1 Chronicles 24:14

KJV

The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

KJV (with Strong's)

The fifteenth {H2568}{H6240} to Bilgah {H1083}, the sixteenth {H8337}{H6240} to Immer {H564},

Complete Jewish Bible

the fifteenth for Bilgah, the sixteenth for Immer,

Berean Standard Bible

the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

American Standard Version

the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 24:14 is an administrative record that meticulously lists the fifteenth and sixteenth divisions of priests, assigned respectively to the families of Bilgah and Immer. This verse is part of a larger chapter detailing King David's divinely inspired organization of the Aaronic descendants into twenty-four courses for systematic and continuous service in the future Temple, ensuring a structured and orderly approach to worship and sacred duties for generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a highly detailed genealogical and administrative section of 1 Chronicles, specifically chapter 24. This chapter meticulously outlines King David's organization of the descendants of Aaron into twenty-four divisions, or "courses," for service in the Temple that Solomon would build. The preceding verses (1 Chronicles 24:1-13) establish the overall framework, identifying the heads of the first fourteen divisions, while the subsequent verses (1 Chronicles 24:15-19) complete the list of all twenty-four courses. The entire chapter emphasizes David's foresight and dedication to establishing a well-structured and functional system for worship and sacrifice, laying the groundwork for centuries of Temple service in Jerusalem. This detailed enumeration highlights the orderly nature of God's people and their service, ensuring that sacred duties were distributed equitably and continuously.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King David, though forbidden to build the Temple himself, devoted significant effort to preparing for its construction and operation. This included not only gathering materials but also organizing the personnel for its service. The division of priests into courses was a practical necessity given the large number of priestly families (as highlighted in [1 Chronicles 23:3-5](/1_chronicles/23-3 "1 Chronicles 23:3-5 - David's Census of Levites")). The method of casting lots, mentioned earlier in [1 Chronicles 24:5](/1_chronicles/24-5 "1 Chronicles 24:5 - Casting Lots for Priestly Divisions"), was a common practice in ancient Israel for discerning God's will and ensuring impartiality in significant decisions. This system ensured that all eligible priestly families among the descendants of Aaron had their turn to serve, maintaining continuity and equity in sacred duties across generations, preventing any one family from monopolizing service and ensuring broad participation.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous organization of the priesthood in this chapter, including the specific listing in 1 Chronicles 24:14, underscores several key themes. Firstly, **Order and Structure** are paramount, reflecting a divine principle that worship and service should be conducted decently and in order, not haphazardly. Secondly, the theme of **Divine Appointment** is evident, as the use of lots signifies God's direct involvement in establishing these divisions, giving divine sanction to David's administrative efforts. Thirdly, this passage highlights **Preparation for God's Work**; David's actions demonstrate the importance of intentional planning and foresight in facilitating proper worship and service, even for future generations. Finally, the emphasis on **Generational Faithfulness and Continuity** ensures that the sacred duties would be maintained consistently through the various priestly families for the duration of the Temple's existence, underscoring the enduring nature of covenant service.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bilgah (Hebrew, _bilgah_):** This name refers to the head of the fifteenth priestly division. While the etymology is uncertain, its significance here lies not in a specific meaning but in its function as a precise identifier within a comprehensive administrative list. The inclusion of "Bilgah" underscores the meticulous nature of David's organization, ensuring that every designated priestly lineage had its specific place and turn in the divine service structure.
* **Immer (Hebrew, _'immer_):** This name designates the head of the sixteenth priestly division. Like Bilgah, the importance of "Immer" is its role in the detailed enumeration of priestly courses. Its presence confirms the systematic and exhaustive nature of David's census and organizational efforts, ensuring that no family entitled to priestly service was overlooked in the grand scheme of Temple administration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The fifteenth to Bilgah":** This clause indicates the precise sequential order of the priestly divisions. "Bilgah" represents a specific family line among the descendants of Aaron, chosen by lot to serve as the fifteenth course. This highlights the systematic and equitable distribution of sacred duties, ensuring that each family had its designated turn.
* **"the sixteenth to Immer":** Following the same pattern, this clause identifies the "Immer" family as the head of the sixteenth priestly division. The repetition of the structure emphasizes the methodical and comprehensive nature of David's organizational blueprint, underscoring the meticulous planning involved in preparing for the Temple's operations and the continuity of its service.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 24:14 and the surrounding verses is **Enumeration**, which is the listing of items in a particular order. This chapter functions as an **Administrative Record**, meticulously detailing the twenty-four priestly divisions. The consistent pattern of "the Xth to Y" throughout the list demonstrates **Repetition**, which serves to reinforce the systematic and exhaustive nature of David's organization. While seemingly dry, this detailed listing underscores the Chronicler's theological emphasis on **Order** and **Preparation** for worship, portraying David not just as a warrior king but as a faithful steward who meticulously prepared for the future spiritual life of the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 24:14, as part of the broader organization of the priesthood, highlights the biblical emphasis on order, structure, and divine appointment in worship and service. The detailed administrative record reflects God's character as a God of order, who desires His people to serve Him with intentionality and precision. This commitment to structure ensured the continuity of sacred duties, preventing chaos and promoting faithfulness across generations. It underscores the principle that every part of God's people has a designated role and contributes to the overall functioning of the community in glorifying Him.

* [Exodus 28:1](/exodus/28-1 "Exodus 28:1 - Consecration of Priests")
* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order in the Church")
* [Hebrews 7:11-19](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-19 - A New Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane listing of priestly divisions in 1 Chronicles 24:14 carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God values order, intentionality, and faithfulness in service. Just as David meticulously planned for the Temple's service, we are called to approach our spiritual lives and community involvement with purpose and discipline. Every member of the body of Christ, like each priestly course, has a unique and valuable role to play, contributing to the effective functioning and spiritual health of the whole. This verse encourages us to embrace our specific callings, no matter how seemingly small or administrative, with diligence and a recognition that our service, when done in order, contributes to the larger work of God's kingdom and brings Him glory. It prompts us to consider how we can better organize our lives and ministries to serve God more effectively and consistently.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on order in the Old Testament priesthood inform our understanding of worship and service in the church today?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry could greater intentionality and organization lead to more effective service for God?**
* **How does recognizing your specific role within the body of Christ, however seemingly "small," contribute to the overall health and mission of the church?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of names and divisions?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists like the priestly divisions in 1 Chronicles 24, including 1 Chronicles 24:14, serves several important purposes. First, it underscores the historical accuracy and meticulous nature of the biblical record, demonstrating that these were real people and real administrative structures. Second, it highlights the importance of order and organization in God's work, showing David's divinely inspired foresight in preparing for the Temple's continuous service. Third, it emphasizes the principle of accountability and the equitable distribution of responsibilities among the numerous priestly families. Finally, these lists often serve a theological purpose, demonstrating God's faithfulness in maintaining His covenant people and providing for their worship, as seen in the careful preservation of the priestly lineage (e.g., [Ezra 2:61-63](/ezra/2-61 "Ezra 2:61-63 - Priests Excluded from Priesthood")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 24:14 details the Old Covenant system of priestly service, it ultimately points to the superior and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. The meticulous organization of the Aaronic priests, with their assigned courses and duties, foreshadowed the perfect order and singular efficacy of Christ's high priestly ministry. Unlike the Levitical priests who served in shifts and offered repeated sacrifices (as noted in [Hebrews 10:11](/hebrews/10-11 "Hebrews 10:11 - Repetitive Sacrifices")), Jesus, as our great High Priest, offered Himself once for all, securing eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All")). His perfect sacrifice and intercession fulfill and supersede the Old Testament priestly system, establishing a new covenant where all believers are made a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise")). Thus, the detailed administrative blueprint of David points forward to the ultimate, perfectly ordered, and eternally effective work of Christ, who brings us directly into God's presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.