Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary1 Chronicles 24

The divisions. Chapter 24 describes the organization of the priests into 24 classes (vs. 1–19), and recapitulates (vs. 20–31) the Levitical classes described in ch. 23. Nadab. The sons of Aaron are listed in the same order in 1 Chron. 6:3 and Ex. 6:23.

Nadab and Abihu died. They perished because of having offered “strange fire” before the Lord (Lev. 10:1, 2; Num. 3:4).

David distributed them. David assigned the offices with the help of two representatives of the descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar. Ahimelech. Though here named with Zadok he is not called “the priest,” but merely “the son of Abiathar” (v. 6). Abiathar had long been David’s priest and counselor, and was associated in the priesthood with Zadok in the reign of David (ch. 15:11). Abiathar had recently been implicated in Adonijah’s rebellion (1 Kings 1:7, 18, 19; 1 Kings 2:26, 27; see on 2 Sam. 8:17).

More chief men. The basis of division was according to the heads of the different families, not according to the individual members of the families.

One sort with another. Literally, “these with these.” The purpose was to determine the question of precedence in the order of ministration (v. 19) in which the priests were to serve (see Luke 1:5, 8, 9). Governors. The two types of governors here mentioned denoted religious functionaries of the highest order—chief priests. The terms may be practically synonymous, or the latter may denote high priests. Both houses had provided religious leaders of the first rank. Now the assignments were determined by lot in order that no preference might be shown to either side.

Wrote them. The list appears in vs. 7–18. There seems to be no means by which it may be determined to which of the lines individual clans belonged, whether to Eleazar or to Ithamar.

The orderings of them. That is, the numerical order established for their ministerial services in the house of the Lord. Under Aaron. That is, according to the specific order that had been fixed by Aaron. Each of the 24 classes took its turn in rotation, for the carrying out of the services in the house of the Lord.

Rest of the sons of Levi. Verses 20–31 give a second enumeration of the Levitical classes (see ch. 23:7–23). The object of this second listing may be to designate the heads of the families at a different time. The list begins with the Kohathites, but omits the Gershonites (see ch. 23:7–11).

Rehabiah. Concerning his descent see ch. 23:17.

Shelomoth. Or, “Shelomith” (ch. 23:18).

Hebron. The words “Hebron” and “first” are not found in the Hebrew of this text but have evidently been supplied by the translators from ch. 23:19.

Michah. Or, “Micah” (ch. 23:20). The Hebrew is the same in both instances.

Isshiah. Or, “Jesiah” (ch. 23:20). The Hebrew is the same in both cases.

Beno. Literally, “his son.” Some think that this clause should be connected with what follows in v. 27, and should read: “The sons of Jaaziah his son.” That is, the sons of Merari belonging to Jaaziah his son, were Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri. Others think Beno is a variant of Bani (ch. 6:46).

Eleazar. See ch. 23:22.

Over against. Heb. le‘ummah, “correspondingly to.” The meaning is that they cast lots, like their brethren the priests. The Levitical houses enumerated drew lots on equal terms with the elder families, who had no advantage over them. Junior and senior branches of the Levites were treated alike.