Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 35:15
The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records the logistical conclusion of King Josiah’s Passover, noting the placement of temple personnel during the festival. The narrative occurs immediately after the Levites complete food and offering preparations for themselves and the Aaronic priests.
The words — The text highlights מַעֲמָדָם (ma'amadham), meaning "their post" or "station," and כְּמִצְוָת (kemitzvat), meaning "according to the command." These terms mark the fixed, authorized positions of the musicians and gatekeepers.
The thread — This organizational structure echoes David’s earlier temple arrangements recorded in 1 Chronicles 25:1 and 1 Chronicles 26:12, while the gatekeeper duty aligns with the roles listed in 1 Chronicles 9:17. The Chronicler consistently traces Josiah’s reforms back to established Davidic precedents.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that corporate worship depends on strict adherence to assigned roles and delegated labor. It demands an acknowledgment that communal religious observance functions through ordered participation rather than individual initiative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 9:17 These were the gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was their chief;
- 1 Chronicles 25:1 Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
- 1 Chronicles 26:12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did.
- 1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.”
- 1 Chronicles 23:5 4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”
- 2 Chronicles 29:25 Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets.
- Psalms 77:1 For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
- Psalms 78:1 A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.
- Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.