2. Some time later, David called together all of Israel's leaders, priests, and Levites.
3. He then counted the Levite men who were at least thirty years old, and the total was thirty-eight thousand.
4. He said, “Twenty-four thousand of the Levites will be in charge of the temple, six thousand will be temple officials and judges,
5. four thousand will be guards at the temple, and four thousand will praise the Lord by playing the musical instruments I have given them.”
6. David then divided the Levites into three groups according to the clans of Levi's sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
7. Gershon had two sons: Ladan and Shimei.
8. Ladan was the father of Jehiel, Zetham, and Joel.
9. They were all family leaders among their father's descendants. Shimei was the father of Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran.
14-15. Moses, the man of God, was the father of Gershom and Eliezer, and their descendants were considered Levites.
16. Gershom's eldest son was Shebuel.
17. Rehabiah, who was Eliezer's only son, had many children.
18. The second son born to Kohath was Izhar, and his eldest son was Shelomith.
19. Hebron, the third son of Kohath, was the father of Jeriah, Amariah, Jahaziel, and Jekameam.
20. Kohath's youngest son, Uzziel, was the father of Micah and Isshiah.
21. Merari had two sons: Mahli and Mushi. Mahli was the father of Eleazar and Kish.
22. Eleazar had no sons, only daughters, and they married their uncle's sons.
23. Mushi the second son of Merari, was the father of Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth.
24. These were the clans and families of the tribe of Levi. Those who were twenty years and older were assigned to work at the Lord's temple.
25. David said:The Lord God of Israel has given his people peace, and he will live in Jerusalem for ever.
26. And so, the Levites won't need to move the sacred tent and the things used for worship from place to place.
27. From now on, all Levites at least twenty years old
28. will serve the Lord by helping Aaron's descendants do their work at the temple, by keeping the courtyards and rooms of the temple clean, and by making sure that everything used in worship stays pure.