2 Chronicles 35:4

KJV

And prepare [yourselves] by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.

KJV (with Strong's)

And prepare {H3559}{H3559} yourselves by the houses {H1004} of your fathers {H1}, after your courses {H4256}, according to the writing {H3791} of David {H1732} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, and according to the writing {H4385} of Solomon {H8010} his son {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Organize yourselves by clans and duty divisions according to the arrangement written down by David king of Isra'el and Shlomo his son.

Berean Standard Bible

Prepare yourselves by families in your divisions, according to the instructions written by David king of Israel and Solomon his son.

American Standard Version

and prepare yourselves after your fathers’ houses by your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 35:4 details King Josiah's instructions to the Levites regarding their preparation for service in the Temple, specifically for the unparalleled Passover celebration. It commands them to organize themselves according to their ancestral houses and established courses, strictly adhering to the divinely inspired organizational plans laid out by King David and subsequently implemented by his son, King Solomon. This verse underscores Josiah's profound commitment to restoring pure worship and orderly service in Judah, aligning it with ancient, divinely sanctioned precedents rather than human innovation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of King Josiah's extensive religious reforms, which began in 2 Chronicles 34 with the purification of Judah and Jerusalem from idolatry, the repair of the Temple, and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. Chapter 35 then shifts focus to the culmination of these reforms: the celebration of a Passover unlike any seen since the days of Samuel. Verse 4 specifically addresses the Levites, who played a crucial role in Temple service, particularly in preparing the sacrifices for the Passover. It follows Josiah's directive to the Levites in [2 Chronicles 35:3](/2_chronicles/35-3 "2 Chronicles 35:3 - Josiah's instructions to the Levites") to put the holy ark back in the Temple and to sanctify themselves for service. The meticulous instructions here highlight the importance of proper order and adherence to established divine patterns for worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Josiah reigned during a period of significant spiritual decline in Judah, marked by widespread idolatry and neglect of the Mosaic Law, particularly under his predecessors Manasseh and Amon. His reforms represented a radical return to the covenant. The Levites, descendants of Levi, were divinely appointed to assist the priests in Temple duties, including music, guarding, and preparing sacrifices. Their organization into "courses" or divisions was a system established by King David (as detailed in [1 Chronicles 23-26](/1_chronicles/23 "1 Chronicles 23-26 - Organization of the Levites and Priests")), ensuring continuous and orderly service. Solomon, in building the Temple, implemented and continued these arrangements. Josiah's command to follow "the writing of David" and "Solomon" was not merely an appeal to human tradition but to divinely inspired blueprints for Temple worship, emphasizing a return to the foundational principles of Israel's covenant relationship with God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader historical books. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Order and Structure in Worship**. The detailed instructions for the Levites' organization ("by the houses of your fathers, after your courses") emphasize that true worship is not chaotic but is to be conducted with precision and reverence, reflecting God's own orderly character. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Adherence to Divine Precedent and Revealed Word**. Josiah's insistence on following "the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son" demonstrates that legitimate worship is rooted in God's revealed will, as conveyed through His chosen instruments. This echoes the broader theme of [obedience to God's commands](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love God with all your heart") found throughout the Law. Finally, the verse contributes to the overarching theme of **Restoration and Revival**. Josiah's reign is depicted as a period of profound spiritual renewal, where the people, led by their king, earnestly sought to return to God's ways after generations of apostasy, culminating in the unparalleled [Passover celebration described in 2 Chronicles 35](/2_chronicles/35 "2 Chronicles 35 - Josiah's Passover").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prepare (Hebrew, כּוּנוּ, _kûnu_):** This verb, often translated as "establish," "make ready," or "prepare," carries a sense of firming up or making something secure and fit for purpose. Here, it implies not just a casual readiness but a thorough, intentional, and divinely aligned preparation for sacred service. It suggests a deep commitment to ensuring that the Levites are properly consecrated and organized according to established divine patterns, ready to fulfill their specific roles in the Temple.
* **Courses (Hebrew, מַחֲלְקוֹת, _maḥălĕqôt_):** This noun refers to divisions, classes, or shifts, specifically the organized groupings of priests and Levites for their rotating Temple service. King David meticulously arranged these courses (as documented in [1 Chronicles 24:1](/1_chronicles/24-1 "1 Chronicles 24:1 - Divisions of the Priests") and following chapters) to ensure continuous and orderly worship throughout the year. The term emphasizes the structured, systematic nature of their duties, preventing chaos and ensuring accountability within the Levitical ministry.
* **Writing (Hebrew, מִכְתָּב, _mikhtāv_):** This word denotes something written, an inscription, or a document. In this context, it refers to the authoritative, recorded instructions and organizational plans for Temple service established by David and Solomon. It highlights the formal, documented nature of these divine directives, underscoring their permanence and the expectation that they be precisely followed. It implies a standard, a blueprint, against which their current actions were to be measured.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers":** This initial command instructs the Levites to organize and sanctify themselves according to their ancestral lineages or family divisions. This was a fundamental aspect of Israelite identity and service, ensuring that each family unit understood its specific role and responsibility within the broader Levitical structure. It emphasizes a return to the divinely established tribal and familial order for service.
* **"after your courses":** This phrase specifies the method of organization: according to the established divisions or shifts for Temple service. This refers to the system of rotating service established by King David, where different groups of Levites would serve at designated times throughout the year. It underscores the importance of systematic, orderly, and continuous service, preventing overlap or neglect of duties.
* **"according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son":** This crucial part of the verse provides the ultimate authority for the Levites' organization. It indicates that Josiah's reforms were not arbitrary but were a faithful restoration of the divinely inspired patterns for Temple worship and Levitical service laid down by King David and implemented by King Solomon. David was instrumental in organizing the Levites and their musical ministries (e.g., [1 Chronicles 23:6](/1_chronicles/23-6 "1 Chronicles 23:6 - David's organization of the Levites")), and Solomon oversaw the construction of the Temple and the establishment of these services within it (e.g., [2 Chronicles 7:6](/2_chronicles/7-6 "2 Chronicles 7:6 - Solomon's dedication of the Temple")). This appeal to their "writing" signifies a return to established, authoritative, and divinely sanctioned precedent.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to emphasize its core message. The **Repetition** of "according to the writing of" powerfully underscores the authority and foundational nature of the instructions given by David and Solomon. This repetition acts as an insistent reminder that Josiah's reforms are not innovative but restorative, rooted in established, divinely-approved patterns. There is a strong sense of **Allusion** to earlier historical accounts, particularly the detailed organizational records in 1 Chronicles, which are implicitly invoked as the "writing" being referenced. This device lends historical weight and legitimacy to Josiah's directives. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Emphasis** on **Order** and **Authority**. The meticulous instructions for preparation, combined with the explicit reference to royal and divinely-inspired "writing," highlight the paramount importance of structured, obedient worship. The very structure of the command, moving from general preparation to specific organizational methods, and finally to the ultimate authoritative source, creates a sense of logical progression and undeniable mandate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that true worship is not subject to human whims or innovation but must conform to God's revealed will and established patterns. Josiah's diligent adherence to "the writing of David" and "Solomon" demonstrates a deep respect for divine precedent and the continuity of God's covenant relationship with His people. It teaches that order, structure, and intentional preparation are essential components of reverent service to God, reflecting His character of holiness and wisdom. The Levites' organization into courses and by family houses was not merely for efficiency but for maintaining spiritual purity and accountability within sacred duties. This commitment to established order and obedience to God's word was foundational to the spiritual revival experienced under Josiah, highlighting that genuine spiritual renewal often involves a return to foundational truths and practices.

* [1 Chronicles 23:6](/1_chronicles/23-6 "1 Chronicles 23:6 - David's organization of the Levites")
* [Leviticus 10:3](/leviticus/10-3 "Leviticus 10:3 - God's holiness and the priests' responsibility")
* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let all things be done decently and in order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 35:4 offers timeless lessons for believers and the church today. It reminds us that our service and worship should not be haphazard or based on personal preference, but should be intentional, orderly, and deeply rooted in God's revealed truth. Just as Josiah looked back to the divinely inspired patterns of David and Solomon, so too should the church continually examine its practices against the clear instructions and principles found in Scripture. This verse calls us to a spirit of humility and obedience, recognizing that God has provided guidance for how we are to approach Him and serve in His kingdom. It encourages us to value structure and preparation in our spiritual lives, ensuring that our collective worship and individual service are conducted with reverence, purpose, and according to God's design, rather than human invention. It prompts us to ask: Are we prepared for service? Is our service aligned with biblical principles?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on "preparation" and "order" in this verse challenge our modern approaches to worship and ministry?**
* **In what ways might we, like Josiah, need to "return to the writing" of God's Word to ensure our practices align with His established will?**
* **What specific areas of your personal or corporate spiritual life could benefit from more intentional preparation and adherence to biblical patterns?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son"?**

Answer: This phrase is highly significant because it grounds Josiah's reforms in authoritative, divinely inspired precedent rather than human innovation. King David, guided by God, meticulously organized the Levites and priests into divisions or "courses" for Temple service (e.g., [1 Chronicles 23-26](/1_chronicles/23 "1 Chronicles 23-26 - Organization of Levites and Priests")). His "writing" likely refers to these detailed organizational plans. King Solomon, his son, then implemented these plans when he built and dedicated the Temple (e.g., [2 Chronicles 7:6](/2_chronicles/7-6 "2 Chronicles 7:6 - Solomon's dedication of the Temple")). By referencing their "writing," Josiah was not merely appealing to tradition but to a divinely sanctioned blueprint for worship, emphasizing a return to the pure, original, and God-ordained way of serving in the Temple, which had been neglected for generations. It underscored the legitimacy and divine mandate of his reforms.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 35:4 details the meticulous preparation of the Levitical priesthood for Temple service under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The elaborate system of courses, preparations, and sacrifices pointed forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice and eternal priesthood of Jesus. Christ is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), rendering all animal sacrifices obsolete. Furthermore, Jesus is our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, our Great High Priest"), who entered the true, heavenly sanctuary not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, securing an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's perfect sacrifice")). Under the New Covenant, the Levitical system of service is transformed: all believers are now part of a "[royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")" called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of praise and good deeds")). The order and preparation commanded in 2 Chronicles 35:4 foreshadow the divine order established by Christ for His church, where every member is equipped and called to serve according to His perfect plan, not through rigid Old Covenant rituals, but through the Spirit-empowered ministry of reconciliation and worship in truth and spirit ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")).

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.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 8:14

And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.

1 Chronicles 23:1

¶ So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

1 Chronicles 23:26

And also unto the Levites; they shall no [more] carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.

Nehemiah 11:10

Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.

Nehemiah 11:20

¶ And the residue of Israel, of the priests, [and] the Levites, [were] in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.

1 Chronicles 24:1

¶ Now [these are] the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

1 Chronicles 9:10

And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,