1 Now these are the divisions H4256 of the sons H1121 of Aaron. H175 The sons H1121 of Aaron; H175 Nadab, H5070 and Abihu, H30 Eleazar, H499 and Ithamar. H385
And Aaron H175 took H3947 him Elisheba, H472 daughter H1323 of Amminadab, H5992 sister H269 of Naashon, H5177 to wife; H802 and she bare H3205 him Nadab, H5070 and Abihu, H30 Eleazar, H499 and Ithamar. H385
And David H1732 divided H2505 them into courses H4256 among the sons H1121 of Levi, H3878 namely, Gershon, H1648 Kohath, H6955 and Merari. H4847
And take H7126 thou unto thee Aaron H175 thy brother, H251 and his sons H1121 with him, from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, H3547 even Aaron, H175 Nadab H5070 and Abihu, H30 Eleazar H499 and Ithamar, H385 Aaron's H175 sons. H1121
And Nadab H5070 and Abihu, H30 the sons H1121 of Aaron, H175 took H3947 either H376 of them his censer, H4289 and put H5414 fire H784 therein, H2004 and put H7760 incense H7004 thereon, and offered H7126 strange H2114 fire H784 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 which he commanded H6680 them not. And there went out H3318 fire H784 from the LORD, H3068 and devoured H398 them, and they died H4191 before H6440 the LORD. H3068 Then Moses H4872 said H559 unto Aaron, H175 This is it that the LORD H3068 spake, H1696 saying, H559 I will be sanctified H6942 in them that come nigh H7138 me, and before H6440 all the people H5971 I will be glorified. H3513 And Aaron H175 held his peace. H1826 And Moses H4872 called H7121 Mishael H4332 and Elzaphan, H469 the sons H1121 of Uzziel H5816 the uncle H1730 of Aaron, H175 and said H559 unto them, Come near, H7126 carry H5375 your brethren H251 from before H6440 the sanctuary H6944 out H2351 of the camp. H4264 So they went near, H7126 and carried H5375 them in their coats H3801 out H2351 of the camp; H4264 as Moses H4872 had said. H1696 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto Aaron, H175 and unto Eleazar H499 and unto Ithamar, H385 his sons, H1121 Uncover H6544 not your heads, H7218 neither rend H6533 your clothes; H899 lest ye die, H4191 and lest wrath H7107 come upon all the people: H5712 but let your brethren, H251 the whole house H1004 of Israel, H3478 bewail H1058 the burning H8316 which the LORD H3068 hath kindled. H8313
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 24
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 24 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 24
This chapter gives us a more particular account of the distribution of the priests and Levites into their respective classes, for the more regular discharge of the duties of their offices, according to their families.
1Ch 24:1-19
The particular account of these establishments is of little use to us now; but, when Ezra published it, it was of great use to direct their church affairs after their return from captivity into the old channel again. The title of this record we have v. 1-These are the divisions of the sons of Aaron, not by which they divided one from another, or were at variance one with another (it is a pity there should ever be any such divisions among the sons of Israel, but especially among the sons of Aaron), but the distribution of them in order to the dividing of their work among themselves; it was a division which God made, and was made for him.
1Ch 24:20-31
Most of the Levites here named were mentioned before, ch. 23:16, etc. They were of those who were to attend the priests in the service of the house of God. But they are here mentioned again as heads of the twenty-four courses of Levites (and about so many are here named), who were to attend the twenty-four courses of the priests: they are therefore said to cast lots over against their brethren (so they are called, not their lords), the sons of Aaron, who were not to lord it over God's clergy, as the original word is, 1 Pt. 5:3. And, that the whole disposal of the affair might be of the Lord, the principal fathers cast lots over against their younger brethren; that is, those that were of the elder house came upon the level with those of the younger families, and took their place, not by seniority, but as God by the lot directed. Note, In Christ no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if they be faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the principal fathers.