1 Chronicles 23:1-6·~1 min

The Divisions of the Levites

David, old in years, makes Solomon king and gathers Israel’s leaders, priests, and Levites. The Levites thirty and older are counted, and their number is set at 38,000.

W¹hen David was old and full of years, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel. ²Then he gathered all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. ³The Levites thirty years of age or older were counted, and the total number of men was 38,000.

David assigns the Levites to temple oversight, civic duties, guarding, and musical praise. He then divides them into ordered groups under the sons of Levi.

⁴“Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges, ⁵4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.” ⁶Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi:

Section summaryDavid installs Solomon, gathers Israel’s leaders with the priests and Levites, and counts the Levites for service. He assigns them across oversight, judgment, guarding, and praise, then orders them by the lines of Levi’s sons.

Role in the chapterThis opening section sets the chapter’s frame by moving from royal succession to sacred administration. It shows David preparing not only the throne but the ordered service of the LORD’s house.