1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 26: Gates and treasures of God's house

Begin in prayer

Before we look at the doorkeepers and treasurers of God's house, let us pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that what is given to Him is set apart for Him, and to lead us to Jesus, the door.

Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah. This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.

Psalm 118:19-20

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You keep Your house with doorkeepers and treasurers, and show us Jesus, the door. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Chapter 26 lists the doorkeepers of God's house, who came from the Korahites and the sons of Merari (verses 1 to 19). Obed-Edom's sons are named, and the text says God blessed him (verses 4 and 5). The doorkeepers cast lots for their gates, the small as well as the great, east, north, south and west (verse 13). Other Levites were over the treasures of God's house and the dedicated things (verses 20 to 22). Kings, captains and others had dedicated some of the plunder won in battles to repair the LORD's house (verse 27). Chenaniah and Hashabiah and their families served as officers and judges (verses 29 and 30).

As you read 1 Chronicles 26, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God set keepers over His house, and what is given to Him is set apart for Him.

The doorkeepers of the LORD's house kept watch at its gates, one watchman opposite another (verse 16). They cast lots for every gate, the small as well as the great (verse 13). Obed-Edom, whose house had kept the ark, was given the south gate, and his sons the storehouse (verse 15). The text says God blessed him (verse 5), as 1 Chronicles 13 verse 14 said. Other Levites kept the treasures of the dedicated things, plunder won in battles, to repair the LORD's house (verses 20 and 27). This teaches that what is given to God is set apart for Him, and that He gives His servants care of it. It matters because gates and treasures need faithful keepers, and God's house was kept with order. It shows God as a holy God who guards His house, and as a God who blesses a faithful servant. Jesus said that He is the door, and that anyone who enters through Him will be saved (John 10 verse 9).

How does 1 Chronicles 26 show us that God set keepers over His house, and that what is given to Him is set apart for Him?

The doorkeepers guarded the gates of God's house.

The divisions of the doorkeepers were chosen from the Korahites and the sons of Merari (verses 1 and 19). They cast lots for every gate, the small as well as the great (verse 13). Obed-Edom's family was given the south gate and the storehouse (verse 15). The text says God blessed Obed-Edom (verse 5).

What people gave to God was kept for His house.

Some Levites were over the treasures of God's house and the dedicated things (verse 20). Kings, captains and others had dedicated some of the plunder won in battles (verses 26 and 27). They gave it to repair the LORD's house (verse 27). Shelomoth and his brothers cared for all of it (verse 28).

Jesus is the door, and in Him are all the treasures of wisdom.

Jesus said that He is the door of the sheep (John 10 verse 7). He said that anyone who enters through Him will be saved (John 10 verse 9). Paul wrote that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2 verse 3). Doorkeepers guarded God's house, but Jesus Himself is the way in.

Memorise

They dedicated some of the plunder won in battles to repair Yahweh’s house.

1 Chronicles 26:27

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, have I come in through Jesus, the door?

The doorkeepers guarded the gates of God's house, and the treasurers kept what was “dedicated” to it. Jesus said that He is the door, and that anyone who enters through Him will be saved (John 10 verse 9).

We all stand outside God's house because of our sin, and no gift or work of ours can open the door. Jesus carried His people's sin. On the cross He bore the punishment for it, and nothing is left to pay. He rose on the third day, and the tomb is empty.

So come in through Him. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. The door stands open, and everyone who trusts Him is forgiven and welcome in the house of God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's house had doorkeepers and treasurers, and that Jesus is the door to God. Parents, this chapter is mostly lists, so please read verses 12 to 16 and 27 aloud. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He kept His house with doorkeepers and treasurers, and that Jesus is the door, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahweh is your treasure.

Isaiah 33:6

Lord God, thank You that Your house had doorkeepers and treasurers, and that Jesus is the door. Please turn each of us from sin to come in through Him. Help us to give to You gladly this week. Amen.