231 And David is old, and satisfied with days, and causeth his son Solomon to reign over Israel,
2 and gathereth all the heads of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites; 3 and the Levites are numbered from a son of thirty years and upward, and their number, by their polls, is of mighty men thirty and eight thousand. 4 Of these to preside over the work of the house of Jehovah 'are' twenty and four thousand, and officers and judges six thousand, 5 and four thousand gatekeepers, and four thousand giving praise to Jehovah, 'with instruments that I made for praising,' 'saith David.' 6 And David distributeth them into courses: Of the sons of Levi: of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7 Of the Gershonite: Laadan and Shimei. 8 Sons of Laadan: the head 'is' Jehiel, and Zetham, and Joel, three. 9 Sons of Shimei 'are' Shelomith, and Haziel, and Haran, three; these 'are' heads of the fathers of Laadan. 10 And sons of Shimei 'are' Jahath, Zina, and Jeush, and Beriah; these 'are' sons of Shimei, four. 11 And Jahath is the head, and Zizah the second, and Jeush and Beriah have not multiplied sons, and they become the house of a father by one numbering. 12 Sons of Kohath 'are' Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. 13 Sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron is separated for his sanctifying the holy of holies, he and his sons—unto the age, to make perfume before Jehovah, to serve Him, and to bless in His name—unto the age. 14 As to Moses, the man of God, his sons are called after the tribe of Levi. 15 Sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. 16 Sons of Gershom: Shebuel the head. 17 And sons of Eliezer are Rehabiah the head, and Eliezer had no other sons, and the sons of Rehabiah have multiplied exceedingly. 18 Sons of Izhar: Shelomith the head. 19 Sons of Hebron: Jeriah the head, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 20 Sons of Uzziel: Micah the head, and Ishshiah, the second. 21 Sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi; sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. 22 And Eleazar dieth, and he had no sons, but daughters, and sons of Kish their brethren take them. 23 Sons of Mushi: Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth, three.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:1-23
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23:1-23
(Read 1 Chronicles 23:1-23)
David, having given charge concerning the building of the temple, settles the method of the temple service, and orders the officers of it. When those of the same family were employed together, it would engage them to love and assist one another.