1 Chronicles 25:1-31
Q.1. How did David ensure that music was a large part of Israel’s worship? What different gifts determined their contributions? (1 Chr.25:1-5)
The Lord would love God-honouring music. It must have been unique, for Israel to be led into battle accompanied by singers and musicians (1 Chr.25:1 c.f. 2 Chr.20:11-22). Their worship was not babble, but meaningful words with triumphant music. Just as God has given different contributions for each of His children to make (1 Cor.12:11), so it was amongst these Levites. These Levites wrote Scripture in Song – … the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, (who) were to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals (1 Chr.25:1) … the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king (1 Chr.25:2) … under the direction of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the Lord (1 Chr.25:3). All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer to exalt him according to the words of God, for God gave fourteen sons and three daughters to Heman. All these were under the direction of their father to sing in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. … (1 Chr.25:5 & 6). All these families contributed according to their unique giftedness.
Q.2. What lasting legacy did the Levites leave for God’s people down through the ages? (1 Chr.25:1-5)
The complaint of Korah when rebelling against Moses and Aaron, was that they were exalting themselves above the other descendants of Levi (Num.16:1-3). He had assumed that a person could only make a significant contribution to the Lord’s work, if in leadership. History shows that the Levites were eventually elevated, by being given the responsibility of producing God-honouring music for God’s people. Of even greater importance was the fact that they brought Scripture – 1 Moreover, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals … 2 … the sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 3 … under the direction of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the Lord … 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer to exalt him according to the words of God … (1 Chr.25:1-3 & 5). As well as composing songs, these Levites wrote Scripture that God has used amongst His people down through the centuries.
Q.3. Under whose authority did they minister? How did these Levite families operate? What is the lesson for us today? (1 Chr.25:6-31)
Everything in the house of the Lord was creative yet orderly – 6 … Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the direction of the king. 7 Their number who were trained in singing to the Lord, with their relatives, all who were skilful, was 288. 8 They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil (1 Chr.25:6-8). Singers and musicians were trained by music teachers. Nevertheless, they had to be skilful. They set up a roster system by casting lots. There was no favouritism – all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil (1 Chr.25:8). The warrior king, David, did not neglect to ensure great worship for his people and for future generations. No wonder we read – … He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, `I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ (Acts 13:22).