Asaph, viz., for his son Joseph. In the succeeding verses the names are enumerated, sometimes with and sometimes without ל. Some of the names diverge somewhat in form. Izri, 1Ch 25:11, stands for Zeri, 1Ch 25:3; Jesharelah, 1Ch 25:14, for Asarelah, 1Ch 25:2; Azarel, 1Ch 25:18, for Uzziel, 1Ch 25:4 (like the king's names Uzziah and Azariah, 1Ch 3:12, and 2Ch 26:1); Shubael, 1Ch 25:20, for Shebuel, 1Ch 25:4 (cf. 1Ch 23:16 with 1Ch 24:20); Jeremoth, 1Ch 25:22, for Jerimoth, 1Ch 25:4; Eliyathah, 1Ch 25:27, for Eliathah, 1Ch 25:4. Besides these, the fuller forms Nethanyahu (1Ch 25:12), Hashabyahu (1Ch 25:3), Hananyahu (1Ch 25:23), are used instead of the shorter Nethaniah, etc. (1Ch 25:2, 1Ch 25:19, 1Ch 25:4). Of the 24 names which are here enumerated, besides those of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, only Mattithiah recurs (1Ch 15:18, 1Ch 15:21) in the description of the solemnities connected with the bringing in of the ark; “but we are not justified in seeking there the names of our twenty-four classes” (Berth.).
Chap. 26
Verses 1-3
1Ch 26:1-3The classes of the doorkeepers, the stewards of the treasures of the sanctuary, and the officers for the external business. - Vv. 1-19. The classes of the doorkeepers. 1Ch 26:1. The superscription runs shortly thus: “As to (ל) the divisions of the doorkeepers.” The enumeration beings with לקרחים: to the Korahites (belongs) Meshelemiah (in 1Ch 26:14, Shelemiah). Instead of אסף מן־בּני we should read, according to 1Ch 9:19, אביסף מן־בּני, for the Korahites are descended from Kohath (Exo 6:21; Exo 18:16), but Asaph is a descendant of Gershon (1Ch 6:39.). - In 1Ch 26:2, 1Ch 26:3, seven sons of Meshelemiah are enumerated; the first-born Zechariah is mentioned also in 1Ch 9:21, and was entrusted, according to 1Ch 26:14, with the guarding of the north side.
Verses 4-7
Obed-edom's family. Obed-edom has been already mentioned in 1Ch 16:38 and 1Ch 15:24 as doorkeeper; see the commentary on the passage. From our passage we learn that Obed-edom belonged to the Kohathite family of the Korahites. According to 1Ch 26:19, the doorkeepers were Korahites and Merarites. The Merarites,
