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1 Chronicles 24

The Divisions of the Priests

1These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

3David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.

4There 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.

5Thus 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.

6Shemaiah 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.

7Now the first lot came out to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

8the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,

9the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,

10the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,

12the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,

13the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,

14the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

15the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,

17the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,

18the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

19This was their ordering in their service, to come into the LORD’s house according to the ordinance given to them by Aaron their father, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

The Rest of the Levites

20Of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.

21Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief.

22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.

23The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

24The sons of Uzziel: Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.

25The brother of Micah: Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.

26The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno.

27The sons of Merari by Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.

28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

29Of Kish, the son of Kish: Jerahmeel.

30The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers’ houses.

31These 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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Next1 Chronicles 25

David organizes the descendants of Aaron into twenty-four priestly divisions to serve in the temple, with lots cast to ensure fair distribution between the lines of Eleazar and Ithamar. The chapter records the specific names and order of these priestly courses, establishing a systematic rotation for temple service. Additional Levitical families are also catalogued and organized through the same lot-casting process, creating comprehensive order for Israel's religious leadership.

Context

This chapter continues David's comprehensive organization of temple personnel begun in chapter 23, establishing the priestly rotation system that would govern temple worship for centuries.

Key Themes

Outline

  • 1-2
    Aaron's Surviving SonsIntroduction noting that only Eleazar and Ithamar survived to serve as priests after Nadab and Abihu's deaths
  • 3-6
    Organization by LotDavid, with Zadok and Ahimelech, divides the priestly families impartially through lot-casting, with sixteen divisions from Eleazar's line and eight from Ithamar's
  • 7-18
    The Twenty-Four Priestly DivisionsComplete listing of the twenty-four priestly courses in their appointed order, from Jehoiarib to Maaziah
  • 19
    Divine AuthorizationConfirmation that this service order follows the ordinance given through Aaron as commanded by God
  • 20-30
    Additional Levitical FamiliesGenealogical record of other Levitical descendants from the lines of Amram, Izhar, Hebron, Uzziel, and Merari
  • 31
    Equal TreatmentThe remaining Levites also cast lots for their assignments using the same fair process as the priests

The Divisions of the Priests

24:1–24:19
narrativenarrationsolemn

David organizes Aaron's descendants into twenty-four priestly divisions through casting lots. The divisions are established for orderly temple service according to the ordinance given by Aaron.

person_contrast

Aaron transforms from Moses' priestly subordinate into an autonomous authority figure whose "ordinance" governs temple organization, marking a rare biblical elevation of Aaron beyond ritual compliance.

The Rest of the Levites

24:20–24:31
genealogynarrationsolemn

Continuation of Levitical genealogies listing the remaining descendants of Levi's sons. These Levites also cast lots for their service assignments in the presence of King David and the priests.

person_contrast

David's presence during the casting of lots transforms routine genealogical record-keeping into sacred liturgical appointment, elevating administrative duty to covenant worship.

1 Chronicles 24:1

Exodus 28:1lexical

“Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to…

Numbers 3:4lexical

Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they…

Numbers 26:60lexical

To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Exodus 6:23lexical

Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, El…

Numbers 3:2lexical

These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:2

Numbers 3:4lexical

Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they…

Exodus 28:1lexical

“Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to…

Exodus 6:23lexical

Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, El…

Numbers 26:60lexical

To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Numbers 3:2lexical

These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:4

Judges 5:30lexical

‘Have they not found, have they not divided the plunder? A lady, two ladies to every man; to Sisera a plunder of dyed ga…

Exodus 26:25lexical

There shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets…

2 Chronicles 29:17lexical

Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the LORD…

Exodus 36:30lexical

There were eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets—under every board two sockets.

1 Chronicles 24:5

Joshua 19:51lexical

These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the…

Leviticus 10:12lexical

Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons who were left, “Take the meal offering that remains of the…

Nehemiah 11:1lexical

The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jeru…

1 Chronicles 24:6

2 Samuel 8:17lexical

Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe,

1 Chronicles 15:11lexical

David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Ammi…

2 Chronicles 35:9lexical

Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, ga…

Nehemiah 12:36lexical

and his brothers, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of…

2 Samuel 20:25lexical

Sheva was scribe, Zadok and Abiathar were priests,

1 Chronicles 24:7

1 Chronicles 9:10lexical

Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin,

1 Chronicles 25:9lexical

Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, he and his brothers and sons were twelve;

1 Chronicles 24:9

Ezra 10:25lexical

Of Israel: Of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah.

1 Chronicles 24:23

1 Chronicles 23:19lexical

The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

1 Chronicles 3:15lexical

The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum.

1 Chronicles 26:4lexical

Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,

1 Chronicles 26:2lexical

Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,

1 Chronicles 26:11lexical

Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

1 Chronicles 24:25

1 Chronicles 23:20lexical

The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.

1 Chronicles 24:26

1 Chronicles 23:21lexical

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Exodus 6:19lexical

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.

Numbers 3:20lexical

The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’…

1 Chronicles 23:23lexical

The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

1 Chronicles 24:30

1 Chronicles 23:23lexical

The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

Numbers 3:20lexical

The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’…

1 Chronicles 23:21lexical

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.

Exodus 6:19lexical

The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.

1 Chronicles 24:31

1 Chronicles 25:8lexical

They cast lots for their offices, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the student.

1 Chronicles 26:13lexical

They cast lots, the small as well as the great, according to their fathers’ houses, for every gate.

Joshua 21:4lexical

The lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. The children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thir…

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