1 Chronicles 24:1–31
24 The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 24:2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests. 3 24:3With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4 24:4Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5 24:5They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. 6 24:6And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father’s house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.
7 24:7The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 24:8the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 24:9the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 24:10the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 24:11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 24:12the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 24:13the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 24:14the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 24:15the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 24:16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17 24:17the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 24:18the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 19 24:19These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
20 24:20And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 24:21Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22 24:22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 24:23The sons of Hebron: 1 Jeriah the chief, 2 Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 24:24The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25 24:25The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 24:26The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno. 3 27 24:27The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 24:28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 24:29Of Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30 24:30The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses. 31 24:31These also, the head of each father’s house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites.
Section Overview
The functions of the “sons of Aaron” have been set from the time of Moses, but David initiates the organization of the perpetual “ministering to” the Lord in his “house” (1 Chron. 23:13; Hb. sharat, “minister,” is used of personal attendants; e.g., Gen. 39:4; 40:4; Est. 1:10). The number of priests is large (e.g., Ezra 2:36–39 numbers 4,289 priests among the returnees), belonging to two Aaronic families: descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar, represented at the time of David by Zadok and Ahimelech. The organizing into twenty-four “divisions” and their roster is detailed in 1 Chronicles 24:1–19.
Another list of Levitical families follows (vv. 20–30), extending to a further generation the details in 23:12–23 of the Korathites and Merarites. While this may appear to be a supplement, possibly inserted later, it can also be read as another instance of deliberate chiastic arrangement that affirms close association between priests and other Levites: the Aaronic details (24:1–19) are framed by Levitical ones (23:3–32; 24:20–30; cf. 6:1–53, where the Levitical genealogies are framed by Aaronic ones). The parity between the two groups is reinforced by the concluding summary of the process of casting lots for the assignments (24:31).
Section Outline
- II.B.2.e. David’s Organization for the Temple and Administration (23:1–27:34) . . .
Response
Much of history telling (in Scripture as elsewhere throughout the ages) names only key players, usually dominant leaders. This chapter stands out in its listing of so many people in similar ministry. At a time of major transition in the life of the people of God, the Chronicler wants his hearers to know not only David’s initiative, helped by Zadok and Abiathar, but also the names of many who were designated to provide concurrent leadership in temple service. Citing the names gives weight to the importance of all: within each group, priests and Levites, each has equal responsibility and is recognized. There is inclusion of young and old (cf. Acts 2:17; 1 Tim. 4:12; 5:1). Juxtaposition of the names and process of appointment of priests and Levites, and description of the tasks, is an example of cooperation commended to his hearers. No one ministers alone.
These aspects can help us reflect on people involved in another major transition in the life of God’s people: the coming of Christ, with significance for the present. Jesus chose twelve to be with him, and all are named (Matt. 10:2–4 and parallels); a few have prominence in the Gospel accounts and Acts, but the church remembers Jesus’ words that seeking special positions of honor is the way of “the Gentiles”—the path to “greatness” is to “be slave” to the others (Mark 10:35–45). Mutual ministry is a feature in NT writings (“one another” occurs more than 50 times in the letters). Included in the major letter to the Romans is Paul’s naming individually thirty-four people (ch. 16), and “Tertius” includes his own name as Paul’s scribe (16:22). Countless people in the history of the church remain anonymous, but Paul’s writing is an example of recording names of men and women who minister in a broad variety of ways.