The Divisions of the Gatekeepers
The gatekeeper divisions begin with the sons of Meshelemiah and Obed-edom. Obed-edom's large household is noted as a sign of God's blessing on him.
T1hese were the divisions of the gatekeepers: 2Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, and Eliehoenai the seventh. 4And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sachar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, and Peullethai the eighth. For God had blessed Obed-edom.
The line of Shemaiah and the households of Meshelemiah and Hosah are counted out as strong and capable men. The numbers show that the gatekeeping work rests on established, able family groups.
6Also to his son Shemaiah were born sons who ruled over their families because they were strong, capable men. 7Shemaiah’s sons were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad; his brothers were Elihu and Semachiah, also capable men. 8All these were descendants of Obed-edom; they and their sons and brothers were capable men with strength to do the work— 62 in all from Obed-edom. 9Meshelemiah also had sons and brothers who were capable men— 18 in all. 10Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first), 11Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and brothers of Hosah numbered 13 in all.
The chief gatekeepers receive their duties for service in the house, and lots assign each family to a gate. The passage then records the daily watches and closes by gathering these divisions under Korah and Merari.
12These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did. 13They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. 14The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. 15The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom, and the lot for the storehouses to his sons. 16The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway fell to Shuppim and Hosah. 17There were guards stationed at every watch. Each day there were six Levites on the east, four on the north, four on the south, and two pairs at the storehouse. 18As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court. 19These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.