Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel; (Joshua 21:1)
Chief persons descended from the three branches of the tribe of Levi, that is, from the family of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the three sons of Levi.
Levites.
This tribe waited to receive its share until all the other tribes had received their inheritance. The delay until the land was divided was necessary so that the Levites might be scattered in Israel, receiving cities from the various tribes. Their request was not arbitrary, for the God of Israel had commanded that the Levites should be well provided for (Num. 35:1, 2).
In like manner God has made arrangements that the ministry of the Christian church shall be adequately supported. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14). God perpetuated the system of tithes and offerings for the support of those who today carry forward His work.
Eleazar.
He is mentioned first in the list of those to whom the Levites came with their request. God had instructed Joshua to seek counsel from the priest (Num. 27:21), who, in turn, would receive counsel from God. Thus the direct representative of God stood first. The whole history of this period shows how closely Joshua worked together with the priest. Unfortunately, at times Joshua too erred from this plan as in the case of the Gibeonites (Joshua 9).