1 Chronicles 23:24 -

This and the remaining verses of the chapter contain some general provisions regarding the offices and future work of the Levites—in part David's last edition of such provisions. (On the present verse comp. Numbers 1:1-4 ; Numbers 4:1-3 , Numbers 4:21-23 , Numbers 4:29 , Numbers 4:30 ; Numbers 8:23-26 .) It is not easy to reconcile this verse with 1 Chronicles 23:3 . Keil cuts the knot at once by supposing the "thirty" years of 1 Chronicles 23:3 to be the error of a copyist, to whose memory the Mosaic census was present. And with Bertheau, he objects to the supposition that this verse describes a supplementary census, in conformity with "David's last words" ( 1 Chronicles 23:27 ), and as contrasted with his former directions. With the exception of what is contained in 1 Chronicles 23:25-27 , it is true that these do not offer themselves sufficient indications to make one feel confident of this explanation. On the other hand, to set down the number "thirty" in 1 Chronicles 23:3 at once to the mistake of a copyist is too summary and convenient a way of escaping an awkward difficulty. It is evident that the following three verses do purport to explain why at this time the age of allowable service was altered to a standard so much lower than of old, and to assert that this alteration was recognized by the last orders of David.