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David divides the Levites into four companies as part of his physical and spiritual preparations for the temple. These groups will serve the Lord in supervision, judgment, gate-keeping, and praise (23:1-5).
David distinguishes the Levites by families (23:6-32). The chronicler stresses that the Levites' role changed with the building of a permanent sanctuary. The tribe assisted the priests in the cult (vv.25-32). Aaron’s descendants are singled out because of their divine calling to the priesthood (vv.13-14).
In describing the twenty-four divisions of the Aaronic priesthood, the chronicler connects the human assignments to the long tradition of Aaronic priestly service ordained by God (24:1-19). God appointed these service groups, just as he was responsible for the nation’s election, the rise and success of David, victory in war, and the origin of proper worship. To complete the picture, the author lists the remaining Levites without reference to their specific tasks (vv.20-31).
Consonant with the tradition of David’s musicianship, the chronicler records that the monarch assigned persons to provide the music ministry in the temple (25:1-31). He appointed twenty-four groups of musicians to perform on a cyclical basis.
To control access to temple property, David appointed Levites to guard various gates and storehouses (26:1-19). He also commissioned other important officials (vv.20-32).
In ch. 27 the chronicler discusses David’s military preparations. Twelve divisions, one for each month, were on duty (vv.1-15). He appointed tribal officers (vv.16-24). Some men cared for the royal property (vv.25-31). The last part (vv.32-34) lists the inner circle of power.
The author mentions in passing the ill-fated census (27:23-24). He alludes to the beginning and abrupt end of the numbering. He portrays David as believing God’s promise of an innumerable Israel and not numbering men below the age of twenty. The author does not reiterate that David ordered the census or that Joab obeyed reluctantly. The chronicler says only that judgment came because of the census.