1 Chronicles 25:1–30

Read the passage.

The temple musicians are from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. As with the priests, they are divided into twenty-four divisions for the rotation of service in the temple throughout the years. The divisions were assigned by lot, without regard to skill, experience, or prestige of the musicians. While this is objectively fair, it does introduce the possibility for the divisions to be imbalanced in some ways. However, the Lord is sovereign, and the intention behind casting lots is not for “random chance” to decide outcomes, but to explicitly say the Lord is the one who chooses. We can be sure that the results of these divisions are exactly the way the Lord wanted them.

It is interesting to note that the musicians are said to have prophecied with their harps, lyres, and cymbals. Most of the time we think of “prophecy” as foretelling the future, and there is a large part of that, but really prophesying is about relating God’s words to the people. The singers would be singing psalms, giving praise and thanksgiving to God while the people came to offer worship and sacrifices. These songs would contain the Lord’s inspired words and teach the people the truths they needed to know in order to live holy lives.

You have given us everything needed for life and godliness.