²⁴ These were the members of Levi’s family according to their households. The household heads were registered, along with a listing of the names of each person 20 years old and above who carried out assigned tasks in the Lord’s temple.

Levites’ duties

²⁵ David said, “Since the Lord, Israel’s God, has given his people peace and has made his home in Jerusalem forever, ²⁶ the Levites need no longer carry the dwelling or any of the equipment used in its service.” ²⁷ David’s last instructions were to count the Levites 20 years old and above. ²⁸ Their assignment was to be at the side of the Aaronites to serve in the Lord’s temple, maintaining the courtyards and side rooms and cleansing all of the holy objects and doing whatever was needed in the service of God’s temple. ²⁹ They were responsible for the stacks of bread, the fine flour for grain offerings, the wafers of unleavened bread, the cakes made on the griddle, the offering mixed with oil, as well as all the measuring. ³⁰ They were to be present every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and to do the same every evening. ³¹ Whenever entirely burned offerings were offered to the Lord for the sabbaths, the new moons, and festivals, a designated number were to serve in the Lord’s presence continuously. ³² In this way they were to observe the instructions for the meeting tent, the instructions for the sanctuary, and the instructions for Aaron’s family and relatives about serving in the Lord’s temple.