1 Chronicles 23
1 Chronicles 23 is part of “Temple Preparations” (22–29) in the outline of 1 Chronicles.
1 Chronicles 23 summary
David, having given charge concerning the building of the temple, in this and the following chapters settles the method of the temple-service and puts into order the offices and officers of it. In the late irregular times, and during the wars in the beginning of his reign, we may suppose that, though the Levitical ordinances were kept up, yet it was not in the order, nor with the beauty and exactness, that were desirable. Now David, being a prophet, as well as a prince, by divine warrant and direction, "set in order the things that were wanting." In this chapter we are informed, I.
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David, having given charge concerning the building of the temple, in this and the following chapters settles the method of the temple-service and puts into order the offices and officers of it. In the late irregular times, and during the wars in the beginning of his reign, we may suppose that, though the Levitical ordinances were kept up, yet it was not in the order, nor with the beauty and exactness, that were desirable. Now David, being a prophet, as well as a prince, by divine warrant and direction, "set in order the things that were wanting." In this chapter we are informed, I. He declared Solomon to be his successor, (Ch1 23:1). II. He numbered the Levites, and appointed them to their respective offices (Ch1 23:2-5). III. He took an account of the several families of the Levites (v. 6-23). IV. He made a new reckoning of them from twenty years old, and appointed them their work (Ch1 23:24-32). And in this he prepared for the temple as truly as when he laid up gold and silver for it; for the place is of small account in comparison with the work.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 Chronicles 23 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
The Levites Organized
1Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel. 2And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. 3And the Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand. 4Of these, twenty and four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of Jehovah; and six thousand were officers and judges; 5and four thousand were doorkeepers; and four thousand praised Jehovah with the instruments which I made, [said David], to praise therewith.
The Gershonites
6And David divided them into courses according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei. 8The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three. 9The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ [houses] of Ladan. 10And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they became a fathers’ house in one reckoning.
The Kohathites
12The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. 13The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, for ever, to burn incense before Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, for ever. 14But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. 15The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. 16The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. 17And the sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. 19The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 20The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.
The Merarites
21The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. 22And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brethren the sons of Kish took them [to wife]. 23The sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
The Work of the Levites
24These were the sons of Levi after their fathers’ houses, even the heads of the fathers’ [houses] of those of them that were counted, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the house of Jehovah, from twenty years old and upward. 25For David said, Jehovah, the God of Israel, hath given rest unto his people; and he dwelleth in Jerusalem for ever: 26and also the Levites shall no more have need to carry the tabernacle and all the vessels of it for the service thereof. 27For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered, from twenty years old and upward. 28For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of Jehovah, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God; 29for the showbread also, and for the fine flour for a meal-offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked in the pan, or of that which is soaked, and for all manner of measure and size; 30and to stand every morning to thank and praise Jehovah, and likewise at even; 31and to offer all burnt-offerings unto Jehovah, on the sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Jehovah; 32and that they should keep the charge of the tent of meeting, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, for the service of the house of Jehovah.