1 Chronicles 24:5

“Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another, etc.] Which course should serve first, and which next, and so on; and who should be the chief to each course; which course was to serve a week, and then go out; and this method was taken to prevent envy, strife, and contention about precedence: for the governors of the sanctuary; or of the holy things, or who presided in things ecclesiastical: and governors of the house of God: or rather “governors of God”, appointed by him judges in civil things: were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar: there were, of both families, some employed both in sacred and civil things, and who presided in each.”

“Thus were they divided by lot--This method of allocation was adopted manifestly to remove all cause of jealousy as to precedence and the right of performing particular duties.”

“One sort with another - i. e., “the assignment of their order in the courses was made by lot to the families belonging to Eleazar, and to the families belonging to Ithamar, equally.” Both houses had furnished functionaries of the highest class, and therefore no preference was now given to either over the other. return to 'Top of Page'”

“By lot - That the disposal thereof might be of the Lord, and so all contention be prevented, as no man could be charged with partiality, nor could any say, they had wrong done them. In like manner Matthias was chosen to the apostleship by lot with prayer. And I know not, says Mr. Henry, but it might be still used in faith, in parallel cases, as an instituted ordinance. Of God - Or rather, of the things of God, that is, of all persons ministering in the sanctuary, and of all holy ministrations done in it, and of all other matters of the Lord, as they are called by way of distinction from, the king's matters, Ch2 19:11. 1 Chronicles 24:6”

“they divided by lot: Jos 18:10; Pro 16:33; Jon 1:7; Act 1:26 the governors: Ch1 9:11; Ch2 35:8; Neh 11:11; Mat 26:3, Mat 27:1; Act 4:1, Act 4:6, Act 5:24 1 Chronicles 24:6”

“They divided them by lot, עם־אלּה אלּה, these with these, i.e., the one as the other (cf. Ch1 25:8), so that the classes of both were determined by lot, as both drew lots mutually. "For holy princes and princes of God were of the sons of Eleazar, and among the sons of Ithamar;" i.e., of both lines of priests holy princes had come, men who had held the highest priestly dignity. The high-priesthood, as is well known, went over entirely to Eleazar and his descendants, but had been held for a considerable period in the time of the judges by the descendants of Ithamar; see above, pp. 444f. In the settlement of the classes of priests for the service, therefore, neither of the lines was to have an…”