Shemaiah
Shemaiah, a Levite gatekeeper, son of Obed-Edom, during David's reign.
Biography
Shemaiah son of Obed-Edom was a Levite gatekeeper of exceptional ability during the reign of King David. According to 1 Chronicles 26:4–8, Obed-Edom's sons were described as men of great ability, and Shemaiah is listed first among them, a mark of distinction in the genealogical record. Obed-Edom himself had famously sheltered the Ark of the Covenant for three months before its procession to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:10–12), and his household was blessed by God during that period. Shemaiah and his brothers served in the organized system of gatekeeping for the future temple, assigned to guard the sacred precincts. His father's notable connection to the Ark elevated the family's standing in the Levitical hierarchy.
Significance
Shemaiah's ministry as a temple gatekeeper illustrates the biblical principle that all roles within the worshiping community, including those that might seem subordinate, are dignified and essential. Gatekeepers were responsible for maintaining the sanctity and security of the LORD's house, a task described in 1 Chronicles 26 with the same care given to priests and musicians. The fact that Shemaiah inherited this role from Obed-Edom, a man whose household had been demonstrably blessed for honoring the Ark (2 Samuel 6:12), suggests that faithful stewardship of sacred responsibilities is passed through families and communities, blessing successive generations.
Verse Appearances (3)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]