Gill, in his commentary, gives us a useful summary of this chapter.
‘In this chapter, we have a further account of the disposition and distribution of the Levites, to serve in other offices, as of porters at the several gates of the temple, for which they cast lots, 1 Chronicles 26:1 of others, as over the treasures of the house of the Lord, 1 Chronicles 26:20, and of others that were appointed judges in the land, to administer justice to the people, 1 Chronicles 26:29.’
Gatekeepers were those who were in charge of the entrances of the temple. Obed-Edom and Hosah, 1 Chronicles 26:10, have been doorkeepers, from the time of the bringing up of the ark into Jerusalem, 1 Chronicles 15:24 / 1 Chronicles 16:38.
Selman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Though less prominent than some of their Levitical colleagues, from time to time the gatekeepers made a vital contribution to national life, notably under the high priest Jehoiada, 2 Chronicles 23:4-6 / 2 Chronicles 23:19, and in the reigns of Hezekiah, 2 Chronicles 31:14-19, and Josiah, 2 Chronicles 34:9-13.’
The storehouse is where all the gold and silver were stored which had been taken as taxes and tribute. The gatekeepers had the responsibility of guarding the treasure. The treasury went from each individual maintaining their own treasury on the farms to a national treasury that was kept in Jerusalem.
Gill, in his commentary, says the following.
‘They casted lots to determine at which gate each should stand, who at this gate, and who at the other, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate meaning, not little ones and grown persons in a family, but the smaller and poorer families, and the larger and richer ones, had their places assigned them at the several gates, as the lot directed; they did not go according to the dignity and precedence of their families, but according to lot.’
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The account of the porters, that is guards, here given makes them only twenty-four in number at any one time, 1 Chronicles 23:5 states that the duty was discharged by 4,000 persons. Perhaps of the 93 chief porters, guards, here spoken of, 1 Chronicles 26:8-9 / 1 Chronicles 26:11 / 1 Chronicles 26:24, were always on guard as officers, while of the remaining 3,907, a certain proportion was each day on duty as their subordinates.’
Ahijah was in charge of the handling or accounting of the gold and silver which was in the treasury. It must have become common knowledge about the wealth which was stored in the storehouses because other nations would come and raid the temple and the royal houses and take all the treasure, 2 Kings 24:13.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The foundations of a sacred treasury had therefore been laid as far back as the time of Samuel when the Israelites began to recover from their last servitude. Such a treasury had been once before established, namely, under Joshua, Joshua 6:24, but it appears to have been soon exhausted, and we hear nothing of it under any of the later judges until Samuel.’
Samuel the seer, won in battle with the Philistines and Saul the son of Kish won his battle with the Moabites, Edomites, Amalekites, and Philistines. Abner the son of Ner was the general of his army, who as such had his share in the spoils and Joab the son of Zeruiah was the general of David’s army, who fought with the Ammonites, Syrians, and others.
All of these men had dedicated themselves to the building of the temple and supported the building of it. It was known by them all that God would have a place to put his name in.
Shelomith must have had a great trust among his people, as he was put in charge of everything.
In these verses, we are given a description of those who were chosen for the administration of affairs other than those who were connected with the administration of the temple.
These would include administrators as civil officers, military leaders, soldiers and judges.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The business of the Lord in the provinces would consist especially in the collection of the tithes, the redemption money, and the freewill offerings of the people. It may perhaps have included some religious teaching, 2 Chronicles 17:7-9.’
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Here is the irresistible proof that the Old Testament deals, not with myth, legend, or folklore, but with fact, with history, with flesh and blood events in the long and turbulent story of God’s people Israel, through whom Almighty God brought redemption in Jesus Christ to Adam’s lost and ruined descendants.’
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."