1 Chronicles 24:1

The Groups of Priests

1 Here are the groups of priests the sons of Aaron were separated into. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 24:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 24:1

Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron
Into the classes or courses following:

the sons of Aaron; Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar;
( 1 Chronicles 6:3 ) , these were the immediate sons of Aaron; but the division or distribution of them into classes are of their posterity in the times of David, who descended from the two latter.

1 Chronicles 24:1 In-Context

1 Here are the groups of priests the sons of Aaron were separated into. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did. They didn't have any sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests.

3 With the help of Zadok and Ahimelech, David separated the priests into groups. Each group served in its appointed order and time. Zadok belonged to the family line of Eleazar. Ahimelech belonged to the family line of Ithamar.

4 More leaders were found among Eleazar's family line than among Ithamar's. So the priests were separated into their groups based on that fact. There were 16 family leaders from Eleazar's line. There were eight family leaders from Ithamar's line.

5 The priests were separated into their groups by using lots. That was the fair way to do it. The priests were officials of the temple and officials of God. They came from the family lines of Eleazar and Ithamar.