Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation With the help of Zadok, who was a descendant of Eleazar, and of Ahimelech, who was a descendant of Ithamar, David divided Aaron’s descendants into groups according to their various duties. English Standard Version With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. Berean Standard Bible With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. Berean Literal Bible And David divided them, and Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their office in their service. King James Bible And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. New King James Version Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service. New American Standard Bible David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their ministry. NASB 1995 David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their ministry. NASB 1977 And David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their ministry. Legacy Standard Bible And David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their assignments for their service. Amplified Bible David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their offices for their assigned duties. Berean Annotated Bible With the help of Eleazar’s (God has helped) descendant Zadok (righteous) and Ithamar’s (coast of palms) descendant Ahimelech (my brother is king), David (beloved) divided them according to the offices of their service. Christian Standard Bible Together with Zadok from the descendants of Eleazar and Ahimelech from the descendants of Ithamar, David divided them according to the assigned duties of their service. Holman Christian Standard Bible Together with Zadok from the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech from the sons of Ithamar, David divided them according to the assigned duties of their service. American Standard Version And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. Contemporary English Version David divided Aaron's descendants into groups, according to their assigned work. Zadok, one of Eleazar's descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar's descendants, helped David. English Revised Version And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. GOD'S WORD® Translation David, Eleazar's descendant Zadok, and Ithamar's descendant Ahimelech divided Aaron's descendants into groups for service. Good News Translation King David organized the descendants of Aaron into groups according to their duties. He was assisted in this by Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and by Ahimelech, a descendant of Ithamar. International Standard Version Along with Zadok, one of Eleazar's descendants, and Ahimelech, one of Ithamar's descendants, David organized their service according to their assigned responsibilities. NET Bible David, Zadok (a descendant of Eleazar), and Ahimelech (a descendant of Ithamar) divided them into groups to carry out their assigned responsibilities. New Heart English Bible David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. Webster's Bible Translation And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWith the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. World English Bible David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David distributes them—and Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar—according to their office in their service; Berean Literal Bible And David divided them, and Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their office in their service. Young's Literal Translation And David distributeth them, and Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their office in their service; Smith's Literal Translation And David will separate them, and Zadok from the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech from the sons, of Ithamar, for their reviewing in their service. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David distributed them, that is, Sadoc of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their courses and ministry. Catholic Public Domain Version And David distributed them, that is, Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their courses and ministry. New American Bible David, with Zadok, a descendant of Eleazar, and Ahimelech, a descendant of Ithamar, apportioned them their offices in the priestly service. New Revised Standard Version Along with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David divided them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David divided them Tsaduq from the sons of Eliazar, and Akhimlek from the sons of Ithamar, by their number in their office. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. Brenton Septuagint Translation And David distributed them, even Sadoc of the sons of Eleazar, and Achimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their numbering, according to their service, according to the houses of their fathers. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Divisions of the Priests…2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 3With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. 4Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar.… Cross References With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok 1 Chronicles 6:4-9 Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas was the father of Abishua, / Abishua was the father of Bukki, Bukki was the father of Uzzi, / Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah, Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth, … 1 Kings 2:35 And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place. Numbers 20:25-28 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. / Remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there.” / So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. … and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, 1 Samuel 21:1-9 Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. / Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.” … 1 Samuel 22:11-20 Then the king sent messengers to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and his father’s whole family, who were priests at Nob. And all of them came to the king. / “Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied. / And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.” … 1 Samuel 2:27-36 Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? / And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. / Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’ … David divided them according to the offices of their service. 1 Chronicles 23:24-32 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. / For David had said, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever. / So now the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service.” … 1 Chronicles 28:13 for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of service in the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD: 2 Chronicles 8:14 In 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. Exodus 28:1 “Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, to serve Me as priests. Numbers 3:5-10 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. / They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. … 1 Chronicles 6:49 But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 1 Chronicles 23:6 Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 1 Chronicles 25:1 Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: 2 Chronicles 23:18 Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David. 2 Chronicles 31:2 Hezekiah 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. Treasury of Scripture And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. Zadok 1 Chronicles 24:6,31 And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar… 1 Chronicles 6:4-8,50-53 Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua, … 1 Chronicles 12:27,28 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred; … 1 Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? 1 Samuel 22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; Jump to Previous Ahimelech Ahim'elech Appointed David Descendant Distributed Distributeth Distribution Divided Divisions Duties Eleazar Elea'zar Help Ithamar Ith'amar Ministry Office Offices Order Ordering Organized Positions Separated Service Work ZadokJump to Next Ahimelech Ahim'elech Appointed David Descendant Distributed Distributeth Distribution Divided Divisions Duties Eleazar Elea'zar Help Ithamar Ith'amar Ministry Office Offices Order Ordering Organized Positions Separated Service Work Zadok1 Chronicles 24 1. The division of the sons of Aaron by lot into twenty-four orders.20. The Kohathites 26. and the Merarites, divided by lot With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok Zadok was a prominent priest during the reign of King David and later Solomon. He was a descendant of Eleazar, the third son of Aaron, which placed him in a significant priestly lineage. Zadok's role in assisting David highlights the importance of maintaining the priestly order and the continuity of worship practices. His involvement underscores the collaboration between the king and the priesthood in organizing temple service, reflecting the theocratic nature of Israel's governance. Zadok's loyalty to David during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:24-29) further solidified his position and influence. and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech David divided them according to the offices of their service Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel who organized the priestly divisions. Known for his heart for God and leadership in establishing worship practices. 2. Zadok A priest from the line of Eleazar, son of Aaron. Zadok played a significant role in the priestly duties and was loyal to David. 3. Ahimelech A priest from the line of Ithamar, another son of Aaron. He assisted in the division of priestly duties. 4. Eleazar and Ithamar Sons of Aaron, the first high priest. Their descendants were divided into priestly courses. 5. Priestly Divisions The organization of priests into groups for service in the temple, ensuring orderly worship and administration. Teaching Points Order in WorshipGod values order and structure in worship, as seen in the division of priestly duties. This reflects His nature and helps maintain reverence and focus in worship settings today. Shared Leadership The collaboration between Zadok and Ahimelech highlights the importance of shared leadership and cooperation in ministry. This can be applied in church settings where diverse gifts and roles contribute to the body of Christ. Faithfulness in Service The priests' dedication to their roles serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness in whatever ministry or service God has called us to. Generational Legacy The continuation of priestly duties through generations underscores the impact of a godly legacy. Parents and leaders are encouraged to instill values and faith in the next generation. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 24:3?2. How does 1 Chronicles 24:3 show God's order in priestly duties? 3. What role did David and Zadok play in organizing the priests? 4. How does this verse connect to New Testament teachings on church leadership? 5. How can we apply the principle of order in our church ministries today? 6. What does 1 Chronicles 24:3 teach about collaboration in spiritual leadership? 7. What is the significance of David's role in organizing the priests in 1 Chronicles 24:3? 8. How does 1 Chronicles 24:3 reflect the importance of priestly duties in ancient Israel? 9. Why did David and Zadok divide the priests according to their duties in 1 Chronicles 24:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 24? 11. Who was Zadok in the Bible? 12. Is the claim in 1 Chronicles 24 of David having enough priests to fill 24 separate divisions historically plausible? 13. Numbers 3 - How do we reconcile these population figures with other biblical passages that present different census counts? 14. Ezekiel 44:15 singles out Zadokite priests for special privileges—where is the historical record or proof that this priestly line remained uniquely faithful? What Does 1 Chronicles 24:3 Mean With the help ofDavid does not act alone. Just as Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, “victory is won through many counselors,” the king seeks godly assistance for a task that affects the entire nation’s worship. This collaboration underscores that spiritual leadership benefits from shared wisdom (Acts 15:6–7 shows the same principle in the early church). Eleazar’s descendant Zadok Zadok, already prominent as priest (1 Chronicles 15:11; 2 Samuel 8:17), represents the faithful line of Eleazar, Aaron’s third son (Numbers 3:4). His presence signals continuity with Moses’ instructions and the promise in 1 Samuel 2:35 that God would raise up a “faithful priest.” When Solomon later confirms Zadok as high priest (1 Kings 2:35), it completes a thread of divine approval that begins here. Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech Ahimelech stands for the surviving branch of Ithamar (Exodus 28:1). Though Eli’s family from this line had stumbled (1 Samuel 2:30–34), God does not discard Ithamar entirely. By including Ahimelech, David shows that grace can redeem a troubled heritage (Romans 11:29), keeping both priestly houses engaged in service. David divided them The king organizes—he doesn’t create—priestly authority. First Chronicles 23:3–6 explains his earlier census of Levites; now he arranges the priests into twenty-four courses (1 Chronicles 24:4–5). This mirrors Moses structuring Israel in Numbers 2 and prefigures Paul’s exhortation that “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40). According to the offices of their service Each priestly group receives defined duties: offerings, Temple guardianship, and festival ministry (2 Chronicles 8:14). Clear roles prevent rivalry and ensure continual worship, much like the New Testament model where every believer has a distinct gift “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4–7). By anchoring ministry to office, David protects both reverence and efficiency in God’s house. summary 1 Chronicles 24:3 shows David, guided by trusted priests, arranging Israel’s worship with order, balance, and continuity. Zadok and Ahimelech embody God’s faithfulness to both priestly lines, while the structured “offices of service” guarantee that praise and sacrifice proceed without confusion. The verse calls believers today to value shared leadership, honor godly heritage, and pursue orderly service that keeps God’s presence central. (3) And David distributed them.--The same phrase as at 1Chronicles 13:3. (See Note there.)Both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar.--This expression forms part of the subject of the Hebrew sentence. The construction is like that in 1Chronicles 24:2, "And Nadab died, and Abihu." Thus, "And David divided them, and Zadok and Ahimelech," i.e., "And David, with Zadok and Ahimelech, divided them." The meaning is that Zadok and Ahimelech, the heads of the houses of Eleazar and Ithamar, assisted David in the classification of the priests. According to their offices.--Rather, According to their official class (1Chronicles 23:11). Verse 3. - The Hebrew of this verse reads, And David divided them, and Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimalech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices (לַכְסֻדָּתָם), in their service (בַּעְבֹדָתָם). And the evident purport of it is that the three, David, Zadok, and Ahimelech, conjointly made the arrangements. This is virtually repeated in vers. 6, 31 (see also 1 Chronicles 25:1 for an analogous case). For the "Ahimelech" of this verse and vers. 6, 31, should be read "Abiathar," as shown in 1 Chronicles 18:16, by comparison of 1 Samuel 22:20; 2 Samuel 20:25; 1 Kings 1:7, 8; Mark 2:26.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew With the help of Eleazar'sאֶלְעָזָ֔ר (’el·‘ā·zār) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 499: Eleazar -- 'God has helped', six Israelites descendant בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son Zadok וְצָדוֹק֙ (wə·ṣā·ḏō·wq) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6659: Zadok -- the name of several Israelites and Ithamar's אִיתָמָ֑ר (’î·ṯā·mār) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 385: Ithamar -- 'land of palms', a son of Aaron descendant בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son Ahimelech, וַאֲחִימֶ֖לֶךְ (wa·’ă·ḥî·me·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 288: Ahimelech -- 'brother of a king', an Israelite name, also a Hittite name David דָּוִ֔יד (dā·wîḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse divided them וַיֶּֽחָלְקֵ֣ם (way·ye·ḥā·lə·qêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate according to the offices לִפְקֻדָּתָ֖ם (lip̄·qud·dā·ṯām) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6486: Oversight, mustering, visitation, store of their service. בַּעֲבֹדָתָֽם׃ (ba·‘ă·ḇō·ḏā·ṯām) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5656: Work of any kind Links 1 Chronicles 24:3 NIV1 Chronicles 24:3 NLT 1 Chronicles 24:3 ESV 1 Chronicles 24:3 NASB 1 Chronicles 24:3 KJV 1 Chronicles 24:3 BibleApps.com 1 Chronicles 24:3 Biblia Paralela 1 Chronicles 24:3 Chinese Bible 1 Chronicles 24:3 French Bible 1 Chronicles 24:3 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Chronicles 24:3 David with Zadok of the sons (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr) |
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