241 Now the divisions into which the sons of Aaron were grouped were these: the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu came to their end before their father, and had no children; so Eleazar and Ithamar did the work of priests. 3 And David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, made distribution of them into their positions for their work. 4 And there were more chiefs among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar; and this is how they were grouped: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, all heads of families; and of the sons of Ithamar, heads of families, there were eight. 5 So they were put into groups, by the Lord's decision, one with another; for there were rulers of the holy place and rulers of the house of God among the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. 6 And Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was a Levite, put down their names in writing, the king being present with the rulers, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites; one family being taken for Eleazar and then one for Ithamar, and so on. 7 Now the first name to come out was that of Jehoiarib; the second Jedaiah, 8 The third Harim, the fourth Seorim, 9 The fifth Malchijah, the sixth Mijamin, 10 The seventh Hakkoz, the eighth Abijah, 11 The ninth Jeshua, the tenth Shecaniah, 12 The eleventh Eliashib, the twelfth Jakim, 13 The thirteenth Huppah, the fourteenth Jeshebeab, 14 The fifteenth Bilgah, the sixteenth Immer, 15 The seventeenth Hezir, the eighteenth Happizzez, 16 The nineteenth Pethahiah, the twentieth Jehezkel, 17 The twenty-first Jachin, the twenty-second Gamul, 18 The twenty-third Delaiah, the twenty-fourth Maaziah. 19 So they were put into their different groups, to take their places in the house of the Lord, in agreement with the rules made by Aaron their father, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had given him orders.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 24:1-19

Chapter Contents

The divisions of the priests and Levites.

When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.