Read 1 Chronicles 25
The Musicians
25 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying,accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:
2 From the sons of Asaph:
Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.
3 As for Jeduthun, from his sons:
Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.
4 As for Heman, from his sons:
Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth. 5 (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)
6 All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God.
Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 7 Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288. 8 Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.
9 The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
the second to Gedaliah, | |
him and his relatives and sons | 12 |
10 the third to Zakkur, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
11 the fourth to Izri, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
14 the seventh to Jesarelah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
17 the tenth to Shimei, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
18 the eleventh to Azarel, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
20 the thirteenth to Shubael, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
22 the fifteenth to Jerimoth, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
25 the eighteenth to Hanani, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
27 the twentieth to Eliathah, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
28 the twenty-first to Hothir, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, | |
his sons and relatives | 12 |
31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, | |
his sons and relatives | 12. |
Go Deeper
We saw in the last chapter that the Levites were organized into 24 groups. Today we see David’s division of the musicians in the same number to match with each of those groups. The leaders of these groups were the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Heman is noted as a “seer” (think see-er), with Asaph later described as a seer in 2 Chronicles 29. A seer was another name for a prophet, specifically one who saw visions and could help give God’s people insight into what God was saying. These men just happened to do that through music.
Interestingly, in those days Asaph’s name was the equivalent of Bach or Beethoven today. He was a well-known and incredibly talented musician. Second Chronicles explains that his purpose as a seer was to use his music to glorify the Lord and help God’s people draw closer to Him. He and his descendants are responsible for at least twelve of the psalms.
But even then, notice that verse 25:8 says the 288 musicians cast lots for their duties. “Young and old alike, teacher as well as student” they did something equivalent to flipping a coin to decide upon the organization. Wherever they fell, all were on equal level. Matthew Henry explains, “They did not go according to their age, or according to their standing, or the degrees they had taken in the music schools; but it was referred to God. Small and great, teachers and scholars, stand alike before God, who goes not according to our rules of distinction and precedency.”
What a great reminder that we are all called to use our gifts to glorify God and point others to Him. We cannot and should not let lack of training, fear, or feelings of insufficiency prevent us from being used by the One who has equipped us. Maybe more importantly, we cannot and should not think so highly of our own training, confidence, and abilities that we feel entitled to placement over another who we do not consider as well trained or practiced. God does not care about degrees or labels or name recognition. He does care about making His name known and can use anyone for that purpose, regardless of who you are and what your background is.
Questions
- In which camp do you fall: feeling inadequate to serve compared to others or feeling like others around you need more experience to serve on your level?
- Based on this answer, what do you feel like the Lord is trying to tell you about your attitude? What might He be asking you to do today?
- Spend time praying about how God might be calling you to serve or to encourage others in the use of their gifts alongside you.
A Quote
“Some for the voice and others for the instrument, made up the concert. Let us learn with one mind and one mouth to glorify God, and that will be the best concert.” Matthew Henry
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5 responses to “1 Chronicles 25”
In Hebrew, “prophecy” is connected to the root word נָבָא (\(naba\)), meaning to “speak or sing by inspiration”. The noun form is נְבוּאָה (\(nevu^{\prime }ah\)), which refers to the message itself, but also the broader concept of divine communication. This includes not just predicting future events, but also conveying God’s will and calling people to a covenant relationship
Music is soothing to the soul (mostly, some generes are not so soothing). Working with demienia, and alzheimer patients, there is a facstinating correlation between music and memory. They may not can remember your name or their own, but they can recall words to songs they love. It also has a calming effect for them as well. I worked with the social worker on some music therapy for some. Research shows that the brain regions responsible for musical memory are often among the last to be affected by the disease.
God is amazing.
AI says, music is a bridge for the soul: Music, memory, and prophecy together can be seen as guiding a soul on a sacred journey. The ability of music to ground us in the past through memory can also be used as a spiritual tool to open a path to prophetic insight and a deeper spiritual experience of the divine.
I also read that music is the core of our relationship with God and His Word. Preaching/teaching is also equally important but as indiviuals music is the beat of our hearts
God thank You for music. It is vitally important to me. Thank You for knowing when lyrics are not according to You. Thank You for being able to worship You in this manner. Thank You for how music can bring me to Your throne and I can just sit in Your presence worshipping. God thank You for the minutes of this day and the music in my soul helping to refresh myself to glorify and honor You in all I do and say in Jesus name amen.
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Looking forward, the book of Revelation depicts music and worship as a central and unceasing activity in heaven, performed by a vast chorus of celestial beings and redeemed people. That is what we will participate in! The themes of this worship center on the majesty of God the Creator and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain. We can start now with humble hearts of adoration giving glory to the One who was, and is, and is to come!
Music can uplift our spirits and draw us closer to God, making it a vital part of our spiritual lives.
As Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!”
Thankful for the gifts God placed in Drew Greenway and how he leads worship and ministers to us through it.
Once again, we’re in one of those OT chapters where the reading is a little dry – but the message is so RICH!
If I had to give 1 Chronicles 25 a subtitle, it would be “David Designates a Choir.” And that’s where (once again!) the Bible passage becomes deeply personal.
If I had to use one word to define my own worship experience — it would be CHOIR. I’ve spent over half a century singing together…with God’s people… for God’s glory.
I’ve grown from a little girl in a sea of kindergartners performing in the annual Christmas pageant… to a proud parent watching my own little girl sing the lead in her own Christmas play.
I’ve been privileged to take part in praise music… of all descriptions… in every possible circumstance. From modest recordings of contemporary worship songs with a small ensemble in a private home studio… to a sold out performance of hundreds of singers from around the world, at one of the most prestigious venues in the world. (Singing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” — with my husband and son — at CARNEGIE HALL?! Bucket list. Checked!!!)
There’s been music celebrating the weddings of dear friends and loved ones. And there have been songs of lament in seasons of profound sorrow. In the last months of my father’s life, Brent and I accompanied close friends in the Central Texas Choral Society for a performance of the Brahms Requiem.
It was during our final rehearsal, as we sang of every promise Scripture makes about death, resurrection, and hope… that my daddy went to be with Jesus.
Talk about a divinely orchestrated performance….
These are a few of my favorite choir memories, but I could on… and on… and on. #IYKYK
Suffice it to say, worship music has been the soundtrack of my entire family’s entire life.
Which is why I love learning about the origins of worship music! I especially appreciate the diversity and generational mix in David’s choir — young and old, experienced and learning. (Boy, does that track! Just ask me or Brent sometime about our years in a university church choir! 😃)
More importantly, 1 Chronicles 25 shows that praise music is not just a beautiful sound — it’s a prophetic act. It proclaims God’s word, connects His people to Him, and unites generations in worship. Music has always been a way to serve God, proclaim His truth, and bring generations together.
8 “Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.“
With these recent readings, I have developed a newfound appreciation for the fairness of employing something as random as casting lots. As humans, the apparent fairness of that is very appealing and leaves room for God’s hand.