1 Chronicles 24

David Assigns the Priests Their Duties

1 Aaron’s descendants were then divided into work groups. Aaron had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 *Lv 10.1,2. But Nadab and Abihu died long before their father, without having any sons. That’s why Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.

3 David divided Aaron’s descendants into groups, according to their assigned work. Zadok, one of Eleazar’s descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar’s descendants, helped David.

4 Eleazar’s descendants were divided into 16 groups, and Ithamar’s were divided into eight groups, because Eleazar’s family included more family leaders. 5 However, both families included temple officials and priests, and so to make sure the work was divided fairly, David asked God what to do.*24.5 asked God what to do: The Hebrew text has "cast lots" (see the note at 6.65).

6 As each group was assigned their duties, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the Levite wrote down the name of the family leader in charge of that group. The witnesses were David and his officials, as well as Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the family leaders from the clans of the priests and the Levites.

7-18 Each group of priests went by the name of its family leader, and they were assigned their duties in the following order: Jehoiarib, Jedaiah, Harim, Seorim, Malchijah, Mijamin, Hakkoz, Abijah, Jeshua, Shecaniah, Eliashib, Jakim, Huppah, Jeshebeab, Bilgah, Immer, Hezir, Happizzez, Pethahiah, Jehezkel, Jachin, Gamul, Delaiah, Maaziah. 19 These men were assigned their duties at the temple, just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded their ancestor Aaron.

The Rest of the Levites Are Assigned Their Duties

20 Here is a list of the other descendants of Levi:

Amram was the ancestor of Shubael and Jehdeiah.

21 Rehabiah was the ancestor of Isshiah, the oldest son in his family.

22 Izhar was the father of Shelomoth and the grandfather of Jahath.

23 Hebron had four sons, in the following order: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam.

24 Uzziel was the father of Micah and the grandfather of Shamir.

25 Isshiah, Micah’s brother, was the father of Zechariah.

26 Merari was the father of Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah.

27 Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.*24.26,27 Ibri: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 26,27.28,29 Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel. 30 Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth.

These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans. 31 Each one was assigned his duties in the same way that their relatives the priests had been assigned their duties. David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family leaders of the priests and Levites were the witnesses.