The Gatekeepers

1 Chronicles 26:1-32

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

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.

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

Their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.

Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated to the repair of the temple of the Lord.

Why?

For the protection of the Temple, many things need servants to protect and serve the Lord.

Obed-Edom in the time of David and Saul, they keep the ark of the Lord in their land.

Lots is a fair job distribution and devotion before the Lord and human beings.

How?

Even the result of the Lord is in the hands of the Lord.

The Musicians

1 Chronicles 25:1-31

David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:

All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.

Why?

Sing to the Lord, praise to the Lord with music to express our worship to the Lord with joy and peace.

David started this music service before the Lord, so we may enjoy the worship and lead our minds to worship the Lord through lyrics and melody.

How?

Praise the Lord with many musical instruments and sounds to worship our Lord. For our God is worthy of praise.

The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest.

 1 Chronicles 24:1-31

These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests.

A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than among Ithamar’s, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar’s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar’s descendants. They divided them impartially by casting lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar.

The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelek son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar.

As for the rest of the descendants of Levi: from the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.

This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the Lord, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth.

These were the Levites, according to their families. They also cast lots, just as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelek, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest.

Why?
All of the services of Levites are same and they have equal rights. All of them cast lots to accept the service roles.

The descendants of Eleazar were much more than other tribes. they were blessed by the Lord.

There are 24 appointed ministering orders in the temple.

How?

Serve roles before the Lors were equal positions; each role was important, the same as the role in the church service now.

David gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites

1 Chronicles 23:1-32 

When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty years old or more were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”

David separated the Levites into divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the temple of the Lord. For David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more.

And so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their relatives the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the temple of the Lord.

Why?

David arranged and organized their jobs in the Temple for the Levites to serve the Lord in the Temple, even though the Temple still needs to be built the servant of the Lord has arranged.

Service people are more important than the building of worship.

How?

All of us are servants of the Lord. Each one serves the Lord in different positions and missions, but all of us have the same mind to worship the Lord.

The Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations

1 Chronicles 22:1=19

David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.

Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.

Why?

God is great, and should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations

David shed much blood on the earth so the Lord did not allow David to build Temple for the Lord.

The Lord gives Solomon discretion and understanding over Israel.

All of us should devote our hearts and soul to seeking the Lord.

How?

God is great and deserves our worship throughout our lives.

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel

1 Chronicles 21:1-30

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”

But Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.

David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”

The tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Why?
A sinner is afraid to face the Lord for God is righteousness.

For the proud David took a census of Israel. Even Joab asked David don't do it but David is the king.

David chose a worse way for he was afraid of being purchased by men, so he let his people suffer the plague remain on his people. David is a selfish mind.

How?

No one is as holy as the Lord. I could be proud like David. This story gives me a reminder: be humble before the Lord.

David’s Mighty Warriors

1 Chronicles 11:10-47

This is the list of David’s mighty warriors:

Jashobeam, a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.

Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord.

Why?

Serve others if it is good to God's people will be memorized in the book of the Lord.

How?

Do our best to implement our mission of the Lord in our life.

Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites who lived there said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.

David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.

Why?

Because the Lord said to David, You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler. This is David's mission and responsibility.

The city of Jerusalem became the City of David and the central city of Israel.

How?

The word of the Lord never fails and will become true. So the words in the Bible are true either.

The Lord Almighty is with us, which is a greater help than any others.

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord

1 Chronicles 10:1-14

But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died. So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together.

When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Why?

Because Saul was unfaithful to the Lord, the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom to David son of Jesse.

How?

To be a faithful man to the Lord, Saul focused on himself and did not care about the word of the Lord. Even before the war, he consulted a medium for guidance. I should consult the Lord for everything. For I know the Lord loves me.

They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness

1 Chronicles 9:1-44

All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants.

Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord—the house called the tent of meeting. 

Some of them were in charge of the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out.

Those who were musicians, heads of Levite families, stayed in the rooms of the temple and were exempt from other duties because they were responsible for the work day and night.

All these were heads of Levite families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy, and they lived in Jerusalem.

Why?

The Levites were assigned as the servants of the Lord, serving in the Temple of the Lord.

No matter how great Jerusalem was, the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness to the Lord.

How?

Serve the Lord has many positions and many jobs. Each one plays an important role. 

Kish the father of Saul

1 Chronicles 8:1-40

Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal. The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah. The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melek, Tarea and Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.  Moza was the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son and Azel his son. Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. The sons of his brother Eshek: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second son and Eliphelet the third. The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin.

Why?

Saul is the descendant of Benjamin.

How?

Every descendant of Israel has a story and history. The Lord promised Abraham his descendants would be as many stars in the sky and sand on the seashore. Our God is faithful.

The sons of Issachar, Benjamin,Naphtali,Manasseh,Ephraim,Asher

1 Chronicles 7:1-40

Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam and Samuel—heads of their families. During the reign of David, the descendants of Tola listed as fighting men in their genealogy numbered 22,600.

The relatives who were fighting men belonging to all the clans of Issachar, as listed in their genealogy, were 87,000 in all.

Their lands and settlements included Bethel and its surrounding villages, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its villages all the way to Ayyah and its villages. Along the borders of Manasseh were Beth Shan, Taanach, Megiddo and Dor, together with their villages. The descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived in these towns.

All these were descendants of Asher—heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders. The number of men ready for battle, as listed in their genealogy, was 26,000.

These were the locations of their settlements allotted as their territory

1 Chronicles 6:49-81

Their fellow Levites were assigned to all the other duties of the tabernacle, the house of God. But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

These were the locations of their settlements allotted as their territory (they were assigned to the descendants of Aaron who were from the Kohathite clan, because the first lot was for them)

The total number of towns distributed among the Kohathite clans came to thirteen.

The rest of Kohath’s descendants were allotted ten towns from the clans of half the tribe of Manasseh.

The descendants of Gershon, clan by clan, were allotted thirteen towns from the tribes of Issachar, Asher and Naphtali, and from the part of the tribe of Manasseh that is in Bashan.

The descendants of Merari, clan by clan, were allotted twelve towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun.

Why?

Elvites got the land from other tribes by taking lots. It is fair to every tribe.

How?

The Lord takes care of his servants' service in the Temple and has their land and home to live in.

These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there.

1 Chronicles 6:1-48

The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam.

Jozadak was deported when the Lord sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.

Their fellow Levites were assigned to all the other duties of the Tabernacle, the house of God.

Why?

All servants to serve the Lord are arranged in order, for this is an important service before the Lord.

David set up musicians in the Tabernacle of the Lord and praised the Lord with music and songs. This is the beginning of music to praise the Lord.

How?

Everyone serves the Lord in the church should honor the Lord, for the church is the symbol of the Lord in this world.

All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel

 1 Chronicles 5:1-26

The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright, and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the firstborn belonged to Joseph)

All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel.

The people of the half-tribe of Manasseh were numerous; they settled in the land from Bashan to Baal Hermon, that is, to Senir (Mount Hermon).

These were the heads of their families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel. They were brave warriors, famous men, and heads of their families. But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara and the river of Gozan, where they are to this day.

Why?

These records show us how the genealogical records are known to our generations after so many years.

A bad example like Ruben's may remind us not to do evil things.

Above two and a half tribes were destroyed first on the east side of the Jordan River, for they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land.

How?

Keep the record remind us and let our following generation know what happened before to praise our Lord! May my heart be faithful to God forever!

The descendants of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Karmi, Hur and Shobal

1 Chronicles 4:1-43 

The descendants of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Karmi, Hur and Shobal.

The men whose names were listed came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings and also the Meunites who were there and completely destroyed them, as is evident to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks. And five hundred of these Simeonites, led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, invaded the hill country of Seir. They killed the remaining Amalekites who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

Why?

The brother of Perez, Zarah his whole family were put to dead. (Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.)

The women in the Bible are important even the history of Israel seems followed the records of men

How?

The arrangement of the Lord is great, and wonderful. 

From Abraham to Israel then to David

2 Chronicles 2:1-17

These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death. Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar bore Perez and Zerah to Judah. He had five sons in all.

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death. Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar bore Perez and Zerah to Judah. He had five sons in all. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.

The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. The sons born to Hezron were: Jerahmeel, Ram and Caleb. Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, the leader of the people of Judah. Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, the fourth Nethanel, the fifth Raddai, the sixth Ozem and the seventh David. Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah’s three sons were Abishai, Joab and Asahel. Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

Why?

David's family and ancestors.

How?

The Lord planned everything beyond our imagination.

The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.

 1 Chronicles 1:28-54

The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. 

Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.

Why?

There are two groups: one is God's people from Isaac, and the other is against the Lord from Esau.

How?

There is the way of the Lord in this world. All of us are to be created and chosen. We cannot ask why?