The Exodus and the Monarchy. Although their northern homelands were far from Jerusalem, Biblical evidences show that the Gershonites shared in the central religious life of the nation. Apparently, there were recognized arrangements whereby outlying religious personnel shared in the worship of the central shrine. One hundred and thirty Gershonites helped bring the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chron 15:7; again “Gershom” for “Gershon”). A Gershonite, Asaph, the son of Berechiah, was the chief of the Temple musicians under David (16:4, 5). The later prominence of the Asaphite clan of Temple musicians prob. originates from this office. Heman, the son of Joel, is another important Gershonite official (15:17); “son of Joel” may refer to a Gershonite clan thus designated (see below). Other offices held by Gershonites are exemplified by the three clans (or three individuals; the records are not clear), Jehieli, Zetham, and Joel who were “in charge of the treasuries of the house of the Lord” (26:21, 22; cf. 23:8). “Jehiel” later appears as the name of an individual office holder (29:8). Despite the unanswered questions which these passages leave, they indicate that the Gershonites played a significant role in the centralized administration of the nation.

Though the passage should be used cautiously in view of the possibility of textual corruption, 1 Chronicles 23:7-10 seems to list ten prominent Gershonite clans who shared in regular Temple worship in David’s religious bureaucracy: The sons of Ladan (i.e. Libni) include the clans of Jehiel, Zetham, and Joel; the sons of Shemei (v. 9; perhaps the same as the Shemei descended from Libni through Jahath; cf. 1 Chron 6:39-43) include Shelemoth, Haziel, and Haran; and another group called “sons of Shemei” (v. 10) includes Jahath, Zina (Zizah of v. 11), Jeush, and Beriah.

Gershonites maintained their importance in the later monarchy. Several Gershonites participated in Hezekiah’s cleansing of the Temple (2 Chron 29:12-15). Joah, son of Zimmah, and Eden, son of Joah (“son of Zimmah” and “son of Joah” may be clan designations), are mentioned along with two Asaphites, Zechariah and Mattaniah.

Futher participation by Gershonites in public religious life is seen in the preaching of Jahaziah, an Asaphite, in the reign of Jehoshaphat (20:14ff.) and in Josiah’s Passover celebration (35:15).