Levite Rosters (1 Chronicles 24)

Have we witnessed faithful saints leave a church just exhausted? Do we divide responsibilities wisely, so that no one is overburdened? Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 24.

How was it decided to divide the Levitical families into rosters for duty?

These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight. Thus they were divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar. (1 Chr 24:1-6 WEB)

How was the rotation of the priests in twenty four duty rosters decided?

The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. These were to enter the Lord’s temple according to their appointed duty and by the procedure established for them by their ancestor Aaron, just as the Lord God of Israel had instructed him. (1 Chr 24:7-19 CEB)

What were the temple duties of the rest of the tribe of Levi?

Here is a list of the other descendants of Levi: Amram was the ancestor of Shubael and Jehdeiah. Rehabiah was the ancestor of Isshiah, the oldest son in his family. Izhar was the father of Shelomoth and the grandfather of Jahath. Hebron had four sons, in the following order: Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam. Uzziel was the father of Micah and the grandfather of Shamir. Isshiah, Micah's brother, was the father of Zechariah. Merari was the father of Mahli, Mushi, and Jaaziah. Jaaziah had three sons: Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar had no sons, but Kish was the father of Jerahmeel. Mushi had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the descendants of Levi, according to their clans. 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. (1 Chr 24:20-31 CEV)

Even in a house church, did one person dominate or were duties to be shared? What is an important purpose of any church assembly?

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Cor 14:26 ESV)

Have we witnessed faithful saints leave a church just exhausted? Do we divide responsibilities wisely, so that no one is overburdened? You decide!