The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer.
I Corinthians 9:19-23
What have we here?
For some chapters before this, and in this chapter, we get genealogies and the responsibilities for guarding the tent of the Ark of the Covenant, as well as other Levite responsibilities. Then, on to Saul's genealogy. In the next Chapter, it's all over for him.
I don't know about you, but when I start getting into these lists of names, my mind starts snoring. It doesn't care how much I scream at it to "wake up! AND PAY ATTENTION!" it takes one look at all those names and starts looking for a happy spot. Elsewhere.
The names were important to the Israelites. It put things in perspective, and for them gave a continuous link to their past and origins. It justified the status of the Levites in their society and religion. It's interesting to note that all this takes place while we're in the middle of the conflict between David and Saul, and Saul and the Philistines. It's important to the author that we get this information before moving on in the story. The Levites, these gatekeepers and other attendants were important, and this one phrase points out the direct involvement of the secular and religious leadership in the individuals' lives and duties.
Basically, the gatekeepers were called to their positions of trust and guardianship by both the legal authority (David) and the religious authority (Samuel).
What are you being called to do? How is God involved in your life and duties?
Greg Davis
