1 Chronicles 24:2

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) But Nadab and Abihu died before their father.—Leviticus 10:1-2 tells why: viz., because they offered “strange fire” before the Lord. (See also Numbers 3:4, from which our text appears to be derived.)

And had no children.—Literally, And sons had not become (been born) to them.

Therefore Eleazar and Ithamar.—And Eleazar and Ithamar acted as priests; Numbers adds, “before the face of Aaron their father.” It is implied that the office of the priesthood remained with the two lines, or houses, of Eleazar and Ithamar.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

24:1-31 The divisions of the priests and Levites. - When every one has, knows, and keeps his place and work, the more there are the better. In the mystical body of Christ, every member has its use, for the good of the whole. Christ is High Priest over the house of God, to whom all believers, being made priests, are to be in subjection. In Christ, no difference is made between bond and free, elder and younger. The younger brethren, if faithful and sincere, shall be no less acceptable to Christ than the fathers. May we all be children of the Lord, fitted to sing his praises for ever in his temple above.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Though the Levites were not allowed by themselves to offer sacrifice, yet there were many respects in which they assisted the priests when sacrifice was offered. See 2 Chronicles 29:34; 2 Chronicles 35:11-12.

The set feasts - The Passover, Feast of Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles (marginal reference).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. Nadab and Abihu died before their father—that is, not in his presence, but during his lifetime (see Nu 3:4; 26:61).

therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office—In consequence of the death of his two oldest sons without issue, the descendants of Aaron were comprised in the families of Eleazar and Ithamar. Both of these sons discharged the priestly functions as assistants to their father. Eleazar succeeded him, and in his line the high priesthood continued until it was transferred to the family of Ithamar, in the person of Eli.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

i.e. Were the only persons to whom and to whose families the execution of that office was committed.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But Nadab and Abihu died before their father,.... While he was living, see Leviticus 10:1.

and had no children, therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priests' office: otherwise, as Jarchi observes, had their brethren left children, they would have come into the office before them.

Geneva Study Bible

But Nadab and Abihu died {a} before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.

(a) While their father yet lived.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

2. Nadab and Abihu died] By fire from heaven as a punishment for sacrilege; Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 3:4.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - (Comp. Leveticus 10:1, 2, for the death of these; and for their being childless, Numbers 3:2-4; Numbers 26:60, 61.) 1 Chronicles 24:2

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Cf. Leviticus 10:1., Numbers 3:4. These priestly families David caused (1 Chronicles 24:3) to be divided, along with the two high priests (see on 13:16), "according to their service." פּקדּה, office, official class, as in 1 Chronicles 23:11.