Our reading today continues the assignments for worship in the Temple. Chapter 25 records the assignment of the music ministry. The work of the music ministry would pass to the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun who “prophesied” with their instruments (25:1), much like Miriam was called a “prophetess” when she worshiped through music and singing (see Ex. 15:20). We see in verse 7 that singing would also be part of the worship in the Temple. We see in verse 31 that there were 24 teams to be in rotation, similar to the priests (see 24:18-19).

Chapter 26 begins with the assignments for the gatekeepers (26:1). The sons of Obed-edom were among them (v. 4), of which there were eight because of God’s blessing (v. 5 – see 13:14). In verse 17 we see that there were more gatekeepers at the east gate. That would be the main entrance. The Temple would be a symbol of Eden, the entrance of which faced east (see Gen 3:24).

We then get an account of the various other officials. Note that in the treasury were all the spoils of all the victories since the inception of the monarchy (vv. 26-28). In verse 29, David appoints judges as commanded in Deuteronomy 16:18. Verse 31 tells us that this was done in the fortieth year of David’s reign, meaning this was the last year of his reign.

The Chronicler is again very careful to record all of the detail of the duties for the care of the Temple. It is a reminder to the returnees of what is required of them as they build the new Temple.