Summary:
The Levites
Verses 1-6
When David was old, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He gathered all the Israelite leaders, priests, and the Levites. 38,000 Levites, ages 30+, were counted. David appointed the following Levites with specific duties:
- 24,000 to supervise the work of the Lord's temple
- 6,000 officials and judges
- 4,000 gatekeepers
- 4,000 to praise the Lord with the appointed musical instruments
David divided the Levites into groups, with respect to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Key: [] = Mother
+ = Firstborn Son
* = Son
d = Daughter
w = Wife
Gershonites
Verses 7-11
Ladan -> Jehiel+, Zetham*, Joel*
Shimei -> Shelemoth*, Haziel*, Haran* - the heads of Ladan's families
-> Jahath+, Ziza*, Jeush*, Beriah* - the last two did not have many sons, so they were counted as one family with one assignment
Kohathites
Verses 12-20
Kohath -> Amram*, Izhar*, Hebron*, Uzziel*
Amram -> Aaron*, Moses* - Aaron and his descendants were set apart to consecrate the most holy things, offer sacrifices to God, minister, and bless His name forever. Moses, the man of God, and his sons were counted as part of the Levite tribe.
Moses -> Gershom*, Eliezer*
Gershom -> Shubael+
Eliezer -> Rehabiah+ (an only son) -> many sons
Izhar-> Shelomith+
Hebron -> Jeriah+, Amariah, Jahaziel, Jekameam
Uzziel -> Micah+, Isshiah
Merarites
Verses 21-32
Merari -> Mahli*, Mushi*
Mahli -> Eleazar*, Kish*
Eleazar -> daughters only
Kish -> sons that married Eleazar's daughters (Yes, they were cousins. Remember, this was a much different time than it is now.)
Mushi -> Mahli* (how sweet - he named his son after his brother), Eder*, Jerimoth*
These were the workers, ages 20+, who served in the Lord's temple. (I know, it said ages 30+ in the begining. What is important is that they served God.) David declared that, since God had given Israel rest, the Levites didn't have to carry the tabernacle or the articles used in its service. The Levites were to help Aaron's descendants in the service of the temple. They were in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of sacred things, and other duties in God's house. They were also in charge of the bread set out on the table, the flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baking and mixing, and the measurements of quantities and sizes. They were to stand every morning and evening, during the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals, and appointed feasts to give thanks and praise to the Lord. They were to serve before God regularly, in the proper number and way prescribed.
The Levites carried out the responsibilities for the Tent of the Meeting and the Holy Place, under their brothers, the descendants of Aaron, to serve in the Lord's temple.
Lori's Thoughts:
This time, when David counted the people, it was for the service of God, rather than the service of self, as when he counted the fighting men of Israel. This was a time of peace. Rather than fighting or fleeing, Israel would be established. Rather than praying to God for strength and deliverance, it was now time for Israel to praise God for the times He had helped and protected them.
Imagine if you had a buddy that you helped out of financial crises time and again, as a gift. You never asked for reimbursements. Imagine if that buddy took your money and never once expressed gratitude. I would be pretty frustrated and question our friendship.
It is just as important to stop moving forward, stand where you are, lift your head and hands up, and make a joyful noise, as it is to lean and depend upon God. Acknowledge all the times God got you unstuck or shielded you from the flaming arrows of the evil one. Believe me, your heart will swell and you will say as David said in the 23rd Psalm, "My cup runneth over".
As sinners, we don't know how to pray or praise, which is why there were so many rules for worship. Now, there is freedom in Christ and we can worship freely - by ourselves or with others.
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