Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron ,.... Into the classes or courses following: the sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar ; 1 Chronicles 6:3 , these were the immediate sons of Aaron; but the division or distribution of them into classes are of their posterity in the times of David, who descended from the two latter. read more
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father ,.... While he was living, see Leviticus 10:1 . and had no children, therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priests' office : otherwise, as Jarchi observes, had their brethren left children, they would have come into the office before them. read more
And David distributed them ,.... The posterities of Eleazar and Ithamar into certain classes or courses: both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar ; these were the two principal men of the respective families, the one was high priest, and the other "sagan" or deputy; or they both officiated as high priests alternately, until the one was removed in Solomon's time, and the other established alone. And now their brethren the priests, who were under each of... read more
Nadab and Abihu died before their father - That is, during his lifetime. Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest ' s office - These two served the office during the life of their father Aaron; after his death Eleazar succeeded in the high priesthood. And under Eli the high priest, the family of Ithamar re-entered into that office. read more
And Ahimelech - Ahimelech is put here for Abiathar, who was high priest in the days of David. Abiathar had also the name of Ahimelech, as well as his father. See Calmet. read more
The Hebrew of this verse reads , And to the sons of Aaron, their divisions מַחְלְקוֹתָם ); the sons of Aaron: Nadeb and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. The word "divisions" is the same word that is translated "courses" in 1 Chronicles 24:6 , and which verse also would read literally, "And David divided them divisions to the sons of Levi, to Gershon, Kohath, and Merari." Our present verse evidently continues both the subject and construction of that verse. Of the four sons ( Exodus 6:23 ... read more
EXPOSITION The twenty-four classes of priests. read more
(Comp. Leveticus 1 Chronicles 10:1 , 1 Chronicles 10:2 , for the death of these; and for their being childless, Numbers 3:2-4 ; Numbers 26:60 , Numbers 26:61 .) read more
The Hebrew of this verse reads , And David divided them, and Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimalech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices ( לַכְסֻדָּתָם ), in their service ( בַּעְבֹדָתָם ). And the evident purport of it is that the three, David, Zadok, and Ahimelech, conjointly made the arrangements. This is virtually repeated in 1 Chronicles 24:6 , 1 Chronicles 24:31 (see also 1 Chronicles 25:1 for an analogous case). For the "Ahimelech" of this verse and ... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 24:1-19
The particular account of these establishments is of little use to us now; but, when Ezra published it, it was of great use to direct their church affairs after their return from captivity into the old channel again. The title of this record we have 1 Chron. 24:1?These are the divisions of the sons of Aaron, not by which they divided one from another, or were at variance one with another (it is a pity there should ever be any such divisions among the sons of Israel, but especially among the... read more