How does the record describe residence in Jerusalem and the other cities?

While the princes of the people already resided in Jerusalem, the broader community cast lots to transfer one person in every ten into the holy city, leaving the remaining nine parts to inhabit the provincial towns. The people formally blessed all the men who offered themselves willingly to dwell in Jerusalem. The provincial leaders and general population—comprising Israelite laymen, priests, Levites, temple servants known as Nathinites, and descendants of Solomon's servants—retained their possessions throughout the cities of Judah.

Within Jerusalem dwelt representatives from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. From Judah came Athaias, son of Aziam (descended through Zacharias, Amarias, Saphatias, and Malaleel of the line of Phares), and Maasia, son of Baruch (descended through Cholhoza, Hazia, Adaia, Joiarib, Zacharias, and the Silonite). The descendants of Phares residing in the capital totaled 468 valiant men. From Benjamin resided Sellum, son of Mosollam (tracing his line through Joed, Phadaia, Colaia, Masia, Etheel, and Isaia), followed by Gebbai and Sellai, totaling 928 men. Benjamin's residents were governed by Joel, son of Zechri, as chief ruler, with Judas, son of Senua, serving as second officer over the city.

The priestly community in Jerusalem included Idaia son of Joarib, and Jachin. Saraia, son of Helcias (descended through Mosollam, Sadoc, Meraioth, and Achitob), served as prince of the house of God, with 822 brethren who did the works of the temple. Adaia, son of Jeroham (descended through Phelelia, Amsi, Zacharias, Pheshur, and Melchias), led 242 heads of priestly fathers' houses. Additionally, Amassai, son of Azreel (descended through Ahazi, Mosollamoth, and Emmer), led 128 valiant brethren under the governance of Zabdiel, son of the mighty.

The Levites in Jerusalem included Semeia, son of Hasub (descended through Azaricam, Hasabia, and Boni). External operations of the temple were directed by Sabathai and Jozabed, princes among the Levites who oversaw outward business. Mathania, son of Micha (descended through Zebedei and Asaph), directed thanksgiving and prayer, assisted by Becbecia as second officer and Abda, son of Samua (descended through Galal and Idithun). In total, 284 Levites resided within the holy city. The temple porters who guarded the gates numbered 172 men under Accub, Telmon, and their brethren. The Nathinites inhabited the quarter of Ophel with Siaha and Gaspha also named among the Nathinites. General oversight of Jerusalem's Levites fell to Azzi, son of Bani (descended through Hasabia, Mathania, and Micha), while the singing men from the sons of Asaph performed their ministry according to a fixed royal decree providing daily schedules. Outside ecclesiastical ranks, Phathahia, son of Mesezebel of the line of Zara son of Judah, represented the community at the royal court in all civic matters.

Outside Jerusalem, families of Judah occupied rural estates and villages from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom, including Cariath-Arbe, Dibon, Cabseel, Jesue, Molada, Bethphaleth, Hasersual, Bersabee, Siceleg, Mochona, Remmon, Saraa, Jerimuth, Zanoa, Odollam, Lachis and its surrounding lands, and Azeca. Settlements of the tribe of Benjamin stretched from Geba through Mechmas, Hai, Bethel, Anathoth, Nob, Anania, Asor, Rama, Gethaim, Hadid, Seboim, Neballat, Lod, and Ono in the valley of craftsmen. Meanwhile, designated Levitical portions were maintained in Judah and Benjamin.