“And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.”
King James Version (KJV)
26:12 Wards - Heb. having wards answerably to their brethren theother Levites, who were divided into twenty - four courses, as thepriests also and the porters were.
26:13 Cast lots - Determining the times and places of their service notby age or dignity, but merely by lot. Every gate - That it might beknown to whom the care of each gate was more especially committed.
26:15 Asuppim - Or, of gatherings, probably so named from theassembly of the elders, who met there to consult about the affairsof the temple.
26:16 Shallecheth - A gate of the court so called, as some think,because the ashes and filth of the temple were cast out on that side,which was the most convenient for that purpose, because that was aprivate quarter, the great ways to the temple lying on the other sides.Going up - By which causeway they went up towards the temple.Ward against ward - As one gate was over against another, the west againstthe east, and the north against the south, so one ward was over againstanother.