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 sort 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 Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, 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 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 Jeshuah, 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 Aphses,

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.

20 And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: 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 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah 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 Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; 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 son of Kish was Jerahmeel.

30 The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.

31 These likewise cast lots over 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.

Commentary

Verse 1

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Divisions - The several branches into which that family was divided.
McArther Bible Commentary
The divisions and duties of the priests are outlined. Temple worship was carefully structured, without hindering the Holy Spirit or true worship (cf. 1Co 14:40).
Bible Cross References
Exodus 6:23 1 Chronicles 28:13 2 Chronicles 5:11 2 Chronicles 8:14 2 Chronicles 23:8 2 Chronicles 31:2 Ezra 6:18

Verse 2

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Therefore, &c. - Were the only persons to whom the execution of that office was committed.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 6:23 Leviticus 10:2

Verse 3

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Distributed - Allotting to each of them several times, wherein they should by turns have the government of holy ministrations.
McArther Bible Commentary
Zadok. See notes on 1Ch 6:8, 1Ch 6:49-53. Ahimelech. This was the son of Abiathar whom Solomon released from his duties for siding with Adonijah (cf. 1 Kin. 1; 2) and the grandson of another Ahimelech, who was a priest killed by Saul (1Sa 22:11-18). Second Samuel 2Sa 8:17 confirms the Zadok and Ahimelech high priestly combination, one at Jerusalem where the ark was kept and the other at Gibeon serving the tabernacle. See note on 1Ch 15:11.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 2:35 1 Chronicles 6:8 1 Chronicles 24:4

Verse 4

McArther Bible Commentary
Priesthood duties were divided up in David's day into twenty-four divisions, sixteen of Eleazar and eight of Ithamar. The reasons Eleazar's family had twice as many divisions were that: (1) he had received the birthright since his older brothers, Nadab and Abihu, had been killed (Le1Ch 24:10); (2) he had more descendants; and (3) his descendants had more leadership ability. These divisions each served for either (1) two-week periods annually or, more likely, (2) a one-month period every two years (cf. 1Ch 27:1-15). These divisions appear again in Neh 10:2-8; Neh 12:1-7; Neh 12:12-21. These divisions extended even into the time of Christ (cf. Luk 1:5-9). The rest of the time they ministered to people in their own hometowns.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:3 1 Chronicles 24:5

Verse 5

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
By lot - That the disposal thereof might be of the Lord, and so all contention be prevented, as no man could be charged with partiality, nor could any say, they had wrong done them. In like manner Matthias was chosen to the apostleship by lot with prayer. And I know not, says Mr. Henry, but it might be still used in faith, in parallel cases, as an instituted ordinance. Of God - Or rather, of the things of God, that is, of all persons ministering in the sanctuary, and of all holy ministrations done in it, and of all other matters of the Lord, as they are called by way of distinction from, the king's matters, (2 Chronicles 19:11) .
McArther Bible Commentary
divided by lot. The ancient method of discerning God's will (cf. Pro 16:33; Act 1:26) was used to sort out all the duties, so that all cause for pride or jealousy was mitigated (cf. 1Ch 24:31; 1Ch 26:13).
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:4 1 Chronicles 24:31 1 Chronicles 26:13

Verse 6

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
One, &c. - Or, the chief of one house of the fathers was taken (by lot) for Eleazar (out of his family) and that which was taken after it was taken for Ithamar, out of his family. So the first lot fell to Eleazar, and the second to Ithamar, the third to Eleazar, and the fourth to Ithamar, so successively, 'till all the families of Ithamar had received their lots. And afterwards all the lots came forth to the rest of Eleazar's families, which were double in number to those of Ithamar.
Bible Cross References
Mark 2:26 1 Chronicles 18:16 1 Chronicles 24:7 1 Chronicles 24:31

Verse 7

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Came - Out of the vessel in which all the lots were put together, and out of which they were severally taken.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:6 1 Chronicles 24:8 Ezra 2:36

Verse 8

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:7 1 Chronicles 24:9 Ezra 2:39

Verse 9

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 6:40 1 Chronicles 24:8 1 Chronicles 24:10

Verse 10

McArther Bible Commentary
Abijah. The division of Zacharias, John the Baptist's father (cf. Luk 1:5).
Bible Cross References
Luke 1:5 1 Chronicles 24:9 1 Chronicles 24:11 Nehemiah 12:4

Verse 11

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:10 1 Chronicles 24:12

Verse 12

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:11 1 Chronicles 24:13

Verse 13

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:12 1 Chronicles 24:14

Verse 14

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:13 1 Chronicles 24:15 Ezra 2:37 Jeremiah 20:1

Verse 15

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:14 1 Chronicles 24:16

Verse 16

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:15 1 Chronicles 24:17

Verse 17

Bible Cross References
Genesis 46:10 1 Chronicles 24:16 1 Chronicles 24:18

Verse 18

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:17 1 Chronicles 24:19

Verse 19

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
These, &c. - In this order and method they were to come to perform the offices of the temple. To come - To come into the temple every sabbath - day, and to continue there 'till the next sabbath, when they were relieved by others. Aaron - Under the direction of the high - priests, whom he calls Aaron, because he represented his person and executed his office, and their father, because of the authority which by God's appointment he had over them.
Bible Cross References
Luke 1:8 1 Chronicles 9:25 1 Chronicles 24:18 1 Chronicles 24:20

Verse 20

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:19 1 Chronicles 24:21

Verse 21

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 7:3 1 Chronicles 24:20 1 Chronicles 24:22

Verse 22

Bible Cross References
Numbers 3:27 1 Chronicles 24:21 1 Chronicles 24:23

Verse 23

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 12:4 1 Chronicles 23:19 1 Chronicles 24:22 1 Chronicles 24:24

Verse 24

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:23 1 Chronicles 24:25

Verse 25

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 7:3 1 Chronicles 24:24 1 Chronicles 24:26

Verse 26

Bible Cross References
Exodus 6:19 1 Chronicles 24:25 1 Chronicles 24:27

Verse 27

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:26 1 Chronicles 24:28

Verse 28

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:27 1 Chronicles 24:29

Verse 29

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:28 1 Chronicles 24:30

Verse 30

Bible Cross References
Exodus 6:19 1 Chronicles 24:29 1 Chronicles 24:31

Verse 31

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Over against - Answerable for number and order to those of the priests, so that there should be a course of the Levites for each course of the priests.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:5 1 Chronicles 24:6 1 Chronicles 24:30 1 Chronicles 26:13