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David and Instrumental Music - 1Chron. 23-25
David and Instrumental Music - 1Chron. 23-25
Under the Old Covenant, worship was regulated by God.
In the beginning, Moses instructed them concerning the trumpets that were to be used: the what, who, when; all of this was regulated by God (Num. 10:2, 10).
Now, as we come to the preparation for building the Temple, David gives instructions concerning not only the temple but also the worship that was conducted there. We can make note:
· David was king, but also a prophet and inspired of God (cp. Acts 2:29-30).
· David appointed not only the instruments to be used, but who were to use them.
· David did so ALONG with Gad (a seer) and Nathan (a prophet).
· The commandment was from the LORD.
First, David appointed the various divisions and duties of those associated with the temple and its worship.
Then, David and the commanders of the army set apart for the service some of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps and cymbals; 1Chron. 25:1.
Later, 2 Chron. 29:25-27 will add: "He then stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with harps and with lyres, according to the command of David and of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the command was from the Lord through His prophets. The Levites stood with the musical instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. Then Hezekiah gave the order to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord also began with the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David, king of Israel."
When the restored the temple and the worship, Ezra records: "Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel." (Ezra 3:10). [See also Neh. 12:24, 35, 45-46]
Yes, they did use instruments in worship under the Old Covenant, but they were not just added by the whims of men, they were appointed by the authority and commandment of God thru David. Hugh DeLong
For more details concerning this, you might like to read an outline adapted from a PowerPoint presented by Berry Kercheville: https://www.dropbox.com/s/eatfgxqrcgsoag1/Instrumental%20Music%20in%20the%20OT.pdf?dl=0
Also, an article by Shane Scott: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qbdo0itasg7tpqq/Biblical%20Authority%20and%20Instrumental%20Music%20in%20Churches.doc?dl=0
