Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel. He gathered together all the leaders of Israel, along with the priests and Levites.

The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, with a total of thirty-eight thousand men. Twenty-four thousand were appointed to oversee the work of the house of the Lord, while six thousand served as officers and judges. Four thousand worked as porters, and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments David had made for giving praise.

David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Among the Gershonites were Laadan and Shimei, who served as leaders among their families. The sons of Laadan included Jehiel, Zetham, and Joel, who led their family with distinction.

The sons of Shimei were Shelomith, Haziel, and Haran, also serving as leaders among the descendants of Laadan. Their brothers Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah were four sons of Shimei. Though Jeush and Beriah had few children, they were counted together with their father.

The Kohathites included Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Among them, Aaron and Moses were set apart to sanctify the most holy things forever, burning incense before the Lord and ministering to him in his name. Moses' sons Gershom and Eliezer also served as Levites.

Of Gershom's descendants, Shebuel was the chief leader. Eliezer had only one son, Rehabiah, who led a large group of people. Among Izhar's descendants, Shelomith held a prominent position. Hebron's sons were Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.

Uzziel's sons were Micah and Isshiah, with Micah being the elder. The Merarites included Mahli and Mushi, whose descendants included Eleazar and Kish. When Eleazar died without children, his sisters were taken in by their relatives, the sons of Kish.

Mahli had three sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. David counted Levi's families individually from twenty years old upwards, who worked in the service of the Lord's house. The LORD God of Israel had given rest to his people, and they would dwell in Jerusalem forever.

The Levites were no longer responsible for carrying the tabernacle and its vessels. By David's final instructions, the Levites were counted from twenty years old upwards, their duties including serving the sons of Aaron in attending to tasks in the courts and chambers, purifying sacred objects, and performing household service.

Their responsibilities included preparing showbread, fine flour for meal offerings, unleavened cakes, baked goods in pans, fried foods, and other items according to specific measurements. They were also tasked with standing every morning and evening to thank and praise the Lord.

The Levites offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord at sabbaths, new moons, and set feasts, following the number and order commanded, continually before the Lord. They oversaw the duties of the tabernacle, the holy place, and their brethren, the sons of Aaron, in serving the house of the Lord.