Reflections on 1 Chronicles 24

 1 Chronicles 24(Contemporary English Version)

1. Aaron's descendants were then divided into work groups. Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2. But Nadab and Abihu died long before their father, without having any sons. That's why Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3. David divided Aaron's descendants into groups, according to their assigned work. Zadok, one of Eleazar's descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar's descendants, helped David.
4. Eleazar's descendants were divided into sixteen groups, and Ithamar's were divided into eight groups, because Eleazar's family included more family leaders.
5. However, both families included temple officials and priests, and so to make sure the work was divided fairly, David asked God what to do.
6. As each group was assigned their duties, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the Levite wrote down the name of the family leader in charge of that group. The witnesses were David and his officials, as well as Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the family leaders from the clans of the priests and the Levites.
7. Each group of priests went by the name of its family leader, and they were assigned their duties in the following order: Jehoiarib, Jedaiah, Harim, Seorim, Malchijah, Mijamin, Hakkoz, Abijah, Jeshua, Shecaniah, Eliashib, Jakim, Huppah, Jeshebeab, Bilgah, Immer, Hezir, Happizzez, Pethahiah, Jehezkel, Jachin, Gamul, Delaiah, Maaziah.
8. (SEE 24:7)
9. (SEE 24:7)
10. (SEE 24:7)
11. (SEE 24:7)
12. (SEE 24:7)
13. (SEE 24:7)
14. (SEE 24:7)
15. (SEE 24:7)
16. (SEE 24:7)
17. (SEE 24:7)
18. (SEE 24:7)
19. These men were assigned their duties at the temple, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded their ancestor Aaron.
20. Here is a list of the other descendants of Levi: Amram was the ancestor of Shubael and Jehdeiah.
21. Rehabiah was the ancestor of Isshiah, the oldest son in his family.
22. Izhar was the father of Shelomoth and the grandfather of Jahath.
23. Hebron had four sons, in the following order: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam.
24. Uzziel was the father of Micah and the grandfather of Shamir.
25. Isshiah, Micah's brother, was the father of Zechariah.
26. Merari was the father of Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah.
27. Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.
28. Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel.
29. (SEE 24:28)
30. Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans.
31. Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses.

---

Chapter 24 continues with David's organization of the priests and Levites for the duties they would have once a temple was built. All was done publicly, that is, in the presence of the existing officials, and was done impartially by lot. As lots were cast, the results were carefully recorded in the presence of the king and the officers. The appointments of priests and Levites needed to be done properly according to God's design and impartially without the designs of any individual, including the king. These religious leaders were serving both God and the people and needed to do so without any hindrances that might be brought about through partiality of appointment.