1.
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2.
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Elezar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
3.
And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
4.
And there were more 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.
5.
Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:5. Governors of the house of God— Governors of God, 1:e. the judges, says Houbigant. The ministers of religion are expressed in the foregoing words, the governors of the sanctuary. Grotius has very justly observed, that governors of God, never signify in the sacred writings those who minister to God, but governors in the common-wealth, chiefs, or judges.
6.
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel 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 household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
1 Chronicles 24:6. One principal household being taken for Eleazar— That is, one of the principal families of Eleazar was first taken, and then one of Ithamar's, and thus alternately till the whole was finished. See Houbigant's note.
7.
Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8.
The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9.
The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10.
The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11.
The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12.
The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13.
The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14.
The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15.
The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,
16.
The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
17.
The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
18.
The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
19.
These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
1 Chronicles 24:19. Under Aaron their father— The high-priest is here called by the general name of Aaron, as being his successor. The meaning is, "under the inspection of the high-priest."
20.
And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.
21.
Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22.
Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
23.
And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
24.
Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.
25.
The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
26.
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.
27.
The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
28.
Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.
29.
Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.
30.
The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.
31.
These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron 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.
1 Chronicles 24:31. Even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren— The meaning, says Bishop Patrick, is, that both elder and younger had their places by lot, not by seniority of houses: they who were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less, and all were to take their courses according to the lot that they drew.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The family of Eleazar, being most numerous, had sixteen courses; Ithamar only eight. That there might be no dispute about precedence, God appoints the determination of the order in which they should minister to be by lot: and these courses, though interrupted probably during the reigns of wicked kings, or in the captivity, yet subsisted still at their return, and till the destruction of the second temple. In Luk 1:5 we find John the Baptist's father of the course of Abijah, 1 Chronicles 24:10. Note; Order and regularity in God's worship must be carefully preserved.
2nd, The Levites, divided into the same number of courses as the priests, cast lots also to determine their order of service. When God determined their lot, there could be no room for strife. The priests are called their brethren, because, though the Levites were in a station inferior, yet they were employed in the same sacred service, and to be regarded, not as servants, but as assistants in their work.