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Why do the gatekeepers get special recognition? Aren’t they just security guards?


Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family (the Korahites) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the tent just as their ancestors had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the Lord. 1 Chronicles 9:19
            Yes, but the importance of the job is determined by how important you believe is the thing they are guarding.  In this case it was the temple, where God Himself dwelt.  Is that important?  They also protected the rooms where the priests prepared the sacrifices to make sure nobody defiled them, counted the items as they went in and out and protected the treasuries where the offerings and priceless items were held. (Their job description found in 1 Chronicles 9:17-28)
            While God could take care of Himself and nobody can really “steal” God, the importance of the temple was shown by its security force.  The gatekeepers took tremendous pride in the responsibility and it was obviously considered a high honor.