1 Chronicles 23:2 kjv
And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
1 Chronicles 23:2 nkjv
And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites.
1 Chronicles 23:2 niv
He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites.
1 Chronicles 23:2 esv
David assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites.
1 Chronicles 23:2 nlt
David summoned all the leaders of Israel, together with the priests and Levites.
1 Chronicles 23 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 19:17 | "And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God..." | God gathers His people. |
| Deut 4:10 | "the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb..." | Divine assembly for covenant. |
| Josh 23:1-2 | "Joshua summoned all Israel, their elders and heads..." | Joshua gathering leaders before his death. |
| 1 Kgs 8:1 | "Solomon assembled the elders of Israel... to bring up the ark..." | Gathering for Temple dedication. |
| Ezra 10:1 | "a very great assembly of men, women, and children gathered..." | Repentance assembly after exile. |
| Acts 2:1 | "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place." | Early church gathered, empowered by Spirit. |
| Deut 1:15 | "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and made them..." | Appointment of civil leaders. |
| Num 1:16 | "These were the ones chosen from the congregation, leaders..." | Leaders selected for their tribes. |
| Judg 10:18 | "And the people, the leaders of Gilead, said to one another..." | Regional leaders convening. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..." | God institutes governing authorities. |
| Ex 28:1 | "Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons... to minister as priests." | Priestly ordination and calling. |
| Num 3:6 | "Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him." | Levites given to assist priests. |
| Heb 5:1 | "For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God..." | Function of priesthood, typifying Christ. |
| Num 1:49-50 | "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not enroll, neither count among the people of Israel." | Levites distinct for sacred service. |
| Num 3:9 | "You shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are wholly given to him..." | Levites entirely dedicated to temple work. |
| Num 8:15 | "After that the Levites shall go in to do service at the tent of meeting..." | Specific duties for Levites. |
| Deut 33:8-10 | "Of Levi he said... They shall teach Jacob your rules..." | Levitical role in teaching and worship. |
| Neh 12:44 | "Certain men were appointed over the chambers for the stores... and for the portions for the priests and Levites..." | Provision and administration for service. |
| 2 Chr 29:3-5 | "Hezekiah in the first year... opened the doors of the house of the LORD... and summoned the priests and the Levites." | Restoration of Temple service by king. |
| 1 Chr 22:5 | "For David said, 'My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent...'" | David's foresight in preparing for Solomon. |
| 1 Chr 28:11-13 | "Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule... and of all the divisions of the priests and Levites..." | Detailed plans for temple and personnel. |
| 1 Chr 29:1-2 | "Then King David said to the whole assembly... Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced..." | David appealing for support for Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 2:1-4 | "When David's time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son..." | David's final charge for succession. |
1 Chronicles 23 verses
1 Chronicles 23 2 Meaning
This verse describes King David, nearing the end of his life, taking decisive action to organize the various leadership components of Israel in preparation for the upcoming building and service of the Lord's house by his son Solomon. It signifies a crucial administrative and spiritual preparation, ensuring order and structure for the divinely appointed worship and governance.
1 Chronicles 23 2 Context
1 Chronicles 23 opens with King David being "old and full of days" (v. 1). Recognizing his imminent passing, he ensures a smooth transition of leadership and, more significantly for the Chronicler's purpose, meticulously organizes the Levitical service for the soon-to-be-built Temple. This chapter primarily details the assignments and duties of the Levites, differentiating them from the priests, setting up an administrative and functional structure that would underpin Israel's worship for centuries. Verse 2 specifically describes the essential first step in this grand organizational undertaking: the formal summoning of all key figures of the nation. This gathering underscores David's comprehensive planning, involving both civil and religious leadership in preparing for the worship of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 23 2 Word analysis
- Then he: Refers to King David, as established in the preceding verse (1 Chr 23:1), emphasizing his direct, authoritative initiation of this crucial organizational act before his death.
- gathered together: Hebrew: wayyiqhol (וַיַּקְהֵל), derived from the root qahal (קָהַל), meaning "to assemble, convoke, call together." This is a purposeful and formal summons, indicative of a planned public gathering. It suggests unity and common purpose under David's leadership.
- all the leaders of Israel: Hebrew: sarim (שָׂרִים) of Israel. Sarim denotes princes, chiefs, or officials. This term is broad, encompassing civil, military, and tribal heads—the governmental elite. Their inclusion highlights the nationwide significance and the secular-sacred integration of the administration under David's direction. Their presence signifies consent and support for the future structure of the temple and the Levites.
- with the priests: Hebrew: kohanim (כֹּהֲנִים). These were the direct descendants of Aaron, specifically appointed by God for priestly duties like offering sacrifices, administering rituals, and maintaining the holiness of the sanctuary. Their distinct inclusion indicates their unique, indispensable role in the worship system and their necessary involvement in any reforms or reorganizations.
- and the Levites: Hebrew: levi'im (לְוִיִּם). The Levites, descendants of Levi, served as assistants to the priests. Their duties included caring for the Tabernacle/Temple, musical service, teaching the law, and other functions vital to worship but distinct from the direct sacrificial role of the priests. Their specific mention is key, as much of the subsequent chapters (1 Chr 23-26) will focus on their meticulous organization, indicating David's profound emphasis on their structured contribution to the spiritual life of Israel.
Words-group analysis
- "Then he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites": This phrase encapsulates a strategic and all-encompassing national assembly. It demonstrates David's proactive and holistic approach to succession planning, extending beyond just political leadership to include the entirety of the religious and civic administration crucial for Israel's covenant life with God. The gathering signifies the importance of collective buy-in and cooperation for the continuity of God's worship and order in the nation. This collective summons ensured transparency and legitimacy for David's final administrative decrees concerning the temple service.
1 Chronicles 23 2 Bonus section
This act by David represents a vital principle in kingdom work: the careful and intentional organization of human resources for divine service. It foreshadows the meticulous structure and order that characterize God's dealings, from creation to the New Testament church. David's attention to the Levites specifically, setting out their duties and assignments (elaborated in subsequent verses), provided a strong foundational template for future generations of temple workers, even guiding the returnees post-exile as recounted in Ezra and Nehemiah. The formal assembly underlines the unity required for significant spiritual undertakings, where political leadership supports spiritual authority. This principle can be observed in the early church as apostles ordained elders and deacons to ensure the proper functioning of the Body of Christ (e.g., Acts 6).
1 Chronicles 23 2 Commentary
1 Chronicles 23:2 marks the pivotal moment when King David, in his advanced age, sets in motion the meticulous organization of the Lord's house service. His decision to gather "all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites" signifies a comprehensive national mobilization for a divine purpose. This was not a casual meeting but a formal convocation (qahal), highlighting the solemnity and authority with which David established the operational framework for the future Temple. The inclusion of both the civil authorities ("leaders of Israel") and the spiritual ministries ("priests and the Levites") demonstrates David's understanding that effective worship and national spiritual health required both governmental support and well-ordered ecclesiastical structure. This preparation underscored his commitment to divine order, ensuring that even after his departure, the service of the Lord would continue seamlessly and according to God's standards. This verse exemplifies proactive, God-centered leadership, preparing the nation and its ministries for a task of monumental spiritual significance long before the physical structure of the Temple was even erected. David prioritized personnel and order over physical infrastructure, embodying a deep faith that recognized the crucial role of appointed ministers in mediating God's presence and maintaining proper worship.