2. DiViSiOn of the Levites according to the three great fanzilies. Having ascertained their number, David, following the example of the Mosaic institution, divided the Levitical fathers' houses, according to their descent from the three sons of Levi, when it was ascertained that these three sons Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, were represented by heads of fathers' houses (I Chron. xxiii. 6-23 ; xxiv. 2o-31), as fol. lows :— 3. Classification and cluties of Me Levites.—These twenty-four father's houses, numbering 38,000 men qualified for active service, were then divided into four classes, to each of which different duties were assigned.
a. The first class consisted of 24,000 Levites. These were appointed to assist the priests in the work of the sanctuary (Xcrouryoripres). They had the custody of the official garments and sacred vessels, had to deliver them when wanted, and col lect and lock them up again after they had been used ; to replenish the sacrificial storehouse with cattle, flour, wine, oil, incense, and other articles used as sacrifices, and mete out each time the re quired quantity ; to provide the different spices from which the priests compounded the incense (1 Chron. ix. 30) • to prepare the shewbread and the other baked t'hings used at sacrifices ; to assist the priests in slaughtering the victims, and to attend to the cleaning of the Temple, etc. (1 Chron. xxiii. 28-32 ; ix. 29). They had most probably, also, the charge of the sacred treasury (i Chron. xxvi. 2o-28). Like the priests, they were subdivided into twenty-four courses or companies, according to the above named twenty-four Levitical fathers' houses, and were headed respectively by one of the twenty-four representatives of these houses. Each of these courses was a week on duty, and was relieved on the Sabbath (2 Kings xi.) by the company whose turn it was to serve next ; so that there were always a thousand men of this class on duty, and each man had to serve two weeks during the year. The menial work was done by the Nethhzim, who were appointed to assist the Levites in these matters [NETEINEtt].
b. The second class consisted of 4000, who were the musicians (N.040t, con-ivn). They too were subdivided into twenty-four courses or choirs, each headed by a chief (r Citron. xxv.), and are to be traced back to the three great families of Levi, in asmuch as four of the chiefs were sons of Asaph, a descendant of Gershon Chron. vi. 24-28); six were sons of Jeduthan, also called Ethan (I Chron. xv. 17), a descendant of Merari Chron. vi. 28) ; and fourteen were sons of Haman, a descendant of Kohath (1 Chron. vi. IS). Each of these thiefs had eleven assistant masters from his own sons and brothers, thus making to,g,ether 288 (r Chron. xxv.
7). Hence, when these are deducted front the 4000, there remain for each band consisting of twelve chief musicians, 1,54 or 155 subordinate musicians. As twelve musicians were required to be present at the daily morning and evening service, thus demanding 168 to be on duty every week, the twenty-four courses which relieved each other in hebdomadal rotation must have consisted of 4032, and 4000 given by the chronicler is simply to be regarded as a round number. Of this class, there fore, as of the former, each individual had to serve two weeks during the year.
c. The third class also consisted of 4000. They were the gate-keepers (7nAcopol, n+-oty, Chron. xxvi. 1-19), and as such bore arms (Ibid. ix. 19 ; 2 Chron. xxxi. 2). They had to open and shiit the gates, to keep strangers and excommunicated or unclean persons from entering the courts, and to guard the storehouse, the temple, and its courts, at night. They, too, were subdivided into twenty four courses, and were headed by twenty-four chiefs from the three great families of Levi ; seven were sons of Meshelmiah, a descendant of Kohath ; thirteen were from Obededom, a descendant of Gershon ; and four were sons of Hosah, a descend ant of Merari. These three families, including the twenty-four chiefs, consisted of ninety-three mem bers, who, together with the three heads of the families, viz., Meshelmiah, Obedeclom, and Hosah, made ninety-six, thus yieldin,g four chiefs for each course. We thus obtain a watch- course every week of 162 or 163 persons, under the command of four superior watches, one of whom was the commander-in-chief. As twenty-four sentinel posts are assigned to these guards, thus making 168 a week, it appears that each person only served one day in the weel; Chron. xxvi.) a'. The fourth class consisted of 6o00 who were appointed for outward affairs (mwmri nv,hcro, as scribes and judges (r Chron. xxvi. 29-32), in contradistinction to the vvork connected with the service of the sanctuary. It appears that this class was subdivided into three sections ; Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business of Israel (1 Chron. xxvi. 29) ; Hashabiah of Hebron and his brethren, numbering 17oo, wcre officers west of Jordan, in all the business of the Lord and in thc service of the king' (ver. 3o); whilst Jerijah, also of Hebron, and his brethren, numbering 27oo active men, were rulers east of Jordan, for every matter pertaining to God and affairs of the king' (vers. 31, 32). It will thus be seen that this class con sisted of Kohathites, being descendants of Izhar and Hebron.