1 Chronicles 23-25: Assigning Roles

Thoughts

Chronicles 23

David, old and full of days, makes Solomon king over Israel.

David gathers all Israel’s leaders and the priests and Levites.

• Levites 30 years and older are counted: 38,000 in total.
  • 24,000 appointed to oversee the work of the temple.
  • 6,000 officials and judges.
  • 4,000 gatekeepers.
  • 4,000 musicians to praise the Lord with instruments.

• Listed according to the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Gershon

• Gershon → Ladan → Jehiel (chief), Zetham, Joel
         → Shimei → Shelomoth, Haziel, Haran

Kohath

• Kohath → Amram → Aaron → (priestly line)
              Moses → Gershom → Shebuel (chief)
                      Eliezer → Rehabiah (chief, many sons)
•   → Izhar → Shelomith (chief)
      → Hebron → Jeriah (chief), Amariah (2nd), Jahaziel (3rd), Jekameam (4th)
      → Uzziel → Micah (chief), Isshiah (2nd)

Merari

• Merari → Mahli → Eleazar (no sons, only daughters → married sons of Kish)
           Kish
      → Mushi → Mahli, Eder, Jeremoth

Levites are numbered from age 20 and up (lowered from 30), their service is now to assist the priests, maintain the temple, and aid in worship, rather than bearing the tabernacle as before.

• Duties include:
  • Care of the courts, chambers, and purification of holy things.
  • Assisting with showbread, flour offerings, baked goods, measurements, and offerings morning and evening.
  • Giving thanks and praise daily.
  • Guarding the tent of meeting and performing all service in the sanctuary.

Chronicles 24

Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died without children, so the priesthood continued through Eleazar and Ithamar.

David, Zadok (descendant of Eleazar), and Ahimelech (descendant of Ithamar) organized them into divisions for service.

These were assigned by lot

List of the 24 Divisions:

1. Jehoiarib
2. Jedaiah
3. Harim
4. Seorim
5. Malchijah
6. Mijamin
7. Hakkoz
8. Abijah
9. Jeshua
10. Shecaniah
11. Eliashib
12. Jakim
13. Huppah
14. Jeshebeab
15. Bilgah
16. Immer
17. Hezir
18. Happizzez
19. Pethahiah
20. Jehezkel
21. Jachin
22. Gamul
23. Delaiah
24. Maaziah

Beyond the priestly divisions, David also assigned duties for the rest of Levi’s sons:

From Amram’s line (Moses’ family):

• Shubael (descendant of Gershom, Moses’ son).
• Rehabiah (descendant of Eliezer).

From Izhar’s line: Shelomith.

From Hebron’s line: Jeriah (chief), Amariah (2nd), Jahaziel (3rd), Jekameam (4th).

From Uzziel’s line: Micah (chief), Isshiah (second).

From Merari’s line:

• Mahli → Eleazar (had no sons) → Kish (took Eleazar’s line).
• Mushi → Mahli, Eder, Jerimoth.

Chronicles 25

David and commanders of the army set apart musicians for temple service.

• Leaders: Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (Ethan).
• Total: 288 musicians (24 groups of 12 each).

Asaph’s sons: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, Asharelah
These prophesied under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.

Jeduthun’s sons: Gedaliah, Zeri (or Izri), Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, Mattithiah
They prophesied with harps, giving thanks and praise to the Lord.

Heman’s sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel (Azarel), Shebuel (Shubael), Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.
Heman was the “king’s seer in the words of God.”

Lots were cast for duties, small and great, teacher and student alike.

Order of the Divisions:

1. Joseph (Asaph)
2. Gedaliah (Jeduthun)
3. Zaccur (Asaph)
4. Izri (Jeduthun)
5. Nethaniah (Asaph)
6. Bukkiah (Heman)
7. Jesharelah (Asaph)
8. Jeshaiah (Jeduthun)
9. Mattaniah (Heman)
10. Shimei (Jeduthun)
11. Azarel (Heman)
12. Hashabiah (Jeduthun)
13. Shubael (Heman)
14. Mattithiah (Jeduthun)
15. Jerimoth (Heman)
16. Hananiah (Heman)
17. Joshbekashah (Heman)
18. Hanani (Heman)
19. Mallothi (Heman)
20. Eliathah (Heman)
21. Hothir (Heman)
22. Giddalti (Heman)
23. Mahazioth (Heman)
24. Romamti-Ezer (Heman)

Questions

Why did David lower the service age from 30 to 20?

What did it mean for the musicians to “prophesy” with harps, lyres, and cymbals?

Application

In these chapters we see that all voices matter and there are roles for everyone. Lots were cast “for the small and the great, the teacher and the student alike. Both those who have mastered music as well are just starting are given the same value. We see the diversity in roles that David assigned- each one with a special purpose. Those at the front end are just as important as those behind the scenes. The body has many members!