1 Chronicles 23:24

“These were the sons of Levi, after the house of their fathers, etc.] According to the three classes of them, as descending from the three sons of Levi: [even] the chief of the fathers; or heads of families: as they were counted by number of names by their polls; or according to their heads, one by one: that did the work for the service of the house of the Lord; the particulars of which are in (<132328>1 Chronicles 23:28-31) from the age of twenty years, and upwards; they were first numbered thirty and upwards, (<132303>1 Chronicles 23:3), but David before his death ordered they should be numbered from twenty and upwards, (<132327>1 Chronicles 23:27), because the Israelites being increased,…”

“OFFICE OF THE LEVITES. (Ch1 23:24-32) These were the sons of Levi . . . that did the work . . . from the age of twenty years and upward--The enumeration of the Levites was made by David (Ch1 23:3) on the same rule as that followed by Moses (Num 4:3), namely, from thirty years. But he saw afterwards that this rule might be beneficially relaxed, and that the enrolment of Levites for their proper duties might be made from twenty years of age. The ark and tabernacle being now stationary at Jerusalem, the labor of the Levites was greatly diminished, as they were no longer obliged to transport its heavy furniture from place to place. The number of thirty-eight thousand Levites, exclusive of…”

“From the age of twenty years - The Levites had hitherto not entered upon their regular functions until the age of thirty 1 Chronicles 23:3. Certain lighter duties were by the Law imposed on them at the age of twenty-five Numbers 8:24; but it was not until they were five years older that they became liable to the full service of the sanctuary. David appears now to have made a change. By his “last words” 1 Chronicles 23:27 the time for the Levites to enter on the full duties of their office was advanced from thirty to twenty years. This change was based upon the lighter character of the labors imposed on them now that the ark had ceased to be carried from place to place and obtained a…”

“Twenty years - As the Levites were anciently numbered from two several times, from the twenty fifth year of their age, and from the thirtieth, Num 4:3, Num 8:24. In like manner they are here numbered both from their twentieth year, when they were solemnly prepared for, and instructed, and by degrees exercised in some parts of their work; and from their thirtieth year, when they were admitted to the full exercise of their office. And the reason why they were now sooner admitted to service than they had been formerly, is given in the next verses because now their work was more easy, being wholly discharged from that burdensome work of carrying the tabernacle. Besides the people of Israel were…”

“23:24-27 In the census of 23:3, individuals were counted at age thirty, but the actual registration of the divisions included those twenty years old or older (cp. Num 1:3). The age of entry into Levitical service apparently varied over time according to need.”

“the sons of Levi: Num 10:17, Num 10:21 after the house: Num 1:4, Num 2:32, Num 3:15, Num 3:20, 4:34-49 by their polls: Num 1:2, Num 1:18, Num 1:22, Num 3:47 from the age: At first David appointed the Levites to serve from thirty years old and upwards; but considering, probably, that the temple which was about to be built, with its courts, chambers, etc., would require a more numerous ministry, he fixed this period, by this subsequent regulation, at twenty years and upwards. In the time of Moses, the age was from thirty years to fifty. here this latter period is not mentioned, probably because the service was not so laborious now; for the ark being fixed, they had no longer any burdens to…”

“Concluding remarks. - Ch1 23:24. "These (the just enumerated) are the sons of Levi according to their fathers'-houses, according to those who were counted ( Num 1:21.; Exo 30:14) in the enumeration by name ( Num 1:18; Num 3:43), by the head, performing the work for the service of the house of Jahve, from the men of twenty years and upwards." המּלאכה עשׂה is not singular, but plural, as in Ch2 24:12; Ch2 34:10, Ch2 34:13; Exo 3:9; Neh 2:16, cf. Ch2 11:1. It occurs along with עשׁי, with a similar meaning and in a like position, Ch2 24:13; Ch2 34:17; Neh 11:12; Neh 13:10. It is only another way of writing עשׁי, and the same form is found here and there in other words; cf. Ew. 16, b. The…”