1 Chronicles – Chapter 26

Old Testament32 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 Chronicles 26 opens with the words: "And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites Meselemia, the son of Core, of the sons of Asaph." The chapter centers on Zechariah, David and Nathanael. Across its 32 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and holiness. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites Meselemia, the son of Core, of the sons of Asaph.

2The sons of Meselemia: Zacharias the firstborn, Jadihel the second, Zabadias the third, Jathanael the fourth,

3Elam the fifth, Johanan the sixth, Elioenai the seventh.

4And the sons of Obededom, Semeias the firstborn, Jozabad the second, Joaha the third, Sachar the fourth, Nathanael the fifth,

5Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Phollathi the eighth: for the Lord had blessed him.

6And to Semei his son were born sons, heads of their families: for they were men of great valour.

7The sons then of Semeias were Othni, and Raphael, and Obed, Elizabad, and his brethren most valiant men: and Eliu, and Samachias.

8All these of the sons of Obededom: they, and their sons, and their brethren most able men for service, sixty-two of Obededom.

9And the sons of Meselemia, and their brethren strong men, were eighteen.

10And of Hosa, that is, of the sons of Merari: Semri the chief, (for he had not a firstborn, and therefore his father made him chief.)

11Helcias the second, Tabelias the third, Zacharias the fourth: all these the sons, and the brethren of Hosa, were thirteen.

12Among these were the divisions of the porters, so that the chiefs of the wards, as well as their brethren, always ministered in the house of the Lord.

13And they cast lots equally, both little and great, by their families for every one of the gates.

14And the lot of the east fell to Selemias. But to his son Zacharias, a very wise and learned man, the north gate fell by lot.

15And to Obededom and his sons that towards the south: in which part of the house was the council of the ancients.

16To Sephim, and Hosa towards the west, by the gate which leadeth to the way of the ascent: ward against ward.

17Now towards the east were six Levites: and towards the north four a day: and towards the south likewise four a day: and where the council was, two and two.

18In the cells also of the porters toward the west four in the way: and two at every cell.

19These are the divisions of the porters of the sons of Core, and of Merari.

20Now Achias was over the treasures of the house of God, and the holy vessels.

21The sons of Ledan, the sons of Gersonni: of Ledan were heads of the families, of Ledan, and Gersonni, Jehieli.

22The sons of Jehieli: Zathan and Joel, his brethren over the treasures of the house of the Lord,

23With the Amramites, and Isaarites, and Hebronites, and Ozielites.

24And Subael the son of Gersom, the son of Moses, was chief over the treasures.

25His brethren also, Eliezer, whose son Rohobia, and his son Isaias, and his son Joram, and his son Zechri, and his son Selemith.

26Which Selemith and his brethren were over the treasures of the holy things, which king David, and the heads of families, and the captains over thousands and over hundreds, and the captains of the host had dedicated,

27Out of the wars, and the spoils won in battles, which they had consecrated to the building and furniture of the temple of the Lord.

28And all these things that Samuel the seer and Saul the son of Cis, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Sarvia had sanctified: and whosoever had sanctified those things, they were under the hand of Selemith and his brethren.

29But Chonenias and his sons were over the Isaarites, for the business abroad over Israel to teach them and judge them.

30And of the Hebronites Hasabias, and his brethren most able men, a thousand seven hundred had the charge over Israel beyond the Jordan westward, in all the works of the Lord, and for the service of the king.

31And the chief of the Hebronites was Jeria according to their families and kindreds. In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were numbered, and there were found most valiant men in Jazer Galaad,

32And his brethren of stronger age, two thousand seven hundred chiefs of families. And king David made them rulers over the Rubenites and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasses, for all the service of God, and the king.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 26

And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites Meselemia, the son of Core, of the sons of Asaph.

1 Chronicles 26:1

Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Phollathi the eighth: for the Lord had blessed him.

1 Chronicles 26:5

Among these were the divisions of the porters, so that the chiefs of the wards, as well as their brethren, always ministered in the house of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 26:12

Now Achias was over the treasures of the house of God, and the holy vessels.

1 Chronicles 26:20

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 1 Chronicles was written with the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship in view. Chapter 26 of 29 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 32 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Zechariah, David, Nathanael and Manasses appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites Meselemia, the son of Core, of the sons of Asaph." The final verse reads: "And his brethren of stronger age, two thousand seven hundred chiefs of families. And king David made them rulers over…" The wider setting of 1 Chronicles is this: Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the genealogy establishes continuity between generations and validates the claims of later narratives. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites Meselemia, the son of Core, of the sons of Asaph." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 618). Here, the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Worship is central to God's people. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 1 Chronicles 26 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Zechariah3 mentionsDavid3 mentionsNathanael1 mentionManasses1 mentionRaphael1 mentionIsaiah1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents 1 Chronicles Chapter 26 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). The passage calls believers to grasp that Worship is central to God's people.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 2215) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 26 about?

1 Chronicles 26 contains 32 verses. It opens with "And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites Meselemia, the son of Core, of the sons of Asaph." and closes with "And his brethren of stronger age, two thousand seven hundred chiefs of families. And king David made them rulers over…". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 26?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the divisions of the porters: of the Corites Meselemia, the son of Core, of the sons of Asaph." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 26?

This chapter mentions Zechariah, David, Nathanael, Manasses, Raphael, among others.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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