He let no one oppress them, he disciplined kings for their sake,

Phinehas son of Eleazar had been their leader in earlier times, and the Lord was with him.

They would spend the night in their posts all around God’s sanctuary, for they were assigned to guard it and would open it with the key every morning.

The musicians and Levite family leaders stayed in rooms at the sanctuary and were exempt from other duties, for day and night they had to carry out their assigned tasks.

They received divine help in fighting them, and the Hagrites and all their allies were handed over to them. They cried out to God during the battle; he responded to their prayers because they trusted in him.

The descendants of Levi carried the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, just as Moses had ordered according to the divine command.

and whenever burnt sacrifices were offered to the Lord on the Sabbath and at new moon festivals and assemblies. A designated number were to serve before the Lord regularly in accordance with regulations.