13 The sons H1121 of Amram; H6019 Aaron H175 and Moses: H4872 and Aaron H175 was separated, H914 that he should sanctify H6942 the most H6944 holy things, H6944 he and his sons H1121 for H5704 ever, H5769 to burn incense H6999 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 to minister H8334 unto him, and to bless H1288 in his name H8034 for H5704 ever. H5769
And Amram H6019 took H3947 him Jochebed H3115 his father's sister H1733 to wife; H802 and she bare H3205 him Aaron H175 and Moses: H4872 and the years H8141 of the life H2416 of Amram H6019 were an hundred H3967 and thirty H7970 and seven H7651 years. H8141
And the priests H3548 the sons H1121 of Levi H3878 shall come near; H5066 for them the LORD H3068 thy God H430 hath chosen H977 to minister H8334 unto him, and to bless H1288 in the name H8034 of the LORD; H3068 and by their word H6310 shall every controversy H7379 and every stroke H5061 be tried:
And did I choose H977 him out of all the tribes H7626 of Israel H3478 to be my priest, H3548 to offer H5927 upon mine altar, H4196 to burn H6999 incense, H7004 to wear H5375 an ephod H646 before H6440 me? and did I give H5414 unto the house H1004 of thy father H1 all the offerings made by fire H801 of the children H1121 of Israel? H3478
And thou shalt put H5414 it before H6440 the vail H6532 that is by the ark H727 of the testimony, H5715 before H6440 the mercy seat H3727 that is over the testimony, H5715 where I will meet H3259 with thee. And Aaron H175 shall burn H6999 thereon sweet H5561 incense H7004 every morning: H1242 when he dresseth H3190 the lamps, H5216 he shall burn incense H6999 upon it. And when Aaron H175 lighteth H5927 the lamps H5216 at even, H6153 he shall burn incense H6999 upon it, a perpetual H8548 incense H7004 before H6440 the LORD H3068 throughout your generations. H1755 Ye shall offer H5927 no strange H2114 incense H7004 thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, H5930 nor meat offering; H4503 neither shall ye pour H5258 drink offering H5262 thereon. And Aaron H175 shall make an atonement H3722 upon the horns H7161 of it once H259 in a year H8141 with the blood H1818 of the sin offering H2403 of atonements: H3725 once H259 in the year H8141 shall he make atonement H3722 upon it throughout your generations: H1755 it is most H6944 holy H6944 unto the LORD. H3068
And they shall keep H8104 thy charge, H4931 and the charge H4931 of all the tabernacle: H168 only they shall not come nigh H7126 the vessels H3627 of the sanctuary H6944 and the altar, H4196 that neither they, nor ye also, die. H4191 And they shall be joined H3867 unto thee, and keep H8104 the charge H4931 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 for all the service H5656 of the tabernacle: H168 and a stranger H2114 shall not come nigh H7126 unto you. And ye shall keep H8104 the charge H4931 of the sanctuary, H6944 and the charge H4931 of the altar: H4196 that there be no wrath H7110 any more upon the children H1121 of Israel. H3478 And I, behold, I have taken H3947 your brethren H251 the Levites H3881 from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 to you they are given H5414 as a gift H4979 for the LORD, H3068 to do H5647 the service H5656 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150 Therefore thou and thy sons H1121 with thee shall keep H8104 your priest's office H3550 for every thing H1697 of the altar, H4196 and within H1004 the vail; H6532 and ye shall serve: H5647 I have given H5414 your priest's office H3550 unto you as a service H5656 of gift: H4979 and the stranger H2114 that cometh nigh H7131 shall be put to death. H4191 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Aaron, H175 Behold, I also have given H5414 thee the charge H4931 of mine heave offerings H8641 of all the hallowed things H6944 of the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 unto thee have I given H5414 them by reason of the anointing, H4888 and to thy sons, H1121 by an ordinance H2706 for ever. H5769
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Aaron, H175 Thou and thy sons H1121 and thy father's H1 house H1004 with thee shall bear H5375 the iniquity H5771 of the sanctuary: H4720 and thou and thy sons H1121 with thee shall bear H5375 the iniquity H5771 of your priesthood. H3550
And they withstood H5975 Uzziah H5818 the king, H4428 and said H559 unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, H5818 to burn incense H6999 unto the LORD, H3068 but to the priests H3548 the sons H1121 of Aaron, H175 that are consecrated H6942 to burn incense: H6999 go out H3318 of the sanctuary; H4720 for thou hast trespassed; H4603 neither shall it be for thine honour H3519 from the LORD H3068 God. H430 Then Uzziah H5818 was wroth, H2196 and had a censer H4730 in his hand H3027 to burn incense: H6999 and while he was wroth H2196 with the priests, H3548 the leprosy H6883 even rose up H2224 in his forehead H4696 before H6440 the priests H3548 in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 from beside the incense H7004 altar. H4196 And Azariah H5838 the chief H7218 priest, H3548 and all the priests, H3548 looked H6437 upon him, and, behold, he was leprous H6879 in his forehead, H4696 and they thrust him out H926 from thence; yea, himself hasted H1765 also to go out, H3318 because the LORD H3068 had smitten H5060 him. And Uzziah H5818 the king H4428 was a leper H6879 unto the day H3117 of his death, H4194 and dwelt in H3427 a several H2669 H2669 house, H1004 being a leper; H6879 for he was cut off H1504 from the house H1004 of the LORD: H3068 and Jotham H3147 his son H1121 was over the king's H4428 house, H1004 judging H8199 the people H5971 of the land. H776
According G2596 to the custom G1485 of the priest's office, G2405 his lot G2975 was to burn incense G2370 when he went G1525 into G1519 the temple G3485 of the Lord. G2962
But G1161 when G3753 it pleased G2106 God, G2316 who G3588 separated G873 me G3165 from G1537 my G3450 mother's G3384 womb, G2836 and G2532 called G2564 me by G1223 his G846 grace, G5485
And G2532 another G243 angel G32 came G2064 and G2532 stood G2476 at G1909 the altar, G2379 having G2192 a golden G5552 censer; G3031 and G2532 there was given G1325 unto him G846 much G4183 incense, G2368 that G2443 he should offer G1325 it with the prayers G4335 of all G3956 saints G40 upon G1909 the golden G5552 altar G2379 which G3588 was before G1799 the throne. G2362
And Aaron H175 shall bring H7126 the bullock H6499 of the sin offering, H2403 which is for himself, and shall make an atonement H3722 for himself, and for his house, H1004 and shall kill H7819 the bullock H6499 of the sin offering H2403 which is for himself: And he shall take H3947 a censer H4289 full H4393 of burning H784 coals H1513 of fire H784 from off the altar H4196 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and his hands H2651 full H4393 of sweet H5561 incense H7004 beaten small, H1851 and bring H935 it within H1004 the vail: H6532 And he shall put H5414 the incense H7004 upon the fire H784 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 that the cloud H6051 of the incense H7004 may cover H3680 the mercy seat H3727 that is upon the testimony, H5715 that he die H4191 not: And he shall take H3947 of the blood H1818 of the bullock, H6499 and sprinkle H5137 it with his finger H676 upon the mercy seat H3727 eastward; H6924 and before H6440 the mercy seat H3727 shall he sprinkle H5137 of the blood H1818 with his finger H676 seven H7651 times. H6471 Then shall he kill H7819 the goat H8163 of the sin offering, H2403 that is for the people, H5971 and bring H935 his blood H1818 within H1004 the vail, H6532 and do H6213 with that blood H1818 as he did H6213 with the blood H1818 of the bullock, H6499 and sprinkle H5137 it upon the mercy seat, H3727 and before H6440 the mercy seat: H3727 And he shall make an atonement H3722 for the holy H6944 place, because of the uncleanness H2932 of the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and because of their transgressions H6588 in all their sins: H2403 and so shall he do H6213 for the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 that remaineth H7931 among them in the midst H8432 of their uncleanness. H2932 And there shall be no man H120 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 when he goeth H935 in to make an atonement H3722 in the holy H6944 place, until he come out, H3318 and have made an atonement H3722 for himself, and for his household, H1004 and for all the congregation H6951 of Israel. H3478 And he shall go out H3318 unto the altar H4196 that is before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and make an atonement H3722 for it; and shall take H3947 of the blood H1818 of the bullock, H6499 and of the blood H1818 of the goat, H8163 and put H5414 it upon the horns H7161 of the altar H4196 round about. H5439 And he shall sprinkle H5137 of the blood H1818 upon it with his finger H676 seven H7651 times, H6471 and cleanse H2891 it, and hallow H6942 it from the uncleanness H2932 of the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
And they shall eat H398 those things wherewith the atonement was made, H3722 to consecrate H4390 H3027 and to sanctify H6942 them: but a stranger H2114 shall not eat H398 thereof, because they are holy. H6944 And if ought of the flesh H1320 of the consecrations, H4394 or of the bread, H3899 remain H3498 unto the morning, H1242 then thou shalt burn H8313 the remainder H3498 with fire: H784 it shall not be eaten, H398 because it is holy. H6944 And thus shalt thou do H6213 unto Aaron, H175 and to his sons, H1121 according to all things which I have commanded H6680 thee: seven H7651 days H3117 shalt thou consecrate H4390 H3027 them. And thou shalt offer H6213 every day H3117 a bullock H6499 for a sin offering H2403 for atonement: H3725 and thou shalt cleanse H2398 the altar, H4196 when thou hast made an atonement H3722 for it, and thou shalt anoint H4886 it, to sanctify H6942 it. Seven H7651 days H3117 thou shalt make an atonement H3722 for the altar, H4196 and sanctify H6942 it; and it shall be an altar H4196 most holy: H6944 H6944 whatsoever toucheth H5060 the altar H4196 shall be holy. H6942
And I will sanctify H6942 the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and the altar: H4196 I will sanctify H6942 also both Aaron H175 and his sons, H1121 to minister to me in the priest's office. H3547
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Take H3947 unto thee sweet spices, H5561 stacte, H5198 and onycha, H7827 and galbanum; H2464 these sweet H5561 spices H5561 with pure H2134 frankincense: H3828 of each H905 shall there be a like H905 weight: And thou shalt make H6213 it a perfume, H7004 a confection H7545 after the art H4639 of the apothecary, H7543 tempered H4414 together, pure H2889 and holy: H6944 And thou shalt beat H7833 some of it very small, H1854 and put H5414 of it before H6440 the testimony H5715 in the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 where I will meet H3259 with thee: it shall be unto you most H6944 holy. H6944 And as for the perfume H7004 which thou shalt make, H6213 ye shall not make H6213 to yourselves according to the composition H4971 thereof: it shall be unto thee holy H6944 for the LORD. H3068 Whosoever H834 H376 shall make H6213 like unto that, to smell H7306 thereto, shall even be cut off H3772 from his people. H5971
And thou shalt take H3947 the anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and anoint H4886 the tabernacle, H4908 and all that is therein, and shalt hallow H6942 it, and all the vessels H3627 thereof: and it shall be holy. H6944 And thou shalt anoint H4886 the altar H4196 of the burnt offering, H5930 and all his vessels, H3627 and sanctify H6942 the altar: H4196 and it shall be an altar H4196 most H6944 holy. H6944 And thou shalt anoint H4886 the laver H3595 and his foot, H3653 and sanctify H6942 it. And thou shalt bring H7126 Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and wash H7364 them with water. H4325 And thou shalt put H3847 upon Aaron H175 the holy H6944 garments, H899 and anoint H4886 him, and sanctify H6942 him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. H3547 And thou shalt bring H7126 his sons, H1121 and clothe H3847 them with coats: H3801 And thou shalt anoint H4886 them, as thou didst anoint H4886 their father, H1 that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: H3547 for their anointing H4888 shall surely be an everlasting H5769 priesthood H3550 throughout their generations. H1755
And Aaron H175 lifted up H5375 his hand H3027 toward the people, H5971 and blessed H1288 them, and came down H3381 from offering H6213 of the sin offering, H2403 and the burnt offering, H5930 and peace offerings. H8002 And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 went H935 into the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and came out, H3318 and blessed H1288 the people: H5971 and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 appeared H7200 unto all the people. H5971
And Nadab H5070 and Abihu, H30 the sons H1121 of Aaron, H175 took H3947 either H376 of them his censer, H4289 and put H5414 fire H784 therein, H2004 and put H7760 incense H7004 thereon, and offered H7126 strange H2114 fire H784 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 which he commanded H6680 them not. And there went out H3318 fire H784 from the LORD, H3068 and devoured H398 them, and they died H4191 before H6440 the LORD. H3068
And that ye may put difference H914 between holy H6944 and unholy, H2455 and between unclean H2931 and clean; H2889
Wherefore have ye not eaten H398 the sin offering H2403 in the holy H6944 place, H4725 seeing it is most H6944 holy, H6944 and God hath given H5414 it you to bear H5375 the iniquity H5771 of the congregation, H5712 to make atonement H3722 for them before H6440 the LORD? H3068 Behold, H2005 the blood H1818 of it was not brought H935 in within H6441 the holy H6944 place: ye should indeed H398 have eaten H398 it in the holy H6944 place, as I commanded. H6680
And take H7126 thou unto thee Aaron H175 thy brother, H251 and his sons H1121 with him, from among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, H3547 even Aaron, H175 Nadab H5070 and Abihu, H30 Eleazar H499 and Ithamar, H385 Aaron's H175 sons. H1121 And thou shalt make H6213 holy H6944 garments H899 for Aaron H175 thy brother H251 for glory H3519 and for beauty. H8597 And thou shalt speak H1696 unto all that are wise H2450 hearted, H3820 whom I have filled H4390 with the spirit H7307 of wisdom, H2451 that they may make H6213 Aaron's H175 garments H899 to consecrate H6942 him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. H3547 And these are the garments H899 which they shall make; H6213 a breastplate, H2833 and an ephod, H646 and a robe, H4598 and a broidered H8665 coat, H3801 a mitre, H4701 and a girdle: H73 and they shall make H6213 holy H6944 garments H899 for Aaron H175 thy brother, H251 and his sons, H1121 that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. H3547 And they shall take H3947 gold, H2091 and blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine linen. H8336 And they shall make H6213 the ephod H646 of gold, H2091 of blue, H8504 and of purple, H713 of scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine twined H7806 linen, H8336 with cunning H2803 work. H4639 It shall have the two H8147 shoulderpieces H3802 thereof joined H2266 at the two H8147 edges H7098 thereof; and so it shall be joined together. H2266 And the curious girdle H2805 of the ephod, H642 which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work H4639 thereof; even of gold, H2091 of blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine twined H7806 linen. H8336 And thou shalt take H3947 two H8147 onyx H7718 stones, H68 and grave H6605 on them the names H8034 of the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 Six H8337 of their names H8034 on one H259 stone, H68 and the other six H8337 names H8034 of the rest H3498 on the other H8145 stone, H68 according to their birth. H8435 With the work H4639 of an engraver H2796 in stone, H68 like the engravings H6603 of a signet, H2368 shalt thou engrave H6605 the two H8147 stones H68 with the names H8034 of the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 thou shalt make H6213 them to be set H4142 in ouches H4865 of gold. H2091 And thou shalt put H7760 the two H8147 stones H68 upon the shoulders H3802 of the ephod H646 for stones H68 of memorial H2146 unto the children H1121 of Israel: H3478 and Aaron H175 shall bear H5375 their names H8034 before H6440 the LORD H3068 upon his two H8147 shoulders H3802 for a memorial. H2146 And thou shalt make H6213 ouches H4865 of gold; H2091 And two H8147 chains H8333 of pure H2889 gold H2091 at the ends; H4020 of wreathen H5688 work H4639 shalt thou make H6213 them, and fasten H5414 the wreathen H5688 chains H8333 to the ouches. H4865
And the priest, H3548 whom he shall anoint, H4886 and whom he shall consecrate H4390 H3027 to minister in the priest's office H3547 in his father's H1 stead, shall make the atonement, H3722 and shall put on H3847 the linen H906 clothes, H899 even the holy H6944 garments: H899 And he shall make an atonement H3722 for the holy H6944 sanctuary, H4720 and he shall make an atonement H3722 for the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and for the altar, H4196 and he shall make an atonement H3722 for the priests, H3548 and for all the people H5971 of the congregation. H6951
Speak H1696 unto Aaron, H175 and unto his sons, H1121 and unto all the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and say H559 unto them; This is the thing H1697 which the LORD H3068 hath commanded, H6680 saying, H559 What H376 man H376 soever there be of the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 that killeth H7819 an ox, H7794 or lamb, H3775 or goat, H5795 in the camp, H4264 or that killeth H7819 it out H2351 of the camp, H4264 And bringeth H935 it not unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 to offer H7126 an offering H7133 unto the LORD H3068 before H6440 the tabernacle H4908 of the LORD; H3068 blood H1818 shall be imputed H2803 unto that man; H376 he hath shed H8210 blood; H1818 and that man H376 shall be cut off H3772 from among H7130 his people: H5971 To the end that the children H1121 of Israel H3478 may bring H935 their sacrifices, H2077 which they offer H2076 in the open H6440 field, H7704 even that they may bring H935 them unto the LORD, H3068 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 unto the priest, H3548 and offer H2076 them for peace H8002 offerings H2077 unto the LORD. H3068 And the priest H3548 shall sprinkle H2236 the blood H1818 upon the altar H4196 of the LORD H3068 at the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and burn H6999 the fat H2459 for a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD. H3068
Speak H1696 unto Aaron H175 and unto his sons, H1121 saying, H559 On this wise H3541 ye shall bless H1288 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 saying H559 unto them, The LORD H3068 bless H1288 thee, and keep H8104 thee: The LORD H3068 make his face H6440 shine H215 upon thee, and be gracious H2603 unto thee: The LORD H3068 lift up H5375 his countenance H6440 upon thee, and give H7760 thee peace. H7965 And they shall put H7760 my name H8034 upon the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 and I will bless H1288 them.
And Moses H4872 said H559 unto Korah, H7141 Be thou and all thy company H5712 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 thou, and they, and Aaron, H175 to morrow: H4279 And take H3947 every man H376 his censer, H4289 and put H5414 incense H7004 in them, and bring H7126 ye before H6440 the LORD H3068 every man H376 his censer, H4289 two hundred H3967 and fifty H2572 censers; H4289 thou also, and Aaron, H175 each H376 of you his censer. H4289 And they took H3947 every man H376 his censer, H4289 and put H5414 fire H784 in them, and laid H7760 incense H7004 thereon, and stood H5975 in the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 with Moses H4872 and Aaron. H175
And there came out H3318 a fire H784 from the LORD, H3068 and consumed H398 the two hundred H3967 and fifty H2572 men H376 that offered H7126 incense. H7004 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559 Speak H559 unto Eleazar H499 the son H1121 of Aaron H175 the priest, H3548 that he take up H7311 the censers H4289 out H996 of the burning, H8316 and scatter H2219 thou the fire H784 yonder; H1973 for they are hallowed. H6942 The censers H4289 of these sinners H2400 against their own souls, H5315 let them make H6213 them broad H7555 plates H6341 for a covering H6826 of the altar: H4196 for they offered H7126 them before H6440 the LORD, H3068 therefore they are hallowed: H6942 and they shall be a sign H226 unto the children H1121 of Israel. H3478 And Eleazar H499 the priest H3548 took H3947 the brasen H5178 censers, H4289 wherewith they that were burnt H8313 had offered; H7126 and they were made broad H7554 plates for a covering H6826 of the altar: H4196 To be a memorial H2146 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 that H834 H4616 no stranger, H376 H2114 which is not of the seed H2233 of Aaron, H175 come near H7126 to offer H6999 incense H7004 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 that he be not as Korah, H7141 and as his company: H5712 as the LORD H3068 said H1696 to him by the hand H3027 of Moses. H4872
And Moses H4872 said H559 unto Aaron, H175 Take H3947 a censer, H4289 and put H5414 fire H784 therein from off H6440 the altar, H4196 and put H7760 on incense, H7004 and go H3212 quickly H4120 unto the congregation, H5712 and make an atonement H3722 for them: for there is wrath H7110 gone out H3318 from the LORD; H3068 the plague H5063 is begun. H2490 And Aaron H175 took H3947 as Moses H4872 commanded, H1696 and ran H7323 into the midst H8432 of the congregation; H6951 and, behold, the plague H5063 was begun H2490 among the people: H5971 and he put H5414 on incense, H7004 and made an atonement H3722 for the people. H5971
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 23 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 23
1Ch 23:1. David Makes Solomon King.
1. when David was old … he made Solomon … king—This brief statement, which comprises the substance of 1Ki 1:32-48, is made here solely to introduce an account of the preparations carried on by David during the latter years of his life for providing a national place of worship.
1Ch 23:2-6. Number and Distribution of the Levites.
2. he gathered together all the princes of Israel—All important measures relating to the public interest were submitted for consideration to a general assembly of the representatives of the tribes (1Ch 13:1; 15:25; 22:17; 26:1-32).
3. the Levites were numbered … thirty and eight thousand—Four times their number at the early census taken by Moses (see on Nu 4:1-49; 26:1-51). It was, in all likelihood, this vast increase that suggested and rendered expedient that classification, made in the last year of David's reign, which the present and three subsequent chapters describe.
by their polls, man by man—Women and children were not included.
4. twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the Lord—They were not to preside over all the services of the temple. The Levites were subject to the priests, and they were superior to the Nethinim and other servants, who were not of the race of Levi. But they had certain departments of duty assigned, some of which are here specified.
5. praised the Lord with the instruments which I made—David seems to have been an inventor of many of the musical instruments used in the temple (Am 6:5).
6. David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi—These are enumerated according to their fathers' houses, but no more of these are mentioned here than the twenty-four thousand who were engaged in the work connected with the Lord's house. The fathers' houses of those Levites corresponded with the classes into which they [Josephus, Antiquities] as well as the priests were divided (see on 1Ch 24:20-31; 1Ch 26:20-28).
1Ch 23:7-11. Sons of Gershon.
7-11. the Gershonites—They had nine fathers' houses, six descended from Laadan, and three from Shimei.
1Ch 23:12-20. Of Kohath.
12. The sons of Kohath—He was the founder of nine Levitical fathers' houses.
13. Aaron was separated—as high priest (see on 1Ch 25:1-19).
14. concerning Moses—His sons were ranked with the Levites generally, but not introduced into the distinctive portion of the descendants of Levi, who were appointed to the special functions of the priesthood.
1Ch 23:21-23. Of Merari.
21-23. The sons of Merari—They comprised six fathers' houses. Summing them together, Gershon founded nine fathers houses, Kohath nine, and Merari six: total, twenty-four.
1Ch 23:24-32. Office of the Levites.
24-27. These were the sons of Levi … that did the work … from the age of twenty years and upward—The enumeration of the Levites was made by David (1Ch 23:3) on the same rule as that followed by Moses (Nu 4:3), namely, from thirty years. But he saw afterwards that this rule might be beneficially relaxed, and that the enrolment of Levites for their proper duties might be made from twenty years of age. The ark and tabernacle being now stationary at Jerusalem, the labor of the Levites was greatly diminished, as they were no longer obliged to transport its heavy furniture from place to place. The number of thirty-eight thousand Levites, exclusive of priests, was doubtless more than sufficient for the ordinary service of the tabernacle. But this pious king thought that it would contribute to the glory of the Lord to employ as many officers in his divine service as possible. These first rules, however, which David instituted, were temporary, as very different arrangements were made after the ark had been deposited in the tabernacle of Zion.