24. The gatekeepers were stationed at the four sides, to the east, the west, the north, and the south.
25. Their brothers who lived in their own villages took turns in assisting them for seven-day periods,
26. while the four chief gatekeepers were on permanent duty. These were the Levites who also had charge of the chambers and treasures of the house of God.
27. They would spend the night near the house of God, for it was in their charge and they had the duty of opening it each morning.
28. Some of them had charge of the vessels used there, tallying them as they were brought in and taken out.
29. Others were appointed to take care of the utensils and all the sacred vessels, as well as the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense, and the spices.
30. It was the sons of priests, however, who mixed the spiced ointments.
31. Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with preparing the cakes.
32. Benaiah the Kohathite, one of their brothers, was in charge of setting out the showbread each sabbath.
33. These were the singers and the gatekeepers, family heads over the Levites. They stayed in the chambers when free of duty, for day and night they had to be ready for service.