Musicians were chosen and
appointed for service (1 Chron 15: 16-29, 2 Chron 29:25-29)
1 Chron 15: 16 "Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites
to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by
instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps and cymbals by raising the voice in
resounding joy"
2 Chron 29:25, 26 "He stationed Levites in the house of the Lord
with cymbals, with stringed instruments and with harps according to the command of David
…………the Levites stood with the instruments of David
and the priests with the trumpets"
Musicians and singers were chosen from the tribe of Levi. Music was regarded as a
priestly ministry which was reserved for the Levites.
Musicians were seperated for
the ministry
1 Chron 25:1 "Moreover David and the captains of the army separated
for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy
with harps, string instruments and cymbals."
1 Chron 9:33 "These are the singers, heads of the fathers' houses
of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from
other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night"
Separated - means "to set
apart".
Key worship personnel needs to free
themselves to spend more time in worship and their musical instruments
Musicians were organized
into an orderly structure
1 Chron 23:5,6 "..and 4000 praised the Lord with musical instruments
"which I made", said David "for giving praise" and David divided them
into divisions among the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari"
1 Chron 25:6-7 " All these were
under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals,
stringed instruments, and harps for service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman
were under the authority of the king. So the number of them with their brethren who were
instructed in the songs of the Lord, all who were skillful was two hundred and eighty
eight"
David appointed 4000 musicians. The
musicians were divided into 24 courses under the 24 sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun. The
24 sons were over 288 who were instructed and skillful in the song of the Lord.
Musicians were clothed in a
white linen ephod
1 Chron 15:27 "David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were
all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers and Chenaniah the music master with the
singers. David also wore a linen ephod"
Neh 12:30 "Then, the priests and
Levites purified themselves and purified the people, the gates and the wall"
Clothing with white linen - putting on
the righteousness of Chirst.
Levites purified themselves - refers to a
daily cleansing.
The life of ministry is inseparable from
a life of righteousness.
Musicians were required to
enter into an oath of holiness (Neh 10:28-39)
Neh 10: 29 " They joined with their brethren, their nobles and
entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law, which were
given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord
our God and His ordinance and His statutes"
The oath committed them to obey all the
laws of Moses. Failure to obey the oath would bring a curse.
Musicians were skillful
1 Chron 15:22 " Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites, was instructor
in charge of the music because he was skillful"
1 Chron 25:7 " So the number of
them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the Lord, all who were skillful,
was two hundred and eighty eight"
Musicians were faithful
Neh 10:39 " …….we will not neglect
the house of the Lord"
1 Chron 16:37 " So he left Asaph
and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the
ark regularly, as every day's work required"
2 Chron 7:6 " And the priests attended
to their services: the Levites also with instruments of the music of the Lord"
We cannot play only when "we feel
like it"
We must regard our ministry as our
"every day's work"
Chenaniah - Established
by Jehovah
Jeduthun - a consistent
choir of praise
Asaph -he that gathers
and removes reproach
Heman - one who is
faithful
God wants musicians who are consistent,
faithful, established in his ways and who gathers people into
the house of God to worship Him.
Musicians were teachable and
came under authority
1 Chron 25:8 "And they cast lots for their duty, the small and the
great, the teacher with the student"
Musicians assisted in
practical duties of the house
1 Chron 9:26-33 documents the practical duties for Levites. They include
opening the gates, charge over the treasuries, serving vessels, looking after furnishings,
fine flour, wine, oil, incense and spices. Musicians are not an elite group.
Musicians played their music
in unity.
2 Chron 5:13 " Indeed it came to pass when the trumpeters and
singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord and
when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music and
praised the Lord saying "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever", that
the house, the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud"
The musicians and singers played and sang
with one voice.
