1 Chronicles 24:1-6: a reflection

1These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 3David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service. 4There were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and they were divided like this: of the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen, heads of fathers’ houses; and of the sons of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ houses, eight. 5Thus they were divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. 6Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, the princes, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.

As David organizes the priests for their service, the many descendants of Aaron are divided into groups, each with its turn of duty. And the account notes how the division was made: they were divided impartially by drawing lots, both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar treated the same way, without favoritism. The assignments were made not by human preference or partiality, but fairly, by lot, so that no family was favored over another.

Notice the care taken to be impartial. There were more descendants in one line than the other, and it would have been easy for human favoritism to creep in, honoring one family over another. But the division was made impartially, by lot, so that all were treated fairly and none could claim they had been slighted. The ordering of God's service was done with deliberate fairness, without partiality.

That is a small but real example of a value God cares about: impartiality, treating people fairly, without favoritism. We are prone to partiality, to favoring some over others for reasons of preference, connection, or advantage, and to letting that favoritism shape how we distribute honor, responsibility, and attention. But God is impartial, showing no favoritism, and he calls his people to the same fairness. In how you treat people, in how you distribute what is yours to give, aim at the impartiality shown here: fairness without favoritism, treating people justly rather than by preference or advantage. Reflect the character of the God who shows no partiality, and deal fairly with all, as these assignments were made without favor.

Lord, when David organized the priests, the divisions were made impartially, by lot, both families treated fairly, without favoritism, so that none was slighted. Teach me to value that same fairness. I am prone to partiality, to favoring some over others for reasons of preference, connection, or advantage, and to letting that favoritism shape how I distribute honor, responsibility, and attention. But you are impartial, showing no favoritism, and you call your people to the same fairness. Help me, in how I treat people, and in how I distribute what is mine to give, to aim at impartiality: fairness without favoritism, treating people justly rather than by preference or advantage. Help me reflect the character of the God who shows no partiality, and deal fairly with all. Root out favoritism from my heart, and make me just and even-handed, as you are.