1 CHRONICLES LESSON 27


     We will begin this lesson in I Chronicles 24:1 "Now [these are]
the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and
Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."

     The first two sons of Aaron were Nadab and Abihu. They were
killed by the LORD, when they carried strange fire into the
tabernacle. This left Eleazar and Ithamar to carry on the work of the
priests. Since Nadab and Abihu had no children when they died, it
would be up to the families of Eleazar and Ithmar to keep the
priesthood going.

     I Chronicles 24:2 "But Nadab and Abihu died before their father,
and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the
priest's office."

     Their father, Aaron, was not even allowed to grieve for them. He
had the anointing oil upon him, when they died, and some other
relatives had to come and take them out of the tabernacle. Eleazar and
Ithamar would be the priests under their father, Aaron, who was high
priest.

     I Chronicles 24:3 "And David distributed them, both Zadok of the
sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to
their offices in their service."

     This appears, that David, Zadok, and Ahimelech made the
arrangements for the services in the work of the LORD.  Ahimelech and
Zadok were both acting high priests at the time of David. Ahimelech
was the father of Abiathar. David made Abiathar high priest, after
Saul killed all of his brothers.

     I Chronicles 24:4 "And 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."

     There were 16 men of the sons of Eleazar, who were capable of
leading. There were just eight of the sons of Ithamar, who were
leaders.

     I Chronicles 24:5 "Thus 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."

     Of the children of Ithamar and of Eleazar, there was no order of
importance, so the various tasks were decided by lot. The sons of
Eleazar are allotted the governorship of the sanctuary. They would
work under their father, Eleazar. The house of God is, possibly,
speaking of the holy of holies.

     I Chronicles 24:6 "And 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."

     The lots that were drawn were recorded by Shemaiah. This is just
saying, that the two high priests were eyewitnesses to the procedure.
There seemed to be two sets of names. One was drawn for Eleazar, and
one was drawn for Ithamar.

     I Chronicles 24:7 "Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the
second to Jedaiah," I Chronicles 24:8 "The third to Harim, the fourth
to Seorim," I Chronicles 24:9 "The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to
Mijamin," I Chronicles 24:10 "The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to
Abijah," I Chronicles 24:11 "The ninth to Jeshuah, the tenth to
Shecaniah," I Chronicles 24:12 "The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth
to Jakim," I Chronicles 24:13 "The thirteenth to Huppah, the
fourteenth to Jeshebeab," I Chronicles 24:14 "The fifteenth to Bilgah,
the sixteenth to Immer," I Chronicles 24:15 "The seventeenth to Hezir,
the eighteenth to Aphses," I Chronicles 24:16 "The nineteenth to
Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,"  I Chronicles 24:17 "The one
and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,"
I Chronicles 24:18 "The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and
twentieth to Maaziah."

     In verse 10 above, the Abijah was the family that Zacharias, the
father of John the Baptist, descended from.  These are a listing of
the twenty-four descendents of Aaron in the order of the lot that was
cast.

     I Chronicles 24:19 "These [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."

     Each priest served a week from the seventh day to the seventh.
The first lot taken served first, until it had gone through all 24,
then the first one started, again.

     I Chronicles 24:20  "And the rest of the sons of Levi [were
these]: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael;
Jehdeiah."

     The rest of the sons of Amram and their descendents were not
priests or high priests, but were to wait on the sons of Aaron.
Shubael was Moses grandson.

     I Chronicles 24:21 "Concerning Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah,
the first [was] Isshiah."

     Rehabiah was the grandson of Moses through his younger son
Eliezer. This verse and the one prior to it show Moses's line.

     I Chronicles 24:22 "Of the Izharites; Shelomoth: of the sons of
Shelomoth; Jahath."

     This jumps back up to Kohath's son, Izhar, Amram's brother.

     I Chronicles 24:23 "And the sons [of Hebron]; Jeriah [the first],
Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth."

     Hebron is yet another son of Kohath, and was, also, brother to
Amram.

     I Chronicles 24:24 "[Of] the sons of Uzziel; Michah: of the sons
of Michah; Shamir." I Chronicles 24:25 "The brother of Michah [was]
Isshiah: of the sons of Isshiah; Zechariah."

     Uzziel was another son of Kohath and brother of Amram. This line
leads to Zechariah, and Shamir.

     I Chronicles 24:26 "The sons of Merari [were] Mahli and Mushi:
the sons of Jaaziah; Beno."  I Chronicles 24:27  "The sons of Merari
by Jaaziah; Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur, and Ibri." I Chronicles
24:28 "Of Mahli [came] Eleazar, who had no sons."  I Chronicles 24:29
"Concerning Kish: the son of Kish [was] Jerahmeel."

     Merari was brother to Kohath. Eleazar's daughters married Kish's
sons. These two houses were absorbed into one house in this, as the
daughters of Eleazar took on the names of the sons of Kish. Jerahmeel
carried on their families.

     I Chronicles 24:30 "The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and
Jerimoth. These [were] the sons of the Levites after the house of
their fathers."

     Mushi was the grandson of Merari. The others, mentioned here,
were descended from Mushi.

     I Chronicles 24:31 "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 fathers of the priests and
Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger
brethren."

     They cast lots in front of David, and the two high priests to
determine their position, as well.









                      1 Chronicles 27 Questions


1.  Who were the first two sons of Aaron?
2.  What happened to them?
3.  Did they have any descendents?
4.  Who were the two sons of Aaron left to carry on the work of the
    priests?
5.  Why could Aaron not grieve for his two sons, that the LORD killed?
6.  Who were Zadok and Ahimelech?
7.  Who was Ahimilech's son?
8.  When did David make him high priest?
9.  How many chief men of Eleazar were there?
10. How many chief men of Ithamar were there?
11. How were they divided?
12. The lots were recorded by whom?
13. Who were eyewitnesses of the procedure?
14. Who is descended from Abijah?
15. Each priest served a _________ from the seventh day?
16. What was different about the other sons of Amram, who descended
    through Moses?
17. Rehabiah was the ___________ of Moses.
18. Who was Izhar's brother?
19. Uzziel' s line leads to __________ and ___________.
20. Merari was brother of ___________.
21. Who did Eleazar's daughters marry?
22. Mushi was the grandson of __________.