1 Chronicles 6

1 Chronicles 6:1

4. Levi (Chap. 6)6:1-53 This chapter takes up the sons of Levi, descendants of Jacob’s third-born son. Verses 1-15 and 49-53 deal with the most famous family of this tribe, that of Aaron. The high priesthood had been given to Aaron and his sons, and thus the importance of an accurate genealogy from Aaron to the captivity. Samuel (v. 28) the son of Elkanah (v. 27) was a great prophet and the last judge in Israel before Saul became king. His ministry is described in 1 Samuel. Levi had three sons: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. Their genealogies are given in verses 16-30. Verses 31-48 contain three genealogies: Heman, a Kohathite (vv. 33-38); Asaph, a Gershomite (vv. 39-43); and Ethan, a Merarite (vv. 44-47). These were the “songmasters” whom David appointed to minister before the LORD (vv. 31, 32). Heman was probably the author of Psalm 88. He was a descendant of the Prophet Samuel. There are psalms which bear Asaph’s namee.g., Psalms 50 and Psalms 73-83. Ethan may be the author of Psalm 89. 6:54-81 The rest of the chapter is a listing of the cities and common-lands given to the Levites by the other tribes. This was in accordance with the Lord’s command through Moses (Num_35:1-8). The command was carried out under the supervision of Joshua (Josh. 21).