Nehemiah 12:24
And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.
The verse belongs to the account of a great thanksgiving day at Jerusalem for dedicating the walls rebuilt after the return from the Babylonian captivity. It names the chief of the Levites, Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren stationed over against them to praise and to give thanks. They served in opposing, alternating divisions, one ward or watch over against the other, according to the commandment and order established by David the man of God.
That dedication was kept with gladness, thanksgiving, and singing with cymbals, psalteries, and harps. The priests and the Levites purified themselves and purified the people, and offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had made them rejoice. Wives and children joined in, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. Sacrifices and material giving thus belong with thanksgiving, and this dedication thanksgiving gives a pattern for a Thanksgiving program.