(32) And that they should keep.--This verse sums up the functions of the Levites under three general heads: "And let them keep the charge of the tent of meeting." The words are evidently based upon Numbers 18:3-5.

And the charge of the sons of Aaron.--That is, all that the priests committed to them, and required of them (1Chronicles 23:28) as their appointed assistants. The word rendered "charge" literally means keeping, guard, watch.

In the service.--For the service.

ADDITIONAL NOTE on 1Chronicles 23:28; 1Chronicles 23:32. The law respecting the sacred tent was naturally applied to the future Temple. It is hardly fair to say, with Reuss, that "in the perspective of the author the Tabernacle of David and the Temple of Solomon were confounded with each other." In 1Chronicles 16:37-39, the chronicler has clearly distinguished two sacred tents: that of the Ark on Mount Zion, and the ancient sanctuary at Gibeon. Throughout that lengthy narrative of the transfer of the Ark, the Temple is not mentioned at all. And if in 1Chronicles 23:28 David speaks of "courts" and "chambers," that only shows that the king meant his assignation of the duties of the Levites to be permanent. Nor will it make much difference if we allow that the writer, in speaking of David's tent, has used language more applicable to the Temple of Solomon. The functions of the Levites in both would be essentially the same. The great historian Ewald believed the whole section, 1Chronicles 23:24 to 1Chronicles 24:31 to be an authentic extract from "the Book of Origins," which he refers to the early years of Solomon's reign.

Verse 32. - Keep the charge of the tabernacle... holy place... sons of Aaron. This concluding verse is equivalent to a quotation from Numbers 18:1-7; in the first verse of which passage Aaron and the priests generally are reminded both of their representative character and position, and of the solemn responsibility which rested on them.

23:24-32 Now the people of Israel were so many, there should be more employed in the temple service, that every Israelite who brought an offering might find a Levite ready to help him. When more work is to be done, it is pity but there should be more workmen. A new heart, a spiritual mind, which delights greatly in God's commandments, and can find a refreshing feast in his ordinances, forms the great distinction between the true Christian and all other men in the world. To the spiritual man every service will yield satisfaction. He will be ever abounding in the work of the Lord; being never so happy as when employed for such a good Master, in so pleasant a service. He will not regard whether he is called to take the lead, or to keep the charge of others who are placed over him. May we seek and serve the Lord uprightly, and leave all the rest to his disposal, by faith in his word.And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation,.... That no unclean persons entered into it, and that none of the vessels were carried out of it; this was the business of the porters:

and the charge of the holy place; of things that belonged unto it, the vessels in it, and what was requisite for it, and used there: and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren; the priests, whatever they should command them to do: in the service of the house of the Lord; in any part and branch of it before specified.