1Ch 23:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | In the last months of his life David prepares everything for the house of God and the service therein: 1. Materials for the temple in 1 Chronicles 22. 2. Levites for the temple in 1 Chronicles 23. 3. Priests for the temple in 1 Chronicles 24. 4. Singers for the temple in 1 Chronicles 25. 5. Gatekeepers and treasurers for the temple in 1 Chronicles 26. 6. Officials in his realm in 1 Chronicles 27. 7. Plans for the building of the temple in 1 Chronicles 28. 8. Final preparations for the temple in 1 Chronicles 29. David starts to completely reorganize the service of the priests and the Levites. But first he makes Solomon king in his place. He knows that his task is over (cf. ; ). It is good that, when our task is over, we are handing over our service to young people who are ready for it. We see this for example with Paul and Timothy, with Moses and Joshua, with Elijah and Elisha. We do this not by some official transfer, but by encouraging a young believer to a certain task and giving our help. The description of the transfer of the throne by David to Solomon is here different from in the first book of the Kings. In the first book of the Kings, Solomon becomes king in reaction to those who assumed the right to the throne and David must be persuaded to make Solomon king ( ). We don’t see anything of that here. Here David makes Solomon king according to his sovereign will, according to God’s counsel.

‏ 1 Chronicles 23:1-2

Introduction

In the last months of his life David prepares everything for the house of God and the service therein:

1. Materials for the temple in 1 Chronicles 22.

2. Levites for the temple in 1 Chronicles 23.

3. Priests for the temple in 1 Chronicles 24.

4. Singers for the temple in 1 Chronicles 25.

5. Gatekeepers and treasurers for the temple in 1 Chronicles 26.

6. Officials in his realm in 1 Chronicles 27.

7. Plans for the building of the temple in 1 Chronicles 28.

8. Final preparations for the temple in 1 Chronicles 29.

David Makes Solomon King

David starts to completely reorganize the service of the priests and the Levites. But first he makes Solomon king in his place. He knows that his task is over (cf. 2Tim 4:6; Gen 50:24). It is good that, when our task is over, we are handing over our service to young people who are ready for it. We see this for example with Paul and Timothy, with Moses and Joshua, with Elijah and Elisha. We do this not by some official transfer, but by encouraging a young believer to a certain task and giving our help.

The description of the transfer of the throne by David to Solomon is here different from in the first book of the Kings. In the first book of the Kings, Solomon becomes king in reaction to those who assumed the right to the throne and David must be persuaded to make Solomon king (1Kgs 1:5-40). We don’t see anything of that here. Here David makes Solomon king according to his sovereign will, according to God’s counsel.

Numbering the Levites

After his preparations for the building of the temple, the materials he has prepared for it, David will now arrange matters related to the service in the temple. The whole order that David establishes for the house is a picture of what Christ does toward His house, the church. He starts with the numbering of the Levites. They serve from their thirtieth year to their fiftieth year (Num 4:1-4). The Lord Jesus began His public service when He “was about thirty years of age” (Lk 3:23).

Some oversee the work of the house of the LORD. Others are officers and judges. Still others are gatekeepers. Finally, there are the singers for whom he had made musical instruments (cf. Amos 6:5). What Joab did not do in the census of the people – counting the Levites (1Chr 21:6) – David does here himself. This time he counts with good motives, because now it is about service to the LORD. At the census at the beginning of the wilderness journey there are more than 22,000 Levites (Num 3:41-43), now there are 38,000.

They are all assigned their places (1Chr 23:4-5), so that every available hand can be used and every part of the work can be done, with the corresponding care. The great number is a contribution to the honor of Him in the service of Whom they stand. About two-thirds, 24,000, must oversee the work in the house of the LORD. They assist the priests in slaughtering the sacrifices, washing, cutting and burning them, removing dirt, keeping the temple utensils clean, and keeping everything in place.

There are also 6,000 officials and judges. They see to it that in the land everything goes according to the right of the LORD. They apply God’s laws to the lives of the people of every day as disputes arise. There are also 4,000 gatekeepers. They must ensure that nothing enters the temple that should not enter it. In the new Jerusalem they are not needed (Rev 21:25-27). Finally, there are 4,000 singers. They praise the LORD.