Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 24

Verse 1

CONTENTS

Here is a continuation of the same subject concerning the Levites as the former. The several divisions in the different branches of the Levites are here made by lot.

Verses 1-18

The division and arrangement begins very properly in the house of Aaron; for Aaron himself was called of God. Hebrews 5:4 . And it was worthy observation that the appointment of this man's family to the offices assigned them, was done by lot. The apostles of Jesus did the same in filling up the vacancy of the traitor Judas. This was done by lot, accompanied with earnest prayer that the Lord's choice, and not man's, might be known and attended to. If this were made the plan now, instead of human caprice, fancy, interest, and humour, would it not be more scriptural, and more likely to produce blessings? Acts 1:24 .

Verse 19

I cannot help detaining the Reader at this verse just to observe, that the regular course which those Levites were appointed to seems to have been observed as a standing thing ever after, even unto the conning of the Lord Jesus Christ. No doubt it received interruption during the Babylonish captivity. But yet perhaps even there it might, in some measure, have been regarded. This, however, I cannot determine. But it is worthy remark that Zecharias the priest is said to be ministering in the order of his course (and which is the eighth here enumerating of Abia, or Abijah) when the angel came to him on the subject of John the Baptist's birth, and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 1:5 , etc.

Verses 20-31

How particular the Holy Ghost is in the enumeration of the names of God's servants! Reader, depend upon it, the least and most inconsiderable in God's house is neither overlooked nor forgotten by him.

Verse 31

REFLECTIONS

WHAT a sweet thought ariseth out of the perusal of this chapter! we here behold Levites set apart by lot to stand before the Lord, according to the order of their course in their daily ministration. And no doubt, beheld with an eye to Jesus, as a figure for the time then present, the order was beautiful, their ministration lovely, and they were accepted before God in Jesus. But what a sweet thought ariseth out of this very contemplation, when we consider the whole of this service as shadows only of good things to come, the body of which was Jesus; and now behold the whole body of Levites, even all the mystical members of Jesus, as set apart to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy, accept able, before God in Jesus, as their reasonable service. The Levites ministered only in the order of their course. But Jesus's Priests continually. They, when they had fulfilled their monthly station, retired to make way for the ministration of others. But Jesus's Levites are supposed daily and hourly to draw nigh to a throne of grace, having boldness to enter into the holiest at all times, and upon all occasions, by the blood of Jesus. Think, then, ye of this royal priesthood, to what vast dignity ye are called! Jesus, your great high priest, hath brought you nigh. He hath opened this new and living way by his blood, and ever liveth to keep it open by his intercession! See, then, that ye live up to this high privilege. A throne of grace is always open, always accessible, and the promise calls us to approach. Sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, consecrated by the word and prayer, and receiving of the fulness of the Spirit, let us draw near with true hearts, in full assurance of faith.