דברי הימים א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ל״ח

King David carefully organized the duties of the Levites at the tent where the Ark of God rested, assigning specific roles to ensure the sacred space was properly maintained and honored. The family of Oved-Edom was divided into two distinct groups, each serving a unique function. One large group, numbering sixty-eight men, was assigned to join Asaph as singers for the holy service [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This group was not limited strictly to Oved-Edom's literal brothers, but included his sons and extended family members as well [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

A question arises regarding the exact count of this family, as a later record lists them as numbering only sixty-two men. To resolve this difference, two explanations are offered [מלבי״ם]. One approach suggests that six members of the family died in a plague that struck during that period. An alternative view proposes that the original count of sixty-eight was not solely the family of Oved-Edom, but rather a combined total that included the family of Hosah, a group that would later grow significantly in number.

While the majority of Oved-Edom's extended family devoted themselves to song, a specific distinction was made for Oved-Edom the son of Yedutun, along with Hosah. These two men were separated from the singers and explicitly appointed to serve as guards [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Their vital duty was to stand watch as gatekeepers, protecting the entrances to the tent housing the Ark [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].