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1 Chronicles 25

31 verses

TL;DR

David organized the court musicians under the leaders Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, listing their families and the total number of singers.

Summary

In 1 Chronicles 25, David divides the royal musicians into three groups: the sons of Asaph, the sons of Jeduthun, and the sons of Heman. Each leader’s household is named, and the text records that every family served in the house of the LORD with harps, cymbals, and psalteries, prophesying in the king’s order. The king counted the total number of singers, noting that 208 musicians (including their children and servants) were available for service. To assign positions, David drew lots, with each lot indicating a chief and his twelve sons or brothers, reflecting a structured hierarchy. The list ends with the final lot drawn for Romamtiezer, whose twelve followers were appointed. This chapter functions as an administrative register, highlighting the organization of worship and the importance of lineage and order. It also demonstrates the meticulous recording of personnel in the temple during David’s reign.

Outline
  1. Organization of musicians under Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman
  2. Listing of each family group and total number of singers
  3. Lot drawing to assign leadership and sub‑groups
Themes
Order and hierarchy in worshipFamily lineage as a source of spiritual authorityThe role of music and prophecy in the temple
Keywords
AsaphJeduthunHemanharpscymbalspsalterieslotprophecyfamilymusicians
People
DavidAsaphJeduthunHemanZaccurJosephNethaniahAsarelahGedaliahZeriJeshiaiahHashabiahMattithiahBukkiahMattaniahUzzielShebuelJerimothHananiahHananiEliathahGiddaltiRomamtiezerJoshbekashahMallothiHothirMahaziothIzriShimeiAzareelShubael
Places
House of the LORDKing's houseIsrael
Things
harpscymbalspsalteriesprophecylot drawingmusical serviceroyal court
Key Verses
  • 1 Chronicles 25:1: Introduces the division of musicians under the three leaders.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:7: States the total number of singers, showing organizational scale.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:9: Begins the lot drawing, illustrating the method for assigning leaders.
Questions
  • Why might David have organized the musicians into three separate groups?
  • How does the use of lots reflect the culture of governance in David’s court?
  • What does the emphasis on family lineage suggest about leadership qualifications?
  • In what ways does music serve as a form of prophecy in the temple context?
  • How does the record of 208 singers inform our understanding of worship practices at the time?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter is a factual inventory with no emotive language.