1 Chronicles 24 Study Notes: The Priestly Divisions Chosen by Lot
David arranges Aaron’s descendants into twenty-four priestly divisions through Eleazar and Ithamar, since Nadab and Abihu had died childless. The order of service is fixed by lot under Aaron’s God-given regulations, and the remaining Levite families draw lots the same way.
General
True or False: Abijah’s priestly division, one of the twenty-four divisions assigned by lot in this chapter, is the division to which Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, belonged (1 Chronicles 24:10; Luke 1:5).
Answer: True
This is true. The eighth lot fell to Abijah (24:10), one of the twenty-four priestly divisions that took turns serving at the LORD’s house (24:18-19). In the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah is introduced as a priest of the division of Abijah (Luke 1:5). While his division was serving, he was selected by lot, following priestly custom, to burn incense in the temple (Luke 1:8-9), and there an angel told him that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son named John (Luke 1:13). The order David set up was still guiding temple service in Luke’s account.
- 1 Chronicles 24:10 (BSB)“the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,”Abijah is among those to whom the lots fell for the priestly divisions.
- Luke 1:5 (BSB)“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.”Luke identifies Zechariah as a priest of the division of Abijah.
- Luke 1:8-9 (BSB)“One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.”Zechariah serves when his division is on duty and is chosen by lot to burn incense.
- Luke 1:13 (BSB)“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”In the temple the angel announces the birth of Zechariah’s son John.
Theological
True or False: The division of Abijah listed in 1 Chronicles 24:10 reappears in Luke as the division of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist.
Answer: True
This is true. Abijah received the eighth lot among the twenty-four divisions (24:10), whose rotation 24:19 grounds in Aaron’s regulations. Luke introduces Zechariah as a priest of Abijah’s division (Luke 1:5); while that division was serving, the lot, following priestly custom, chose him to burn incense in the temple (Luke 1:8-9), where the angel announced the birth of his son John (Luke 1:13). The structure David established was still in use when God announced the birth of the forerunner.
- 1 Chronicles 24:10 (BSB)“the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,”Abijah is among those to whom the lots fell for the priestly divisions.
- Luke 1:5 (BSB)“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.”Luke identifies Zechariah as a priest of the division of Abijah.
- Luke 1:8-9 (BSB)“One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.”Zechariah serves when his division is on duty and is chosen by lot to burn incense.
- Luke 1:13 (BSB)“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”In the temple the angel announces the birth of Zechariah’s son John.
General
How did the remaining Levite families receive their order of service (1 Chronicles 24:31)?
Answer: By lot, following the same pattern as the priests
After the priests’ divisions, the chapter lists the rest of Levi’s descendants (24:20-30). They received their places the same way Aaron’s descendants had, by casting lots (24:31). The priestly families had been divided by lot because both of Aaron’s surviving lines had leading officers (24:5). This drawing took place before the same witnesses as the priests’ drawing: King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the leaders of the priestly and Levite families (24:6, 24:31). The leading members of each family and the younger ones took part on the same terms, so the lot rather than seniority set the order. Proverbs teaches that every decision of the lot comes from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33).
- 1 Chronicles 24:31 (BSB)“As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.”The rest of the Levites cast lots as the priests had, family heads and younger brothers alike.
- 1 Chronicles 24:5 (BSB)“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.”The priestly families were divided by lot because both lines had leading officers.
- 1 Chronicles 24:6 (BSB)“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.”The king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family heads witness the recording of the priests’ divisions.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The outcome of the lot is said to come from the LORD.
Theological
According to 24:31, what procedure gave the remaining Levite families their order of service?
Answer: By lot, following the same pattern as the priests
The remaining descendants of Levi (24:20-30) were ordered by the same method as the priests: lots were cast for them just as for Aaron’s descendants (24:31), whose divisions had been drawn by lot since both priestly lines had men of high office (24:5). The same witnesses were present, the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the leaders of the priestly and Levitical families (24:6, 24:31), so the arrangement was public and uniform across the tribe of Levi. Senior and junior members drew on equal footing, leaving the outcome to the LORD, who determines every decision of the lot (Proverbs 16:33).
- 1 Chronicles 24:31 (BSB)“As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.”The rest of the Levites cast lots as the priests had, family heads and younger brothers alike.
- 1 Chronicles 24:5 (BSB)“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.”The priestly families were divided by lot because both lines had leading officers.
- 1 Chronicles 24:6 (BSB)“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.”The king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the family heads witness the recording of the priests’ divisions.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The outcome of the lot is said to come from the LORD.
General
Aaron had four sons. Why did the priesthood pass to Eleazar and Ithamar alone (1 Chronicles 24:1-2)?
Answer: Their older brothers died before Aaron and left no sons
The chapter begins with Aaron’s four sons. The two eldest, Nadab and Abihu, lost their lives while their father was still alive and left no children, so the priesthood continued through their brothers Eleazar and Ithamar (24:1-2). Leviticus tells how they died: they brought fire into the LORD’s presence that He had not authorized, against what He had commanded, and fire from the LORD consumed them (Leviticus 10:1-2). Moses explained that God was displaying His holiness among those who approach Him (Leviticus 10:3). Numbers adds that because they were childless, Eleazar and Ithamar alone carried out the priestly duties during Aaron’s lifetime (Numbers 3:4). Every priestly division David organized traced back to these two surviving brothers.
- 1 Chronicles 24:1-2 (BSB)“These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.”Aaron’s two older sons died before him without sons, leaving Eleazar and Ithamar as priests.
- Leviticus 10:1-2 (BSB)“Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.”Leviticus records how Nadab and Abihu died after offering fire God had not commanded.
- Leviticus 10:3 (BSB)“Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.”Moses explains their death as the LORD showing His holiness to those who come near Him.
- Numbers 3:4 (BSB)“Nadab and Abihu, however, died in the presence of the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai. And since they had no sons, only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.”Numbers confirms they had no sons, so only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests under Aaron.
Theological
According to 24:1-2, why did the priestly line run only through Eleazar and Ithamar?
Answer: Their older brothers died before Aaron and left no sons
The divisions of Aaron’s descendants open with a reminder of judgment: Nadab and Abihu perished during their father’s lifetime without sons, so the priesthood passed through Eleazar and Ithamar alone (24:1-2). Their death came when they offered fire the LORD had not authorized, against His command, and were consumed by fire from His presence (Leviticus 10:1-2), a display of God’s holiness toward those who draw near to Him (Leviticus 10:3). Because they were childless, the two surviving brothers alone carried out the priestly office during Aaron’s lifetime (Numbers 3:4), and all twenty-four of David’s priestly divisions descend from them.
- 1 Chronicles 24:1-2 (BSB)“These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests.”Aaron’s two older sons died before him without sons, leaving Eleazar and Ithamar as priests.
- Leviticus 10:1-2 (BSB)“Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD.”Leviticus records how Nadab and Abihu died after offering fire God had not commanded.
- Leviticus 10:3 (BSB)“Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.”Moses explains their death as the LORD showing His holiness to those who come near Him.
- Numbers 3:4 (BSB)“Nadab and Abihu, however, died in the presence of the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai. And since they had no sons, only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.”Numbers confirms they had no sons, so only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests under Aaron.
General
What basis does 24:19 give for the order in which the priests served at the LORD’s house?
Answer: Regulations given through Aaron at the LORD’s command
The divisions were not a human invention. Their order of service at the LORD’s house followed regulations laid down through Aaron at the LORD’s command (24:19). God had given the priestly duties to Aaron’s family (Numbers 3:10), and Aaron’s line was consecrated for all time to serve before Him and bless in His name (23:13). Speaking of the high priest, the book of Hebrews says that no one claims that honor for himself; it comes only by God’s call, as it did for Aaron (Hebrews 5:4).
- 1 Chronicles 24:19 (BSB)“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.”The priests’ order of service follows the regulations the LORD commanded through Aaron.
- Numbers 3:10 (BSB)“So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.””God appoints Aaron and his sons to the duties of the priesthood.
- 1 Chronicles 23:13 (BSB)“The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.”Aaron and his descendants are set apart forever for holy service before the LORD.
- Hebrews 5:4 (BSB)“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.”Hebrews teaches that the high priest’s honor comes by God’s call, as Aaron’s did.
Theological
According to 24:19, on what authority did the priestly divisions rest?
Answer: Regulations given through Aaron at the LORD’s command
Although David organized the divisions, 24:19 grounds their order in regulations given through Aaron at the LORD’s command. The priesthood rested on divine appointment: the LORD gave its duties to Aaron’s family (Numbers 3:10) and set Aaron’s line apart forever for holy service (23:13). Hebrews states the principle for the high priest: no one claims that honor for himself; only God’s call confers it, as with Aaron (Hebrews 5:4). David’s arrangement applied God’s command; it did not replace it.
- 1 Chronicles 24:19 (BSB)“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.”The priests’ order of service follows the regulations the LORD commanded through Aaron.
- Numbers 3:10 (BSB)“So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.””God appoints Aaron and his sons to the duties of the priesthood.
- 1 Chronicles 23:13 (BSB)“The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.”Aaron and his descendants are set apart forever for holy service before the LORD.
- Hebrews 5:4 (BSB)“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.”Hebrews teaches that the high priest’s honor comes by God’s call, as Aaron’s did.
General
Why were the priestly families of Eleazar and Ithamar divided by lot (1 Chronicles 24:4-5)?
Answer: Both lines had men holding high office in God’s service
Eleazar’s line had more family heads than Ithamar’s, so it received more divisions (24:4). Yet both lines had men holding office in the sanctuary and in God’s service, so the order of service was settled by lot rather than by rank or favor (24:5). The names were recorded before the king and the leaders, with a family drawn from each line in turn (24:6). Proverbs teaches that although people cast the lot, its outcome comes from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33), and that the lot settles disputes between powerful rivals (Proverbs 18:18). Israel had divided its land the same way (Numbers 26:55). God, not human preference, set each family’s place.
- 1 Chronicles 24:4-5 (BSB)“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. 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.”The families are grouped by line and then divided by lot because both lines had leading officers.
- 1 Chronicles 24:6 (BSB)“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.”The assignments are recorded publicly, alternating between the two lines.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The outcome of the lot is said to come from the LORD.
- Proverbs 18:18 (BSB)“Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.”The lot is said to settle quarrels between strong opponents.
- Numbers 26:55 (BSB)“Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.”Israel’s land had also been divided by lot among the tribes.
Theological
What reason does 24:5 give for assigning the priestly divisions by lot?
Answer: Both lines had men holding high office in God’s service
Eleazar’s line had more family heads, so it received more divisions (24:4), but because both lines included men holding office in the sanctuary and in God’s service, the order was fixed by lot (24:5), recorded publicly before the king and the leaders, one family from each line in turn (24:6). The method removed rank and favoritism from the decision and placed it under God’s providence: the lot is thrown, yet its outcome is the LORD’s (Proverbs 16:33), and it settles disputes between powerful rivals (Proverbs 18:18). Israel’s inheritance in the land had likewise been distributed by lot (Numbers 26:55).
- 1 Chronicles 24:4-5 (BSB)“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. 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.”The families are grouped by line and then divided by lot because both lines had leading officers.
- 1 Chronicles 24:6 (BSB)“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.”The assignments are recorded publicly, alternating between the two lines.
- Proverbs 16:33 (BSB)“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”The outcome of the lot is said to come from the LORD.
- Proverbs 18:18 (BSB)“Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.”The lot is said to settle quarrels between strong opponents.
- Numbers 26:55 (BSB)“Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.”Israel’s land had also been divided by lot among the tribes.