Lives of Scripture

Obed-edom was one of the Levites David appointed to minister before the ark of the covenant once it reached Jerusalem. He is listed among the gatekeepers and musicians who played lyres "tuned to alamoth" as the ark was brought up with rejoicing (1 Chronicles 15:18-21, 24), and afterward David appointed him, alongside Jeiel, to minister continually before the ark with harps (16:5). Chronicles later specifies "Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun," as one of the gatekeepers set over this ministry (16:38). His household was remarkably blessed: he had eight sons -- Shemaiah, Jehozabad, Joah, Sacar, Nethanel, Ammiel, Issachar, and Peullethai -- and Chronicles states plainly, "for God blessed him" (26:4-5). His son Shemaiah's own sons became leaders in their father's house, "mighty men of valor," and in total sixty-two capable men descended from Obed-edom served as temple gatekeepers, assigned their posts by sacred lot (26:6-15). Generations later, during King Amaziah's reign, the temple treasures plundered by Jehoash of Israel are described as having been "with Obed-edom" (2 Chronicles 25:24) -- almost certainly a descendant carrying the family name and hereditary post rather than the original man himself. Whether this Obed-edom is the same Gittite who once sheltered the ark in his own home (2 Samuel 6:10-12) is debated, but either way his family's long, faithful service around the ark and temple spans generations.