Israelites and Levites I Chronicles 9

I Chronicles 9:1 "So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression."

This chapter covers three primary subjects: original (first Israelites) inhabitants of their possessions, jobs of Levites and Saul's generations.

Verse 2 is a general statement that these were first: Israelites, priests, Levites and Nethinims. Then narrowing to Jerusalem it lists many names: children of Judah, of Benjamin, of Ephraim, of Manasseh and so forth.

The part of this chapter that I found most interesting was that the Levites had specific jobs in and around the house of the LORD. It was not a haphazard, volunteer thing. Even the priests sons had jobs and would work their way up to the office of priests.

Particular mention is made of Phinehas (who had a story on him in previous study): v20 "And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them in time past, and the LORD was with him."

The porters, keepers of the gates, north, south, east and west.

v22 "All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office."

They also had charge of the treasures of the house of the LORD. v26

Some cared for the vessels, v28, some of the ointment of spices, v20, some of things made in pans, v31, some of the shewbread, v32, some were singers, v33. v34 "...these dwelt at Jerusalem."

It must have been a beehive of activity around the tabernacle and the temple. Everyone going about their certain tasks and no confusion about it for they knew who did which job.

With the closing verses about Saul's genealogy, we end for now the name to name verses and go into the life and death of Saul.

Psalm 104:1 "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty."

Keywords: Old Testament, Israel, Jerusalem, Chronicles, genealogies, Bible Study, Saul, Levites, porters, shewbread. Genealogies and jobs of the Levites.