(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Numbers 1: 47-54, “ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying, Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts. But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.”
At that stage, the Levites were dedicated to being Temple servants. They had to transport the Tabernacle and everything associated with it and their ceremonial religion. They were not considered for warfare and so were not counted in that census. They were to camp close to the Tabernacle so that they would be on hand when the Lord informed Israel that it was time to move to the next place. When the Lord told them to establish a new camp they had to erect the Tabernacle and everything associated with it as well as pitch their own tents. This would also be much easier if they were camped next to the Tabernacle.
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