21. Merari’s sons were Mahli and Mushi. Mahli’s sons were Eleazar and Kish.
22. Eleazar died without having sons. He had only daughters. Eleazar’s daughters married their cousins, the sons of Kish.
23. Mushi’s three sons were Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth.
24. These were Levi’s descendants listed by their families. They were the leaders of families. Each person who was 20 years old or older was listed. They served in the Lord’s Temple.
25. David had said, “The Lord is the God of Israel. He has given rest to his people. He has come to live in Jerusalem forever.
26. So the Levites don’t need to carry the Holy Tent. They don’t need to carry any of the things used in its services anymore.”
27. David’s last instructions were to count the Levites. All who were 20 years old and older were counted.
28. The Levites had the job of helping Aaron’s descendants. They helped in the service of the Temple of the Lord. They cared for the Temple courtyard and side rooms. They had the job of making all the holy things pure. Their job was to serve in the Temple of God.
29. They were responsible for putting the holy bread on the table. They also were responsible for the flour in the grain offerings. And they were responsible for the bread made without yeast. They were also responsible for the baking and mixing. And they did all the measuring.
30. The Levites also stood every morning and gave thanks and praise to the Lord. They also did this every evening.
31. The Levites offered all the burnt offerings to the Lord on the special days of rest. And they offered them at the New Moon festivals and at all appointed feasts. They served before the Lord every day. They were to follow the rules for how many Levites should serve each time.
32. So the Levites took care of the Meeting Tent. They also took care of the Holy Place. And they helped their relatives, Aaron’s descendants, with the services at the Temple of the Lord.