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.
Keep Digging
“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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2 thoughts on “1 Chronicles 25”
I had the sweet privilege of growing up in a home filled with music. My mother was a pianist and my dad was constantly humming or belting out a hymn. Along with constant exposure to scripture, hymns helped to establish a rich foundation of my faith in Christ. In my heart, music became synonymous with worship and a way to praise and honor God. Although I enjoy many genres of music, there is nothing quite like being drawn into adoration of my Savior through lyrics that glorify our Lord. Presently Shane and Shane are on constant replay. I’m leaving the link to one of my favorites to begin the day.
https://youtu.be/FTL8HxGd6lg
Music is speaks to my soul. Coming before the Lord with a song in my heart is connection to Him. For me singing praise and giving worship is high on my list of joys before the Lord. I feel and see (in my minds eye) myself before HIs throne, this is the most WOOHOO!!! moments. I love reading the Word, praying but praising in singing while worshiping is exhilarating.
God thank You for making music a part of who You are. Thank You that You gave that to me to be able to give back to You. Thank You that through worship, through music I can focus on You and give You glory, honor and the love my soul feels in those moments of adoring worship, in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!