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1 Chronicles 23

32 verses

TL;DR

David anoints Solomon as king and provides a detailed census of the Levites, outlining their duties and marking a transition in temple service.

Summary

In 1 Chronicles 23, King David, nearing death, anoints his son Solomon to be king of Israel, establishing the line of succession. He then gathers the princes, priests, and Levites to conduct a census of the Levites, who are organized by their lineages of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The census records over thirty‑eight thousand Levites, specifying how many serve in temple duties, as judges, as porters, and as musicians. David details the responsibilities of the Levites—carrying the tabernacle, handling the holy vessels, preparing offerings, and maintaining the sacred spaces—while also announcing that they will no longer transport the tabernacle. He emphasizes the permanence of Jerusalem as the dwelling place of the Lord and the continuation of the Levites’ service under the sons of Aaron. The chapter concludes with instructions for the daily and festival worship of the people.

Outline
  1. David anoints Solomon as king of Israel.
  2. David conducts a census of the Levites and assigns their temple duties.
  3. David issues instructions that Levites will no longer carry the tabernacle, marking a shift in service.
Themes
Succession and royal legitimacyOrder and structure in temple serviceDivine worship and the role of the Levites
Keywords
Levitescensustabernacleshewbreadburnt offeringsJerusalemsuccession
People
DavidSolomonLeviGershonKohathMerariAaronMosesLaadanShimeiJehielZethamJoelShelomithHazielHaranJahathZinaJeushBeriah
Places
Jerusalem
Things
tabernacleholy vesselsshewbreadfine flourunleavened cakesburnt offerings
Key Verses
  • 1 Chronicles 23:1: David anoints Solomon, establishing the line of kings.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:23: Census of the Levites, showing organization and numbers.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26: Declaration that Levites will no longer carry the tabernacle, indicating a shift in practice.
Questions
  • What does David’s anointing of Solomon reveal about his plan for Israel’s future?
  • How does the detailed census reflect the importance of order in religious service?
  • Why might the Levites have been relieved from carrying the tabernacle, and what does that signify for temple worship?
  • In what ways does the chapter link the permanence of Jerusalem to the role of the Levites?
  • What can we learn about the division of labor among the Levite families?
Sentiment

neutral
The passage is descriptive and administrative, presenting information without emotional bias.