DBG - My 14 - I Chronicles 23-25

In this chapter the roster of priests is given.

vs. 1-32 - Note vs. 1 and the time indicated. This organization was made in the last year of David’s life as he co-ruled with Solomon. We see in vs. 24 that the service age has dropped from 30 to 20. The primary reason for this change is given in the following verses: that the nature of their service had changed since moving the Tabernacle was no longer required. Some believe this may also have a practical implication in that there would be need for a great work force in constructing the Temple. The descriptions of the duties of the Levites are given in vs. 27-32

In this chapter the priests are divided into 24 courses.

vs. 1-19 – The 24,000 Levites in the previous chapter are divided into 24 “courses”.  These divisions rotated in order through the year, serving for one week at a time in the Temple.  This gives us 48 weeks, and the remaining 4 are the highest days like Passover when more priests were needed.  The most famous of these courses is likely Abijah, because that is the one Zecharias belonged to in Luke 1:5. 

vs. 20-31 - The “rest of the sons of Levi” listed in vs. 20-30 are not priests and were divided among the 24 orders for service in vs. 31.

In this chapter the Temple musicians are organized.

vs. 1-31 - The organization of musicians is a first. We have no record of musicians, singers, etc. in the Pentateuch. It appears that David is the one that organized and implemented singing and music into Tabernacle/Temple worship. The sons of Asaph, Jeduthun (Ethan), and Heman are divided into 24 courses to coincide with the 24 courses of priests. 12 men serve with each course, these undoubtably being the leadership and not total of singers/musicians for each course.

You can see the different focus in Chronicles vs. Samuel/Kings in the focus on the Temple preparation and the roles of the priests. There was nothing haphazard about worship to the Jews.  The priests and Levites were devoted to their work and performed to the best of their abilities.  While it is true that worshipping God can be simple and spontaneous, I think it is still important to worship purposefully and skillfully.  If God is our everything as we claim, we should show that love and respect to His greatness in the sober and serious worship of the Almighty God. 

Our hymn today is “The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended”.  It was written in 1870 by John Ellerton.  It mirrors the continual, daily praise of the priests in the Temple.

The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking
Our brethren ’neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away:
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.