1 Chronicles 26:1-32 Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.… We are presented in this chapter with three separate lists. First, the classes of the doorkeepers (vers. 1-19); secondly, the stewards of the sanctuary treasures (vers. 20-28); thirdly, those appointed for the external business (vers. 29-32). According to ver. 19 the doorkeepers were Korahites and Merarites. To the latter belonged Obed-edom and his family, numbering eight sons and sixty-two grandchildren, all valiant heroes. All these doorkeepers were so distributed that twenty-four guard stations were occupied daily. The next enumeration is the treasures of the house of God and the treasures of the dedicated things. The former were under the charge of a branch of the Gershonites; the latter under a branch of the Kohathites. The last list in the chapter refers to the "outward business over Israel." This business comprised the service of "scribes and judges," and it was committed to the Izharites along with Chenaniah. For this work David had set apart six thousand Levites (see 1 Chronicles 23:4). One spiritual lesson may be learned from the twenty-seventh verse of this chapter: "Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord." The spiritual points may be suggested by the following heads: - 1. The house of the Lord - God's spiritual kingdom - whether it be in a man's own soul or whether it be a Church or nation, must not only be set up by the Spirit of God, but it must be kept up or "maintained." 2. It is maintained by fighting - fighting our worse than Canaanitish foes - the corruptions of our nature, the self-will, pride, and evil of our hearts, the 'world, the flesh, and the devil within us and around us. 3. The "spoils" of this spiritual warfare - every victory over sin, every triumph over passion, evil inclination, and temptation - these are all trophies or "spoils" which we must "dedicate" to God, from whom they have all come. His the power, the strength, the victory. All are to be laid at the Saviour's feet and used for his glory. 4. This, not one battle, but "battles" - many of every kind. The armour continually on, the fight continually maintained. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour or' God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:13). 5. Thus, and only thus, can the house" or kingdom of God in a man's soul be "maintained." - W. Parallel Verses KJV: Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. |
    |