1 Chronicles Chapter 23

New Duties for the Levites

A. The Groupings of the Levites

1. David passes the kingdom to Solomon

1 Chronicles 23:1-2
“So when David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.”

When David had reached the twilight years of his life and was “old and full of days,” he ensured that the transition of royal authority would occur according to the will of God. David had many sons who could have attempted to seize the throne, including Adonijah, who later tried to assert himself as king. David preemptively acted so that Solomon, the son chosen by God and affirmed earlier through the prophet Nathan, would inherit the throne without challenge. As Poole notes, David did not surrender the throne during his own lifetime, he simply declared and established who would lawfully succeed him once he passed. David’s actions were a safeguard for the nation and a reinforcement of God’s revealed plan.

Having set Solomon as the future king, David then summoned all the leaders of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, for the purpose of organizational structuring. David intended to leave Solomon a kingdom that was orderly, prepared, and equipped for the monumental work of constructing the temple. The spiritual leadership of Israel needed to be aligned, trained, and ready. This gathering reflects David’s shepherd heart, his determination to finish strong, and his desire to leave no chaos for Solomon to inherit.

2. The number and main groupings of the Levites

1 Chronicles 23:3-6
“Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and above, and the number of individual males was thirty eight thousand. Of these, twenty four thousand were to look after the work of the house of the Lord, six thousand were officers and judges, four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praised the Lord with musical instruments, which I made, said David, for giving praise. Also David separated them into divisions among the sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.”

The Levites were counted beginning with those thirty years and older, which followed the pattern established earlier in Numbers 4:1-3, where God commanded that Levites begin their official ministry at age thirty. This ensured maturity, stability, and spiritual readiness for the sacred work before them. The census revealed thirty eight thousand qualified Levites, a vast and capable workforce for the service of the Lord.

Of this number, twenty four thousand were appointed “to look after the work of the house of the Lord.” The temple was to be a place of constant worship and activity, a national center of sacrifice, teaching, and praise. These Levites handled the practical needs of maintaining the facility, preparing sacrifices, cleaning, assisting priests, and ensuring that every act of worship was supported by faithful labor behind the scenes.

Six thousand were assigned as officers and judges. The Levites historically handled administrative, legal, and governmental matters in Israel, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 17:8-12. They kept records, settled disputes, and upheld the moral and civil order of the nation. Israel’s stability was tied directly to the faithfulness of these Levite officials.

Four thousand served as gatekeepers, a role involving both practical and spiritual security. Gatekeepers regulated access to the temple area, protecting its sanctity and ensuring that only those who were clean and prepared for worship could enter. Their work preserved the holiness of the sanctuary and upheld reverence for the presence of God.

Four thousand Levites were dedicated to praise, using instruments that David himself said he had made “for giving praise.” David’s personal involvement in designing instruments reveals his deep love for worship and his recognition that organized praise was essential to Israel’s spiritual life. These Levites sang, played instruments, and led the congregation in exalting God. Their ministry uplifted the nation and magnified the name of the Lord.

Finally, David organized the Levites into their ancestral divisions, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, exactly as God had established in Numbers 3 and 4. Each family had its ordained responsibilities. The Gershonites managed the woven materials that covered the tabernacle. The Kohathites handled the sacred furnishings, including the ark, the table, and the lampstand. The Merarites were responsible for the structural components, such as boards, pillars, sockets, and bars. David did not invent new categories of service, he simply applied the divine pattern to the new era of temple worship.

B. The Divisions of the Levites Continue

3. The Gershonites

1 Chronicles 23:7-11
“Of the Gershonites, Laadan and Shimei. The sons of Laadan, the first Jehiel, then Zetham and Joel, three in all. The sons of Shimei, Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran, three in all. These were the heads of the fathers houses of Laadan. And the sons of Shimei, Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These were the four sons of Shimei. Jahath was the first and Zizah the second. But Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, therefore they were assigned as one father’s house.”

This section lists the families descending from Gershon, one of the three primary sons of Levi. The Chronicler records the major heads of the houses, beginning with Laadan and Shimei. Laadan’s sons were Jehiel, Zetham, and Joel, and these three formed the leading families under his line. The descendants of Shimei included Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran, each serving as heads of their father’s houses. A further listing of Shimei’s lineage is then given with Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. The note is made that Jeush and Beriah did not have many descendants, which led to the practical administrative decision that their households were counted together as a single father’s house.

This passage underscores the precision with which Israel recorded its genealogies, especially concerning the Levites. These records were essential for determining who was eligible for temple service. Every family, large or small, had a defined place in the work of the Lord. Even when a particular line was smaller, as in the case of Jeush and Beriah, they were still recognized and assigned an appropriate role in the organizational structure. God’s orderliness is on display here. Nothing in the service of the sanctuary was random. Every family was known, named, and placed according to God’s earlier instructions. The Gershonites had once carried the woven materials of the tabernacle, according to Numbers, and though the temple would alter the nature of their duties, their lineage was preserved with care because their service still mattered in the new era of temple worship.

4. The Kohathites

1 Chronicles 23:12-13
“The sons of Kohath, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four in all. The sons of Amram, Aaron and Moses, and Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the Lord, to minister to Him, and to give the blessing in His name forever.”

The Kohathite line is listed next, beginning with Kohath’s sons, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. From Amram came two of the most significant figures in Israel’s history, Moses and Aaron. The Chronicler immediately highlights Aaron’s unique calling, for Aaron and his sons were set apart permanently for priestly service. Not all Levites were priests. All priests were Levites, but only Aaron’s descendants could perform priestly duties. This distinction was essential to Israel’s worship and to the maintenance of holiness in the sanctuary.

The text provides a succinct summary of the priestly responsibilities. First, Aaron was set apart “that he should sanctify the most holy things.” This involved handling the sacred objects of the sanctuary, discerning holiness, and maintaining separation from anything that would defile. Holiness had to characterize the priest’s life because he represented God before the people. Second, Aaron was appointed “to burn incense before the Lord.” Scripture consistently presents incense as a symbol of prayer rising to God. The priest represented the people before God through intercessory prayer. As Meyer notes, the fragrant smoke of incense gives a vivid picture of prayer ascending heavenward, reminding believers that spiritual leaders must carry the burdens of the people before the throne of God.

The third duty was “to minister to Him.” Priests were busy ministering to Israel, yet the text reminds us that their primary ministry was directed to the Lord Himself. They were called to worship, to personal devotion, and to direct service before God. This kept their work grounded in reverence and spiritual integrity. Finally, Aaron was called “to give the blessing in His name forever.” The priest received blessing so that he could bless God’s people. Meyer’s observation captures the heart of this calling. A priest must not dwell endlessly in the holy place without stepping out to speak God’s blessing upon others. Proximity to God equips spiritual leaders to strengthen and bless the people they serve.

This passage emphasizes the sacredness of the priestly calling, the importance of intercession, the necessity of personal holiness, and the weight of spiritual responsibility. Through the Kohathites, especially through Aaron’s line, God maintained the spiritual heartbeat of Israel.

C. The Remaining Divisions of the Levites

5. The sons of Moses, of the family of Kohath

1 Chronicles 23:14-20
“Now the sons of Moses the man of God were reckoned to the tribe of Levi. The sons of Moses were Gershon and Eliezer. Of the sons of Gershon, Shebuel was the first. Of the descendants of Eliezer, Rehabiah was the first. And Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. Of the sons of Izhar, Shelomith was the first. Of the sons of Hebron, Jeriah was the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. Of the sons of Uzziel, Michah was the first and Jesshiah the second.”

The Chronicler carefully records the descendants of Moses, identifying him with the honored title “the man of God.” Moses was the great lawgiver, prophet, and deliverer of Israel, and although he himself was not a priest, his family still belonged to the tribe of Levi. His sons, Gershon and Eliezer, continued the family line within the Levites, though not within the priesthood. The descendants of Gershon are represented here by Shebuel, his firstborn. The line of Eliezer is traced through Rehabiah, who is identified as the first among Eliezer’s descendants. Scripture notes that Eliezer had no other sons, yet the sons of Rehabiah were exceedingly many. This detail communicates God’s blessing on the household and demonstrates how the Lord can multiply the legacy of even a single faithful line.

Beyond the immediate family of Moses, the Chronicler also lists the continuing lines of Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the other sons of Kohath. Shelomith was first among the sons of Izhar. Hebron’s descendants are listed in order, beginning with Jeriah, then Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam. From the sons of Uzziel came Michah as the firstborn and Jesshiah as the second. These genealogies once again emphasize the detailed care with which the Levites were organized. Every clan had a role in the work of the sanctuary. Even though Moses was the greatest leader in Israel’s history, God did not establish his sons as priests simply because of their father’s greatness. The priesthood remained with Aaron’s line in obedience to divine command. Moses’ household served faithfully in other Levitical duties that supported the worship and life of Israel.

These records also highlight how God preserves families and ministries across generations. Moses the man of God had sons whose lines grew, prospered, and served in the tabernacle and later the temple. Their work, though not as visible as the priesthood, was essential in carrying forward the worship of the Lord. God used these clans to maintain the daily life, order, and structure that allowed the priesthood to function effectively. Nothing in God’s service is insignificant, and every family within Levi had its appointed place.

6. The family of Merari

1 Chronicles 23:21-23
“The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. And Eleazar died, and had no sons, but only daughters, and their brethren, the sons of Kish, took them as wives. The sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three in all.”

The final Levitical division recorded is that of Merari, whose family historically handled the structural components of the tabernacle. Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. Mahli’s line included Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died without sons and left only daughters. According to Israel’s inheritance customs, the daughters were taken in marriage by their relatives, in this case the sons of Kish. This preserved the family inheritance within the tribe and maintained the integrity of the Levitical lineage, similar to the principles seen in Numbers 27:1-11 with the daughters of Zelophehad. God ensured that the inheritance and responsibilities of each Levitical family were not lost through unusual circumstances.

The sons of Mushi were Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. These three formed the continuation of the Merarite line and contributed to the duties assigned to their division. The inclusion of these names, though brief, confirms again that every branch of Levi was known and accounted for. God’s work required order, continuity, and the honoring of family responsibilities. The Merarites had historically managed the boards, pillars, bars, sockets, and foundations of the tabernacle. In the era of the temple, their responsibilities shifted from moving the sanctuary to maintaining and supporting the structure that would be permanently established in Jerusalem.

Even in these genealogical notes, the providence and faithfulness of God are evident. He preserved families, ensured continuity of ministry, and maintained order in worship. From the greatest names like Moses to the lesser known like Jeremoth, God knows and appoints each one in the service of His house.

B. David Changes the Duties of the Levites

1. The reason for the change of duty

1 Chronicles 23:24-26
“These were the sons of Levi by their fathers houses, the heads of the fathers houses as they were counted individually by the number of their names, who did the work for the service of the house of the Lord, from the age of twenty years and above. For David said, The Lord God of Israel has given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever, and also to the Levites, They shall no longer carry the tabernacle, or any of the articles for its service.”

This passage explains why David implemented a major change in how the Levites were organized and when they began their service. The Levites were counted from the age of twenty and above, rather than from the age of thirty as previously commanded in Numbers 4:1-3. David adjusted the age because circumstances had changed. Israel was no longer a nation wandering through the wilderness or residing in temporary settlements. God had given Israel rest, allowing them to dwell securely in Jerusalem, and the worship of God was about to be centered in a permanent structure, the temple. Since the tabernacle would no longer be transported, the Levites no longer needed to carry the sacred furniture or oversee the movement of the sanctuary. Their duties were shifting from mobility to maintenance, from transportation to daily service, and this expansion required more workers.

David’s decision was not arbitrary. He recognized that temple worship would demand far more labor than the tabernacle ever required. The sacrifices, offerings, music, upkeep, and spiritual administration of a permanent sanctuary called for a larger and more active workforce. By lowering the age of service to twenty, David ensured that the Levites would have the manpower necessary for the growing ministry needs. This also helped restore a Levitical workforce that had suffered neglect over previous generations. Israel’s worship had not always been faithfully maintained, and David’s reforms were designed to strengthen the nation spiritually and prepare it for the glory of the temple Solomon would build.

2. The new duties of the Levites

1 Chronicles 23:27-32
“For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above, because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God, both with the showbread and the fine flour for the grain offering, with the unleavened cakes and what is baked in the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of measures and sizes, to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening, and at every presentation of a burnt offering to the Lord on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the set feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the Lord, and that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the Lord.”

The Chronicler states that these arrangements were established “by the last words of David,” which means this was part of David’s final official acts before his death. As Morgan observes, nothing demonstrated David’s kingly character more clearly than his determination to leave Israel with stability and order in its worship. According to 2 Chronicles 29:25, David did this under the direct guidance of Gad the seer and Nathan the prophet, and the arrangements were commands of the Lord Himself. David was not simply organizing a workforce, he was implementing the structure of worship commanded by God through His prophets. It was Holy Spirit guided administration, ensuring continuity of reverent worship under future kings.

The new task of the Levites was to assist the sons of Aaron in all the daily ministries associated with the temple. Their duties extended throughout the courts, chambers, and sanctified areas. They purified holy things, prepared the showbread, handled the fine flour for the offerings, made the unleavened cakes, prepared baked offerings, and managed all standardized measurements used in temple service. Their responsibilities were both spiritual and practical. They ensured purity, order, preparation, excellence, and consistency in every detail of worship. Nothing in the house of the Lord was to be done carelessly.

In addition to these duties, the Levites were commanded “to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening.” This daily rhythm of morning and evening praise became a central part of Israel’s worship life. While many responsibilities involved labor and preparation, none surpassed the importance of continual praise offered before the Lord. The Levites were musicians, singers, and worship leaders whose voices rose before God day after day. Morgan calls this a high and holy calling, reminding us that every part of temple service was anchored in worship.

The Levites also assisted with the presentations of burnt offerings on Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts. These occasions required precision and faithfulness, ensuring that Israel’s worship calendar remained obedient to God’s commands. Clarke notes that the priests were responsible for the actual offering of the sacrifices, but because their numbers were limited, they relied heavily on the Levites to carry out the many preparatory tasks. The Levites handled what Clarke calls the more servile aspects of divine service, which allowed the priests to focus on their sacred duties. Selman similarly observes that the Levites primarily worked in side rooms and courtyards, preparing offerings and materials, while not directly performing sacrifices.

The passage concludes by emphasizing that the Levites attended to the needs of the tabernacle, the holy place, and the sons of Aaron. Their service was comprehensive. They supported, supplied, maintained, prepared, purified, and praised. Without their faithfulness, the priesthood could not function effectively. God designed His worship to be upheld by many hands working in unity, and the Levites formed the backbone of that ministry. Their new duties in the era of the temple reflected the permanence, beauty, and weight of worship centered in Jerusalem.