1 Chronicles 24

NOw these are the divisions i. e. The several Branches into which that Family was divided or distributed. of the sons of Aaron: The sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priests office i. e. Were the only persons to whom and to whose Families the Execution of that Office was committed..

And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their Offices Or, courses: or, prefectures, i. e. Allotting to each of them several times wherein they or theirs should by turns have the Government of Holy Ministrations in the Temple Service. in their service.

And there were moe 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.

Thus were they divided by lot Partly to prevent that Envy or Emulation which otherwise might arise among them: and partly that all mens Minds and Consciences might be fully satisfied in the Order now established by this Divine way of Decision., one sort with another; for the governours of the sanctuary, and governours of the house of God But that is no other than the Sanctuary; and so it may seem to make this Division improper and irregular, the several Members of it being altogether the same. Or rather, of the things of God, i. e. of all persons ministring 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 kings matters, 2 Chron. 19. 11., were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.

And Shemajah the son of Nathancel 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 houshold being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar Or, the Chief (which Word is easily supplied out of the context) of one house of the Fathers was taken (to wit, by Lot) for Eleazar (i. e. out of his Family) and that which was taken after it was taken for Ithamar, i. e. out of his Family. The meaning is, that the first Lot fell to Eleazar, and the second to Ithamar; and the third to Eleazar, and the fourth to Ithamar; and so successively until all the Families of Ithamar had received their Lots And afterwards all the Lots came forth to the rest of Eleazars Families which were double in number to those of Ithamar, as was said, v. 4..

Now the first lot came forth To wit, out of the Vessel in which all the Lots were promiscuously put together, and out of which they were severally taken. to Jehoja... ib, the second to Jedajah,

The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

The eleventh to Elias... ib, the twelfth to Jakim,

The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses.

The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,

The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,

The three and twentieth to Delajah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.

These were the orderings of them in their service In this Order and Method they were to come to perform the Offices of the Temple. i. e. To come into the Temple every Sabbathday, and to continue there all the Week long until the next Sabbath, when they were relieved by others, as the Manner was: See 2 King. 11. 5. 1 Chron. 9. 25., to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner i, under Aaron their father i. e. Under the Inspection and Direction of the High-priest, whom he calls Aaron, because he represented his Person and executed his Office, and also came out of his Loyns, and their father, because of the Authority which by Gods Appointment he had over them, and that Love, Reverence, and Obedience which they owed to him., as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.

And the rest of the sons of Levi Either such as were only Levites and not Priests: or rather, such as were not named or numbred before in this or the former Chapter. were these. Of the sons of Amram, Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdejah Who being, as it seems, an Eminent Person, or having a very numerous Family, was not reckoned with or under his Fathers Family, but was accounted as a distinct Head of another Family..

Concerning Rehabiah The Son of Eliezer, ch. 23. 17.: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first By Birth, or Place. was Jeshiah.

Of the Izharite; Shelomoth Called also Shelomith, ch. 23. 18.: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.

And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first Which word is fitly supplied both out of the rest of this verse, the second, third, and fourth having a manifest reference to the first, and out of 1 Chron. 23. 19. & 26. 31. where it is expressed., Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.

The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.

The sons of Merari were, Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah The Son either of Mahli: or rather of Mushi last named: for Mahli's Posterity comes v. 28.; Beno.

The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno Whose Name is here repeated with his Brethren because he was the First-born, and Head of the rest who were all reckoned with and under his Family, as if they had been Branches of it.; and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.

Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.

Concerning Kish Another of Mahli's Sons, as appears from 1 Chron. 23. 21.: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.

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

These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron i. e. Answerable for Number and Order to those of the Priests, so as there should be a several course of the Levites for each course of the Priests. This is expressed concerning the Singers, ch. 25. and the like is implied concerning the Porters, ch. 26. and is here sufficiently intimated concerning those Levites which were employed in other Sacred Ministrations., 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 The Lots of the Elder and Younger Brethren were promiscuously put together, and the order was settled as the Lots came forth without any regard to the Age or Dignity or Number of the Persons or Families, the youngest Family having the first Course if they had the first Lot, &c..