Scripture Reading – 1 Chronicles 23-25
The opening verses of 1 Chronicles 23 remind us that David is an old man and is setting both his house and kingdom in order. David has reigned 40 years (1 Chronicles 26:31) and has “made Solomon his son king over Israel” (23:1).
Today’s Scripture reading registers the king’s charge to organize the Levite families who will lead the worship of the LORD. I invite you to especially notice the prominence of music, musicians, and song in today’s Scripture reading.
1 Chronicles 23 – A Census of the Tribe of Levi
The census of Levi found there were 38,000 heads of house who were thirty years and older (23:3). The organization of the men of Levite is stated by their employment: 24,000 men to assist the priests; 6,000 to serve as “officers and judges,” 4,000 who were porters or keepers of the doors, and another 4,000 men who were musicians and called to praise the LORD with “the instruments” (which David had apparently supplied – 23:4).
1 Chronicles 24 – The Aaronic Priesthood
Twenty-four classes of priests are identified in chapter 24.
1 Chronicles 25 – Twenty-four Orders of Levite Musicians
David was intimately involved in the music of the Tabernacle and the organization for the music ministry in the Temple. As both a poet and musician, the king realized the important role music would have in worshipping the LORD.
David appointed the sons of Asaph to serve in the ministry of music (25:1). Of Asaph’s sons, one named Heman stands out not only as a chief musician, but the father of eleven sons (25:4) who were powerful in song and instruments (25:5-6).
In addition to musicians who were skilled in their instruments, we find another two hundred eighty-eight men described as “cunning,” skilled singers who were trained and instructed “in the songs of the LORD” (25:7).
Godly character and musicianship are essential traits for those who minister in music before the LORD and His people.
Heman, the father of eleven sons who were gifted musicians (25:4-6), had one quality we dare not overlook: He was “the king’s seer in the words of God to lift up the horn” [the “horn” being a symbol of power and authority] ().
Heman was a man of God and served the king as the voice and prophet of the LORD (25:5).
Copyright 2020 – Travis D. Smith