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1 Chronicles Chapter 24
David Organizes the Priests
- 1Chronicles 24:1 Now
these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron;
Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
- 2 But Nadab and
Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore
Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
They offered a strange fire before the
Lord which was not according to the instructions given by God
through Moses. Everything had to be perfect because the perfect
sacrifice for the sins of all mankind had to be perfect in order for
it to count for all believers. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice of
which the Old Testament sacrifices were a type and shadow of. They
couldn't offer even one blemished lamb for the lamb of God had to
die in our place without any sin. If Jesus would have given into
just one sin, we humans would have no way to be saved from hell. The
innocent lamb of God died in our place ushering in eternal life
with God. This of course is given to those that receive Him (Jesus). Those that offered sacrifices in
the Old Testament were exercising their faith in the one to come.
That is why Abel's sacrifice was excepted and Cain's was rejected
that we read in the first few chapters of Genesis. We must look to
God for our salvation, not in our own good works.
- 1Chronicles 24:3 And
David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and
Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in
their service.
- 4 And there were
more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of
Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar
there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and
eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their
fathers.
- 5 Thus were they
divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the
sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons
of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
How wise David was to prevent envy and
division among these chief men and priests. David was trying his
best to prevent a lot of problems for Solomon to solve. He probably
was also trying to prevent what happened the first time he tried to
move the ark of the covenant. A man died for touching it when it was
not moved according to the law of Moses. David didn't want the grief
and trouble he suffered to come upon Solomon.
- 1 Chronicles 24:6
And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the
Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok
the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the
chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal
household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
- 1Chronicles 24:7 Now
the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
Casting lots was to find out the will of God
in choosing someone when they were not sure of who was best to
choose. It also helped prevent jealousy which would happen if David
had of just picked who he liked the best. Sort of like when we draw
names from a jar to see who wins a prize.
Before the day of Pentecost when God
sent the Holy Spirit upon all believers in Jesus, casting lots was a
common practice among the Jews. After the Holy Spirit came, God was
able to communicate to us by the Holy Spirit. We still may vote in
those that serve in church offices and such but prayer and seeking
the will of God is the best way to make decisions.
- 1Chronicles 24:8 The
third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
- 9 The fifth to
Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
- 10 The seventh to
Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
- 11 The ninth to
Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
- 12 The eleventh to
Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
- 13 The thirteenth to
Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
- 14 The fifteenth to
Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
- 15 The seventeenth
to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,
- 16 The nineteenth to
Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
- 17 The one and
twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
- 18 The three and
twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
- 19 These were the
orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the
LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as
the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
Apparently they took turns and served
in their duties in an orderly fashion. Choosing by lots showed their
own duty and timing so that this was done according to the law given
to Moses and it wouldn't be in an unorderly fashion and be done
without reverence. David has a lot of wisdom in doing things the way
God had ordained it.
Notice the division into 24 orders
among the priests and Levites.
- 1Chronicles 24:21
Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was
Isshiah.
- 22 Of the Izharites;
Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
- 23 And the sons of
Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the
third, Jekameam the fourth.
- 24 Of the sons of
Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.
- 25 The brother of
Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
- 26 The sons of
Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.
- 27 The sons of
Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
- 28 Of Mahli came
Eleazar, who had no sons.
- 29 Concerning Kish:
the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.
This was not the Kish that was the
father of King Saul. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin.
- 1Chronicles 24:30
The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These
were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.
- 1Chronicles 24:31
These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of
Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and
Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and
Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger
brethren.
This had to have taken a great deal of time
and patience on the part of David and the others standing by. It
showed great reverence and awe to see them exercise great care to do
all according to what was right.
1 Chronicles
Chapter 25
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