Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
      IV. It is said of one here that though he was not the first-born his father made him the chief (1 Chronicles 26:10; 1 Chronicles 26:10), either because he was very excellent, or because the elder son was very weak. He was made chief, perhaps not in inheriting the estate (for that was forbidden by the law, Deuteronomy 21:16; Deuteronomy 21:17), but in this service, which required personal qualifications.