1 Chronicles 26 Explained - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Chronicles 26 Short Summary:

1 Chronicles 26 describes the gatekeepers at the Temple, the Temple treasurers, and the officers and judges who were assigned to help govern the nation of Israel.  There were 1,700 men assigned as judges and officers on the west side of the Jordan River, and 2,700 men assigned to the tribes on the east side of the river.

What is 1 Chronicles 26 About?

WHEN:

• The Book of 1 Chronicles was written several hundred years after King David’s reign.  

• David became king of Judah in approximately 1055 B.C, the year Saul died. David’s reign spanned approximately 40 years (1055-1015 B.C.). He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

• The final chapters of 1 Chronicles document events that occurred at the end of David’s life.

CHARACTERS:

• This chapter is a record of the temple gatekeepers, temple treasurers, and some of the civil officers in Israel.

WHERE:

• David and Solomon were planning to build a temple to the Lord in Jerusalem. The priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, and treasurers worked at this temple, which was built in Jerusalem during the days of Solomon.

OUTLINE:

• TEMPLE GATEKEEPERS ARE CHOSEN (26:1-19):

  • The Lord’s Temple was to be a holy place, so gatekeepers were needed at the entrances. ‘

  • The gatekeepers were chosen from the Levites, from the families of Shelemiah, Obed-edom, Hosah, and Shuppim.

  • They cast lots to determine their duties.

  • Shelemiah was assigned the gates on the east side.

  • Zechariah, Shelemiah’s son, was assigned the north side.

  • Obed-edom was assigned the Temple’s south side and the gatehouse.

  • Shuppim and Hosah were put in charge of the west.

• TEMPLE TREASURERS (26:20-28):

  • Verses 20-28 record the names of those put in charge of the treasuries of the Temple.

  • They managed the money and the dedicated gifts given to the Lord, many of which came from the spoils of David’s wars.

• CIVIL OFFICERS (26:29-32):

  • The final portion of the chapter lists the officers and judges who were selected to help govern Israel.

  • 1,700 officers were assigned to the west side of the Jordan River.

  • 2,700 officers were assigned to the east side of the Jordan River.

EXPLANATION:

• Your life, lived in faithfulness to God, is planting seeds, whether you are aware of it or not, which will one day bear fruit, and play a part in God’s work.

• God didn’t let David build the Temple, and he never got to see the Temple in all its glory, but it was David’s wars that enriched Israel to the point that building such a marvelous structure was even possible.

• Our lives our short, and we don’t always live long enough to see the outcomes we hope to see. But know this, the impact of a godly life doesn’t end when a godly person dies.

• The seeds they planted are still in the ground, waiting for the Creator to bring them to life when the time is right.

• So keep planting seeds, even if you suspect you won’t be around to see them grow.

• God has future work to accomplish, and He loves to accomplish it through the seeds of His sowers.