Twenty-Four Courses
To King David was accorded the privilege of assembling the materials for the Temple. To his son, Solomon, was accorded the privilege of construction, dedication and ordering of the Temple and its services. One of David’s last executive acts was to assemble the Levites and designate their appointment for the Temple services. The record begins in 1 Chronicles 23. This is the principle means by which David transferred the kingdom to Solomon, and we find this transfer reaffirmed in 1 Chronicles 28-29; note especially 1 Chronicles 29:22, 23.
This appointment of the Levites is not without precedent. In Numbers 3:12, God took the Levites in place of the firstborns leaving Egypt. Forty-eight cities were assigned to them, six of which were to be cities of refuge (Numbers 35:1-8). In this ordering we can see the divine arrangement and providence by which natural and spiritual Israel are served, instructed and sanctified. We may also see in this something of the privilege and responsibility for all those who serve the Almighty’s sanctuary.
These various courses are set out in 1 Chronicles 23-27. These chapters are devoted to the details pertaining to the Temple services, and service of the king. It was in their courses of service to the Lord that the priests could behold the divine order and enquire in his Temple. As best we can determine, the 24 family heads were appointed from Levi’s family tree as charted (see diagram on following page), including some deduction in Merari’s family. These were by no means the only descendants of Levi. However, they are those fathers who had sufficient generations for the Temple service.
1 Chronicles 23 opens with a count of 38,000 Levites divided into 24,000 and some lesser numbered groups. Verse 3 notes the Mosaic ordinance of 30 years of age for the Levitical service according to Numbers chapter 4. However, in Numbers 8:23-26, Moses also accommodated those from 25 years of age, perhaps as assistants in training for 5 years. Here in 1 Chronicles 23:24, 27, the last words of David are to lower the age to 20 for those to enter some level of service. However, we may at least regard the 24,000 as full age overseers and administers for the work in Solomon’s temple.
All the Levites were organized into 24 courses of service. Yet the Priests were not included in these groups, but were grouped separately into 24 other courses from the sons of Amram. The respective 16 and 8 grandsons of Aaron formed the 24 family lines of the priesthood.
The main divisions of the service for the larger group of Levites are assigned as: “24,000 were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and 6,000 were officers and judges, and 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were praising the LORD with the instruments which David made for giving praise” (1 Chronicles 23:4-5, NAS). In chapter 27 are detailed at least another 24,000 members of a royal army from these Levites.
GENERAL DUTIES OF LEVITES
The general duties of these Levites are recorded in 1 Chronicles 23:28-32 where we learn that their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God. The services of the first group of 24,000 are detailed as follows:
(1) In the outer and inner courts.
(2) In both priest’s chambers and treasure chambers.
(3) In the purification of holy things.
(4) In the service of the house of God for the shewbread, meal offerings and unleavened cakes of all kinds.
(5) In the morning and evening to offer thanks and praise to the Lord.
(6) In the sacrifices for the Sabbaths, new moons and feast days.
(7) In keeping the charge of the Lord’s house, the holy place, and of the sons of Aaron in the house of the Lord.
24 Courses of Levites and Priests
All had their particular function and responsibility as priests in the Lord’s house. It is a peculiar feature of this ordinance that the various services and the term or season of their service were appointed by lot. Notice in 1 Chronicles 24:5-19 the lot was for the governors of the sanctuary, 1 Chronicles 25:8-31 for the singers, 1 Chronicles 26:13-14 for the porters or keepers of the gates. Scripture makes it clear that in casting of lots, divine sovereignty and decision was evidenced. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33 and Leviticus 16:8-10).
24 COURSES OF PRIESTS — 1 CHRON. 24
We are not told the numbers of these under priests, only that 24 courses served throughout the year. Likely each course served for only two weeks or two courses each month. We have 24 lots cast for heads of Aaron’s house, the priestly house of the tribe of Levi, who were the governors of God’s house (1 Chronicles 24:5, 19). They performed the daily services in accepting and offering sacrifices of the people. Luke 1:5 makes an interesting mention that John the Baptist’s father was a priest after the course of Abijah mentioned here in verse 10.
It is God’s choice where, when and how his redeemed will serve in his Temple. The casting of lots would remove all jealousy, fears of favoritism or deceit. It would recognize the choice of the Lord as to service. The priesthood was a functioning body and each member worked to fulfill the service to the Lord and the Israel of God. So it is in the body of Christ. God sets in the body the members, gifts, ministries and functions as it pleases him (1 Corinthians 12:18).
24 COURSES OF THE SINGERS AND MUSICIANS — 1 CHRONICLES 25
In this chapter David outlines the 24 courses of the 4,000 musicians. The ministry of music and song played a very important part in the Temple services. Asaph is the first mentioned as the heads of the musical families. He was the composer of a number of Psalms. The sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthan were separated to the service of mu- sic and song. The names of these fathers carry these appropriate meanings:
(1) Asaph (gatherer), four sons (verse 2).
(2) Jeduthan (praising), six sons (verse 3).
(3) Heman (faithful), fourteen sons (verses 4, 5).
We have 24 sons from these fathers to head the appointments of praise. All were under the hands of their fathers for song and music in the house of the Lord. Notice the nature of their service. They sang and prophesied with instruments (verses 1-3). These students were first instructed in the melodies of the Temple, then they could become teachers of the heavenly aria (verses 7-8).
Song and music played an important part throughout Israel’s history. The song of Moses is the first recorded song in the Bible after the deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 15). The song of Deborah also arose out of victory over Israel’s enemies (Judges 5). The songs of David cover a wide rage of subjects as seen in the Psalms. It is those who stand with the Lamb on mount Zion who sing the new song of Moses and the Lamb (Revelation 14:1-3, 15:3). And no others can learn that song.
24 COURSES OF THE PORTERS — 1 CHRONICLES 26
There were numerous gates into the Temple, but all were guarded. There were 4,000 Levites set aside to be porters over the gates of the Temple and those who were over the treasure chambers. These were of Gershon, Kohath and Merari (1 Chronicles 26:1, 10, 21). The house of Obededom was one of these (1 Chronicles 26:4-8). This house was also blessed because of his faithful care for the Ark of the Covenant, after it was defiled by Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:1-12).
All were “mighty men of valor” for service in the house of God. Such would be needed to guard the Temple and court gates. The gatekeepers were also assigned by lot. We have 24 watching the gates on the north, south, east and west (1 Chronicles 26:10-19). It would seem these were responsible for the division of 4,000 porters, superintending the Temple watches both day and night. The charge laid on these porters was similar to that of the Levites by Moses for the service of the Tabernacle (Numbers 3). They were to watch at the gates of the house of the Lord, those outer and inner gates of the court, and at the doors of the Temple (2 Chronicles 35:15). They were to watch that no unqualified person would enter these gates, so that no one unclean would defile the Lord’s habitation (2 Chronicles 23:19). They were to resist any disrespectful act such as King Uzziah when he presumed to enter the house of the Lord to burn incense, instead of the priests (2 Chronicles 26:16-18).
The porters were like watchman in their places of responsibility. Their service included guarding the treasures and spoils of war (1 Chronicles 26:20-28). A portion of these were appointed for the outward business of Israel, the business of the king, including guarding the wealth of the land and administering taxes and tithes (1 Chronicles 26:29-32).
The lesson here is that God’s people require wise overseers and visionaries to judge, counsel and direct his people in every age. They were consecrated to this ministry (Nehemiah 13:22). So members of the body of Christ today dedicate themselves to the Lord for his service and the treasures of his house and word. There are those who are the Lord’s watchmen (Ezekiel 3:17, 33:7, Isaiah 21:11-12). The porter opens the door to the good shepherd. John 10:3, “To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” In the gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem there are the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and also the 12 apostles of the Lamb, 24 names in all (Revelation 21:12-14).
12 COURSES OF OFFICERS, JUDGES AND CAPTAINS — 1 CHRONICLES 27
Finally in chapter 27, David sets 12 captains or princes of Israel who serve for 12 months of the year in their particular course. Each prince had a course of 24,000 men. These were the standing army of Israel, enlisted in the king’s service. Possibly there were 24 regiments of 1,000, or 12 regiments of 2,000, for a total of 24,000 in the legion, the largest division of the kings service. In any case there were12 legions according to the number of the 12 tribes who served their term of service throughout each year. Each legion of 24,000 men served each month by rotation, stationed at Jerusalem or other places appointed by the king. We cannot be sure if it was a single legion of 24,000 with 12 rotating officers through the year or 24 legions for a standing army of 288,000, a double of 144,000. So also in the spiritual temple, there are those who are standing ready to defend the cause of the King with the sword of the spirit.
King Solomon and his Temple Servants
When in Gethsemane, one of two swords carried by the apostles (Luke 22:38) was used by Peter. Jesus placed this defensive gesture in perspective when he replied in Matthew 26:53-54, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” Only the king could command such servants from among the Levites. With those few words, Jesus declared himself to be a king greater than Solomon, who could command the hosts of heaven, and would minister to all those who would become his royal priesthood as well as other antitypical Levites.
The Temple consists of more than the gold, silver and pillars. It is made up of the entire 24 courses of the priesthood, the 24 courses of attendant servants and the 12 courses of the Levitical army. Jesus would have more than these at his command from the heavenly hosts. So it is also with the spiritual Temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? … For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Peter 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
When all spiritual Levites have served their courses for the spiritual Temple, then Jesus’ prayer will be answered and the scriptures fulfilled. There will be more than 12 legions of angels, some serving in and others before the throne.
— Jerry Leslie