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1 Chronicles 24:3

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Chronicles 24:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
1 Chronicles 24:3 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Chronicles 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
← 1 Chronicles 24:21 Chronicles 24:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And David distributed them, etc.] The posterities of Eleazar and Ithamar into certain classes or courses: both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar; these were the two principal men of the respective families, the one was high priest, and the other “sagan” or deputy; or they both officiated as high priests alternately, until the one was removed in Solomon’s time, and the other established alone. And now their brethren the priests, who were under each of these, are the persons David divided into classes: according to their offices in their service: to perform their office as priests in the service of the temple in their turns.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Zadok . . . and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar--This statement, taken in connection with Ch1 24:6, is not a little perplexing, since (Sa2 15:24, Sa2 15:35; Sa2 20:25) Abiathar is mentioned as the person conjoined in David's time with Zadok, in the collegiate exercise of the high priesthood. Some think that the words have been transposed, reading Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech. But there is no ground for regarding the text as faulty. The high priests of the line of Ithamar were the following: Ahiah or Ahimelech, his son Abiathar, his son Ahimelech. We frequently find the grandfather and grandson called by the same name (see list of high priests of the line of Eleazar, Ch1 6:30-41). Hence…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 · 18th-century historical commentary
“Distributed - Allotting to each of them several times, wherein they should by turns have the government of holy ministrations. 1 Chronicles 24:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“24:3-6 Zadok and Ahimelech were the leaders of the two families of priests during David’s time (see 6:8; 18:16; 2 Sam 8:17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Zadok: Ch1 24:6, Ch1 24:31, Ch1 6:4-8, Ch1 6:50-53, Ch1 12:27, Ch1 12:28, Ch1 15:11, Ch1 16:39; Sa2 20:25; Kg1 2:35 Ahimelech: This was Abiathar, who appears to have had the name of Ahimelech, as well as his father. Sa1 21:1, Sa1 22:9-23; Sa2 8:17 1 Chronicles 24:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification