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.
Read it in contextTwenty-Four Divisions of Priests
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 24:1 (1 Chronicles 24:1 to 1 Chronicles 24:19).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
24:1Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
24:2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
24:3And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
24:4And 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.
24:5Thus 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.
24:6And 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.
24:7Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
24:8The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
24:9The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
24:10The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
24:11The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to Shecaniah,
24:12The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
24:13The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
24:14The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
24:15The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,
24:16The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
24:17The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
24:18The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
24:19These 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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution. The historical writer or compiler is commonly called the Chronicler; an exact personal identification is not certain. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Chronicles 23:1–27:34): David organizes Levites, priests, musicians, gatekeepers, treasurers, military divisions, and royal officers. The lists concern their assigned service and families. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after the Babylonian exile, reconnecting its families, worship, and identity with Israel's earlier history. Biblical references: 1 Chronicles 9:1; 1 Chronicles 9:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Twenty-Four Divisions of Priests. Read 1 Chronicles 24:1 through 1 Chronicles 24:19 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The genealogies range widely through generations; the narrative then concentrates on David and preparations for the temple. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The tribal lines and settlements range through Israel. David's reign and temple preparations concentrate on Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Twenty-Four Divisions of Priests (1 Chronicles 24:1 to 1 Chronicles 24:19).
Start reading at 1 Chronicles 24:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? David's house and promised successor belong to the royal line later connected to Jesus. Preserve the immediate reference to Solomon where temple-building responsibilities are stated. See 1 Chronicles 17:11, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Luke 1:32. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Consider faithful preparation, ordered service, and the contribution of many people to worship. Genealogies describe particular family relationships and should not be turned into a universal ranking of personal worth. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles 24
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. David arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Chronicles presents genealogies and David's reign with sustained attention to the temple, Levites, and worship. It does not name its compiler. Its selection and arrangement differ from a full chronological biography.
Connection to the wholeDavid arranges materials and personnel and charges Solomon and the people, directing the close of his reign toward the future temple.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.