These are the gatekeepers from the Merari family. There was Hosah. Shimri was chosen to be the first son. Shimri was not really the oldest, but his father chose him to be the firstborn {\cf2\super [285]} son.
Jehoshaphat gave his sons many gifts of silver, gold, and precious things. He also gave them strong fortresses {\cf2\super [242]} in Judah. But Jehoshaphat gave the kingdom to Jehoram because Jehoram was his oldest son.
God knew those people before he made the world. And God decided that those people would be like his Son (Jesus). Then Jesus would be the firstborn {\cf2\super [69]} of many brothers and sisters.
“A man might have two wives. And he might love one wife more than the other. Both wives might have children for him. And the first child might be the child of the wife he does not love.
The man must accept the first child, the son of the wife he doesn’t love. The man must give the first son a double share of all his things. Why? Because that child is his first child. The right of the firstborn [130] child belongs to that child.
Brothers and sisters, continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.