronicles 25 covers the Levitical musicians and Chapter 26 looks at the gatekeepers and their families.

Chapter 26 looks at the gatekeepers who played an important role, but they mostly went unrecognized. When they were noticed, it was because someone needed something from them. Two of the three Levitical families served as gatekeepers— the Korahites and the Merarites, but not the Gershonites. Verses 1-11 look at the families of the gatekeepers, and verses 12-19 look at the roles assigned to the gatekeepers. We’re going to unpack chapter 26 and then look specifically at one gatekeeper.

TEACHING

1 Chronicles 26:1–11: The Korahites were listed in verses 1-9. Obed-edom, listed in verse 4, was described as the blessed (2 Samuel 6:10-11; 1 Chronicles 13:13-14). This Levite house was where David placed the ark for three months. God blessed Obed-edom with eight sons (vv. 4-5). Obed-edom’s grandsons were proof of the fulfillment of this prophecy. Sixty-two capable men were descended from Obed-edom (vv. 6-8). Children are a blessing from the Lord. In verses 10-11, the sons of the Merarites are named. The total number of descendants was 93, and two-thirds of those listed were from Obed-edom (vv. 1-11).

1 Chronicles 26:12-19: From Nelson’s Commentary, we learn about the division of duties and the roles the Korahites and Merarites filled, as gatekeepers:

  • Guarded the temple gates (1 Chronicles 26:16b).
  • In charge of equipment (1 Chronicles 9:23).
  • Responsible for the temple treasuries (1 Chronicles 9:26).
  • Oversaw the contributions to the temple (2 Kings 12:9; 22:4; 2 Chronicles 31:14).
  • Took care of the articles for temple services (1 Chronicles 9:28).
  • Took care of the furnishings, oil, and spices in the temple (1 Chronicles 9:29).
  • Mixed the spices for sacrifices (1 Chronicles 9:30).
  • Baked the bread for offerings (1 Chronicles 9:31).
  • Set the bread out for the Sabbath (1 Chronicles 9:32).
  • Provided the music (1 Chronicles 9:33).
  • Oversaw the chambers and supply rooms (1 Chronicles 23:28; 26:20–29).
  • Prepared the baked goods (Exodus 25:30).
  • Oversaw the supplies and furnishings (1 Chronicles 28:13–18).1

Obed-edom was assigned to the south gate, and his sons oversaw the storehouses (v. 15).

1 Chronicles 26:20-32: Some of the Levites were assigned to be in charge of the treasuries and other official positions.

The first time we looked at Obed-edom, we didn’t get to explore what it means to be “blessed.” As I was reading this chapter, it was clear that Obed-edom was blessed significantly beyond his brothers. I want to look at what it means to be “blessed.”

The word “Targum” refers to spoken paraphrases, explanations, and expansions of the Jewish Scripture that a rabbi would give in the common language of the listeners, often Aramaic. For example, when the Amish have church every other Sunday, they use the Pennsylvania Dutch language in their service. But when the service is completed, people can comment on the teaching in English.

Targum was when Scripture was delivered in one language and then discussed in their own language. It’s a translation or an interpretation of the Scripture.2There was a Targum written on 1 Chronicles 13:13-14, about what it means to be blessed. The Targum says at the end of 1 Chronicles 13, although it is NOT Scripture itself: “And the Word of the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and his children, and his grand-children; and his wife conceived, and his eight daughters-in-law, and each brought forth eight at one birth, insomuch that in one day there were found of fathers and children fourscore and one; and He blessed and increased greatly all that belonged to him.”3(Psalm 127:3-5)

Obed-edom got to this point because for three months he was surrounded with the presence of the Lord. The ark is a sign of the covenant God made with His people, a record of God’s dealings with their rebellions, and an instrument of communion between God and His people. God’s presence and the tablets of God’s law were in Obed-edom’s house (Deuteronomy 6:1-9).

CLOSING

In 1 Chronicles 26 is one man who was faithful enough to receive the ark and to use that time for his family. Don’t miss this time as the opportunity to pour into your family so they too can receive God’s blessing. Luke 11:28 proclaims those who hear the Word of God will be blessed.

  1. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), pp. 526–527.

  2. George Knopper, The Anchor Bible Dictionary: 1 Chronicles (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2004), n. p.

  3. Adam Clark, Adam Clark’s Bible Commentary: 1 Chronicles (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2004), n. p.

Questions

  1. In 1 Chronicles 25:1, Asaph and Heman were mentioned. Where else in the Bible can we find these men? (1 Chronicles 15:19; Psalm 50; 73—83; 88)
  2. Why do you think the practice of casting lots was used to assign duties in the temple? (Leviticus 16:8; 1 Samuel 14:41; Proverbs 16:33)
  3. In your opinion, what was the purpose of David appointing the Hebronites as head over the two-and-a-half tribes West of the Jordan?
  4. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in 1 Chronicles 25—26 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin 1 Chronicles 26:4–5

“Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him.”

The chronicler remembered Obed-edom, recalling how God had blessed him. Obed-edom, a gatekeeper by profession, joined the musicians as they carried the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This gatekeeper/ musician had eight sons, and the chronicler recorded sixty-two capable men as descending from Obed-edom.

Children are a gift from the Lord, a heritage, and a reward. The Lord delights in the concept of family, and as followers of Christ, He calls you His son or daughter. Perhaps the concept of family stirs up difficult emotions, and you feel pain or recall hurt. Today, ask the Lord to begin to heal this area of your life and bring about reconciliation. On the other hand, perhaps you have children, and you need to pause today and thank the Lord for the gift of children. Maybe you need to ask the Lord for fresh wisdom in parenting and in training them up in the Word of God. Through all the emotions the idea of family and children bring, you are called to give thanks and rejoice. The Lord sees you and will bless you as you depend upon Him entirely for the needs of your children and even for your deepest pain. He is working, even when you can’t see Him. His love is everlasting.

“Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him.”

—1 Chronicles 26:4–5

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Psalm 127:3–5 — “Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.”
  • Matthew 5:3 — “The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”
  • Romans 12:18 — “If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.”