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1 Chronicles Chapter 24

Old Testament Historical 31 Verses

What is 1 Chronicles 24 about?

A priestly perspective on David's reign, his gathering of Temple materials, and preparations for Solomon's building project. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And the courses of the sons of Aaron [were these]. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest`s office.
3And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
4And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and [thus] were they divided: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers` houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers` houses, eight.
5Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for there were princes of the sanctuary, and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
6And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers` [houses] of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers` house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
7Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17the one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
18the three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
19This was the ordering of them in their service, to come into the house of Jehovah according to the ordinance [given] unto them by Aaron their father, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
20And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah.
21Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief.
22Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath.
23And the sons [of Hebron]: Jeriah [the chief], Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
24The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir.
25The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.
26The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; the sons of Jaaziah: Beno.
27The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
28Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29Of Kish; the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel.
30And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after their fathers` houses.
31These likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers` [houses] of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers` [houses] of the chief even as those of his younger brother.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron, etc.] Into the classes or courses following: the sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar; (<130603>1 Chronicles 6:3), these were the immediate sons of Aaron; but the division or distribution of them into classes are of their posterity in the times of David, who descended from the two latter.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“DIVISION OF THE SONS OF AARON INTO FOUR AND TWENTY ORDERS. (1Ch. 24:1-19) Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron--(See on Ch1 23:6).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 3
“Zadok and Ahimelech (rather Abiathar, see 1 Chronicles 24:6) assisted David in drawing up the priestly courses, as the “captains of the host” assisted him in making the divisions of the singers 1 Chronicles 25:1. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Divisions - The several branches into which that family was divided. 1 Chronicles 24:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“24:1-19 The information about the priests’ duties includes only their organization into orders and the assignment of their responsibilities by casting lots. The Chronicler does not explain their duties because they had long been solidly established (see Exod 28:1-5; Lev 1–7; Num 6:22-27). 24:1-2 The organization of the priests into their divisions for service began with Aaron’s sons Eleazar and Ithamar; all of Israel’s priests were descended from these two men.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“the divisions: Ch1 23:6 \*marg. The sons: Ch1 6:3; Exo 6:23, Exo 28:1; Lev 10:1-6; Num 3:2, Num 26:60 1 Chronicles 24:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The division of the priests and Levites into classes. - Vv. 1-19. The twenty-four classes of priests. After the statement as to the fathers'-houses of the Levites (1 Chron 23), we have next the arrangements of the priests for the performance of the service in the sanctuary; the priestly families descended from Aaron's sons Eleazar and Ithamar being divided into twenty-four classes, the order of whose service was settled by lot. Ch1 24:1 contains the superscription, "As for the sons of Aaron, their divisions (were these)." To make the division clear, we have an introductory notice of Aaron's descendants, to the…”
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