Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
Parallel translations
- WEB David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- KJV And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- NKJV Also David separated them into divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- NASB David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- NLT Then David divided the Levites into divisions named after the clans descended from the three sons of Levi—Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David organized the Levites into divisions according to Levi's three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. He structured service along established family lines.
Overview
Following the ancient genealogical structure of Levi's sons, David grouped the Levites into orderly divisions. This rootedness in family heritage gave continuity and clarity to temple service. The careful arrangement reflects God's design for ordered worship and the faithful passing of sacred duties from one generation to the next.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Chr 8:14In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.
- 1 Chr 6:1The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- Ezra 6:18They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.
- 1 Chr 6:16The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
- 2 Chr 29:25Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets.
- 1 Chr 24:1These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
- 2 Chr 35:10So the service was prepared; the priests stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions according to the king’s command.
- Num 26:57–58Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari.
- 1 Chr 26:1These were the divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.
- 2 Chr 31:2Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.
- Exod 6:16–24These were the names of the sons of Levi according to their records: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
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The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
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