These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar and Zebulun;

Meonothai was the father of Ophrah. Seraiah was the father of Joab, the father of those who live in Ge Harashim, who were craftsmen.

and defeated the rest of the Amalekite refugees; they live there to this very day.

The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, son of Israel.

son of Jahath, son of Gershom, son of Levi.

son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi.

he serves to this day at the King's Gate on the east. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the descendants of Levi.

From Levi there were 4,600.

The descendants of Levi carried the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, just as Moses had ordered according to the divine command.

He then handed out to each Israelite man and woman a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his loyal love endures.

Joining them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord. (For his loyal love endures!)

"Go, tell my servant David: 'This is what the Lord says: "You must not build me a house in which to live.

I will establish a place for my people Israel and settle them there; they will live there and not be disturbed anymore. Violent men will not oppress them again, as they did in the beginning

I will become his father and he will become my son. I will never withhold my loyal love from him, as I withheld it from the one who ruled before you.

Now Joab did not number Levi and Benjamin, for the king's edict disgusted him.

When David was old and approaching the end of his life, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.

David divided them into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

These were the descendants of Levi according to their families, that is, the leaders of families as counted and individually listed who carried out assigned tasks in the Lord's temple and were twenty years old and up.

He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him.