1 Chronicles 26 26

1 Chronicles 26:26 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 26:26 nkjv

This Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasuries of the dedicated things which King David and the heads of fathers' houses, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the army, had dedicated.

1 Chronicles 26:26 niv

Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders.

1 Chronicles 26:26 esv

This Shelomoth and his brothers were in charge of all the treasuries of the dedicated gifts that David the king and the heads of the fathers' houses and the officers of the thousands and the hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated.

1 Chronicles 26:26 nlt

Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of the treasuries containing the gifts that King David, the family leaders, and the generals and captains and other officers of the army had dedicated to the LORD.

1 Chronicles 26 verses

1 Chronicles 26 26 Meaning

This verse identifies specific descendants of Merari, a branch of the Levites, who were appointed by King David, alongside two named individuals (Jeiel and Shimei), and their extended family, to manage and safeguard the treasury of the future house of the LORD. It highlights David's meticulous foresight and divine wisdom in organizing the Temple's administration and financial oversight long before its construction, underscoring the vital importance of stewardship over consecrated resources dedicated to God's sanctuary.

1 Chronicles 26 26 Context

First Chronicles 26 forms part of King David's extensive preparations for the building and operation of the Temple in Jerusalem, which his son Solomon would ultimately construct. This chapter meticulously details the divisions of the Levites appointed for specific roles, particularly focusing on the gatekeepers and the treasurers. Verses 20-32 explicitly deal with those appointed over the treasuries and various administrative tasks related to the House of God. Our verse, 1 Chronicles 26:26, specifically highlights the Merarite branch of the Levites and their charge over the Temple's financial assets, emphasizing the foresight and detailed organization King David implemented, anticipating the need for careful management of the Temple's immense resources and offerings even before the structure existed. Historically, such organized treasury management would ensure the temple's upkeep, sacrificial system, and the livelihoods of the priests and Levites, reflecting the highest regard for divine institutions.

1 Chronicles 26 26 Word analysis

• These were the sons of Merari:
  • "These": Refers to a specific group, the focus of the verse, drawing attention to their lineage and subsequent responsibility.
  • "sons of Merari": Descendants of Merari (Hebrew: מְרָרִי, Merari), the third son of Levi (alongside Gershon and Kohath). In the Tabernacle service, the Merarites were responsible for the heavy, cumbersome parts of the Tabernacle—the frames, bars, pillars, and bases (Num 3:36-37). Here, their role shifts from physically moving the sanctuary to administering its financial heart, indicating an evolution in Levitical duties suitable for the static Temple. This shift underlines David's comprehensive reorganization of the Levites, adapting their roles for the permanent structure and its functions.
• with whom David the king, and Jeiel, and Shimei, and their kindred, appointed:
  • "David the king": Emphasizes royal authority and divinely inspired leadership. David initiated and oversaw the extensive preparations for the Temple, including the detailed organization of all Temple personnel. His direct involvement underscores the critical importance he placed on the faithful management of the sanctuary's resources. This was not a minor detail but a foundational administrative aspect set up by the kingdom's highest authority.
  • "Jeiel, and Shimei": These individuals are likely prominent Merarite leaders or highly trusted administrators serving under David. Their mention personalizes the appointment and indicates that oversight involved not just generic groups but specific, accountable individuals, enhancing the verse's emphasis on direct responsibility. This also points to a chain of command and delegated authority within the royal and Levitical administration.
  • "and their kindred": Includes the broader family and clan network. This implies a collective responsibility and the training of the next generation within the same charge, fostering continuity and inherited trust within the administrative structure. It suggests that financial stewardship was a communal responsibility for certain Levitical families.
  • "appointed": From the Hebrew verb פָּקַד (paqad), which means to visit, to muster, to assign, to give charge, to commission. It conveys an official, deliberate, and authoritative assignment of duty, not just a casual task. This word implies a careful selection and commissioning for a specific and significant role. The verb indicates the act of formally placing individuals into a designated position with clear responsibilities, implying an examination or visitation beforehand to ensure fitness for the role.
• to keep the treasury of the house of the LORD.
  • "to keep": This is more than just storage; it means to guard, manage, preserve, distribute, and oversee. It signifies active stewardship and careful protection of valuable assets. This stewardship involved receiving offerings, recording them, safeguarding them from theft or misuse, and disbursing them as needed for temple services, priestly support, and maintenance.
  • "the treasury": Hebrew אֹצָר (’otsar), meaning storehouse, treasury, or treasure. It refers to the collective wealth and resources—gold, silver, consecrated vessels, offerings, provisions for sacrifices, and the general sustenance for the priests and Levites. These treasuries were vital for the functioning of the sanctuary. The inclusion of treasuries as a separate administrative department highlights the immense material wealth accumulated for and offered to God, emphasizing that this wealth, while material, was sacred and required dedicated care.
  • "of the house of the LORD": Refers to the future Temple, still to be built by Solomon, but for which David was making preparations. The phrase emphasizes the sacredness and divine ownership of the resources. It highlights that the assets were not for private gain but consecrated entirely for divine service, stressing the holiness of the funds and items entrusted to their care. The very phrase underscores the centrality of God's dwelling place to Israelite life and the meticulous preparations undertaken to honor Him.

1 Chronicles 26 26 Bonus section

The detailed lists and assignments in 1 Chronicles, particularly regarding the Levites and their roles, are more than mere historical records. They serve a theological purpose, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His dwelling place and His people's worship, and how He inspires His chosen leaders to implement divine order. The emphasis on specific individuals and their families for tasks like treasury management subtly pushes back against any notion of haphazard or unaccountable handling of sacred finances, asserting God's standard of order and integrity in all areas, including material resources dedicated to Him. This echoes throughout scripture where financial honesty and integrity in handling God's funds are consistently paramount. It implicitly warns against mishandling temple resources (a sin seen in later periods of Israel's history) by demonstrating the rigorous, divinely approved framework established from the outset.

1 Chronicles 26 26 Commentary

1 Chronicles 26:26 offers a glimpse into King David's unparalleled administrative genius and his deep reverence for God. This verse reveals the foresight of a king who meticulously planned every aspect of the Temple's operations, extending to the vital, yet often overlooked, area of financial management. By appointing specific Merarite Levites—a group known for carrying the heavier Tabernacle elements—to the responsibility of the Temple's treasury, David redefined and elevated their role to one of crucial financial stewardship. This was not a minor assignment; it was a weighty charge involving the vast sacred offerings and provisions for the very heart of Israel's worship. The involvement of David himself, alongside named leaders like Jeiel and Shimei, and their kindred, speaks to a hierarchical and accountable structure designed to ensure integrity and faithfulness. The mention of "keeping" the treasury implies not mere storage but active management, safeguarding, and wise disbursement of assets dedicated to God. This administrative setup serves as a foundational example of excellent stewardship, emphasizing transparency, faithfulness, and the sacred nature of resources devoted to divine purposes, laying a blueprint for managing God's resources for generations to come.