1 Chronicles 6:31 - Meaning and Application

When the Levites were first set apart in the wilderness, much of their work was carrying the tabernacle and caring for its utensils as they traveled. In David’s time, their numbers had grown. Most were spread across the nation to teach the people the good knowledge of the Lord, but those who served at God’s house were still so many that there was not steady work for all of them. So David, by special commission and direction from God, reorganized the Levites, as this book later shows. Here we are told the work he assigned them.

One part of that work was singing. David was lifted up to be the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1). He did not only write psalms, but also arranged for them to be sung in the house of the Lord. He did this after the ark had found rest. While the ark was captive, hidden, and unsettled, the harps were hung on the willow trees, and singing seemed out of place, when the bridegroom is taken away they shall fast. But once the ark was brought up and songs were restored, the singing continued afterward. We should rejoice just as much in the keeping of spiritual privileges as in getting them back.

When the ark’s service was less needed because it had come to rest, the Levites were given other work, because Levites should never be idle. They were employed in the service of song. In the same way, when God’s people come to the rest that remains for them above, they will lay aside all burdens and be occupied with everlasting songs. These singers kept this service in the tabernacle until the temple was built, and then they served there too (1 Chronicles 6:32). Even in that larger and more splendid house, they stayed close to both their office and their order, just as they had done in the tabernacle. It is a pity if higher rank ever makes God’s servants careless in their duty.

We also read about the three chief leaders of sacred song, along with their families, that is, their children and other close descendants who served with them (1 Chronicles 6:33). Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to this work, one from each of the three Levite family lines, so the honor and labor would be shared equally and each person would know his place. There was excellent order in this choir service.

From the family of Kohath was Heman, with his family (1 Chronicles 6:33). He may have been the same Heman who wrote Psalm 88, a man of deep sorrow, and yet a singer. He was Samuel the prophet’s grandson, the son of Joel. Joel is said not to have walked in Samuel’s ways (1 Samuel 8:2-3), but it seems the grandson did. God’s blessing on the righteous can sometimes pass over one generation and rest on the next. This Heman, though the grandson of a mighty man, did not think it beneath him to be a leader in worship at God’s house. David himself was willing to be a doorkeeper. We can also see Heman’s place of honor in the church as a reward for the humble surrender his grandfather made of his authority in the state. God often makes up for his people’s losses in wise and unexpected ways. Perhaps David chose Heman as chief partly because of his old friendship with Samuel.

From the family of Gershom was Asaph, called Heman’s brother because they shared the same office and tribe, though they were from different branches of the family. He stood at Heman’s right hand in the choir (1 Chronicles 6:39). Several psalms carry his name, either because he wrote them or because he led their singing as chief musician. It is clear that he wrote some psalms, since Scripture speaks of people praising the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph. He was a seer as well as a singer (2 Chronicles 29:30). His family line is traced back through many names that are otherwise unknown, all the way to Levi (1 Chronicles 6:39-43).

From the family of Merari was Ethan (1 Chronicles 6:44), who stood at Heman’s left hand. His family line is also traced back to Levi (1 Chronicles 6:47). If this was the same Heman and Ethan who wrote Psalms 88 and 89, there is no clear reason here why they were called Ezrahites, except for the explanation already given in the titles of those psalms and in 1 Chronicles 2:6, where those men were the sons of Zerah.

There was also serving work, much of it, in the tabernacle of the house of God (1 Chronicles 6:48). Levites were appointed for tasks such as bringing water and fuel, washing and sweeping, carrying out ashes, and killing, skinning, and boiling the sacrifices. These jobs were given to Levites from other families, or perhaps to those who were not fit to be singers because they had no good voice or no good ear. Each person should serve with the gift he has received. Those who could not sing should not be treated as useless. If they were not fit for one kind of service, there was still other work they could do.

There was also sacrificing work, and that belonged to the priests alone (1 Chronicles 6:49). They alone were to sprinkle the blood and burn the incense. The work in the most holy place belonged to the high priest alone. Each had his own task, and they needed one another and helped one another in it. Their work had two main aims. First, they were to make atonement for Israel, that is, to serve as go-betweens between the people and God, not to enrich themselves, but to serve the whole nation. They were ordained for the good of others. Second, they were to follow God’s rule. They presided in God’s house, yet they still had to do what they were told, according to all that God commanded. Even the highest are under that law.