Context No. 2638 of 4322 · 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 26:12-19: in context

12Of these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, even of the chief men, having offices like their brothers, to minister in the LORD’s house. 13They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for every gate. 14The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. 15To Obed-Edom southward; and to his sons the storehouse. 16To Shuppim and Hosah westward, by the gate of Shallecheth, at the causeway that goes up, watchman opposite watchman. 17Eastward were six Levites, northward four a day, southward four a day, and for the storehouse two and two. 18For Parbar westward, four at the causeway, and two at Parbar. 19These were the divisions of the doorkeepers; of the sons of the Korahites, and of the sons of Merari.

Chronicles records the assignment of the gatekeepers, the doorkeepers of the temple. By lot, small and great alike, they are given their posts at the various gates, east, north, south, west, and at the storehouse. It is a list of men whose whole ministry was to stand watch at a door of the house of God.

Gatekeeping is not a glamorous calling. These men were not priests offering sacrifices at the altar or singers leading praise; they stood at doors, watched, and guarded. And yet Scripture records their names and their posts with the same care as the priests', because in God's house the humble watch matters. Not everyone is given a prominent role, and the temptation is to think the unglamorous post is not worth much. But a psalmist would later say he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. The gate needs keeping, and the one who keeps it faithfully is honored, name and post recorded, whether or not anyone notices.

Am I content to keep an unglamorous post faithfully in God's work, seeing it as a real and honored place, or do I despise it for not being prominent?

Sources

1 Chronicles 26:13: They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers' houses, for every gate.
1 Chronicles 26:12: having offices like their brothers, to minister in the LORD's house.
Psalm 84:10: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.