These
chapters record the family divisions and the work of (a) the 4,000 choristers
mentioned in 23:5 (see chapter 25), (b) the 4, 000 doorkeepers (26:1-19), and
(c) the 6,000 officers and judges (26:20-32). All these were Levites. Chapter
27 records the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the monthly division,
and the chief officers of state.
1 1- Who were the
three chief leaders of praise? See 25: 1; also 6:33, 39, 44;15:16, 17. Why is
their ministry of praise called ‘prophesying’? Cf. Eph. 5:18, 19.
2 2- Amidst the
many differences of function and service described in these chapters, notice
the way in which all contribute to the worship and honour of the Lord. What
developments of this lesson do you find in the teaching about Christian service
in Eph. 4:1-7, 11, 12; 1 Cor. 12:18-21?
Notes
1- 25:1. ‘The
chiefs of the service’: the phrase seems to refer here to those in charge of
the Temple staff’, ‘the authorities of the temple’ (Moffat).
2- 25:3.
‘Jeduthum’: elsewhere called ‘Ethan’. See 6:44; 15:17, 19.
3- 26:29.
‘Officers and judges’: the officers collected the tithes and other revenue and
the judges gave judgement in matters of law.
