1 Chronicles 24

1 Chronicles 24:1

24:1-19 In chapter 24 we are told how the priestly and Levitical divisions were formed. There were twenty-four households or divisions of priests (vv. 1-19) and twenty-four divisions of Levites (vv. 20-31). Each division was assigned a schedule on a rotating basis to minister in the temple, thus giving everyone the opportunity of serving approximately two weeks each year. Zacharias (Luk_1:5) belonged to the eighth course, the course of Abijah (v. 10). The households of Aaron’s two surviving sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, comprised the priesthood, sixteen divisions belonging to the former and eight divisions going to the latter (v. 4). The lot was cast in the presence of David, the leaders of Israel, and Zadok and Ahimelech the priests; the results were recorded by Shemaiah . . . the scribe with meticulous care. 24:20-31 The Levites also cast their lot before David and the princes. The lot apparently determined the division to which each man was assigned.