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Context No. 981 of 4322 · 1 Chronicles

Context · Reflection

1 Chronicles 25:1-8: in context

1Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals. The number of those who did the work according to their service was: 2of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah. The sons of Asaph were under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied at the order of the king. 3Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD with the harp. 4Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 5All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6All these were under the hands of their father for song in the LORD’s house, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of God’s house: Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king. 7The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to the LORD, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight. 8They cast lots for their offices, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the student.

David and the army commanders set apart certain Levites for a particular ministry: to prophesy with harps, lyres, and cymbals. The sons of Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman are named, all under the direction of their fathers and the king. There were two hundred eighty-eight of them, all trained and skilled in singing to the LORD. And when they were assigned their duties, they cast lots for their posts, small and great alike, teacher and student together.

Several things in this small passage are worth noticing. First, the musicians are said to prophesy with their instruments. Music in the temple was not decoration; it was a form of proclaiming and ministering God's word, a Spirit-touched vocation on the level of prophecy, which tells us how seriously God takes the offering of skilled music in worship. Second, these were trained, skillful people, two hundred eighty-eight of them who had learned their craft; excellence was expected in the service of God, not thrown together carelessly. And third, the detail worth savoring: they cast lots for their duties, small as well as great, the teacher as well as the student. The master musician and the beginner drew from the same lot; seniority and skill did not buy a better post. Before God's service, the accomplished and the apprentice stood on level ground, each receiving his place by lot, that is, from God's hand. Neither talent nor tenure entitled anyone to more; all of it was assignment, not privilege.

Do I think my experience or skill entitles me to a better place in God's service, or can I receive my assignment as these musicians did, small and great drawing alike from his hand?

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