241 Now the divisions of the descendants of Aaron were these: the sons of Aaron were Nadab , Abihu , Eleazar and Ithamar . 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no sons . So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests . 3 David , with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar , divided them according to their offices for their ministry . 4 Since more chief men were found from the descendants of Eleazar than the descendants of Ithamar , they divided them thus: there were sixteen e heads of fathers' households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar , according to their fathers' households . 5 Thus they were divided by lot , the one as the other ; for they were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God , both from the descendants of Eleazar and the descendants of Ithamar . 6 Shemaiah , the son of Nethanel the scribe , from the Levites , recorded them in the presence of the king , the princes , Zadok the priest , Ahimelech the son of Abiathar , and the heads of the fathers' households of the priests and of the Levites ; one father's household taken for Eleazar and one taken for Ithamar . 7 Now the first lot came out for Jehoiarib , the second for Jedaiah , 8 the third for Harim , the fourth for Seorim , 9 the fifth for Malchijah , the sixth for Mijamin , 10 the seventh for Hakkoz , the eighth for Abijah , 11 the ninth for Jeshua , the tenth for Shecaniah , 12 the eleventh e for Eliashib , the twelfth e for Jakim , 13 the thirteenth e for Huppah , the fourteenth e for Jeshebeab , 14 the fifteenth e for Bilgah , the sixteenth e for Immer , 15 the seventeenth e for Hezir , the eighteenth e for Happizzez , 16 the nineteenth e for Pethahiah , the twentieth for Jehezkel , 17 the twenty-first e for Jachin , the twenty-second e for Gamul , 18 the twenty-third e for Delaiah , the twenty-fourth e for Maaziah . 19 These were their offices for their ministry when they came in to the house of the Lord according to the ordinance given to them through Aaron their father , just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.
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.