21. Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. Mahli’s sons were Eleazar and Kish.
22. Eleazar died without having sons. He only had daughters. Eleazar’s daughters married their own relatives. Their relatives were Kish’s sons.
23. Mushi’s sons were Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. There were three sons in all.
24. These were Levi’s descendants. They were listed by their families. They were the leaders of families. Each person’s name was listed. The people who were listed were 20 years old or older. They served in the Lord’S Temple.
25. David had said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given peace to his people. And he has come to live in Jerusalem forever.
26. So the Levites don’t need to carry the Holy Tent or any of the things used in its services anymore.”
27. David’s last instructions for the Israelites were to count the descendants from the tribe of Levi. They counted the Levite men who were 20 years old and older.
28. The Levites had the job of helping Aaron’s descendants in the service of the Lord’S Temple. They also cared for the Temple courtyard and the side rooms in the Temple. And they made sure all the holy things were kept pure. It was their job to serve in God’s Temple.