Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 24:1 Now [these are] the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Ver. 1. Now these are the divisions,] i.e., The distinct orders and courses.

1 Chronicles 24:2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office.

Ver. 2. But Nadab and Abihu died.] And, as it is thought, in their drunkenness, to the great grief of their father Aaron. See Leviticus 10:2-9, {See Trapp on "Leviticus 10:2"} &c

1 Chronicles 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.

Ver. 3. And Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar.] Ahimelech is thought by some to be the son of Abiathar, the high priest; and that Zadok and he were great deputies to Abiathar. How the high priesthood came from Eleazar’s lineage to Ithamar’s is nowhere in Scripture expressed. The Hebrews say it was because the priests of that family carried not the matter well at that time, when that wickedness was committed upon the Levite’s concubine.

1 Chronicles 24:5 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.

Ver. 5. Thus were they divided by lot.] To take away all cause of contention or complaint.

One sort with another.] Promiscuously, pell mell.

And governors of the house of God.] Heb., Governors, or princes of God; antistites scilicet rerum sacrarum. ^(a) These were called chief priests - of such we read often in the gospel - and ruled over other priests of their own order; but were subject to the high priest.

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.

Ver. 6. The scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them.] This was the public notary, of great note amongst them; and highly honoured in such witnesses of that which he now recorded.

1 Chronicles 24:10 The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,

Ver. 10. The eighth to Abijah.] John Baptist’s father was of this course, [Luke 1:5] but whether he were chief priest of this division, as also whether he were of the line of Eleazar, or of Ithamar, is uncertain. Old he was, [Luke 1:7] and yet not freed from taking his turn. Dumb he was also for a time; and yet he went on to do his office in the ministration. The evangelist’s word, εφημερια, [Luke 1:5] importeth a daily attendance upon the work while the course continueth.

1 Chronicles 24:19 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.

Ver. 19. Under Aaron their father.] That is, Under the high priest, whoever he was.

1 Chronicles 24:20 And the rest of the sons of Levi [were these]: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.

Ver. 20. And the rest of the sons of Levi,] sc., Besides the priests afore mentioned; and besides the Gershonites set down before. [1 Chronicles 23:7]

1 Chronicles 24:21 Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first [was] Isshiah.

Ver. 21. Rehabiah.] Famous for his πολυτεκνια. [1 Chronicles 23:17] He had many children; and if all good, it was a great happiness, a great wonder.

1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons [of Hebron]; Jeriah [the first], Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

Ver. 23. And the sons of Hebron.] Hebron is not in the original, but well supplied out of 1 Chronicles 23:19; 1 Chronicles 26:31. See the like lacuna in 1 Chronicles 2:53.