Door Keepers in the House of the Lord

Bible Study Questions 10207

PASSAGE: 1Chronicles 26:1-19

COMMENT: The priests had already been divided into twenty-four courses in order to organize their work more efficiently. Now, the Levites who cared about the service of the temple, the porters, are organized in the same way.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. Unto Shemaiah were sons born who _________ throughout the house of their father; for they were mighty men of __________.

2. The sons and brethren of Obededom were able men of _________ for the __________.

3. The divisions of the porters were made among the chief men having _________ one against another to ___________ in the house of the Lord.

4. Zechariah, the son of Shelemiah, was known as a wise ____________.

5. The gate called Shallecheth was by the __________ of the going up.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. The porters (v.1) were descended from the family of the Korhites. The Korhites were the descendants of Korah (Exodus 6:24). Korah descended from Kohath (Numbers 16:1), one of the three main families of the tribe of Levi. Read Numbers 4:4-20 and describe the work of the Kohathites.

2. Several sons of Hosah are mentioned (v.10-11). The first one mentioned is “Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him chief.” In Bible times, the firstborn son was to be chief in his family after his father died. However, the Bible records a number of instances where exception is made to this common rule. How many examples can you think of?

3. In this chapter, the doorkeepers of the temple are divided into wards (v.16-19). Count the groups in verses 17-19 and add them up. How many wards are there? How does this compare with what David did with the priests (1Chronicles 24:5-19) and the singers (1Chronicles 25:8-31)?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. Divisions of the porters were made “for every gate” (v.13). In 1Chronicles 9:19, these men are called the “keepers of the gates of the tabernacle.” In 1Chronicles 15:24, they are called “doorkeepers for the ark.” What do you think it meant to be a doorkeeper? Porters were those who carried something. Why do think their job changed from porter to doorkeeper at this point in Israel’s history? What does this knowledge add to your understanding of David’s statement in Psalm 84:11?

2. Obededom is one of the doorkeepers in the house of the Lord (1Chronicles 15:24). He also plays a harp in praise to God (1Chronicles 15:21) and is blessed with a great family (1Chronicles 26:4-8). Read 2Samuel 6:10-12 and tell why Obededom was blessed so much. How can we follow in his example?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: None

TEXT: 1Chronicles 26 – 1 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.

2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,

5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.

6 Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.

7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.

8 All these of the sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their brethren, able men for strength for the service, were threescore and two of Obededom.

9 And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.

10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)

11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

13 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

15 To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.

16 To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.

17 Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.

18 At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.

19 These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.

Check Bible Study Questions & Comments

Send Page To a Friend