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The Groups of Priests

24 The priests in the family line of Aaron were separated into groups. The groups were separated according to the sons of Aaron.

The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did. They didn’t have any sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests. With the help of Zadok and Ahimelek, David separated the priests into groups. Each group served in its appointed order and time. Zadok belonged to the family line of Eleazar. Ahimelek belonged to the family line of Ithamar. More leaders were found among Eleazar’s family line than among Ithamar’s. So the priests were separated into their groups based on that fact. There were 16 family leaders from Eleazar’s line. There were eight family leaders from Ithamar’s line. The priests were separated into their groups by casting lots. That was the fair way to do it. The priests were officials of the temple and officials of God. They came from the family lines of Eleazar and Ithamar.

Shemaiah was a Levite. He was the son of Nethanel. Shemaiah was the writer who recorded the names of the priests. He wrote them down in front of the king and the officials. The officials included Zadok the priest and Ahimelek. Ahimelek was the son of Abiathar. The officials also included the leaders of the families of the priests and the Levites. One family was chosen by lot from Eleazar’s group. Then one was chosen from Ithamar’s group.

The 1st lot chosen was for Jehoiarib.

The 2nd was for Jedaiah.

The 3rd was for Harim.

The 4th was for Seorim.

The 5th was for Malkijah.

The 6th was for Mijamin.

10 The 7th was for Hakkoz.

The 8th was for Abijah.

11 The 9th was for Jeshua.

The 10th was for Shekaniah.

12 The 11th was for Eliashib.

The 12th was for Jakim.

13 The 13th was for Huppah.

The 14th was for Jeshebeab.

14 The 15th was for Bilgah.

The 16th was for Immer.

15 The 17th was for Hezir.

The 18th was for Happizzez.

16 The 19th was for Pethahiah.

The 20th was for Jehezkel.

17 The 21st was for Jakin.

The 22nd was for Gamul.

18 The 23rd was for Delaiah.

The 24th was for Maaziah.

19 That was their appointed order for serving when they entered the Lord’s temple. That order was based on the rules Aaron had given them long ago. Everything was done exactly as the Lord had commanded Aaron. The Lord is the God of Israel.

The Rest of the Levites

20 Here are the other members of the family line of Levi.

From the sons of Amram came Shubael.

From the sons of Shubael came Jehdeiah.

21 From the sons of Rehabiah came Ishiah. Ishiah was the oldest.

22 From the people of Izhar came Shelomoth.

From the sons of Shelomoth came Jahath.

23 Jeriah was the first son of Hebron. Amariah was his second son. Jahaziel was the third. Jekameam was the fourth.

24 The son of Uzziel was Micah.

From the sons of Micah came Shamir.

25 The brother of Micah was Ishiah.

From the sons of Ishiah came Zechariah.

26 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi.

The son of Jaaziah was Beno.

27 The sons of Merari

from Jaaziah were Beno, Shoham, Zakkur and Ibri.

28 From Mahli came Eleazar. Eleazar didn’t have any sons.

29 From Kish came Jerahmeel. Jerahmeel was the son of Kish.

30 The sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth.

Those were the Levites, family by family.

31 They cast lots just as their relatives had done. Their relatives were in the family line of Aaron. They cast lots in front of King David, Zadok and Ahimelek. They did it in front of the family leaders of the priests. They also did it in front of the family leaders of the Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated in the same way as the families of the youngest.

The Musicians

25 David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun. They set them apart to serve the Lord by prophesying while harps, lyres and cymbals were being played. Here is the list of the men who served in that way.

From the sons of Asaph came

Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph. He prophesied under the king’s direction.

From the sons of Jeduthun came

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah. The total number was six. They were under the direction of their father Jeduthun. He prophesied while playing the harp. He used it to thank and praise the Lord.

From the sons of Heman came

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. All of them were sons of the king’s prophet Heman. They were given to Heman to bring him honor. That’s what God had promised. God gave him 14 sons and three daughters.

All of them were under the direction of their father. They played music for the Lord’s temple. They served at the house of God by playing cymbals, lyres and harps. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the king’s direction.

All of them were trained and skilled in playing music for the Lord. Their total number was 288. That included their relatives. Young and old alike cast lots for their duties. That was true for students as well as teachers.

The 1st lot chosen was for Asaph. It was for Joseph and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

The 2nd lot was for Gedaliah and his relatives and sons. The total number was 12.

10 The 3rd was for Zakkur and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

11 The 4th was for Izri and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

12 The 5th was for Nethaniah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

13 The 6th was for Bukkiah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

14 The 7th was for Jesarelah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

15 The 8th was for Jeshaiah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

16 The 9th was for Mattaniah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

17 The 10th was for Shimei and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

18 The 11th was for Azarel and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

19 The 12th was for Hashabiah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

20 The 13th was for Shubael and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

21 The 14th was for Mattithiah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

22 The 15th was for Jerimoth and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

23 The 16th was for Hananiah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

24 The 17th was for Joshbekashah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

25 The 18th was for Hanani and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

26 The 19th was for Mallothi and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

27 The 20th was for Eliathah and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

28 The 21st was for Hothir and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

29 The 22nd was for Giddalti and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

30 The 23rd was for Mahazioth and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

31 The 24th was for Romamti-Ezer and his sons and relatives. The total number was 12.

The Men Who Guarded the Gates

26 Here are the groups of men who guarded the gates.

From the family of Korah came

Meshelemiah, the son of Kore. Kore was one of the sons of Asaph. Meshelemiah had sons.

Zechariah was his first son.

Jediael was his second son.

Zebadiah was the third.

Jathniel was the fourth.

Elam was the fifth.

Jehohanan was the sixth.

And Eliehoenai was the seventh.

Obed-Edom also had sons.

Shemaiah was his first son.

Jehozabad was his second son.

Joah was the third.

Sakar was the fourth.

Nethanel was the fifth.

Ammiel was the sixth.

Issachar was the seventh.

And Peullethai was the eighth.

God had blessed Obed-Edom.

Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons. They were leaders in their family. That’s because they were men of great ability. The sons of Shemaiah were

Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad.

Elzabad’s relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also capable men.

All of them belonged to the family line of Obed-Edom. They and their sons and relatives were capable men. They were strong enough to do their work. The total number of men in the family line of Obed-Edom was 62.

Meshelemiah’s sons and relatives were capable men. Their total number was 18.

10 Hosah belonged to the family line of Merari. Hosah’s first son was

Shimri. But Shimri wasn’t the oldest son. His father had made him the first.

11 Hilkiah was Hosah’s second son.

Tabaliah was the third.

Zechariah was the fourth.

The total number of Hosah’s sons and relatives was 13.

12 Those groups of men guarded the gates. They worked under their leaders. They served at the Lord’s temple, just as their relatives had served. 13 Lots were cast for each gate, family by family. Young and old alike were chosen.

14 The lot chosen for the East Gate was for Shelemiah.

Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, who gave wise advice. The lot chosen for the North Gate was for Zechariah.

15 The lot chosen for the South Gate was for Obed-Edom. The lot chosen for the storeroom was for his sons.

16 Lots were chosen for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road. Those lots were chosen for Shuppim and Hosah.

One guard stood next to another.

17 There were six Levites a day on the east.

There were four a day on the north.

There were four a day on the south.

And there were two at a time at the storeroom.

18 Two Levite guards were at the courtyard to the west. And four were at the road.

19 Those were the groups of the men who guarded the gates. They belonged to the family lines of Korah and Merari.

Other Officials

20 Men were in charge of the treasures in the house of God. They were the Levite relatives of the men who guarded the gates. These men were also in charge of other treasures that had been set apart for God.

21 Ladan was from the family line of Gershon. Some leaders of families belonged to Ladan’s family line. One of them was Jehieli. 22 The sons of Jehieli were Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasures in the Lord’s temple.

23 Here are the officials who were from the family lines of Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

24 Shubael was from the family line of Moses’ son Gershom. Shubael was the official in charge of the treasures. 25 His relatives through Eliezer included his son Rehabiah. Jeshaiah was Rehabiah’s son. Joram was Jeshaiah’s son. Zikri was Joram’s son. And Shelomith was Zikri’s son.

26 Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasures that had been set apart for God. King David had set those treasures apart. Some family leaders had also set them apart. They were the commanders of thousands of men and commanders of hundreds. The treasures had also been set apart by other army commanders. 27 Some of the goods that had been taken in battle were set apart to repair the Lord’s temple. 28 Samuel the prophet had set apart some things for God. Saul, the son of Kish, had set apart other things. So had Abner, the son of Ner. And so had Joab, the son of Zeruiah. All these things and everything else that had been set apart were taken care of by Shelomith and his relatives.

29 From the family line of Izhar came

Kenaniah and his sons. They were given duties that were away from the temple. They were officials and judges over Israel.

30 From the family line of Hebron came

Hashabiah and his relatives. They were capable men. The total number was 1,700. It was their duty to serve the king in Israel west of the Jordan River. It was also their duty to do all the Lord’s work there. 31 Jeriah was the chief of the family line of Hebron. That’s based on their family history.

In the 40th year of David’s rule, a search was made in the records. That’s how capable men were found in the family line of Hebron at Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had 2,700 relatives. They were capable men and family leaders. King David had put them in charge of the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh. They were in charge of matters having to do with God and the king.

The Divisions of Priests

24 These were the divisions(A) of the descendants of Aaron:(B)

The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.(C) But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did,(D) and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests. With the help of Zadok(E) a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelek a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering. A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than among Ithamar’s, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar’s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar’s descendants. They divided them impartially by casting lots,(F) for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar.

The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelek(G) son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar.

The first lot fell to Jehoiarib,

the second to Jedaiah,(H)

the third to Harim,(I)

the fourth to Seorim,

the fifth to Malkijah,

the sixth to Mijamin,

10 the seventh to Hakkoz,

the eighth to Abijah,(J)

11 the ninth to Jeshua,

the tenth to Shekaniah,

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,(K)

15 the seventeenth to Hezir,(L)

the eighteenth to Happizzez,

16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah,

the twentieth to Jehezkel,

17 the twenty-first to Jakin,

the twenty-second to Gamul,

18 the twenty-third to Delaiah

and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.

19 This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the Lord, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

The Rest of the Levites

20 As for the rest of the descendants of Levi:(M)

from the sons of Amram: Shubael;

from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.

21 As for Rehabiah,(N) from his sons:

Ishiah was the first.

22 From the Izharites: Shelomoth;

from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath.

23 The sons of Hebron:(O) Jeriah the first,[a] Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.

24 The son of Uzziel: Micah;

from the sons of Micah: Shamir.

25 The brother of Micah: Ishiah;

from the sons of Ishiah: Zechariah.

26 The sons of Merari:(P) Mahli and Mushi.

The son of Jaaziah: Beno.

27 The sons of Merari:

from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zakkur and Ibri.

28 From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.

29 From Kish: the son of Kish:

Jerahmeel.

30 And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth.

These were the Levites, according to their families. 31 They also cast lots,(Q) just as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelek, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest.

The Musicians

25 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph,(R) Heman(S) and Jeduthun(T) for the ministry of prophesying,(U) accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.(V) Here is the list of the men(W) who performed this service:(X)

From the sons of Asaph:

Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.

As for Jeduthun, from his sons:(Y)

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,[b] Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp(Z) in thanking and praising the Lord.

As for Heman, from his sons:

Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)

All these men were under the supervision of their father(AA) for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.

Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman(AB) were under the supervision of the king.(AC) Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288. Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots(AD) for their duties.

The first lot, which was for Asaph,(AE) fell to Joseph,
his sons and relatives[c]12[d]
the second to Gedaliah,
him and his relatives and sons12
10 the third to Zakkur,
his sons and relatives12
11 the fourth to Izri,[e]
his sons and relatives12
12 the fifth to Nethaniah,
his sons and relatives12
13 the sixth to Bukkiah,
his sons and relatives12
14 the seventh to Jesarelah,[f]
his sons and relatives12
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah,
his sons and relatives12
16 the ninth to Mattaniah,
his sons and relatives12
17 the tenth to Shimei,
his sons and relatives12
18 the eleventh to Azarel,[g]
his sons and relatives12
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah,
his sons and relatives12
20 the thirteenth to Shubael,
his sons and relatives12
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah,
his sons and relatives12
22 the fifteenth to Jerimoth,
his sons and relatives12
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah,
his sons and relatives12
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah,
his sons and relatives12
25 the eighteenth to Hanani,
his sons and relatives12
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi,
his sons and relatives12
27 the twentieth to Eliathah,
his sons and relatives12
28 the twenty-first to Hothir,
his sons and relatives12
29 the twenty-second to Giddalti,
his sons and relatives12
30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth,
his sons and relatives12
31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer,
his sons and relatives12.(AF)

The Gatekeepers

26 The divisions of the gatekeepers:(AG)

From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

Meshelemiah had sons:

Zechariah(AH) the firstborn,

Jediael the second,

Zebadiah the third,

Jathniel the fourth,

Elam the fifth,

Jehohanan the sixth

and Eliehoenai the seventh.

Obed-Edom also had sons:

Shemaiah the firstborn,

Jehozabad the second,

Joah the third,

Sakar the fourth,

Nethanel the fifth,

Ammiel the sixth,

Issachar the seventh

and Peullethai the eighth.

(For God had blessed Obed-Edom.(AI))

Obed-Edom’s son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders in their father’s family because they were very capable men. The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed and Elzabad; his relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also able men. All these were descendants of Obed-Edom; they and their sons and their relatives were capable men with the strength to do the work—descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all.

Meshelemiah had sons and relatives, who were able men—18 in all.

10 Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him the first),(AJ) 11 Hilkiah the second, Tabaliah the third and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and relatives of Hosah were 13 in all.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering(AK) in the temple of the Lord, just as their relatives had. 13 Lots(AL) were cast for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.

14 The lot for the East Gate(AM) fell to Shelemiah.[h] Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah,(AN) a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. 15 The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom,(AO) and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. 16 The lots for the West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.

Guard was alongside of guard: 17 There were six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north, four a day on the south and two at a time at the storehouse. 18 As for the court[i] to the west, there were four at the road and two at the court[j] itself.

19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari.(AP)

The Treasurers and Other Officials

20 Their fellow Levites(AQ) were[k] in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.(AR)

21 The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belonging to Ladan the Gershonite,(AS) were Jehieli, 22 the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the treasuries(AT) of the temple of the Lord.

23 From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites:(AU)

24 Shubael,(AV) a descendant of Gershom son of Moses, was the official in charge of the treasuries. 25 His relatives through Eliezer: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son and Shelomith(AW) his son. 26 Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated(AX) by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders. 27 Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the Lord. 28 And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer(AY) and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.

29 From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges(AZ) over Israel.

30 From the Hebronites: Hashabiah(BA) and his relatives—seventeen hundred able men—were responsible in Israel west of the Jordan for all the work of the Lord and for the king’s service. 31 As for the Hebronites,(BB) Jeriah was their chief according to the genealogical records of their families. In the fortieth(BC) year of David’s reign a search was made in the records, and capable men among the Hebronites were found at Jazer in Gilead. 32 Jeriah had twenty-seven hundred relatives, who were able men and heads of families, and King David put them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 24:23 Two Hebrew manuscripts and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 23:19); most Hebrew manuscripts The sons of Jeriah:
  2. 1 Chronicles 25:3 One Hebrew manuscript and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 17); most Hebrew manuscripts do not have Shimei.
  3. 1 Chronicles 25:9 See Septuagint; Hebrew does not have his sons and relatives.
  4. 1 Chronicles 25:9 See the total in verse 7; Hebrew does not have twelve.
  5. 1 Chronicles 25:11 A variant of Zeri
  6. 1 Chronicles 25:14 A variant of Asarelah
  7. 1 Chronicles 25:18 A variant of Uzziel
  8. 1 Chronicles 26:14 A variant of Meshelemiah
  9. 1 Chronicles 26:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  10. 1 Chronicles 26:18 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  11. 1 Chronicles 26:20 Septuagint; Hebrew As for the Levites, Ahijah was