1 Chronicles Chapter 25

David Organizes the Musicians

1Chronicles 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

I never noticed this verse before and was not aware that the gift of prophecy could be used in music. It is really awesome to think about. God is not against music. It helps us worship and draws us into worship. I love the songs, the instruments and the atmosphere music brings.

Music under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit really stirs our hearts to worship, praise and even prophesy it seems from this passage of scripture. Prophesy can be edification, comfort, words from God and also telling of future events either warning or comforting the believers who trust in God and His word. It will never deviate from the written word God already gives us. Some of songs that are prophetic seem to be from the Psalms or other scriptures.

1Chronicles 25:2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

Before studying the Chronicles more closely, I never realized how important it was to praise God and worship with musical instruments. I've always loved musical instruments but always thought it was to keep us in tune with the music and not sing off key. Music can be used for good or evil though but to those that know the Lord, we will know the difference.

The use of musical instruments were used of King Nebuchadnezzar to worship an idol. That doesn't mean we can't use them in our worship of God. Like TV, radio and the Internet, means of communication can be used for good or evil.

1Chronicles 25:4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

I really get chills when I hear someone blow a shofar. It is an awesome sound. I tried to blow one once and couldn't get it to work so I admire those that can play one of those. I never could blow a flute either.

1 Chronicles 25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.

Instruction was probably important so that the music was glorifying to God and not just to stir our emotions in the flesh but to be done in a way that our worship is for real and to our God.

1Chronicles 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
11 The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
12 The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
13 The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
14 The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
16 The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
17 The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
18 The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
19 The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
20 The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
22 The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
23 The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
25 The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
26 The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
27 The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
28 The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
29 The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
30 The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
31 The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.

This must have been great to see and hear. David really planned this with care and reverence. There were 288 musicians and singers. They were skilled already so they just needed to be instructed and organized. There were 24 classes of 12 people each. The pattern here is just perfect.

1 Chronicles Chapter 26