Bible in one year 6/28/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 25--27 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Bible in one year 6/28/2022 1Chronicle Chapter 25--27

King David census, preparations for the Temple and organization of the Levites

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

           

1Chronicles Chapter 25 Assigning the musicians

          David together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.(v.1). On these who were appointed chief musicians (16:5). The ministry of prophesying. Notice that prophecy sometimes was given as poetry and with music (1Sam.10:5). From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision.

As for Jeduthun, from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.(v.3).  As for Heman, from his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothis, Hothirand Mahazioth. All these were sons of Heman the king’s seet. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.(vv.4-5). Some think that the last nine words are not to be taken as proper names; rather, they relate to Heman’s prayer, which goes something like this: “Be gracious, O Lord, be gracious to me. Thou art my God whom I magnify and exalt for helping. Though sitting forlorn, I have proclaimed highes vision.” To exalt him.(v.5) this may refer to blowing an actual horn or to the fact that Heman’s sons help him.

All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives-all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord-they numbered 288. Young and old alike teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties. (vv.6-8). The teachers (skilled ones) were the 288 of verse 7, and the scholars or pupils were the 4,000 of 23:5. They cast lots to determine the order of the twenty-four groups to match the twenty-four courses of priests.

 

1Chronicles Chapter 26 Appointing gate keepers, assigning the treasures, delegating magistrates

          Four thousand (23:5) gatekeepers were involved in guarding the Temple day and night to prevent unauthorized persons from entering and profaning it. Various numbers of leaders of these gatekeepers are mentioned in vv.8-9, 11 and 9:22. They cast lots to determine which gates would be guarded by whom.(v.14) The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. The lot for the South Gate fell to Obed-Edom and the lot for the storehouse fell to his sons. The lots for West Gate and the Shalleketh Gate on the upper road fell to Shuppim and Hosah.

          Assigning the treasures- their fellow Levites were in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things. (v.20). Ordinary revenues that came to the Temple from prescribed contributions and special gift (Lev.27; Num.18:16;1Chron.29:7-8). The descendants of Ladan, who were Gershonites through Ladan and who were heads of families belong to Ladan the Gershonite, were Jehieli, the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the tresasuries of the temple of the Lord. From the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites and the Uzzielites. (vv.21-23).

          Delegating magistrates – From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel.(v.29). Scribes or secretaries and magistrates who adjudicated cases on the basis of the law, and who were likely involved in the collection of taxes and tithes. Altogether there were six thousand(23:4).

 1 Chronicles Chapter 27 David’s civil leaders

           David had an army of 288,000 men, consisting of twelve divisions of 24,000men, each of which served in turn for one month out of the year. Eight of the twelve generals belonged to the tribe of Judah.(vv.1-15). This is the list of the Israelites –heads of familie, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

          David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. Wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David. (v.23). David only took a census of the fighting men (Num.1:3), but even this showed lack of faith in God’s power to protect his kingdom. To have numbered all the people would have displayed doubt in God’s promise (Gen.22:17).

 

Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986