1 Chronicles 16:38
along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.
along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives.

Obed-edom and the large company associated with him were appointed to serve before the ark after David brought it to Jerusalem. Obed-edom had previously kept the ark in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household during that time (2 Samuel 6:11). His continued service near the ark shows that God’s blessing led not merely to privilege but to faithful responsibility. The number of men assigned with him also reveals the ordered, communal character of Israel’s worship.

1Ch 26:4-8 And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn…
1Ch 13:14 Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom…
2Sa 6:12 Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed…

Obed-edom son of Jeduthun,

Jeduthun was one of David’s leading Levites and musicians, appointed to minister with thanksgiving and praise before the Lord (1 Chronicles 25:1–3). Obed-edom’s connection with this Levitical family places him within the established worship ministry of the sanctuary. David did not treat the ark casually after Uzzah’s death; he entrusted its care to men whose lives and households were set apart for the Lord’s service.

1Ch 15:18 and with them their brothers next in rank:…
1Ch 26:15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-edom,…
1Ch 25:1-6 Additionally, David and the commanders of the army…

and also Hosah,

Hosah was a Merarite Levite who served among the gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 26:10). The Merarites had long carried responsibilities connected with the framework and furnishings of the tabernacle. His appointment joined different Levitical families in the shared task of guarding the sacred place and supporting the worship God had ordained.

1Ch 26:10-12 Hosah the Merarite also had sons: Shimri the first…
1Ch 26:16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shallecheth Gate…
1Ch 9:17-19 These were the gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman…

were to be gatekeepers.

Gatekeepers protected the entrances of the sanctuary and maintained the order required for holy worship. Their service testified that access to God was not to be approached carelessly or on human terms. The guarded entrances anticipated Christ, who alone is the door for His sheep and the true way into the presence of God (John 10:7, 9; 14:6).

1Ch 9:22-27 The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers…
1Ch 23:5 4,000 are to be gatekeepers and 4,000 are to praise the LORD…
Neh 11:19 And the gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their associates,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Obed-edom
A Levite who is noted for his role as a gatekeeper and for housing the Ark of the Covenant. His household was blessed by God during the time the Ark was with him.

2. Sixty-eight relatives
These are the family members of Obed-edom who were involved in the service of the tabernacle, indicating a family dedicated to the service of God.

3. Jeduthun
A Levite and one of the chief musicians appointed by David. Obed-edom is identified as his son, linking him to a lineage of worship and service.

4. Hosah
Another gatekeeper who served alongside Obed-edom. His inclusion highlights the collaborative nature of temple service.

5. Gatekeepers
These were Levites assigned to guard the entrances of the tabernacle, ensuring the sanctity and order of worship.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Service
Obed-edom and his family exemplify dedication to God's service. Their roles as gatekeepers and musicians show that every task in God's house is significant and honored.

Generational Blessing
The involvement of Obed-edom's relatives in temple service underscores the importance of passing down faith and dedication to future generations.

Guarding the Presence of God
As gatekeepers, Obed-edom and Hosah were responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle. This teaches us the importance of guarding our hearts and lives as temples of the Holy Spirit.

Collaboration in Ministry
The partnership between Obed-edom and Hosah highlights the value of working together in ministry, supporting one another in the service of God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Obed-edom as a gatekeeper reflect the importance of every position in the service of God?

2. In what ways can we, like Obed-edom, ensure that our homes are places where God's presence is welcomed and honored?

3. How can the example of Obed-edom's family inspire us to involve our own families in the service of God?

4. What are some practical ways we can guard our hearts and lives as temples of the Holy Spirit, similar to the gatekeepers of the tabernacle?

5. How does the collaboration between Obed-edom and Hosah encourage us to work together in our church communities and ministries?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 6:11-12
This passage describes how the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the house of Obed-edom, and how God blessed his household. This connection highlights the faithfulness and blessing associated with Obed-edom.

1 Chronicles 15:18, 24
These verses list Obed-edom among the gatekeepers and musicians, emphasizing his multifaceted role in temple service.

Psalm 84:10
This verse speaks to the honor and blessing of being a doorkeeper in the house of God, which relates to the role of Obed-edom and his family.
David's Thanksgiving PsalmF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 16:1-43
Regular Divine ServiceW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 36-43
People
Asaph, Benaiah, David, Eliab, Gibeon, Heman, Hosah, Isaac, Jacob, Jahaziel, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jeiel, Levites, Mattithiah, Obededom, Shemiramoth, Uzziel, Zadok, Zechariah
Places
Canaan, Gibeon, Jerusalem
Topics
Associates, Brethren, Brothers, Doorkeepers, Door-keepers, Eight, Gatekeepers, Hosah, Jedithun, Jeduthun, Jedu'thun, Minister, Obededom, Obed-edom, O'bed-e'dom, Porters, Sixty, Sixty-eight, Threescore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 16:38

     6214   participation, in Christ

1 Chronicles 16:37-38

     5324   gatekeepers

1 Chronicles 16:37-42

     8625   worship, acceptable attitudes

Library
Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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