Chapter 23

1 David in his old age maketh Solomon king. 2 The number and distribution of the Levites. 7 The families of the Gershonites. 12 The sons of Kohath. 21 The sons of Merari. 24 The office of the Levites.

1. His son king. Before David died, he directed that Solomon be crowned as king (see 1 Kings 1:33–39). The record here does not go into the interesting details that prompted David to place Solomon on the throne (see 1 Kings 1).

2. Gathered together. This probably was done shortly before David’s death, in connection with the arrangements being put through for the transference of the kingdom from David to Solomon “in the fortieth year of the reign of David” (see ch. 26:31).

The Levites. Chapters 23–26 discuss the organization of the priests and Levites. The present chapter presents a summary of the number and duties of the Levites.

3. Were numbered. The Levites were not numbered at the time of David’s census of men of military age (ch. 21:6). But for the purpose of making arrangements for the conduct of all phases of the work of the realm a census of the Levites would be necessary.

Thirty years. Levites from the ages of 30 to 50 were to be employed in the “service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation” (Num. 4:47). According to Num. 8:23–25 the Lord specifically prescribed that those who should “go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle” should be from 25 to 50 years of age. Perhaps this latter group included those engaged in the manual services connected with the sanctuary. The former group probably consisted of those who engaged in the more sacred priestly services.

4. Officers and judges. The employment of Levites for such positions is mentioned also in 1 Chron. 26:29 and in 2 Chron. 19:8–10.

5. Porters. That is, doorkeepers. They did not all serve at one time, but took their turns.

Which I made. Not only did David sing and play upon musical instruments, but he seems also to have been an inventor of such instruments. Later in the history of Israel mention is made of those who invented “to themselves instruments of musick, like David” (Amos 6:5). After the Exile such instruments invented by David were apparently still in use (Neh. 12:36).

6. Courses. Verses 6–23 list the divisions of the Levites.

Gershon. Compare ch. 6:1.

7. Laadan. The name again appears in ch. 26:21, but elsewhere it is given as Libni (Ex. 6:17; Num. 3:18; 1 Chron. 6:17).

8. Sons of Laadan. There were two groups of the sons of Laadan, one group of three sons mentioned in this verse, and another group of three sons in v. 9 who are called “sons of Shimei.” The Shimei of v. 9 is believed to be a different Shimei from the one in v. 7, for the sons listed in v. 10 seem to be the latter’s.

10. Sons of Shimei. Probably the Shimei of v. 7, who was the brother of Laadan (see on v. 8).

Zina. Or, “Zizah” (v. 11).

11. Jeush and Beriah. Since these had few descendants, they were listed as one clan. Thus there were altogether 9 clans of Gershon, 6 of Laadan, and 3 of Shimei.

12. Sons of Kohath. These are listed in vs. 12–20.

13. Aaron was separated. The sons of Aaron, the priests in Israel, are not included in the present list, but are enumerated separately in ch. 24:1–19.

Most holy things. The sons of Aaron were engaged in the most sacred work of the sanctuary, namely, the burning of incense and other ministrations before Jehovah.

14. The man of God. This honorable appellation is found also in Deut. 33:1; Joshua 14:6; 2 Chron. 30:16; Ezra 3:2. The same appellation is also used concerning David (2 Chron. 8:14; Neh. 12:24, 36).

Tribe of Levi. The sons of Moses were listed as ordinary Levites and not with the priests, the sons of Aaron.

21. Mahli, and Mushi. On these sons of Merari see ch. 6:19, also Ex. 6:19 and Num. 3:33.

22. Eleazar died. His daughters married into the family of Kish, and thus his house was merged with that of Kish.

24. These were the sons. This is the subscription to the foregoing list of Levitical names.

Twenty years. According to Num. 4:3, 23, 30, 35, 43, 47, certain Levites began to serve at the age of 30, and according to Num. 8:24, 25, presumably another class of Levites began their service at the age of 25. Here, and again in 1 Chron. 23:27 and 2 Chron. 31:17, the age of 20 is mentioned. Men were enrolled for military service at the age of 20 (Num. 1:3). But in what way the Levites began their service at that age is not disclosed. Some think that some form of apprenticeship is involved. Others think that David lowered from 30 to 20 the age at which a Levite would begin his service.

25. Hath given rest. That is, rest from war (ch. 22:9). The early part of David’s reign had been characterized by war, but during his latter years, after his enemies had been subdued, he had peace, and comparative peace continued during the reign of Solomon.

26. No more carry. After the building of the Temple it would no longer be necessary to move the tabernacle or its sacred furniture.

27. Last words of David. Some suppose “the last words of David” to constitute an historical work drawn up in the latter years of David’s reign. This cannot be proved.

Twenty years. Compare v. 24 and 2 Chron. 31:17. Some think that David now changed the age limit to meet the new conditions.

28. To wait. Since the Temple furniture would no longer need to be carried about, the Levites would not be needed for that type of service, but they would henceforth minister in the permanent sanctuary, with the priests, but in subordinate positions.

29. Measure and size. They were to superintend the measuring of fine flour, wine, oil, etc., which were used in the offerings, since the exact quantities or proportions were frequently prescribed by law (Ex. 29:40; 30:23, 24; Lev. 6:20; 23:13; Num. 15:4–10).

30. To thank and praise. This no doubt refers to the special function of the 4,000 Levites set apart for this service (v. 5; cf. ch. 16:4).

32. Charge of the tabernacle. Moses had previously prescribed the functions of the priests and Levites (Num. 18:1–7). The law respecting the tabernacle was to be applied to the future Temple, which was constructed on a grander scale.