1 Chronicles 9:14 - Meaning and Application

Here we see more about the good shape religious life took right after the people returned from Babylon. They had already felt the pain of neglecting God’s worship before, and they had also lived through a time when regular worship was missing. Those two things made them eager to restore God’s service among them, and they began in the right way.

Before the Lord’s house was rebuilt, they used the tabernacle, a plain movable tent, for worship. If people cannot yet build a temple, they should still not go without a tabernacle, but should be thankful for what they have and use it well. God’s work should never be left undone just because there is no special place for it.

When they divided the work among the priests and Levites, they followed the pattern set down by David and Samuel the prophet, a seer, meaning one who saw God’s message clearly (1 Chronicles 9:22). Samuel had laid the groundwork in his day, even when the ark was still in the shadows, and David later completed it, both under God’s direct guidance. Or David may have thought of this plan when he was first anointed as king and later discussed it with Samuel. The plan had been forgotten for many years, but now it was brought back, and they kept to these old landmarks in dividing the work.

Most of the priests and Levites lived in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:34), but some lived in the villages (1 Chronicles 9:16, 22), perhaps because there was not yet room for all of them in the city. Still, they served at the tabernacle in their turns (1 Chronicles 9:25), coming for a week at a time. Their service was organized, and each group had its appointed time.

Many Levites served as gatekeepers at the doors of God’s house, with four chief gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 9:26) and 212 under them (1 Chronicles 9:22). They watched over the gates (1 Chronicles 9:23), guarded the thresholds, and kept the entrance (1 Chronicles 9:19). This may seem like a humble task, yet David would rather have such a place than live among the wicked (Psalm 84:10). They opened the doors each morning and shut them at night. They also kept out anyone who was unclean or not allowed in by the law, and they guided worshipers into the courts so they would know where to go and what to do. That took care, diligence, and constant attention. Ministers still have work like this to do.

There is also mention of one Phinehas, son of Eleazar, who had once been a leader among them (1 Chronicles 9:20). This was not the well-known high priest of the same name, but likely an important Levite. It is said that the Lord was with him, or, as the Chaldee version puts it, the Word of the Lord was his helper. That points to the eternal Word, the Lord who gives help and strength.

Some of them lived in the area around the house of God because the duty was laid on them (1 Chronicles 9:27). It is good for ministers to stay close to their work so they can give themselves fully to it. The Levites had once camped around the tabernacle in the wilderness. Then they carried the burdens of the sanctuary in one sense, and now they served as gatekeepers in another, but in both cases they were keeping charge of the holy things.

Everyone knew his own duty. Some were responsible for the sacred vessels, counting them in and out carefully (1 Chronicles 9:28). Others prepared the fine flour, wine, oil, and other needed offerings (1 Chronicles 9:29). The priests made the holy anointing oil (1 Chronicles 9:30). Others handled the grain offerings (1 Chronicles 9:31), and others the showbread (1 Chronicles 9:32). As in any large household, work gets done well when each person knows his place and treats it seriously. God is a God of order, and what is everyone’s task often becomes nobody’s task if it is not clearly assigned.

The singers were also at work day and night (1 Chronicles 9:33). These were the leading Levite families who made this their calling, not ordinary hired singers. They stayed in the temple chambers so they could attend to their duty closely and constantly, and they were excused from other service. It seems that some groups sang at all times, or at least at set hours, both day and night. So God was praised continually, as is fitting for the One who is continually doing good. In this way, people could find help for worship at any hour. The temple also pointed ahead to the heavenly temple, where those around God’s throne never stop praising him day or night (Revelation 4:8). Blessed are those who live in your house, for they will always be praising you.