Today's Daily Bread

PRIESTLY DIVISION

Date : Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Passage : 1Chronicles 24:1~31
Keyverse : 19  
1
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
2
But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests.
3
With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelek a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering.
4
A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than among Ithamar’s, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar’s descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar’s descendants.
5
They divided them impartially by casting lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar.
6
The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelek son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites - one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar.
7
The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,
8
the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,
9
the fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
10
the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,
11
the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shekaniah,
12
the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
13
the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab,
14
the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,
15
the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez,
16
the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel,
17
the twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18
the twenty-third to Delaiah and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19
This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their ancestor Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.
20
As for the rest of the descendants of Levi: from the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah.
21
As for Rehabiah, from his sons: Ishiah was the first.
22
From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath.
23
The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth.
24
The son of Uzziel: Micah; from the sons of Micah: Shamir.
25
The brother of Micah: Ishiah; from the sons of Ishiah: Zechariah.
26
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno.
27
The sons of Merari: from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zakkur and Ibri.
28
From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons.
29
From Kish: the son of Kish: Jerahmeel.
30
And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth. These were the Levites, according to their families.
31
They also cast lots, just as their relatives the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelek, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest.
Aarons’ descendants were separated into two priestly lines: Eliezer and Ithamar. (Aaron’s eldest sons Nadab and Abihu disobeyed God, and they died. They and their family lines lost their precious chance to serve God.)

God has given us all a mission to serve him. May we serve God with humility and obedience. It is a great privilege to serve God. Eliezer and Ithamar’s descendants were then assigned their respective turns to minister before God. Since Eliezer’s line was more numerous than Ithamar's, there were consequently more turns assigned to Eliezer’s line than the Ithamar’s to minister before God.

The rest of the Levites, although they had no priestly duty, cast lots as well. They were also assigned tasks to do as Levites in serving God’s temple. God is the God of order. The rest of the Levites did not do random work here and there; they cast lots to be assigned into a clear role, family by family.

The Levites served God as musicians, gatekeepers, treasurers, and other roles. These are also very important and necessary in serving God. Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for an opportunity to serve you.
One Word: Serve God with gratitude