Scripture reading – 1 Chronicles 23-24

The opening verses of 1 Chronicles 23 remind us that “David was old and full of days” (23:1). Accepting his death was imminent, the king left no doubt who should be his successor: “He made Solomon his son king over Israel” (23:1).

I admire David’s heart for the LORD. Resigning his role as king, he turned the affairs of state over to his son, and devoted his last days to organizing the priests and Levites who would serve in the Temple (23:2-32; 24:1-31).

A Census of the Tribe of Levi (1 Chronicles 23)

A census of Levi found there were 38,000 heads of house who were thirty years and older (23:3). The organization of the Levites was stated by their tasks: 24,000 men were to assist the priests; 6,000 would serve as “officers and judges” (23:4).

There were 4,000 men who would be porters or keepers of the doors of the Temple (23:5), and another 4,000 that were musicians (23:5). It was their calling to praise the LORD with “the instruments” David had apparently provided (23:5).

Various Levite families are named, including those whose lineage were notable: The sons of Levi, “Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (23:6), and “sons of Amram,” of whom was born “Aaron and Moses” (23:13). Particular mention of Aaron is made, for he and his sons were high priests, and were sanctified (i.e., set apart) “to burn incense before the Lord, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever” (23:13).

David charged the Levites to serve the LORD on behalf of Israel (23:24-31), assist the sons of Aaron with daily sacrifices, and “in the service of the house of the LORD” (23:32).

The Aaronic Priesthood (1 Chronicles 24)

1 Chronicles 24 recorded the “divisions of the sons of Aaron” (24:1), and their order. We find twenty-four classes of priests identified in this chapter, and David was attentive to the names (24:2-3), and offices of those who would serve in the Temple (24:4-31).

The list of names in today’s Scripture reading might seem unimportant, especially three thousand years after they were recorded; however, their offices and tasks as spiritual leaders is instructive for us. Their ministries in the Temple were prominent enough that even the king dedicated himself to their assignments.

Closing thoughts – David was old, but his fervor for the LORD had not abated.

He had been denied the opportunity to build a great house for the LORD; however, he poured himself into preparing his son for the task. In other words, the frailty of old age had not robbed him of his desire to serve the LORD.

We would be wise to take a page out of David’s biography: Not only count our days, but make our days count!

Wise men “number” [prepare; count] the days of their lives and, like David, “apply [lit. pass on] [their] hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Copyright 2021 – Travis D. Smith