1 Chronicles 24:3 kjv
And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
1 Chronicles 24:3 nkjv
Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.
1 Chronicles 24:3 niv
With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelek a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering.
1 Chronicles 24:3 esv
With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service.
1 Chronicles 24:3 nlt
With the help of Zadok, who was a descendant of Eleazar, and of Ahimelech, who was a descendant of Ithamar, David divided Aaron's descendants into groups according to their various duties.
1 Chronicles 24 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 28:1 | "Bring near to yourself Aaron your brother... and his sons... that they may minister as priests to Me." | Institution of Aaronic priesthood |
| Num 3:2-3 | "These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab... Eleazar, and Ithamar." | Source of the priestly lines |
| 1 Sam 2:35 | "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest..." | Prophecy against Eli's house; rise of Zadok's line |
| 2 Sam 8:17 | "Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests..." | Historical high priests under David, some textual variations exist in some verses |
| 1 Kgs 2:27 | "So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest... thus fulfilling the word of the LORD..." | Zadok becomes sole High Priest; fulfills prophecy |
| 1 Kgs 2:35 | "Then the king put Benaiah... in his place over the army, and Zadok the priest the king put in the place of Abiathar." | Confirmation of Zadok's exclusive high priesthood |
| 1 Chron 23:6 | "And David divided them into divisions..." | David's role in dividing all Levites and priests |
| 1 Chron 23:24 | "These were the sons of Levi... twenty years old and upward, who were to do the work..." | Age requirement for service |
| 1 Chron 28:13 | "for the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the work..." | David received plans for temple organization |
| 2 Chron 8:14 | "And he appointed the divisions of the priests to their service, and the Levites..." | Solomon continues David's organization |
| Ezra 6:18 | "And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses..." | Post-exilic adherence to David's system |
| Neh 11:36 | "And for the Levites, divisions were in Judah and in Benjamin." | Maintaining divisions in restored community |
| Isa 56:7 | "their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar..." | Acceptable worship through appointed service |
| Jer 33:18 | "nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man before Me..." | Promise of an enduring priestly lineage |
| Eze 44:15 | "But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary..." | Zadok's line affirmed for future temple |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | Principle of order in divine worship |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner." | Application of order to church ministry |
| Tit 1:5 | "that you would set in order what was left undone and appoint elders in every city..." | Establishing structure in the church |
| Rom 12:6-8 | "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us..." | Different gifts for orderly service in the body |
| Heb 4:14 | "Since then we have a great high priest... Jesus the Son of God..." | Christ as the ultimate High Priest |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "you yourselves are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood..." | New Covenant priesthood of all believers |
| Rev 1:6 | "and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father..." | All believers as priests unto God |
1 Chronicles 24 verses
1 Chronicles 24 3 Meaning
This verse describes the divinely appointed organization of the Levitical priesthood under King David, specifically focusing on the high priestly lines of Eleazar and Ithamar, represented by Zadok and Ahimelech respectively. David, guided by the Lord, systematically divided these priestly families into distinct groups or courses, assigning them specific duties and times for their service in the Tabernacle, laying the groundwork for the future Temple worship. This act underscored the importance of order, structure, and legitimate authority in the service of God, ensuring comprehensive and consistent performance of their sacred responsibilities.
1 Chronicles 24 3 Context
1 Chronicles 24 is part of a larger section (Chapters 23-26) detailing David's organization of the Levites and priests for Temple service, even though the Temple itself would be built by Solomon. Chapter 23 outlines the duties and classifications of the Levites. Chapter 24 then focuses specifically on the priestly lines of Aaron's sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, and their division into 24 courses. This verse (24:3) introduces the pivotal act of King David, along with the designated high priestly representatives, in establishing this orderly system. The historical context for the Chronicler's audience was post-exilic Judah, where the rebuilding of the Temple and re-establishing its worship was paramount. The detailed record of David's preparations served to legitimize the returning priesthood, validate their structure and duties, and reinforce the continuity of divinely ordained worship from antiquity to their present time, against any who might dispute the temple's centrality or the priesthood's authority.
1 Chronicles 24 3 Word analysis
And David: Signifies David's central role not merely as a political king but as a divine instrument for establishing the cultic order. His actions reflect divine guidance, not personal caprice. This emphasizes David's spiritual authority in the chronicler's account.
with Zadok: (Hebrew: Tsadowq) A priest from the line of Eleazar, Aaron's elder son. Zadok's line would ultimately become the exclusive high priestly line, gaining prominence over the line of Ithamar, especially after Solomon dismissed Abiathar. His inclusion underscores the legitimacy and divinely favored nature of this division. His name means "righteous" or "just."
of the sons of Eleazar: Establishes Zadok's direct lineage from the elder and foundational branch of the Aaronic priesthood (Num 3:2). This reinforced the legitimacy of his participation and his line's future prominence.
and Ahimelech: (Hebrew: Achimelekh) A priest from the line of Ithamar, Aaron's younger son. There are textual complexities regarding Ahimelech and Abiathar in other parts of the Old Testament (e.g., 2 Sam 8:17, 1 Sam 22:20). The Chronicler's consistent naming here (vs. Abiathar) emphasizes the collaborative role of the two prominent priestly families. Ahimelech, meaning "brother of the king" or "my brother is king," might be seen as symbolic of the priesthood's close association with the monarchy, under divine sovereignty.
of the sons of Ithamar: Indicates Ahimelech's lineage from the younger, but equally legitimate, branch of the Aaronic priesthood (Num 3:2-3). This shows a concerted effort to include both major high priestly lines in the organization.
divided them: (Hebrew: yachelqēm) Refers to the collective body of priests, descendants of Eleazar and Ithamar. This action highlights the intentional and systematic creation of divisions or "courses" (maḥălōqōṯ) which served rotational duties throughout the year (1 Chron 24:7-18). It underscores the principle of ordered administration.
according to their offices: (Hebrew: lapekudatam) Implies specific, distinct appointments, charges, or responsibilities. This was not a haphazard distribution but a methodical allocation based on defined roles and tasks for the priests. This signifies an organized bureaucracy of divine service.
for their service: (Hebrew: la`abodatam) This phrase clarifies the purpose of the division: the systematic and comprehensive carrying out of priestly duties within the Tabernacle/Temple. The term `avodah broadly means "work" or "service" and particularly in a sacred context, "worship" or "ministry." The aim was to ensure that the vast and complex demands of Temple worship were meticulously fulfilled year-round.
David with Zadok and Ahimelech: This phrase highlights the critical collaboration between the royal authority (David) and the priestly authorities (Zadok and Ahimelech). It shows David's wisdom in seeking priestly counsel and God's design for joint leadership in matters of worship and temple administration, ultimately under God's supreme authority. This partnership was crucial for legitimacy and effective implementation.
Divided them according to their offices for their service: This entire phrase succinctly conveys the highly organized nature of David's preparations for the Temple. It reveals a proactive and detailed approach to sacred duty, emphasizing order, structure, and responsibility in God's worship, laying a foundation for future generations. This wasn't merely assigning roles, but establishing a rotational system (courses) that guaranteed constant and consistent worship, embodying God's nature as a God of order (1 Cor 14:33, 40).
1 Chronicles 24 3 Bonus section
The Chronicler's account, particularly in its emphasis on David's active role in organizing the priesthood, underscores the continuity and divine legitimacy of the Temple cult to the post-exilic community. For them, this verse served as a powerful reminder that their present religious practices had deep historical roots, originating from King David himself, inspired by God. It countered any potential challenges to the authority of the priests or the order of Temple service by grounding it firmly in this established precedent. Furthermore, while the Old Covenant priesthood had specific hereditary qualifications, the principle of systematic, ordered service for God's glory extends to all believers in the New Covenant. Just as priests had specific "offices for their service," so too do believers today have spiritual gifts and callings for diverse ministries within the body of Christ (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12).
1 Chronicles 24 3 Commentary
1 Chronicles 24:3 establishes a foundational aspect of Israelite worship under David, the systematic organization of the priesthood into rotating courses. This division, carried out by David in cooperation with Zadok and Ahimelech, ensures efficiency and equitable service among the numerous priests, reflecting divine wisdom. The Chronicler emphasizes David's significant role, elevating him beyond just a military or political leader to a key architect of the religious institutions of Israel, an individual attuned to God's desire for order in sacred service. The inclusion of both Eleazar and Ithamar's lines (represented by Zadok and Ahimelech) highlights a unified, divinely sanctioned priestly authority, even amidst complex historical dynamics in other biblical books. This meticulous preparation ensured that future Temple worship would be orderly, continuous, and holy. The principles of divine delegation, responsible leadership, and structured ministry found in this verse resonate through biblical history, providing a blueprint for the orderly conduct of God's people in all forms of service, from ancient Israel to the New Covenant Church.