I Chronicles 26 (NIV)

Summary:

Key: [] = Mother
         + = Firstborn Son
         * = Son
        d  = Daughter
        w = Wife

The Gatekeepers
Verses 1-19

From the Korahites:
- Meshelemiah* <- Kore* <- Asaph
  Meshelemiah -> Zechariah+, Jediael*, Zebadiah*, Jathniel*,  Elam*, Jehohanan*, Eliehoenai*
  There were 18 sons and relatives of Meshelemiah, all able men.
- Obed-Edom -> Shemaiah+, Jehozabad*, Joah*, Sacar*, Nethanel*, Ammiel*, Issachar*, Peullethai*
  God had blessed Obed-Edom (with children).
  Shemaiah -> Othni*, Rephael*, Obed*, Elzabad* - they were leaders in their father's family, because they were very capable men.  Their relatives, Elihu and Semakiah, were also able men.  They, their sons, and their relatives had strength to do the work.  There were 62 descendants of Obed-Edom.
- Hosah the Merarite -> Shimri (the appointed, not born, first), Hilkiah*, Tabaliah*, Zechariah*
  Hosah's sons and relatives numbered 13.

These are the divisions of the gatekeepers, through chief men, with the duties for ministering in the Lord's temple, as their relatives had.  They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
- East Gate: Shelemiah (Meshelemiah)
- North Gate: Zechariah (Mesh's son), a wise counselor
- South Gate: Obed-Edom
- the Storehouse by the South Gate: Obed-Edom's sons
- West Gate & Shalleketh Gate on the upper road: Shuppim and Hosah

There were posted guard next to guard: 6 Levites/day on the East; 4/day on the North; 4/day on the South, 2 at a time at the storehouse; 4 at the road, 2 at the court for the court to the West.

The Treasurers and Other Officials
Verses 20-32

These are the fellow Levites in charge of the treasuries of God's house and of the dedicated things.
- The descendants of Ladan, that is the Gershonites throughout Ladan, the heads of their families: Jehieli and sons, Zetham, and his brother Joel.  They were in charge of the temple treasuries.
- Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, Uzzielites:
  + Shubael, the descendant of Gershom son of Moses.  He was the officer in charge of the treasuries.
  + Shubael's relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah, Jeshaiah, Joram, Zicri, Shelomith.
  + Shelomith and his relatives: in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were commanders of thousands or hundreds or other army commanders.  Some of the plunder taken in battle was dedicated for the repair of the Lord's temple.  Everything dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, Joab son of Zeruiah, and all other dedicated things were left in their care.
  + Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel.
  + Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives numbered 1700 able men.  They were responsible in Israel, west of the Jordan, for all of the Lord's work and the king's service.  According to their genealogical records, their chief was Jeriah.
     During the 40th year of David's reign, a search was made in the records and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead.  Jeriah had 2700 relatives, all able men and heads of their families.  King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for everything pertaining to God and the king's affairs.

Lori's Thoughts:

This is an interesting chapter, because my position, although not officially named as such, has been described as a gatekeeper.  I don't know if I'd categorize myself as one of those capable men, but I do know how to summon them.

So, these Israelite men were the bouncers for God and for their earthly king.  With all the riches described in previous chapters, I'm sure they were quite needed.  It's funny, though.  Nowadays, most people that are filthy rich and heavily guarded are the greedy, miserly, or dishonest types, not the good guys.  In my studies and personal life, I've found that God is the God of 180°s.  He has a tendency to flip things around, that break the norms of life on earth.  I find that this is why people don't understand or trust Him.

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)

So, take heart.  Your life may appear as a mess, but let go and let God.  He'll flip it around.  Don't see how that's possible?  That's fine.  Walk by faith, not by sight.  He turned my life around.  I'm no more or less special than you.  We were both created by Him and He loves us just the same.