1 Chronicles 24

1 Chronicles 24:1-19

We have here the distribution, 1. Of the priests, ver. 1—19. 2. Of the Levites, ver. 20—31.

1. NOW these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron: The sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office. 3. And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. 4. And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar, than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided: Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. 5. Thus were they divided by lot, one fort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. 6. And Shemaiah the son of Nehaband the Scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abanthan, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar. 7. Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8. The third to Hairm, the fourth to Seorim, 9. The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10. The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11. The ninth to Jefaniah, the tenth to Shecaiah, 12. The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13. The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jefharbaib, 14. The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15. The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphles, 16. The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel, 17. The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul, 18. The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah. 19. These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

The priests were divided into twenty-four courses, who came into waiting by turns. The family of Eleazar, being most numerous, had sixteen courses; Ithamar, only eight. That there might be no dispute about precedence, God appoints the determination to be by lot, of the order in which they should minister, v. 6—18. and these courses, though introduced probably during the reigns of wicked kings, or in the

captivity, yet subsided still at their return, and till the destruction of the second temple. In Luke I. 5. we find John the Baptist’s father of the course of Abijah, v. 10. Note, Order and regularity in God’s worship must be carefully preserved.

Babochill

20. ¶ And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jeddeiah. 21. Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isfiah. 22. Of the Izharites: Shehomoth: of the sons of Shehomoth; Jahath 23. And the sons of Hebrew; Jeriah the first, Ahimelech the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24. Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir. 25. The brother of Michah was Isfiah: of the sons of Isfiah; Zechariah. 26. The sons of Merari were, Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno. 27. ¶ The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri. 28. Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons. 29. Concerning Kish: the sons of Kish was Jerahmael. 30. The sons of Mushi, Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth. These were the sons of the Levites, after the house of their fathers. 31. These likewise cast lots were against their brethren the sons of Aaron, in the presence of David the king, and Zadok and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers, over against their younger brethren.

21. Chabad,