1. David had lived long and was old. Then he made his son Solomon the new king of Israel.
2. David gathered all the leaders of Israel, along with the priests and Levites.
3. David counted the Levites who were 30 years old and older. In all, there were 38,000 Levites.
4. David said, “Of these, 24,000 Levites will direct the work of the Temple of the Lord. And 6,000 Levites will be officers and judges.
5. And 4,000 Levites will be gatekeepers. And 4,000 Levites will praise the Lord with musical instruments. I made these instruments for them to use for praise.”
6. David separated the Levites into three groups. These groups were led by Levi’s three sons: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.