1 Chronicles 25:1-31
Singers for the House of God
1Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
2From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
3From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD.
4From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
5All these sons of Heman the king’s seer were given him through the promises of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king.
7Together with their relatives, who were all trained and skillful in the songs of the LORD, they numbered 288.
8They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.
9The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
10the third to Zaccur, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
11the fourth to Izri, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
12the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
13the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
14the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
15the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
16the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
17the tenth to Shimei, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
18the eleventh to Azarel, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
19the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
20the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
21the fourteenth to Mattithiah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
22the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
23the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
24the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
25the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
26the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
27the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
28the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
29the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
30the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
31and the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all.
Berean Standard Bible
David and the commanders set apart the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying with lyres, harps, and cymbals. The music is not an afterthought. These families serve publicly by helping Israel hear and remember the praise of God.
The sons of Asaph are listed, then the sons of Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre while giving thanks and praise to the LORD. Heman's sons are also named, and the record says that God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
The musicians are trained and skilled, and the assignments are made by lot. The first and second lots, then all the way through the twenty-fourth, distribute responsibility among the families. Skill matters, but the work is not secured by personal preference or status.
The chapter closes by naming the heads of the families and their brothers, young and old, teacher and student. Every one of them is trained for the ministry of song. Worship grows when knowledge is shared and younger servants are given a real place.
Questions
1 Which families were set apart for music?
AnswerThe sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were set apart for the ministry of music.
2 What instruments did they use?
AnswerThey used lyres, harps, and cymbals.
3 How were their assignments distributed?
AnswerTheir assignments were distributed by lot among the trained families.
4 Who was included in the training?
AnswerYoung and old, teachers and students, were included in the ministry of song.
What This Means for Us
Worship is strengthened when gifts are developed and shared across generations. The older do not keep every responsibility, and the younger are not treated as spectators.
Teach what you know, invite others into meaningful service, and let skill serve gratitude rather than personal attention. A household's songs become richer when more than one generation can carry them.
Prayer
God of praise, thank You for gifts that help people remember Your goodness. Make us generous teachers, attentive learners, and willing servants who use skill to give You thanks rather than to seek our own glory. Amen.