1 Chronicles 24:31 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 24:20-31

Most of the Levites here named were mentioned before, 1 Chron. 23:16-23 They were of those who were to attend the priests in the service of the house of God. But they are here mentioned again as heads of the twenty-four courses of Levites (and about so many are here named), who were to attend the twenty-four courses of the priests: they are therefore said to cast lots over against their brethren (so they are called, not their lords), the sons of Aaron, who were not to lord it over God's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 24:31

These likewise cast lots over against their brethren, the sons of Aaron ,.... These, being divided into twenty four classes also, cast lots, which class should answer to, attend upon, and serve the first course of the priests, and which the second, and so on. And this they did in the same solemn and public manner as the priests had done: in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites ; as in 1 Chronicles 24:6 . ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 24:31

These likewise cast lots - The Levites were divided into twenty-four orders; and these were appointed by lot to serve under the twenty-four orders of the priests: the first order of Levities under the first order of priests, and so on. The meaning is not very clear: "both elder and younger," says Bishop Patrick, "had their places by lot, not by seniority of houses. They who were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less; and were to take their courses according to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 24:20-31

The distribution of the other Levites. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 24:31

Over against… over against . This translation of the Hebrew ( לְעמַּת ) is obscure and awkward. The meaning is "equally with," or "correspondingly with" ( 1 Chronicles 26:12 , 1 Chronicles 26:16 , etc.). The root means "communion," and the word is found only in the constructive state. The Vulgate shows the translation, Omnes sors aequaliter dividebat; tam majores quam minores. HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON 1 Chronicles 24:2 . - Principles in a parenthesis. This verse is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 24:31

The principal fathers over against their younger brethren - i. e., “all the Levitical houses enumerated drew lots in their courses on equal terms, the older families having no advantage over the younger ones.” As there were 24 courses of the priests, so we must suppose that there were 24 of the Levites, though the number of the families as given in the text 1 Chronicles 23:7-23; 1 Chronicles 24:20-30 is 25. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 24:31

1 Chronicles 24:31. These likewise cast lots There was the like solemnity used in their distribution as there was in that of the priests, by casting lots; whereby they knew what Levites should wait in every course with the sons of Aaron. Even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren These words are somewhat obscure, but the meaning, says Bishop Patrick, is, that both elder and younger had their places by lot, not by seniority of houses: they who were of greater dignity... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 24:1-31

Arrangements for the Levites (23:1-26:32)Having appointed Solomon to be his successor, David made further arrangements for the service of the temple. First, he set out a plan to distribute duties among the Levites. A census showed that there were 38,000 Levites eligible for temple service. Of these, 14,000 were official record-keepers, judges, guards, singers and musicians. The remainder were to help in the general service of the temple (23:1-6). Clearly, there were far too many Levites to work... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Chronicles 24:31

cast lots. See notes on the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30 . Numbers 26:55 ). over against = equally with. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Chronicles 24:31

1 Chronicles 24:31. Even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren— The meaning, says Bishop Patrick, is, that both elder and younger had their places by lot, not by seniority of houses: they who were of greater dignity drew lots against those who were of less, and all were to take their courses according to the lot that they drew. REFLECTIONS.—1st, The family of Eleazar, being most numerous, had sixteen courses; Ithamar only eight. That there might be no dispute about... read more