American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
1 Chronicles 23
2
And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
3
Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 23:24
4
Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:
Reference
5
Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
Reference
6
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 6:1
1 Chronicles 6:16
Ezra 6:18
References David
2 Chronicles 8:14
2 Chronicles 29:25
7
Of the Gershonites were, Laadan, and Shimei.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 26:21
9
The sons of Shimei; Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan.
People
10
And the sons of Shimei were, Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei.
People
11
And Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second: but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons; therefore they were in one reckoning, according to their father's house.
12
The sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 6:18
13
The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to him, and to bless in his name for ever.
Reference
15
The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 2:22
16
Of the sons of Gershom, Shebuel was the chief.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 26:24
17
And the sons of Eliezer were, Rehabiah the chief. And Eliezer had none other sons; but the sons of Rehabiah were very many.
People
19
Of the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 24:23
21
The sons of Merari; Mahli, and Mushi. The sons of Mahli; Eleazar, and Kish.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Exodus 6:19
22
And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but daughters: and their brothers the sons of Kish took them.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 24:28
23
The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 24:30
24
These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 23:3
Numbers 10:21
Numbers 10:17
Numbers 4:3
Numbers 8:24
References Lord
Ezra 3:8
25
For David said, The LORD God of Israel has given rest to his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever:
Reference
References God
1 Chronicles 22:18
Colossians 2:9
References Lord
2 Samuel 7:11
Psalm 135:21
Zechariah 8:3
2 Samuel 7:1
26
And also to the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.
Reference
27
For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above:
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 23:24
28
Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
Reference
References God
Nehemiah 13:9
29
Both for the show bread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 25:30
30
And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even:
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 9:33
31
And to offer all burnt sacrifices to the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded to them, continually before the LORD:
Summary of 1 Chronicles 23
This chapter describes David's final organization of the Levites as he prepares Israel for Solomon's reign and the construction of the Temple. David is now old and nearing the end of his life. He makes Solomon king over Israel and gathers the nation's leaders, priests, and Levites. This transition is important because David's work of establishing the kingdom is giving way to Solomon's responsibility to govern it and build the Temple.
David counts the Levites, recording 38,000 men aged thirty and older. He then divides them according to their responsibilities. Twenty-four thousand are assigned to supervise the work connected with the house of the Lord, six thousand serve as officials and judges, four thousand serve as gatekeepers, and another four thousand serve as musicians. David also provides instruments for the musicians and establishes organized praise as an important part of Israel's worship.
The chapter then records the three major Levitical families: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Their descendants are carefully listed, showing that service in Israel's religious system is organized through family lines. The descendants of Amram receive special attention because Amram was the father of Aaron and Moses. Aaron's descendants have the unique responsibility of the priesthood, while Moses' descendants belong to the broader Levitical service.
A significant change occurs as Israel moves toward the permanent Temple. David states that the Lord has given Israel rest from its enemies and that God's dwelling place will now be permanently associated with Jerusalem. Because the Levites will no longer need to transport the tabernacle from one location to another, their responsibilities can be reorganized. Their service now focuses on the permanent sanctuary that Solomon will build.
The Levites are assigned practical and spiritual duties, including caring for the sanctuary, preparing offerings, maintaining sacred areas, guarding the holy place, and assisting with worship. They are also responsible for daily praise every morning and evening and for worship during Sabbaths, new moons, and appointed festivals.
The chapter demonstrates David's careful preparation for the future. He does not simply leave Solomon a kingdom; he establishes an organized religious system capable of supporting the Temple. David prepares the people, the priests, the Levites, the musicians, and the administrative structure so that Solomon can establish a permanent center of worship in Jerusalem.
David counts the Levites, recording 38,000 men aged thirty and older. He then divides them according to their responsibilities. Twenty-four thousand are assigned to supervise the work connected with the house of the Lord, six thousand serve as officials and judges, four thousand serve as gatekeepers, and another four thousand serve as musicians. David also provides instruments for the musicians and establishes organized praise as an important part of Israel's worship.
The chapter then records the three major Levitical families: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Their descendants are carefully listed, showing that service in Israel's religious system is organized through family lines. The descendants of Amram receive special attention because Amram was the father of Aaron and Moses. Aaron's descendants have the unique responsibility of the priesthood, while Moses' descendants belong to the broader Levitical service.
A significant change occurs as Israel moves toward the permanent Temple. David states that the Lord has given Israel rest from its enemies and that God's dwelling place will now be permanently associated with Jerusalem. Because the Levites will no longer need to transport the tabernacle from one location to another, their responsibilities can be reorganized. Their service now focuses on the permanent sanctuary that Solomon will build.
The Levites are assigned practical and spiritual duties, including caring for the sanctuary, preparing offerings, maintaining sacred areas, guarding the holy place, and assisting with worship. They are also responsible for daily praise every morning and evening and for worship during Sabbaths, new moons, and appointed festivals.
The chapter demonstrates David's careful preparation for the future. He does not simply leave Solomon a kingdom; he establishes an organized religious system capable of supporting the Temple. David prepares the people, the priests, the Levites, the musicians, and the administrative structure so that Solomon can establish a permanent center of worship in Jerusalem.