(2) But Nadab and Abihu died before their father.--Leviticus 10:1-2 tells why: viz., because they offered "strange fire" before the Lord. (See also Numbers 3:4, from which our text appears to be derived.)

And had no children.--Literally, And sons had not become (been born) to them.

Therefore Eleazar and Ithamar.--And Eleazar and Ithamar acted as priests; Numbers adds, "before the face of Aaron their father." It is implied that the office of the priesthood remained with the two lines, or houses, of Eleazar and Ithamar.

Verse 2. - (Comp. Leveticus 10:1, 2, for the death of these; and for their being childless, Numbers 3:2-4; Numbers 26:60, 61.)

24:1-31 The divisions of the priests and Levites. - When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.But Nadab and Abihu died before their father,.... While he was living, see Leviticus 10:1.

and had no children, therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priests' office: otherwise, as Jarchi observes, had their brethren left children, they would have come into the office before them.