1 Chronicles 23

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 23 of 29

1 And David was old, and satisfied with days, and caused his son Solomon to reign over Israel.

2 And he gathered all Israel's rulers, and the priests, and the Levites.

3 And the Levites were counted from a son of thirty years and upward; and their number by their heads, as to men, thirty-eight thousand.

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Chapter Summary

David makes Solomon king. The number and distribution of the Levites. The families of the Gershonites. The sons of Kohath. The sons of Merari. The office of the Levites.

Key Hebrew Words

עֲבֹדָה service H5656 · TWOT 1553c
מַחֲלֹ֫קֶת division, course H4256 · TWOT 669d
קָדַשׁ to sanctify H6942 · TWOT 1990
מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת charge, duty H4931 · TWOT 2414g
הָלַל to praise H1984 · TWOT 500
שֹׁעֵר gatekeeper H7778 · TWOT 2437b

People & Context

David

Aged king who makes Solomon reign, numbers the Levites, and divides them by courses for temple service

Solomon

David's son, made king over Israel as David organizes the Levites for the coming house of Jehovah

Aaron

Set apart to sanctify the most holy things and burn incense; his sons are the priests the Levites serve

Moses

The man of God whose sons Gershom and Eliezer are reckoned to the tribe of Levi

Levi

Tribal head whose sons Gershon, Kohath, and Merari head the divisions David organizes

Timeline

David makes Solomon king

Being old and satisfied with days, David causes his son Solomon to reign over Israel.

1 Chronicles 23:1
David gathers leaders and Levites

David gathers all the rulers of Israel, along with the priests and the Levites, to organize the temple service.

1 Chronicles 23:2
Levites numbered and roles assigned

The Levites aged thirty and older are counted, totaling 38,000. David assigns 24,000 as overseers, 6,000 as officers/judges, 4,000 as gatekeepers, and 4,000 to praise Jehovah with instruments.

1 Chronicles 23:3-5

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