1 Chronicles 26:20

1 Chronicles 26:20 says, And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.  Ahijah was the treasurer of the house of God.  We need someone to be in charge of the things belonging to God in the corporate worship of bodies of believers today, and I believe that this should be by God's calling of them.  Verse twenty-one adds, As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.  Then we are told the names of several others who were also over the treasury.  Verse twenty-two continues, The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the Lord.  Verse twenty-three states, Of the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites:  Verse twenty-four adds, And Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures.  We are told that Shebuel, Moses's grandson was a ruler of the treasures at one point.  Verse twenty-five continues, And his brethren by Eliezer; Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.  Verse twenty-six says, Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.  Then, Shelomith and his brethren were said to have been over the treasures of dedicated things.  God had blessed them with an abundance of things, and they had a responsibility to make sure they were accounted for, just as we have a responsibility to make sure that we give an account to God for the things He blesses us with today.  Verse twenty-seven adds, Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the Lord.  The spoils of war were dedicated to God and not just used to enrich the people.  If God blesses us with riches, we should not see them as being just for our own pleasure but to be used for His glory.  Verse twenty-eight continues, And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.  Everything amassed by all those who were fighting for God and Israel was under the control and responsibility of Shelomith.  This would have been a great responsibility, and it is a great responsibility for us to use the things God blesses us with individually and as groups of believers wisely.  Verse twenty-nine states, Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges.  This group were said to be in charge of the everyday business of Israel as judges and officers.  Verse thirty adds, And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the Lord, and in the service of the king.  The Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, numbering one thousand seven hundred, who were said to be men of valor, were set aside and placed in charge of all the business of God on the one side of the Jordan and westward.  Verse thirty-one adds, Among the Hebronites was Jerijah the chief, even among the Hebronites, according to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead.  During David's reign, these descendants of Hebron were sought for and found among the mighty men of valor at Jazer.  Verse thirty-two continues, And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.  There were two thousand seven hundred of them, and they were put in charge of the tribes that hadn't crossed the Jordan.  Even though they were physically separated they were all a part of God's people and under those He placed in command.   No matter how we may be separated physically, as followers of Christ, we are still all a part of the same family of God.

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.

1 Chronicles 25:8

1 Chronicles 25:8 says, And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.  The rest of the chapter simply tells where the people fell in order of service of the sons of these three great men, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthan.  Ethan had been the third, but Matthew Henry says he was probably dead by this time, so Jeduthan took his place, or it could be two names for the same person.  Verse nine adds, Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:  Joseph was the second son of Heman, but he was placed first in the order by lot, which was used to determines God's will.  Gedaliah was the oldest son of Jeduthun. Verse ten continues, The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Zaccur was the oldest son of Asaph.  Verse eleven states, The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Izri was the second son of Jeduthun.  Verse twelve adds, The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Nethaniah was the third son of Asaph.  Verse thirteen continues, The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Bukkiah was the oldest son of Heman.  Verse fourteen says, The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Jesharelah was the youngest son of Asaph.  Verse fifteen adds, The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Jeshaiah was the third son of Jeduthun.  Verse sixteen continues, The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Mattaniah was the second son of Heman.  Verse seventeen states, The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Shimei was the youngest son of Jeduthun.  Verse eighteen adds, The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Azareel was the third son of Heman.  Verse fourteen continues, The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Hashabiah was the fourth son of Jeduthun.  Verse twenty says, The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Shubael was the fourth son of Heman.  Verse twenty-one adds, The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Mattithiah was the fifth son of Jeduthun.  Verse twenty-two continues, The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Jeremoth was the fifth son of Heman.  Verse twenty-three states, The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Hananiah was the sixth son of Heman.  Verse twenty-four adds, The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Joshbekashah was the eleventh son of Heman.  Verse twenty-five continues, The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Hanani was the seventeenth son of Heman.  Verse twenty-six says, The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Mallothi was the twelfth son of Heman.  Verse twenty-seven adds, The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Eliathah was the eighth son of Heman.  Verse twenty-eight continues, The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Hothir was the thirteenth son of Heman.  Verse twenty-nine states, The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Giddalti was the ninth son of Heman.  Verse thirty adds, The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:  Mahazioth was the fourteenth son of Heman.  Verse thirty-one continues, The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.  Romamtiezer was the fourteenth son of Heman.  The numbering of the sons in order of service was done by lot and not birth order, and I used Matthew Henry as to the placing of the sons under which of these three they were born to.  We need to understand that we are not placed in a position in the church because of when we were born in the family, but by the calling of God.

1 Chronicles 25:1

1 Chronicles 25:1 says, Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: Now, we are told the names of the people who would be in charge of the music, who were the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Matthew Henry points out that these three grew up in the time of Samuel, when singing praises was also considered prophesying.   As I have stated many times, music was an important part of the worship of God, and it still is I believe, but it must be done to glorify God and point people to Him.   We must also be willing to put in the effort to make the music the best it can be.  Verse two adds, Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.  The sons of Asaph were said to prophesy under the order of the king, but we cannot set people aside for ministry today unless they are called by God.  Matthew Henry says David was acting as a prophet here, and not just as the king.  We need leaders in the world today who are acting under the leadership of God and not just by the power the world gives them.  Verse three continues, Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the Lord.  The sons of Jeduthun were said to prophesy with the harp.  Our music in worship services should always point people to God.  Verse four states, Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:  Verse five adds, All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.  These sons of Heman were said to be seers in the word of God who blew the horns in worship and praise.  Matthew Henry also points out that Asaph, Heman and Jeduthan must have taught their children to be obedient to God, and so must we try to do today.  Verse six continues, All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.  All these sons were under the guidance of their fathers in the worshiping with music.   We need to be organized in our musical worship to God today, and everything needs to be done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Who will call and equip those who are involved.  Verse seven concludes, So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the Lord, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.  There were a total of two-hundred and eighty-eight people involved in the music service to God, so there are many whose names we do not know.  We need to be involved in the musical worship service in the church today even if no one ever knows of our involvement.  Though some are called to a particular role in the music service, I believe that we are all called to sing praises to God.

1 Chronicles 24:20

1 Chronicles 24:20 says, And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.  This verse and the next several verses list the sons of Levi, who were priests who managed the everyday affairs of the church.  Verse twenty-one adds, Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.  Verse twenty-two continues, Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.  Verse twenty-three states, And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.  Verse twenty-four adds, Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.  Verse twenty-five continues, The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah. Verse twenty-six says, The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.  Verse twenty-seven adds, The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.  Verse twenty-eight continues, Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.  Verse twenty-nine states, Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.  Verse thirty adds, The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.  Verse thirty-one continues, These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.  The sons or descendants of Levi also cast lots to determine where they would serve under the sons of Aaron and in the presence of David and Zadok and Ahimelech, and the leaders of the priests and Levites.  This was all done to allow God to do the choosing and not earthly status, such as age or birth order to determine where one served.  We are to serve where God calls us today.

1 Chronicles 24:1

1 Chronicles 24:1 says, Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.  We now are giving the list of Aaron's descendants, beginning with his four sons.  Verse two adds, But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.  Two of Aaron's sons died before he did, without having any children, and from the order they were listed, it would have been the oldest and second oldest, Nadab and Abihu.  That left Eleazar and Ithamar, and I would assume that the rights of the eldest son would have passed to Eleazar.  It is never the natural order for children to die before their parents do, but even though Aaron was priest of God, it happened.  Just because we are Christians doesn't mean that our children are guaranteed long lives.  Verse three continues, And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.  One of each of the sons of Eleazar and Ithamar were called to serve as priests also.  The division was not in overall purpose but in their role of service in unity of doing God's work.  We have different callings, but we should all be united in doing God's work.  Verse four states, And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.  There were twice as many chief men who were descendants of Eleazar than there were of the descendants of Ithamar.  Just because we are born to the same parents as Christians, it doesn't mean that we will be blessed with the same number of children, nor does it assure us that they will become Christians themselves, but we must share the gospel with them and pray that they will.  Verse five adds, Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.  The work was divided by lots, which were used at that time to determine God's will.  Today, the work of the church is determined by the calling of the Holy Spirit in the life of each individual follower of Christ.  Verse six continues, And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.  One of the scribes wrote the names of those called and gave it to the king and princes.  We need to have our name written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and that is the only one that really matters. Verse seven says, Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,  The next several verses simply list the order in which the lots fell but doesn't specify a particular task that the person was called for.  Verse eight adds, The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,  Verse nine continues, The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,  Verse ten states, The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,  Verse eleven adds, The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,  Verse twelve continues, The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,  Verse thirteen says, The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,  Verse fourteen adds, The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,  Verse fifteen continues, The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,  Verse sixteen states, The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,  Verse seventeen adds, The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,  Verse eighteen continues, The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.  Verse nineteen concludes, These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the Lord, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.  This was the order of their service determined by God and overseen by Eleazar.  God still has an order of service for His people today, and we need to be content to do whatever He calls us to do.

1 Chronicles 23:24

1 Chronicles 23:24 says, These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the Lord, from the age of twenty years and upward.  The tribe of Levi had been identified and they did the work of service in the house of God.  We need to be named among the followers of Christ to be saved and we need to do His work in the world.  Verse twenty-five adds, For David said, The Lord God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:  David stated that God had given the people of Israel rest so that they could live in Jerusalem forever.  Still, Jerusalem was not and is not the permanent home of God's people, but heaven is.  Our forever spiritual home will never be this earth, but it is a heavenly home.  Verse twenty-six continues, And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.  David said that the Levites were no longer going to carry the tabernacle of the Lord, because a temple, a permanent dwelling place, was going to be built for Him.  We as followers of Christ on the other hand are called on to carry the word of God everywhere and not to try and confine it to a particular place or building.  Verse twenty-seven states, For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:  The Levites over thirty had been numbered, but David changed that to those over twenty.  We must assume that God had led him to do this.  We don't need to set a minimum age at which people can start to serve God but must rely on His calling of them.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;  This implies that the age was lowered because the amount of work to be done was to increase.  I do know that the number of people needing to hear the gospel today has increased, so the number of those sharing it needs to increase as well.  Verse twenty-nine continues, Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;  This is a list of part of the duties that the Levites were to do, and it was to be done to support the Aaronic priests.  There are many things that need doing in the church today that the members need to do so that the preacher can be free to prepare to deliver God's word to the congregation.  Verse thirty says, And to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at even:  This verse and the next two just continue to list some of their duties.  Verse thirty-one adds, And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the Lord:  Verse thirty-two continues, And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the Lord.  As stated earlier, they were to be responsible for the everyday duties in the Temple.  They were to be ready to serve the sons of Aaron, but this did not make them inferior, but only called to a different service.  As Christians, we are not inferior to preachers today, but are called to support them in doing God's work and not to be subservient to them, nor are they to believe themselves to be superior to us.  We all need to follow God's calling in life, no matter how great or small it may seem to the world, and we are to do so under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and for God's glory.