Reading
- 1 Chron. 23:1a, 2-32; 24:31, 1-19; 25:1-31; 26:1-11
Devotional
David is now old and he begins the process of transferring the kingdom to his son Solomon. David recognizes Solomon's youth and inexperience and he helps ease the transition by preparing much of the work Solomon is to undertake, specifically the construction of the temple of GOD. David calls together all the leaders of Israel, including the Levites and begins assigning specific duties to the Levites.
For David said, “The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever”; and also to the Levites, “They shall no longer carry the tabernacle, or any of the articles for its service.” For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above; because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God, both with the showbread and the fine flour for the grain offering, with the unleavened cakes and what is baked in the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of measures and sizes; to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening; and at every presentation of a burnt offering to the LORD on the Sabbaths and on the New Moons and on the set feasts, by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the LORD; and that they should attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, the needs of the holy place, and the needs of the sons of Aaron their brethren in the work of the house of the LORD.
(1 Chron. 23:25-32 NKJV)
Then David began dividing the assignments by family and by lot within the families. First, the sons of Aaron were given an order by which they would perform the priestly duties in the temple. Then David appointed certain Levite families to be responsible for singing and playing musical instruments before the LORD. Next, David assigned families to be gatekeepers.
David was making considerable changes to the responsibilities of the Levites, but it is clear that GOD is supportive of David's efforts. These changes would have long-lasting implications upon the Jews up through the destruction of Herod's temple in 70 A.D.
