Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 26

Introduction

We have in this chapter an account, 1) of the divisions of the porters, see 1 Chronicles 26:1-10; 1 Chronicles 2:0) of those who had charge of the treasures of the temple, 1 Chronicles 26:20-28; 1 Chronicles 3:0) of the officers and judges, 1 Chronicles 26:29-32. We note with interest that Obed-edom, whose house had been blessed by the presence of the ark, (1 Chronicles 13:14,) and who had been a doorkeeper of the ark (1 Chronicles 15:24) from the time of its removal to Jerusalem, holds a prominent and honoured place among the porters.

A number of terms used in connexion with the location of the porters are obscure; namely, “the house of Asuppim,” 1 Chronicles 26:15; “the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up,” 1 Chronicles 26:16; and “Parbar,” 1 Chronicles 26:18. As these arrangements were made by David, the words in question have, doubtless, reference to the gates or approaches to the tabernacle which David pitched on Zion, and not to the Solomonic temple. Hence they have nothing to do with the topography of Moriah, though doubtless these several divisions of porters retained the same relative positions in the temple of Solomon. Asuppim means collections, and “the house of Asuppim” is very naturally supposed to have been a building near the southern gate used for storing certain goods of the sanctuary. Comp. Nehemiah 12:25, note. “The causeway of the going up” is supposed by many to be the ascent from the palace to the temple, (1 Kings 10:5, note,) but as the temple was not yet built, this view can hardly be accepted. It is more likely to refer to some ascent or causeway on the eastern side of Zion. “Parbar” is thought by many to be the same as the parvarim, translated suburbs, in 2 Kings 23:11; but the word is of uncertain meaning, and speculation on its import seems thus far to have been fruitless.

Verse 28

28. All that Samuel… Saul… Abner… and Joab… had dedicated Here it appears that the sacred treasury had been receiving contributions from the chief men of Israel as far back as the time of Samuel. Comp. also Joshua 6:24.

Verse 29

29. For the outward business over Israel The business of local scribes, magistrates, and teachers of the people. See note on 1 Chronicles 23:4. As such their office was, as expressed in 1 Chronicles 26:32, to attend to “every matter pertaining to God and the affairs of the king.” They were to proclaim, expound, and enforce among the people the law of God and the commands of the king.