1 Chronicles24
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3 David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
4 There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight.
5 Thus they were divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
6 Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
7 Now the first lot came out to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8 the third to Harim, 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 Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19 This was their ordering in their service, to come into Yahweh’s house according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
20 Of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief.
22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
24 The sons of Uzziel: Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.
25 The brother of Micah: Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno.
27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.
28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29 Of Kish, the son of Kish: Jerahmeel.
30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses.
31 These likewise cast lots even as their brothers the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites, the fathers’ households of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
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1 Chronicles 24Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 24. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The divisions of the priests and Levites. (1-31).
vv1-31
When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.
Key Words
מַחֲלֹקֶת: a section (of Levites, people or soldiers)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אַהֲרוֹן: Aharon, the brother of Moses
נָדָב: Nadab, the name of four Israelites
אֲבִיהוּא: Abihu, a son of Aaron
אֶלְעָזָר: Elazar, the name of seven Israelites
אִיתָמָר: Ithamar, a son of Aaron
מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
1 Chronicles 24Explicitly details the death of Nadab and Abihu before Aaron without children.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, belonged to the course of Abijah (the eighth course).
Supported by Matthew Poole
The account of Nadab and Abihu dying by fire before the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Corroborates Zadok and Ahimelech son of Abiathar serving together as priests.
Supported by JFB
Relates to the weekly rotation system of the priests entering the temple.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lists the sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The ultimate deposition of Abiathar (Ithamar line) and sole appointment of Zadok.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the use of lots to distribute offices solemnly and prevent jealousy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The principle of casting lots to refer the decision entirely to God's disposal.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions Rehabiah as the son of Eliezer.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Shelomoth as the son of Izhar among the Levites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Jeriah and the other sons of Hebron.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms that Eleazar the son of Mahli died having no sons.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lists the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
Supported by Matthew Poole