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
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
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
1 Chronicles 24:1-2. These are the divisions of the sons of Aaron The several branches into which that family was divided. Therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office Their brethren being dead, and leaving no issue, they and their sons were the only persons to whom the execution of that office could be committed according to the law. read more
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
2. Nadab and Abihu died before their father—that is, not in his presence, but during his lifetime (see Numbers 3:4; Numbers 26:61). therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office—In consequence of the death of his two oldest sons without issue, the descendants of Aaron were comprised in the families of Eleazar and Ithamar. Both of these sons discharged the priestly functions as assistants to their father. Eleazar succeeded him, and in his line the high priesthood continued until it... read more
The Courses of the Sons of Aaron1. Divisions.. Aaron] i.e. courses of the priests, corresponding to the course of the Levites described in 1 Chronicles 23:6. 3. Abimelech] an error (through an accidental omission) for ’Abiathar son of Abimelech,’ and so in 1 Chronicles 23:31.4. Chief men] i.e. heads of families or clans (the ’principal households’ of 1 Chronicles 24:6).6. Ahimelech the son of Abiathar] to be corrected into ’Abiathar son of Ahimelech.’19. These were the orderings, etc.] i.e. the... 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