The Levites

In 1 Chronicles 23-27 we read how David organized the people for the purpose of transferring the kingdom to Solomon. It's important for us to understand that this was not an arbitrary organizing. David gave Solomon "the plans for all that he had by the Spirit...also for the division of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and for all the articles of service in the house of the Lord" (1 Chronicles 28:11-13; NKJV). "All this," said David, "the LORD made me understand in writing by His Hand upon me, all the works of these plans" (1 Chronicles 28:19; NKJV).

Consider Jehovah's organizing of the Levites:

1. All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests.

2. In order to be a priest, one must be of the tribe of Levi, of the branch of Kohath, and of the particular family of Aaron - see Exodus 28:1; Numbers 3:10; 18:1-7.

3. In order to be High Priest, one must be of the family of Aaron, and the direct descendant of the High Priest, usually passed from the Priest to his oldest son.

4. Other Levites served in various capacities connected with the worship, but they did not offer the animal sacrifices or the incense - see Numbers 18:3

Jason Cicero