1 Chronicles Chapter 23
1 Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
2 He gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
3 The Levites were counted from thirty years old and upward; and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty-eight thousand.
4 David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the LORD's house, six thousand were officers and judges,
5 four thousand were doorkeepers, and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made for giving praise."
6 David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7 Of the Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei.
8 The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, Zetham, and Joel, three.
9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers' households of Ladan.
10 The sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.
11 Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah didn't have many sons; therefore they became a fathers' house in one reckoning.
12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, forever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to him, and to bless in his name, forever.
14 But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named amongst the tribe of Levi.
15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.
16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief.
17 The sons of Eliezer were: Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
18 The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief.
19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief, and Isshiah the second.
21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish.
22 Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters only: and their brothers the sons of Kish took them as wives.
23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
24 These were the sons of Levi after their fathers' houses, even the heads of the fathers' houses of those who were counted individually, in the number of names by their polls, who did the work for the service of the LORD's house, from twenty years old and upward.
25 For David said, "The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever.
26 Also the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its vessels for its service."
27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were counted, from twenty years old and upward.
28 For their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the LORD's house, in the courts, and in the rooms, and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of God's house;
29 for the show bread 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 measurements of quantity and size;
30 and to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise in the evening;
31 and to offer all burnt offerings to the LORD, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before the LORD;
32 and that they should keep the duty of the Tent of Meeting, the duty of the holy place, and the duty of the sons of Aaron their brothers, for the service of the LORD's house.
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1 Chronicles Chapter 23 Guide
David's interest in building the Temple and establishing it as the centre of worship and of the nation is not only manifest in the material preparation he made in amassing treasure, and carrying out preliminary work in getting the stones ready. He practically abdicated the throne to Solomon, that he might supervise arranging the order of worship. In this chapter the duties of the Levites are set out, and it is declared that this was among David's last acts (verse 1 Chronicles 23:27, margin).
The specific work of the Levites is beautifully described by the chronicler in the closing verses of the chapter. They were the servants of the priest and of the house. They were also to stand at morning and evening to praise the Lord. High and holy calling, this.
The morning hour of praise expressive of confidence in God and gratitude to Him for all His grace and goodness. Then the busy hours of service, all in the power of that early praise. Finally, the hymn of adoration for the guidance and goodness of the day as the shadows of the evening fell.
It was a high national ideal, and the nation which realizes it will be great indeed. Israel sadly failed later in her history, but the purpose was noble. Never was the true kingliness of David more manifest than when in those last days and acts he sought to make arrangements to consolidate around the Throne of God the kingdom he was so soon to leave.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Chronicles Chapter 23 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- David declares Solomon his successor. -- (1-23)
- The office of the Levites. -- (24-32)
Verses 1-23
David, having given charge concerning the building of the temple, settles the method of the temple service, and orders the officers of it. When those of the same family were employed together, it would engage them to love and assist one another.
Verses 24-32
Now the people of Israel were so many, there should be more employed in the temple service, that every Israelite who brought an offering might find a Levite ready to help him. When more work is to be done, it is pity but there should be more workmen. A new heart, a spiritual mind, which delights greatly in God's commandments, and can find a refreshing feast in his ordinances, forms the great distinction between the true Christian and all other men in the world. To the spiritual man every service will yield satisfaction. He will be ever abounding in the work of the Lord; being never so happy as when employed for such a good Master, in so pleasant a service. He will not regard whether he is called to take the lead, or to keep the charge of others who are placed over him. May we seek and serve the Lord uprightly, and leave all the rest to his disposal, by faith in his word.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.