I Chronicles 6 Who Were the Levites?

by Jill Ice

These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. - I Chronicles 6:31-32

From the Holman Bible Dictionary:

The Levites were consecrated to God and given by God as a gift to Israel in order that they might perform the duties at the tabernacle (Exodus 29:1; Leviticus 8:1). Their work made it possible for the people to come to the tabernacle and offer sacrifices for the atonement of sins. 

The Levites assisted the priests in their responsibilities (Numbers 3:5-9; Numbers 16:9) by:

• preparing grain offerings and the show bread,
• purifying all the holy instruments used in the Temple, 
• singing praises to the Lord at the time of the morning and evening offerings, 
• assisting the priests with burnt offerings on sabbaths and feast days, 
• and being in charge of the Temple precinct and the chambers of the priests (1 Chronicles 6:31-48; 1 Chronicles 23:1-13,1 Chronicles 23:24-32; 1 Chronicles 25:1-6; 2 Chronicles 29:12-19). 

Because of their work, the holiness of the Temple was maintained; and the glory of the Lord dwelt among Israel.