Eastward were six Levites ,.... The eastern gate, being the way of entrance into the temple, required more porters: northward four a day ; in the daytime, or every day, where was the gate Teri or Tedi, 1 Chronicles 26:14 , southward four a day: at the two gates of Huldah, 1 Chronicles 26:15 and toward Asuppim two and two; which were two gates, two at each gate, 1 Chronicles 26:15 . read more
Eastward were six Levites - It is supposed that there were more guards set at this eastern gate, because it was more frequented than the others. At each of the other gates were only four; at this, six. read more
These verses give the number of individuals who composed the watch at a time, beginning again from Shelemiah's eastward position. The two and two toward Asuppim suggest most naturally the suppositon of two attendants at each of two gates, or else of two succeeding two. Parbar ( פַרְבָּר ). This word appears as פָּרְוָר in 2 Kings 23:11 . These words, with forms akin to them, are often found in the Targums, but not elsewhere in the Scriptures. The nearest approach to the meaning... read more
Toward Asuppim two and two - It is conjectured that the “store-house” in question (1 Chronicles 26:15 note) had two doors, to each of which two porters were appointed. read more
1 Chronicles 26:17. Eastward were six Levites For that, being the chief gate of the temple, required a better guard. Toward Asuppim That is, the house of Asuppim, as it is called 1 Chronicles 26:15, where also it is said to be on the south side; on which there seems to have been a double guard, both belonging to Obed-edom, (1 Chronicles 26:15,) one at the south gate, and the other at Asuppim, where possibly the sacred treasures, mentioned 1 Chronicles 26:20, &c., were laid up, and... read more
Arrangements for the Levites (23:1-26:32)Having appointed Solomon to be his successor, David made further arrangements for the service of the temple. First, he set out a plan to distribute duties among the Levites. A census showed that there were 38,000 Levites eligible for temple service. Of these, 14,000 were official record-keepers, judges, guards, singers and musicians. The remainder were to help in the general service of the temple (23:1-6). Clearly, there were far too many Levites to work... read more
17-19. Eastward were six Levites—because the gate there was the most frequented. There were four at the north gate; four at the south, at the storehouse which was adjoining the south, and which had two entrance gates, one leading in a southwesterly direction to the city, and the other direct west, two porters each. At the Parbar towards the west, there were six men posted—four at the causeway or ascent ( :-), and two at Parbar, amounting to twenty-four in all, who were kept daily on guard. read more
Particulars respecting various Temple Officials1. The divisions of the porters] i.e. the courses of the gate-keepers or sentries who stood on guard at the entrances of the Temple. They were drawn from three families, Meshelemiah (the ’Shallum’ of 1 Chronicles 9:19), Obededom, and Hosah. Asaph] the ’Ebiasaph’ of 1 Chronicles 9:19. 5. For God blessed him] see 1 Chronicles 13:14. The blessing consisted in the number of his children: cp. Genesis 1:28; Genesis 24:60.13. For every gate] Though the... read more
(17) Eastward were six Levites.—Literally, To the east the Levites were six; to the northward for the day four; to the southward for the day four; and to the Stores two two (i.e., two apiece, or two by two). We must supply for the day in the first clause, with the LXX.Toward Asuppim two and two.—The magazine appears to have had two doors, with two warders stationed at each. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 26:1-19
Observe, I. There were porters appointed to attend the temple, who guarded all the avenues that let to it, opened and shut all the outer gates and attended at them, not only for the state, but for service, to direct and instruct those who were going to worship in the courts of the sanctuary in the decorum they were to observe, to encourage those that were timorous, to send back the strangers and unclean, and to guard against thieves and others that were enemies to the house of God. In allusion... read more