1 Chronicles 26:1

1 Chronicles 26:1 says, Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.  These next several verses tell of those who were descendants of Asaph who served as porters, starting with Meshelemiah's sons.  The porters kept the gates and maintained order in the worship service.  We need people today who will keep outside influences out of worship services, and I don't mean how we worship, but to make sure that all is done to glorify God and is in accordance with His word.  Verse two adds, And the sons of Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,  Verse three continues, Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.  Verse four states, Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth.  Then, we have a listing of the sons of Obededom in this verse and the next.  Verse five adds, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for God blessed him.  It is that God blessed Obededom with many sons.  If we have children today, we need to acknowledge that they are a blessing from God.  Verse six says, Also unto Shemaiah his son were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their father: for they were mighty men of valour.  Next, we have a listing of the sons of Shemaiah, Obededom's son, who were said to be mighty men of valor.  We need to be people of valor when serving God today.  Verse seven adds, The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael, and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong men, Elihu, and Semachiah.  Verse eight continues, 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.  It is noted that all these descendants of Obededom through his first-born son were able men of service, totaling sixty-two.  Verse nine states, And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men, eighteen.  This verse concludes, that Meshelemiah had a total of eighteen sons and brethren, who were strong men.  Verse ten states, 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;)  We have a listing of the sons of Hosah a so of Merari next, one of whom was Simri, who is said to have been appointed chief of the porters though he wasn't the firstborn.  Birth order should not determine who serves where in the church today.  Verse eleven adds, Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.  Verse twelve continues, 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.  There were thirteen descendants in total who served as porters in different parts of the temple.  Verse thirteen says, And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.  Their place of service was once again determined by lot, which would mean by God's direction.  Verse fourteen adds, And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.  Then, we are told which area these men were to serve in, starting with Shelemiah serving in the east and then Zechariah, who was noted as a wise counsellor, serving in the north area.  This was all done under God's direction, and we need to serve where God calls us to serve today.  Verse fifteen continues, To Obededom southward; and to his sons the house of Asuppim.  These were to serve on the southside.  Verse sixteen states, To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came forth westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, ward against ward.  Then the ones to serve on the west side are listed, including a gate that they were in charge of.  Verse seventeen adds, Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.  This verse and the next two tell how many porters were serving on each side.  Verse eighteen continues, At Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar.  Verse nineteen concludes, These are the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.  I sometimes have trouble following the genealogy, but these are all said to have been the descendants of Kore and Merari.  As followers of Jesus Christ, our spiritual genealogy comes from Him, and we are all God's sons and daughters.