[9:17] The following Temple guards lived in Jerusalem: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, and Ahiman. Shallum was their leader.
[9:18] Down to that time members of their clans had been stationed at the eastern entrance to the King's Gate. Formerly they had stood guard at the gates to the camps of the Levites.
[9:19] Shallum, the son of Kore and grandson of Ebiasaph, together with his fellow members of the clan of Korah, was responsible for guarding the entrance to the Tent of the Lord's presence, just as their ancestors had been when they were in charge of the Lord's camp.
[9:20] Phinehas son of Eleazar—may the Lord be with him!—had supervised them at one time.
[9:21] Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was also a guard at the entrance to the Tent of the Lord's presence.
[9:22] In all, 212 men were chosen as guards for the entrances and gates. They were registered according to the villages where they lived. It was King David and the prophet Samuel who had put their ancestors in these responsible positions.
[9:23] They and their descendants continued to guard the gates to the Temple.
[9:24] There was a gate facing in each direction, north, south, east, and west, and each had a chief guard.
[9:25] These guards were assisted by their relatives, who lived in the villages and who had to take turns at guard duty for seven days at a time.
[9:26] The four chief guards were Levites and had the final responsibility. They were also responsible for the rooms in the Temple and for the supplies kept there.
[9:27] They lived near the Temple, because it was their duty to guard it and to open the gates every morning.