1 Chronicles 24

David divideth the Priests into 24 companies or classes, for the execution of their Officers, v.1. And he alloteth minister unto them out of the Levites, out of the tribe of the Kahathites and Merarites, 20.

1. Now concerning the children of Aaron, (these) were their divisions: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, and Abihu, Elezar; and Itharmar.

2. But Nadab and Abihu died before the face of their Father, [That is, in the presence of their Father: Or in the life-time of their Father. See Gen.11.28.] and they had no children: And Eleazar and Itharmar administered the Priests office.

3. Now David divided them, both Zadok of the children of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the children of Itharmar, [Compare herewith below.v.6.31. where it is said that they were lifted or written down, and that the lots were cast before the face of David, and Zadok and Ahimelech, &c.] according to their office [or, according to their service.

4. And of the children [That is, posterity; and so in the sequel] of Eleazar (there) were more found (to be) heads of men, then of the children of Itharmar, [To wit, as many more, as immediately followeth] when they divided them: [to wit, those that are numbered v.3.] of the children of Eleazar there were sixteen heads of (their) Fatherly houses, but of the children of Itharmar, according to their Fathers houses, (there were) eight.

5. And they divided them [To wit, those that are named, v.3.] by lots, [as for the order and distinction among them, they left that to God, who ruleth and disposeth the Lots as seemeth good unto him] these with those: For the Rulers of the Sanctuary, and the rulers of God, [that is, who were set by God over all them that ministered in the sanctuary] were of the children [that is, posterity] of Eleazar, and of the children of Itharmar.

6. And Semaja the son of Nethaneel the Scribe, (one) of the Levites, wrote them down, before the face of the king, and of the Princes, and of Zadok the Priests, and of Ahimelech the son of Abjathar, and of the heads of the Fathers among the Priests, and among the Levites; one fatherly house was taken [to wit, by lot] for Eleazar, and was likewise taken for Itharmar. [Heb. and taken for Itharmar: which some understand thus, that double or two-fold was taken for Itharmar: Others, that which was formerly taken for him, did still remain taken for him.]

7. Now the first lot came forth [The lot was drawn out of a pale or some other vessels] for Jorarib, the second for Jedaja.

8. The third for Harim, the fourth for Seorim.

9. The fifth for Melchija, the sixth for Mijamin:

10. The seveneth for Hakkoz, [Or, Koz] the eight for Ahija: [of this Abias order, or course, and of his posterity was Zacharias the Father of John the Baptist, Luke 1:5.]

11. The ninth for Jesua, the tenth for Sechanja:

12. The Eleventh for Eljasib, the twelfth for Jakim:

13. The thirteenth for Huppa, the fourteenth for Jesebeab.

14. The fifteenth for Bilga, the sixteenth for Imner.

15. The seventeenth for Hezir, the eighteenth for Happizes; [Oth. Pitses.]

16. The nineteenth for Petahja, the twentieth for Jehezkel:

17. The one and twentieth for Jahim, the two ad twentieth for Jahim, the two and twentieth for Gamul;

18. The three and twentieth for Delaja, the four and twentieth for Maazja.

19. The office of these (men) in their service was, to go into the house of the LORD [To wit, on the Sabbath, and they continued there all the week long, until the next Sabbath, and that was so continued among them by turns. See 2 Kings 11:5. and 1 Chron.9.25.] according to their appointment by the hand of Aaron their Father: [that is, so as the same law was kept and observed by Aaron, according to Gods institution as followeth. Oth. Under the hand of Aaron: that is, under the direction of Aaron; to wit, of one of Aarons posterity, that executed the high Priests office, and therein succeeded Aaron] according as the LORD the God of Israel had commanded him. [to wit, Aaron.]

20. Now of the rest of the children of Levi [Above chap.23. the Gersonites were described, here are described the Kahathites and the Meratites, which were the two other families of the Levites] of the children of Amram was Subael [chap.23.v.16. he is called Sebuel. He was Mosehs Grand-child, or sons son, and so of the posterity of Amram] of the children of Subael was Jehudeja.

21. Concerning Rehabja: Of the children of Rehabja, Jissija was the head.

22. Of the Izharites was Selomoth: Of the children of Selomoth was Jahath.

23. And of the children (of Hebron) was Jerija (the first:) Amarja the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekamam the fourth. [This verse is here thus supplied from chap.23. verse.29. and chap.26.verse 31.]

24. (Of) the children of Uzziel was Micha, of the children of Micha was Samir.

25. The brother of Micha was Jissija, of the children of Jissija was Zacharja.

26. The children of Merari [From henceforth he setteth down the rest of the sons of Levi, that were of the house of Merari] were Mahela and Musi: The children of Jaazija were, Beno. [oth. The son of Jaazija his to wit, Merari’s sons.]

27. The children of Merari by Joazija were Beno, and Soam, and Zaccur, and Hibri.

28. Of Maheli was Eleazar, and he had no children.

29. Concerning Kis: The children of Kis were Jerahmeel.

30. And the children of Musi were, Maheli, and Eder, and Jerimoth: These are the children of the Levites according to their Fatherly houses.

31. And they cast lots beside [Or, over against, answerable to] their brethren the sons of Aaron [the meaning of these words is, that there were as many companies and courses of these Levites, as there were courses of Priests, that every course of Priests might have their own company or course of Levites, to minister unto them were four and twenty courses of Priests, so there were likewise four and twenty of these Levites, whereof the greatest part are mentioned in this chapter, and the rest in the former chapter v.8,9,10.] before the face of king David, and of Zadok, and of Ahimelech, and of the heads of the Fathers among the priests, and among the Levites: The head of the Fathers against his least brother. [that is, for the least brethren, as well as for the chiefest among the Fathers. Oth. Aboth, the head; holding it to be a proper name.]