The Book of 1 Chronicles

Word Study

"prophesy," Hebrew naba (נָבָא), to prophesy, to speak or sing under the moving of God's Spirit. The temple singers are described in a remarkable way: they "should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals," and their music was "to give thanks and to praise the LORD." That their singing is called prophecy shows that music in worship was no mere performance; it was a Spirit-touched ministry that declared the truth and glory of God, much as Asaph's psalms declare God's works and ways. This is the same union of music and the Spirit seen when Elisha called for a minstrel and "the hand of the LORD came upon him" (2 Kings 3:15), and when the sons of the prophets came down "with a psaltery... and they shall prophesy" (1 Samuel 10:5). Sacred song carries the word of God to the heart and lifts the heart to God. Note that the singers served "according to the order of the king" and "under the hands" of their fathers Asaph and Jeduthun, ordered, submitted, and trained. Their double aim, "to give thanks and to praise the LORD," is the essence of all true worship. The ministry of music, done in the Spirit and under proper order, is a genuine prophetic ministry in the house of God.

Explanation

David, together with the army commanders, set apart certain Levites from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the ministry of music in worship. These musicians were to "prophesy" with harps, lyres, and cymbals, that is, to lead worship in song under God's inspiration, giving thanks and praising the LORD. They served in an organized way, under the direction of their fathers and according to the king's arrangement. The passage lists their names and describes their sacred task. Their music was not entertainment but a Spirit-led ministry of praise and proclamation, honored as an essential part of the worship of God's house.

Gospel Focus

That the temple singers "should prophesy with harps" and sing "to give thanks and to praise the LORD" lifts up the high calling of sacred music. Worship in song is a means by which God's truth is declared and His people are moved to praise; it carries the word into the heart. The New Testament gives the same twofold ministry: "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). True Christian song both teaches ("one another") and praises ("to the Lord"). It is to be "filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19), a Spirit-filled, prophetic ministry just as in David's day. Give the worship of God in song the honor it deserves, offer it in the Spirit, with skill and order and a heart set on Him, and let your songs both declare the truth of God and give Him thanks and praise. And rejoice that the God who set singers before the ark is preparing a people to sing the new song of the Lamb for ever (Revelation 5:9).

Word Study

"cunning," Hebrew mevin (מֵבִין), skilled, understanding, expert. Two things mark these singers. First, they were skilled: "instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning." The word "cunning" in older English means expert and skillful, and the two hundred and eighty-eight singers were trained, taught, and accomplished in their craft. Worship offered to God was to be done with excellence, not carelessly.

"instructed," melummedei (מְלֻמְּדֵי), taught, trained. The Levites were "instructed" (melummedei, disciplined learners) in the songs of the LORD. God is worthy of our best and most diligent efforts. Second, they were ordered impartially: "they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar." As with the priests, the lot removed all favoritism; the seasoned master (the teacher) and the young learner (the scholar) alike received their turns from God, and no one could claim precedence by rank or skill. Excellence in service and humility in position go together. Those who serve God should strive to be skilled, "instructed" and "cunning," yet hold their place with humility, receiving it from God's hand, whether they are teacher or scholar, small or great.

Explanation

All these musicians served under the direction of their fathers, leading the music in the temple with cymbals, lyres, and harps, according to David's arrangement. Together with their trained relatives, all of them skilled and instructed in the songs of the LORD, they numbered two hundred and eighty-eight. Like the priests, they were assigned their order of service by casting lots, treating everyone equally, the small and the great, the experienced teacher and the young student alike. The passage highlights both their skill, they were carefully trained and expert, and the fairness of their arrangement, in which no one was favored over another.

Gospel Focus

These trained, skillful singers teach us that God deserves excellence in worship and service. They were "instructed in the songs of the LORD" and "cunning," expert in their craft, for what is offered to God should be offered with diligence and skill. "Play skilfully with a loud noise" (Psalm 33:3), the psalmist urges. Whatever our gift, laziness and carelessness are not worthy of the Lord; we are to serve "heartily, as to the Lord" (Colossians 3:23), giving Him our best. Yet with excellence must come humility, for they cast lots "as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar." The most gifted master and the youngest learner stood on level ground before God, each receiving his place from Him. So in the church, skill and experience do not entitle us to lord it over others; "be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). Pursue skill in your service to God, and hold your place with humility, remembering that "as well the small as the great" are equally His servants. And take joy that God trains and equips His people for the ministry of praise, preparing even now the skilled and humble choir that will sing His praise for ever.