1 Chronicles Chapter 25

At a Glance

  • 1 Chronicles 25 centers on the division of labor among the temple musicians—Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun—under David’s kingship.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • As part of Chronicles’ focus on temple-life and Levitical service, this chapter reinforces the centrality of worship in Israel’s identity.
  • - Worship as prophetic and facially public praise: Music serves as a conduit for divine revelation and communal thanksgiving.
  • - Excellence in service: The emphasis on skilled musicians highlights the value of trained, dedicated labor in worship.

Chapter Overview

1 Chronicles 25 centers on the division of labor among the temple musicians—Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun—under David’s kingship. The chapter begins with a formal designation of the musicians who would prophesy with harps, psalteries, and cymbals. The text lists the sons of each musician and the roles they played in leading worship and thanksgiving before the Lord. It then reveals the total number of skilled singers—almost 300—and describes the casting of lots to allocate duties, emphasizing equality in service across the ranks.

The emphasis on music as a prophesying function underscores worship as a hopeful, revelatory practice: the musicians don’t merely entertain; they declare and sustain God’s praise and thanksgiving in the assembly. The songs are described as essential to the life of the temple, coordinating with other Levitical duties. The chapter closes with a focus on the broader staff of those trained in songs, highlighting their training and readiness to carry out their craft in service to the sanctuary.

The big-picture contribution of this chapter is to present worship as a well-ordered, communal craft that includes the finest singers and technicians, a testament to the beauty and seriousness with which God’s presence is sought. It elevates music as not merely decorative but instrumental in shaping the spiritual atmosphere of Israel.

Historical & Literary Context

As part of Chronicles’ focus on temple-life and Levitical service, this chapter reinforces the centrality of worship in Israel’s identity. The chronicler’s voice often elevates the temple’s liturgy as the heart of communal life, and 25 is especially devoted to the musical orders that sustain daily worship and special feasts. The prophesying role of musicians connects musical excellence with spiritual discernment, aligning artistry with divine communication.

Key Themes

- Worship as prophetic and facially public praise: Music serves as a conduit for divine revelation and communal thanksgiving.

- Excellence in service: The emphasis on skilled musicians highlights the value of trained, dedicated labor in worship.

- Equality before God: Lot-drawing assigns roles without favoritism, ensuring inclusive service across hierarchy.

- The beauty and seriousness of liturgy: Music is integral to temple life, shaping the spiritual atmosphere.

Modern Application

Contemporary faith communities can take from this chapter a high view of worship as a serious, crafted art form that engages the whole person—heart, mind, and skill. Investing in musical excellence, training gifted worship leaders, and fostering a liturgical rhythm that assigns meaningful tasks to many individuals can enrich congregational life. The idea that worship involves both leadership and proclamation invites churches to view music and liturgy as a form of prophetic communication that shapes culture and conscience.

Cross-References: 1 Chronicles 6; 23; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 33; Psalm 95

Recommended Personas: David (visionary worship planner), Asaph (royal musician and prophet), Jesus (fulfillment of true worship in Spirit and truth)

Chapter Text

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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