At last the priests left the sanctuary; all of them who were present had purified themselves so as to gain admission, for as yet they had no times and manners of service planned out for them.
lost in that cloud, the priests could not wait upon the Lord with his accustomed service; his own glory was there, filling his own house.✻
But if you are content to turn your backs upon me, neglecting the decrees and commands I have given you, betaking yourselves to the service and the worship of alien gods,
And the answer will come, Because they forsook the Lord their God, who rescued their fathers from the land of Egypt, and betook themselves to the worship and service of alien gods; that is why all this ruin has come upon them.✻
he would have no man enslaved to the royal service; it was from these he drew his warriors and his courtiers, the commanders of his chariots and his horsemen.
Why, they told him, if thou wilt but court their favour, and win them with gracious words, they will never cease giving thee loyal service.
But you, take courage; never slacken your resolve; still for your loyal service you shall have reward.
and two hundred thousand under Amasias son of Zechri, that was set apart for the Lord’s service.
So couriers went out in the king’s service, bearing letters in his name and in the name of his nobles to Israel and Juda alike, and this was their purport; Come back, Israelites, to the Lord, all that remnant of you the Assyrian king has spared; and he, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, will come back to your side.
Ezechias himself spoke to hearten them, sons of Levi that had such skill in the Lord’s service. All the seven days of the feast they ate the victims of their own welcome-offerings, giving thanks to the Lord, their fathers’ God.
After all this faithful service done, Juda was invaded by Sennacherib, king of the Assyrians, who laid siege to its fortified cities, thinking to make them his own.
And he had his word for the Levites, too, that must teach all Israel and hallow it to the Lord’s service: Let the ark of God rest in its shrine, in the temple David’s son Solomon, that was king of all Israel, built for it; no need any longer for you to carry it this way and that.✻ You have tasks to perform for the Lord your God, and for his people of Israel.
There were also two hundred and twenty Nathinaeans; these Nathinaeans were men bound over by David and David’s councillors to the service of the Levites. A list of all their names was supplied to us.✻
their clansmen, engaged in the service of the temple, amounted to eight hundred and twenty-two. Also Adaia, that came down through Jeroham, Phelelia, Amsi, Zacharias and Pheshur from Melchias,
The Levites at Jerusalem were in charge of Azzi, that came down through Bani, Hasabias and Mathanias from Michas. He was of the clan of Asaph, that were musicians in the service of the temple
My God, let not this go unremembered; do not blot out the record of the service I have done to thy temple, my God, and to thy ceremonies.
Thus it was mine to rid Israel of the alien-born, to marshal priests and Levites for their due service,
This, then, my sons, is your father’s testament: Keep true to the Lord’s service, studying ever to carry out his will;
levying from their townships all the bravest men, all the picked warriors, for his own service.
But now chief and captain and commander in the Assyrian king’s service were waiting there, and they said to Holofernes’ attendants,