The big picture
1 Chronicles 24 opens in verse 1 with “Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 16 with “The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,”, and closes in verse 31 with “These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence…” Repeated or prominent terms include sons, Eleazar, Ithamar, fathers, house. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Chronicles · King James Version · 311 Chronicles 24:1-8
1–8: These are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab…
1 Chronicles 24:1–8 opens with “Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar…” and reaches “The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 24 develops its own movement around sons, Eleazar, Ithamar, fathers, house, with particular weight carried by sons, Eleazar, Ithamar.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” Naming Aaron and Abihu keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to…” Naming Ahimelech and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
1 Chronicles 24:1-8
King James Version1Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest’s office.
3And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
4And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.
5Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
6And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
7Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
1 Chronicles 24:9-16
9–16: The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
1 Chronicles 24:9–16 opens with “The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,” and reaches “The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 24 develops its own movement around sons, Eleazar, Ithamar, fathers, house, with particular weight carried by Abijah, Aphses, Bilgah.
1 Chronicles 24:9-16
King James Version9The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
12The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Aphses,
16The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
1 Chronicles 24:17-24
17–24: The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
1 Chronicles 24:17–24 opens with “The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,” and reaches “Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 24 develops its own movement around sons, Eleazar, Ithamar, fathers, house, with particular weight carried by sons, twentieth, first.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD , according to their manner…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
1 Chronicles 24:17-24
King James Version17The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
18The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
19These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD , according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
20And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.
21Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, the first was Isshiah.
22Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of Shelomoth; Jahath.
23And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
24Of the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons of Michah; Shamir.
1 Chronicles 24:25-31
25–31: The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
1 Chronicles 24:25–31 opens with “The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.” and reaches “These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 24 develops its own movement around sons, Eleazar, Ithamar, fathers, house, with particular weight carried by sons, fathers, Mahli.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.” Naming Isshiah and Michah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Chronicles 24:25-31
King James Version25The brother of Michah was Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah.
26The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi: the sons of Jaaziah; Beno.
27The sons of Merari by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri.
28Of Mahli came Eleazar, who had no sons.
29Concerning Kish: the son of Kish was Jerahmeel.
30The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites after the house of their fathers.
31These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Chronicles 24:1 begins with “Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Chronicles 24:7 forms a natural hinge: “Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,”
The final note
1 Chronicles 24:31 leaves the reader with “These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words sons, Eleazar, Ithamar, fathers, house, twentieth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does Rebekah contribute beyond family eligibility?
Energy, hospitality and a direct decision to make the journey.
Why is the servant's retelling so long?
It presents the sequence to the family and explains why he sees divine guidance in it.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.