[26:1] These are the assignments of work for the Levites who served as Temple guards. From the clan of Korah there was Meshelemiah son of Kore, of the family of Asaph.
[26:2] He had seven sons, listed in order of age: Zechariah, Jediael, Zebadiah, Jathniel,
[26:3] Elam, Jehohanan, and Eliehoenai.
[26:4] There was also Obed Edom, whom God blessed by giving him eight sons, listed in order of age: Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sachar, Nethanel,
[26:5] Ammiel, Issachar, and Peullethai.
[26:8] Obed Edom's family furnished a total of sixty-two highly qualified men for this work.
[26:9] Meshelemiah's family furnished eighteen qualified men.
[26:10] From the clan of Merari there was Hosah, who had four sons: Shimri (his father made him the leader, even though he was not the oldest son),
[26:11] Hilkiah, Tebaliah, and Zechariah. In all there were thirteen members of Hosah's family who were Temple guards.
[26:12] The Temple guards were divided into groups, according to families, and they were assigned duties in the Temple, just as the other Levites were.
[26:13] Each family, regardless of size, drew lots to see which gate it would be responsible for.
[26:14] Shelemiah drew the east gate, and his son Zechariah, a man who always gave good advice, drew the north gate.
[26:15] Obed Edom was allotted the south gate, and his sons were allotted to guard the storerooms.
[26:16] Shuppim and Hosah were allotted the west gate and the Shallecheth Gate on the upper road. Guard duty was divided into assigned periods, one after another.
[26:17] On the east, six guards were on duty each day, on the north, four, and on the south, four. Four guards were stationed at the storerooms daily, two at each storeroom.
[26:18] Near the western pavilion there were four guards by the road and two at the pavilion itself.
[26:19] This is the assignment of guard duty to the clan of Korah and the clan of Merari.