1 Chronicles 23:6

1Ch 23:6 And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, [namely], Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Ver. 6. And David divided them into courses.] Into certain ranks and distinct functions, according to the commandment of God by Gad and Nathan. {2Ch 29:25} David, at the beginning of his reign, had distinguished the priests and Levites into certain ranks and orders, {1Ch 16:4} but now that their number was greatly increased, and they were to serve in the temple that was shortly after to be erected, he ordered all things better, and with greater diligence.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 23:6. David divided them into courses — Which he did not by his own invention, but, as a man of God, by his command, and with the advice and concurrence of Gad and Nathan the prophets, as is manifest from 2Ch 8:14; 2Ch 29:25.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

23:6-23 David divided the Levites into divisions according to their ancestral families. The number of available clerics far exceeded the requirements for a single Temple; the divisions provided a necessary time-sharing mechanism that enabled all the priests and Levites to serve in the Temple periodically (cp. Luke 1:5, 8).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi--These are enumerated according to their fathers' houses, but no more of these are mentioned here than the twenty-four thousand who were engaged in the work connected with the Lord's house. The fathers' houses of those Levites corresponded with the classes into which they [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities] as well as the priests were divided (see on Ch1 24:20-31; Ch1 26:20-28).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(6) And David divided them into courses.—Heb., he divided him them (reflexive form of verb, with suffix) into divisions. (Comp. 1Ch_24:3, and Gen_14:15.) Others read the simple voice of the verb here, as at 1Ch_24:4-5, 2Ch_23:18, Neh_9:22; others, again, the intensive voice, as at 1Ch_16:3 (only). It is a question of pointing, the consonants remaining the same in each form. “David divided them,” i.e., the 2,400 superintendents (1Ch_23:4; comp. 1Ch_23:24). Many of the names here enumerated recur in 1Ch_24:20-31; 1Ch_26:20-28; whereas the names of the courses of musicians (1Ch_25:1-31), warders (1Ch_26:1-19), and scribes and judges (1Ch_26:29-32), are totally different.

Among the sons of Levi.—Rather, according to the sons of Levi, viz., according to Gershon, &c.: that is, according to the three great sub-divisions of the tribe (1Ch_6:1; 1Ch_6:16). Notice the correct spelling, “Gershon” (not Gershom).

(6-23) The twenty-four houses of the Levites.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6. the sons of Levi] Cp. 1Ch_6:1; 1Ch_6:16.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi,.... Into three classes, according to the number of them, which follow: namely:

Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; see Exo 6:16.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Into 24 courses, like the priests, that each class might serve twice a year for a whole week, chap. xxiv. 31. (Tirinus) --- God had already made choice of the posterity of Levi; and David, with the princes, Sadoc, &c., disposed of them by lots, (chap. xxiv. 6.) to serve in the tabernacle, and in the future temple. (Worthington)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

David divided them into courses; which he did not by his own invention, but as a man of God, and by the command of God, and with the advice and concurrence of Gad and Nathan the prophets, as is manifest from 2Ch 8:14; 29:25.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Here begin the families of the Levites, as arranged in courses by David. These arrangements were scrupulously observed by Solomon. (2Ch_8:14 2Ch_29:25)

Orderliness required in God"s service.

The chronicler here reviews the arrangements made by David for the efficient conducting of Divine service in the tabernacle and temple, and the importance of order in worship is suggested for our consideration.

I SUCH ORDERLINESS SECURES DUE PREPARATION. Anything like hurry is unsuitable in connection with Divine worship and work. Each man should know beforehand his place. "Hands should be laid on no man suddenly." Seriousness, quietness, and thoughtfulness are proper in the house of God. Now men need to "sanctify themselves" by meditation and prayer before going to the temple, just as the old priests and Levites did.

II Such ORDERLINESS AIDS THE DEVOTION OF THE WORSHIPPERS. Stillness and regular occupations that do not call off the attention or disturb meditation are important helps to worshippers. Remember Keble"s lines on the sacramental season

Sweet awful hour! the only sound One gentle footstep gliding round, Offering by turns on Jesus" part The cross to every band and heart.

III SUCH ORDERLINESS GIVES RIGHT TONE TO WORSHIP. Show here how distinct the idea of worship is from mere sermon-hearing, or mere receiving of religious instruction, or exciting of religious feeling. Worship should take us wholly out of the self-sphere, and set. us in the God-sphere. And order, quiet, the beautiful in form and expression, are important associations of worship. Illustrate by the way in which our feelings are toned on entering the cathedral or sharing in stately cathedral service. No section of Christian people can safely neglect this element of orderliness; and each Christian worshipper should personally and anxiously aid in its maintenance. Here some of the forms in which modern worship fails may be dealt with: these will differ as apprehended by members of the different religious communities. "Order is Heaven"s first law." Order is man"s witness for God, who rules and tones all things. Order may be the characteristic feature of all worship, whatever may be its form whether it be severe as the Puritanic, or artistic as the Roman Catholic. Illustrate by the moral influence exerted by the well-ordered home, and its relation to the comfort, peace, and good culture of the family. R.T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi,.... Into three classes, according to the number of them, which follow: namely:

Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; see Exo 6:16.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)