1 Chronicles 24
This chapter focuses on the divisions of the descendants of Aaron, who were set apart to serve as priests. Aaron had four sons, but two died without offspring, so the priestly duties were passed to the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar. King David, with the help of Zadok and Ahimelech, organized these descendants into twenty-four divisions to ensure an orderly rotation of service in the temple.
1 Chronicles 24:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2 And Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests.
3 Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.
4 There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their father’s houses, and eight heads of their father’s houses among the sons of Ithamar.
5 Thus they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of the house of God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar.
Aaron’s four sons were originally to carry on the priestly line, but after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar became the leaders of the priestly duties. David, working with Zadok and Ahimelech, divided the remaining descendants into divisions. Eleazar’s line had more leaders, which led to sixteen divisions for his descendants and eight for Ithamar’s. The use of lots shows that this division was made fairly, without bias, ensuring equal representation in the priestly duties, which were both sacred and administrative in nature.
1 Chronicles 24:6 (NKJV)
6 And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
This verse highlights the transparency and formality of the process. Shemaiah, a Levite scribe, carefully recorded the division in the presence of high-ranking officials and priests to ensure that the selection was documented and respected. This public record kept the process fair and accountable.
1 Chronicles 24:7-18 (NKJV)
7 Now the first lot fell 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 Jehezekel,
17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
These verses list the twenty-four divisions of the priests. Each priestly family was assigned a specific order of service, ensuring that the responsibilities were evenly spread. The order was determined by casting lots, which was seen as a way of ensuring that God guided the process. This system of rotation would continue, allowing the priestly families to serve in the temple at appointed times without any one family monopolizing the duties.
1 Chronicles 24:19 (NKJV)
19 This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the Lord according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
This verse confirms that the division of service followed the ordinances established by Aaron, in accordance with God’s instructions. It reflects the continuity of the priestly responsibilities as ordained by God and passed down through Aaron’s lineage.
1 Chronicles 24:20-31 (NKJV)
20 And the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21 Concerning Rehabiah, of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
23 Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
24 Of the sons of Uzziel, Michah; of the sons of Michah, Shamir.
25 The brother of Michah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi; the son of Jaaziah, Beno.
27 The sons of Merari by Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.
28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29 Of Kish: the son of Kish, Jerahmeel.
30 Also the sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.
31 These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses. They also cast lots just as their brothers the sons of Aaron did, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites. The chief fathers did just as their younger brethren.
These verses focus on the Levites who were not direct descendants of Aaron but still played significant roles in temple service. Like the priests, they too were divided into groups, ensuring that all responsibilities within the temple were shared and organized. This reflects the inclusivity of the Levite families in the overall service of the temple, showing that while the priests performed specific duties, other Levites were integral to the daily operations. The process of casting lots was applied to them as well, ensuring fairness in the distribution of their duties.