Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 6

Verses 1-81

In this whole chapter, consisting of eighty-one verses, the one subject is the priestly tribe. This in itself reveals the standard from which the history was written. Judah, the kingly tribe, is the only one which has more space devoted to it, occupying, as it does, one hundred and two verses. These, however, center in David.

In the section now under consideration, the sons of Levi, around whom the divisions of the tribe for service were made, are named-Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Then there follows a list of the priests, which undoubtedly is intended to reveal the ground of Joshua's claim by succession. The list is not complete, for names are omitted here, to be found elsewhere in the Scripture records. The chain, however, is perfectly complete from Aaron to Jehozadak, the father of Jehoshua. After this list has been given, the genealogies return to the three sons of Levi already mentioned, and the subject proceeds in four movements. In the final one the genealogies of each of the sons of Levi culminate in the person of one man, Kohath in Heman, Gershon in Asaph, Merari in Ethan. These were men prominent in the reign of David.

Continuing to deal with the tribe of Levi, the chronicler first described the special work of Aaron and his sons. While the Levites generally had the charge of the whole house of God, the work of the high priests was specifically attendance at the altar of burnt-offering, at the altar of incense in the Holy Place, and in connection with the Day of Atonement. Following this, the chapter is occupied with an account of the arrangements made for the dwelling of the Levites. As we have seen in the consideration of earlier records, this distribution ensured the scattering of the priestly order throughout all the land.