1 Chronicles 23

7-11. the Gershonites--They had nine fathers' houses, six descended from Laadan, and three from Shimei.

1 Chronicles 23:12-20 . OF KOHATH.

12. The sons of Kohath--He was the founder of nine Levitical fathers' houses.

13. Aaron was separated--as high priest

14. concerning Moses--His sons were ranked with the Levites generally, but not introduced into the distinctive portion of the descendants of Levi, who were appointed to the special functions of the priesthood.

1 Chronicles 23:21-23 . OF MERARI.

21-23. The sons of Merari--They comprised six fathers' houses. Summing them together, Gershon founded nine fathers houses, Kohath nine, and Merari six: total, twenty-four.

1 Chronicles 23:24-32 . OFFICE OF THE LEVITES.

24-27. These were the sons of Levi . . . that did the work . . . from the age of twenty years and upward--The enumeration of the Levites was made by David ( 1 Chronicles 23:3 ) on the same rule as that followed by Moses ( Numbers 4:3 ), namely, from thirty years. But he saw afterwards that this rule might be beneficially relaxed, and that the enrolment of Levites for their proper duties might be made from twenty years of age. The ark and tabernacle being now stationary at Jerusalem, the labor of the Levites was greatly diminished, as they were no longer obliged to transport its heavy furniture from place to place. The number of thirty-eight thousand Levites, exclusive of priests, was doubtless more than sufficient for the ordinary service of the tabernacle. But this pious king thought that it would contribute to the glory of the Lord to employ as many officers in his divine service as possible. These first rules, however, which David instituted, were temporary, as very different arrangements were made after the ark had been deposited in the tabernacle of Zion.