1 Chronicles 24:31

“These likewise cast lots over against their brethren, the sons of Aaron, etc.] These, being divided into twenty four classes also, cast lots, which class should answer to, attend upon, and serve the first course of the priests, and which the second, and so on. And this they did in the same solemn and public manner as the priests had done: in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites; as in (<132406>1 Chronicles 24:6) even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren; the sense is, either that the one stood over against the other, to be distributed by lot, the one as well as the other; or they were chosen by…”

“The principal fathers over against their younger brethren - i. e., “all the Levitical houses enumerated drew lots in their courses on equal terms, the older families having no advantage over the younger ones.” As there were 24 courses of the priests, so we must suppose that there were 24 of the Levites, though the number of the families as given in the text 1 Chronicles 23:7-23; 1 Chronicles 24:20-30 is 25. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 1 Chronicles 24". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/1-chronicles-24.html. 1870. StudyLight.org…”

“Over against - Answerable for number and order to those of the priests, so that there should be a course of the Levites for each course of the priests. Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 25”

“24:31 The Levites were organized according to the same principles as the priests (24:5-6).”

“lots: Ch1 24:5, Ch1 24:6; Num 26:56 even the principal: The whole company being ranged according to their families, with the proper number of divisions, the order of their courses was assigned them by lot, without respect to rank or seniority. Ch1 25:8, Ch1 26:13 Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 25”