1 Chronicles – Chapter 23

Old Testament32 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 23 of 1 Chronicles begins: "David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel." The chapter centers on Aaron, David and Moses. Across its 32 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel.

2And he gathered together all the princes of Israel, and the priests and Levites.

3And the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years, and upwards: and there were found of them thirty-eight thousand men.

4Of these twenty-four thousand were chosen, and distributed unto the ministry of the house of the Lord: and six thousand were the overseers and judges.

5Moreover four thousand were porters: and as many singers singing to the Lord with the instruments, which he had made to sing with.

6And David distributed them into courses by the families of the sons of Levi, to wit, of Gerson, and of Caath, and of Merari.

7The sons of Gerson were Leedan and Semei.

8The sons of Leedan: the chief Jahiel, and Zethan, and Joel, three.

9The sons of Semei: Salomith, and Hosiel, and Aran, three: these were the heads of the families of Leedan.

10And the sons of Semei were Leheth, and Ziza, and Jaus, and Baria: these were the sons of Semei, four.

11And Leheth was the first, Ziza the second: but Jaus and Baria had not many children, and therefore they were counted in one family, and in one house.

12The sons of Caath were Amram, and Isaar, Hebron, and Oziel, four.

13The sons of Amram, Aaron, and Moses. And Aaron was separated to minister in the holy of holies, he and his sons for ever, and to burn incense before the Lord, according to his ceremonies, and to bless his name for ever.

14The sons also of Moses, the man of God, were numbered in the tribe of Levi.

15The sons of Moses were Gersom and Eliezer:

16The sons of Gersom: Subuel the first.

17And the sons of Eliezer were: Rohobia the first: and Eliezer had no more sons. But the sons of Rohobia were multiplied exceedingly.

18The sons of Isaar: Salomith the first.

19The sons of Hebron: Jeriau the first, Amarias the second, Jahaziel the third, Jecmaam the fourth.

20The sons of Oziel: Micha the first, Jesia the second.

21The sons of Merari: Moholi, and Musi. The sons of Moholi: Eleazar and Cis.

22And Eleazar died, and had no sons but daughters: and the sons of Cis their brethren took them.

23The sons of Musi: Moholi, and Eder, and Jerimoth, three.

24These are the sons of Levi in their kindreds and families, princes by their courses, and the number of every head that did the works of the ministry of the house of the Lord from twenty years old and upward.

25For David said: The Lord the God of Israel hath given rest to his people, and a habitation in Jerusalem for ever.

26And it shall not be the office of the Levites to carry any more the tabernacle, and all the vessels for the service thereof.

27So according to the last precepts of David, the sons of Levi are to be numbered from twenty years old and upward.

28And they are to be under the hand of the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, in the porches, and in the chambers, and in the place of purification, and in the sanctuary, and in all the works of the ministry of the temple of the Lord.

29And the priests have the charge of the loaves of proposition, and of the sacrifice of fine flour, and of the unleavened cakes, and of the fryingpan, and of the roasting, and of every weight and measure.

30And the Levites are to stand in the morning to give thanks, and to sing praises to the Lord: and in like manner in the evening,

31As well in the oblation of the holocausts of the Lord, as in the sabbaths and in the new moons, and the rest of the solemnities, according to the number and ceremonies prescribed for every thing, continually before the Lord.

32And let them keep the observances of the tabernacle of the covenant, and the ceremonies of the sanctuary, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, that they may minister in the house of the Lord.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 23

David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel.

1 Chronicles 23:1

The sons of Amram, Aaron, and Moses. And Aaron was separated to minister in the holy of holies, he and his sons for ever, and to burn incense before the Lord, according to his ceremonies, and to bless his name for ever.

1 Chronicles 23:13

For David said: The Lord the God of Israel hath given rest to his people, and a habitation in Jerusalem for ever.

1 Chronicles 23:25

And let them keep the observances of the tabernacle of the covenant, and the ceremonies of the sanctuary, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, that they may minister in the house of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 23:32

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 1 Chronicles was written with the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship in view. Chapter 23 of 29 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 32 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Aaron, David, Moses and Eleazar appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel." The chapter ends with: "And let them keep the observances of the tabernacle of the covenant, and the ceremonies of the sanctuary, and the…" In terms of historical background, Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 32-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of David's legacy and Temple preparation. A pivotal line is verse 1: "David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Chronicles 23 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1502).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Aaron4 mentionsDavid4 mentionsMoses3 mentionsEleazar2 mentionsSolomon1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims 1 Chronicles Chapter 23 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in 1 Chronicles Chapter 23. At the moral level, evangelization and missionary discipleship challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 2559).

As you continue through 1 Chronicles, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 23 about?

1 Chronicles 23 contains 32 verses. It opens with "David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel." and closes with "And let them keep the observances of the tabernacle of the covenant, and the ceremonies of the sanctuary, and the…". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 23?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "David being old and full of days, made Solomon his son king over Israel." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 23?

This chapter mentions Aaron, David, Moses, Eleazar, Solomon.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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