1 Chron. 24 The priests are divided by lot into twenty-four orders, 1 Chron. 24:1–19. Ministers allotted them out of the Levites, out of the tribe of the Kohathites and Merarites, 1 Chron. 24:20–31.

The divisions, i.e. the several branches into which that family was divided or distributed.

i.e. Were the only persons to whom and to whose families the execution of that office was committed.

According to their offices, or courses, or prefectures, i.e. allotting to each of them several times wherein they or theirs should by turns have the government of holy ministrations in the temple service.

Thus were they divided by lot; partly to prevent that envy or emulation which otherwise might arise among them; and partly that all men’s minds and consciences might be fully satisfied in the order now established by this Divine way of decision.

Or, the chief (which word is easily supplied out of the context) of one house of the fathers was taken (to wit, by lot) for Eleazar, ( i.e. out of his family,) and that which was taken after it was taken for Ithamar, i.e. out of his family.

The first lot came forth, to wit, out of the vessel, in which all the lots were promiscuously put together, and out of which they were severally taken.

These were the orderings of them in their service; in this order and method they were to come to perform the offices of the temple. To come into the house of the Lord, according to their manner, i.e.

The rest of the sons of Levi; either such as were only Levites, and not priests; or rather, such as were not named or numbered before in this or the former chapter.

Rehabiah, the son of Eliezer, 1 Chron. 23:17. The first was Jeshiah, by birth or place.

Shelomoth, called also Shelomith, 1 Chron. 23:18

The first; which word is fitly supplied both out of the rest of this verse, the second, third, and fourth having a manifest reference to the first, and out of 1 Chron. 23:19, 1 Chron. 26:31, where it is expressed.

Jaaziah; the son either of Mahli; or rather, of Mushi last named; for Mahli’s posterity comes 1 Chron. 23:28.

Beno; whose name is here repeated with his brethren, because he was the first-born and head of the rest, who were all reckoned with and under his family, as if they had been branches of it.

Kish; another of Mahli’s sons, as appears from 1 Chron. 23:21.

Over against their brethren the sons of Aaron, i.e. answerable for number and order to those of the priests, so as there should be a several course of the Levites for each course of the priests. This is expressed concerning the singers, 1 Chron.