The gatekeepers were stationed on the four sides: east, west, north, and south.
We have here a further account of the good posture which the affairs of religion were put into immediately upon the return of the people out of Babylon. They had smarted for their former neglect of ordinances and under the late want of ordinances.
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 9:14-34
For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office,.... The four chief porters who were over all the two hundred and twelve, and had one over them, Ch1 9:17, these were never changed, nor went into the country villages; but were always upon the spot, and in their office, superintending the rest: and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God; see Ch1 26:20.
1Ch 9:23-24 They (those ordained by David) and their sons (descendants) were at the doors of the house of Jahve-of the tent-house (האהל בּית is added to בּית־יהוה, in order that the latter might not be confined to Solomon’s temple); for the watch (משׁמרות of persons, as in Neh 12:9; Neh 4:3, Neh 4:16), according to the four winds (quarters) were they, i.e., the doorkeepers...
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 9:23-24