1 Chronicles 25: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Chronicles 25 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

David and the captains of the army appointed certain sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the service of music. They were to prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals (vv. 1-2). The sons of Jeduthun included Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah. The sons of Heman included Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, and others, totaling fourteen sons and three daughters (vv. 3-5). The total number of skilled musicians was two hundred eighty-eight (v. 7). They cast lots to determine their offices, including all ranks from the small to the great (v. 8). The lots established assignments for different groups of twelve musicians, such as Joseph, Gedaliah, Zaccur, and others across the order (vv. 9-24). The final assignments listed all groups and their respective numbers from the lots (vv. 25-31).

Key verse

“All these were under the hands of their father for song in Yahweh’s house, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of God’s house; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king.”
1 Chronicles 25:6 (WEB)

Outline

1 Chronicles 25:1–2 Appointment of Musicians
1 Chronicles 25:3–6 Sons of Jeduthun and Heman
1 Chronicles 25:7–8 Number and Skill of Musicians
1 Chronicles 25:9–24 Casting Lots for Musicians' Duties
1 Chronicles 25:25–31 Final Assignments of Musicians

Discussion questions

In v6, what instruments are mentioned for the service of God’s house?
What group is identified as the first lot drawn in vv. 9-10?
In v8, why does David choose to cast lots for the musicians' offices?
In v7, who are included among those 'skillful' in singing to Yahweh?
When have you felt a strong sense of being 'under the hands' of someone in ministry?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Chronicles 25: 1 Chronicles 15, 1 Chronicles 6, 1 Chronicles 16.

Before next time: read 1 Chronicles 26.