Numbers 4

Numbers 4:3

From thirty] The Levites at the age of thirty years, entered into the full possession of their Offices, to waite upon the service of the Tabernacle, Num. IV. 3. At the age of twenty five they entered, or might enter upon them, as Novices, and subservients in some secondary, or inferiour administrations, as Probationers, and Proficients, Num. VIII. 24. And when the Temple should be builded, they were ordered to begin and enter at twenty years of age, 1 Chron. XXIII. ver. 24—27. Ezra III. 8. And that by Davids appointment together with the Prophets, Gad and Nathan, 2 Chron. VIII. 14. and Ch. XXIX. 25.

They continued in their Offices till fifty. Num. IV. 3, 47. At fifty they ceased waiting upon the service of the Tabernacle, but were Overseers there, Ch. VIII. 25, 26. And in their several Cities, as being well experienced in the Judicial Laws, they judged of matters brought before them. The Levites Offices distinct from the Priests, are set down in many particulars, 1 Chron. XXIII. 28,—32.

David in his time by divine warrant doth distribute them, for the service of the Temple, into three sorts, to three several Functions, and Offices. One was to Attend the Priests, and to be helpful and subservient unto them in their several Services. Of these there are sundry Orders set down, 1 Chron. XXIII. and XXIV. Chapters. A second to solemnize the Service of God, with all maner of Musick; by Voice; and Instruments, both winded, and stringed.

The third sort was to be Porters. Of whom, 1 Chron. XXIII. 5. and Ch. XXVI. and 2 Chron. XXIII. 4, 5, 6, 19. and XXXV. 15. Their Orders are set down, 1 Chron.

XXV. These three Sorts being divided by Lot into twenty four Orders, or Courses, as the Priests were; That the first Course of these might attend with the first Course of the Priests; and leave the Temple, when they left it.

The Levites also had other Offices, over the Treasures of the house of God; and of the Dedicate things; and for the outward businesse over Israel for officers, and Judges, in all businesse of the Lord, and in the service of the King, 1 Chron. XXVI. 20,—32. over divers Tribes. See further, 1 Chron. XXIII. 28,—32.

Even those] Levites numbered, males from thirty years old to fifty, are 8580. Upon which reckoning there was then one such Levite for every seventy such males in Israel. In Davids time, the Levites (besides the Priests) from thirty years old to fifty, were 38000. 1 Chron. XXIII. 3.