Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 35:4
Prepare yourselves by families in your divisions, according to the instructions written by David king of Israel and Solomon his son.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Josiah addresses the Levites who taught Israel just before they reorganize for Passover service. He instructs them to align their preparations with ancestral family groups and established divisions.
The words — וְהָכִינוּ (ve./hi.ko.nu) means "and prepare," while בִּכְתָב (bi/kh.Tav) denotes "by the writing." Josiah commands the people to ready themselves according to written directives.
The thread — This instruction echoes Solomon’s organization of priestly service per David’s ordinances (2 Chronicles 8:14) and reflects the ancestral family divisions recorded in 1 Chronicles 9:10.
Why it lands — It requires readers to submit to established, written orders rather than improvising religious duties. Obedience to structured preparation takes precedence over personal initiative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 8:14 In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.
- 1 Chronicles 23:1 When David was old and full of years, he installed his son Solomon as king over Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 9:10 From the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin;
- 1 Chronicles 24:1 These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
- Nehemiah 11:10 From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jachin;