Twenty-Four Divisions of Priests
1 These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.
3
With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service.
4
Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar.
5
Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.
6
The scribe, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar, and then one from Ithamar.
7
The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8
the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9
the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10
the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11
the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12
the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13
the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14
the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15
the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17
the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18
the twenty-third to Delaiah, and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19
This was their appointed order for service when they entered the house of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.