1 Chronicles 25:17

KJV

The tenth to Shimei, [he], his sons, and his brethren, [were] twelve:

KJV (with Strong's)

The tenth {H6224} to Shimei {H8096}, he, his sons {H1121}, and his brethren {H251}, were twelve {H8147}{H6240}:

Complete Jewish Bible

the tenth to Shim'i, his sons and brothers, twelve;

Berean Standard Bible

the tenth to Shimei, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;

American Standard Version

the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brethren, twelve:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 25:17 details the tenth division of Levitical musicians appointed for service in the tabernacle (and later, the Temple) during King David's reign. This verse specifies that this division was assigned to Shimei, comprising him, his sons, and his brethren, totaling twelve individuals. It underscores the meticulous organization and divine appointment of those dedicated to leading worship through music, highlighting the structured and hereditary nature of their sacred duties.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 25:17 is situated within a broader section (chapters 23-26) that meticulously describes King David's organization of the Levites for temple service. Chapter 23 outlines the general duties of the Levites, while chapter 24 details the divisions of the priests (descendants of Aaron). Chapter 25 specifically focuses on the organization of the Levitical musicians, establishing 24 divisions, each consisting of twelve members, totaling 288 skilled individuals. This chapter emphasizes the prophetic and inspired nature of their musical ministry, as indicated in [1 Chronicles 25:1](/1_chronicles/25-1 "1 Chronicles 25:1 - David and the Temple Musicians") and [1 Chronicles 25:5](/1_chronicles/25-5 "1 Chronicles 25:5 - Heman, the King's Seer"). The preceding verses in chapter 25 list the heads of the divisions, and verse 17 simply continues this detailed enumeration, specifying the tenth lot.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This passage reflects the historical period of King David's reign, a time of significant consolidation and preparation for the future Temple in Jerusalem. David, a man after God's own heart, was not only a military and political leader but also deeply committed to establishing proper worship. The Levites, traditionally responsible for tabernacle service, were now being organized for a more permanent and elaborate structure. The use of "lots" (as mentioned in [1 Chronicles 25:8](/1_chronicles/25-8 "1 Chronicles 25:8 - Casting Lots for Divisions")) was a common ancient Near Eastern practice, but in Israel, it was understood as a means by which God's will was revealed, ensuring divine sanction for these appointments. The hereditary nature of the Levitical priesthood and service was a foundational aspect of Israelite society, passed down through families, ensuring continuity of knowledge and tradition.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous organization of the Levitical musicians in [1 Chronicles 25](/1_chronicles/25 "1 Chronicles 25 - Organization of Temple Musicians") contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **order and structure in worship**. David's detailed arrangements demonstrate a commitment to serving God with intentionality and excellence, reflecting the character of a God who is not chaotic but orderly, as seen in [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order"). Secondly, it emphasizes **dedicated, specialized service**. The musicians were not merely performers but integral to the spiritual atmosphere of worship, set apart for a vital role. Thirdly, the inclusion of "his sons, and his brethren" underscores the theme of **generational calling and stewardship**, signifying the importance of passing down spiritual responsibilities and skills through families, ensuring the continuity of sacred service. Finally, the casting of lots points to **divine appointment and sovereignty**, reinforcing that these roles were not arbitrary but divinely sanctioned, reflecting God's guiding hand in the details of His people's service, as also indicated in [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lot is Cast").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shimei (Hebrew, _Shim'i_):** A common name in the Old Testament, meaning "my fame" or "renowned." In this context, it identifies the specific individual chosen by lot to head the tenth division of Levitical musicians. While the name itself carries a connotation of renown, the text does not elaborate on this particular Shimei's personal fame, rather it highlights his significant role within David's meticulously organized system of worship. His inclusion here signifies his leadership position and the divine sanction of his appointment.
* **Twelve (Hebrew, _shenêm 'āśār_):** This number is crucial for understanding the organizational structure of the Levitical musicians. Each of the 24 divisions, including Shimei's, consisted of exactly twelve individuals (the leader, his sons, and brethren). This consistent number ensured a rotating schedule of service throughout the year, allowing for continuous worship in the tabernacle/Temple. The number twelve often carries symbolic weight in biblical contexts, representing completeness or divine governmental order (e.g., twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles), and here it speaks to the comprehensive and orderly nature of David's arrangements for sacred service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The tenth to Shimei":** This phrase indicates the specific order of the divisions, determined by lot. The "tenth" refers to the chronological sequence in which the divisions would serve or were listed, emphasizing the systematic and equitable distribution of duties among the Levitical families. Shimei is identified as the head or leader of this particular division, chosen by divine providence through the casting of lots.
* **"[he], his sons, and his brethren":** This specifies the composition of Shimei's division. It highlights the familial and hereditary nature of the Levitical service. The leader, Shimei, was joined by his direct descendants ("sons") and other close male relatives ("brethren"). This ensured that musical skill and knowledge of sacred duties were passed down through generations, maintaining continuity and expertise in the temple worship. It also underscores the communal aspect of their service, as families served together.
* **"[were] twelve":** This clause provides the total count of individuals within Shimei's division. The consistent number of twelve members per division across all 24 groups (totaling 288 musicians, as mentioned in [1 Chronicles 25:7](/1_chronicles/25-7 "1 Chronicles 25:7 - Total Number of Musicians")) speaks to the extraordinary level of organization and planning involved in David's preparations for temple worship. This uniformity ensured that each division could fulfill its rotational duties effectively, providing continuous and well-resourced musical accompaniment for the sacrificial system and praise.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 25:17, and indeed throughout [1 Chronicles 25](/1_chronicles/25 "1 Chronicles 25 - Organization of Temple Musicians"), is **Enumeration** or **List/Register**. The text systematically lists the heads of the divisions and the composition of their groups, providing a detailed administrative record. This meticulous listing emphasizes the comprehensive nature of David's organization and the importance of each individual and family in the grand scheme of temple service. Closely related is **Repetition**, specifically of the structural pattern "the [number] to [name], [he], his sons, and his brethren, [were] twelve." This consistent repetition across verses 9-31 reinforces the uniformity and orderliness of the divisions, highlighting the methodical approach taken in preparing for the worship of God. The precision of the numbers and names underscores the historical reliability and the divine attention to detail in the establishment of sacred worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 25:17, though a seemingly mundane administrative detail, profoundly illustrates the biblical principles of order, divine appointment, and dedicated service within the community of faith. It reveals that God cares about the meticulous organization of His worship and the specific roles of His people. The casting of lots for assignments, including Shimei's, underscores the belief that God's sovereignty extends to even the seemingly random details of life and service, ensuring that each person is placed where they are most needed and effective for His purposes. This commitment to structure and excellence in worship reflects the character of God Himself, who is a God of peace and order, not confusion. It also highlights the value of every individual's contribution, no matter how small, when it is part of a divinely orchestrated whole.

* [Proverbs 16:33](/proverbs/16-33 "Proverbs 16:33 - The Lot is Cast")
* [Numbers 3:5-10](/numbers/3-5 "Numbers 3:5-10 - Appointment of the Levites")
* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, a small piece of an ancient administrative record, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God values order, excellence, and intentionality in our service to Him. Just as Shimei and his family were divinely appointed to a specific role in worship, every believer today is gifted by the Holy Spirit and called to contribute to the body of Christ. There is no insignificant role in God's kingdom; whether our service is public or behind the scenes, musical or administrative, it is vital when offered for His glory. The emphasis on "sons and brethren" also challenges us to consider our role in discipling the next generation, passing on not just knowledge, but a passion for worship and dedicated service. We are called to steward our gifts and callings with diligence, trusting that God has sovereignly placed us where we are for a purpose, and that our collective efforts, though diverse, contribute to a beautiful, harmonious expression of His praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous organization of the Levitical musicians challenge my own approach to serving God, both individually and corporately?**
* **In what ways do I see God's sovereign hand in my own calling and placement within the body of Christ?**
* **How can I, like the Levitical families, intentionally pass on a legacy of faith and dedicated service to the next generation?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the importance of order and excellence in corporate worship today?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list of musicians included in the Bible?**

Answer: The detailed list in 1 Chronicles 25, including 1 Chronicles 25:17, serves several important purposes. Firstly, it underscores the immense significance of worship in ancient Israel, particularly music, which was considered an integral part of their spiritual life and sacrificial system. King David's meticulous organization demonstrates his profound commitment to establishing proper and continuous worship for the Lord, anticipating the future Temple. Secondly, it highlights the divine order and intentionality behind God's plan for His people's service. The use of lots, as seen in [1 Chronicles 25:8](/1_chronicles/25-8 "1 Chronicles 25:8 - Casting Lots for Divisions"), emphasizes that these appointments were not arbitrary but divinely sanctioned. Thirdly, it serves as a historical record, authenticating the lineage and roles of those who served in the Temple, which was crucial for maintaining the integrity of the Levitical and priestly functions. Finally, it provides a model of dedication, excellence, and structured service for future generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 25:17 details the Old Covenant system of organized worship, it finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The meticulous order and divine appointment of the Levitical musicians foreshadow the perfect order and divine design found in the New Covenant Church, of which Christ is the head. Just as Shimei and his division were set apart for specific service, Christ, as our great High Priest, has perfectly fulfilled all priestly and sacrificial duties, making way for all believers to become a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). The earthly temple worship, with its appointed musicians, pointed to the heavenly reality where Christ himself leads the praise of God ([Hebrews 2:12](/hebrews/2-12 "Hebrews 2:12 - Christ Praising God")). Moreover, the principle of diverse gifts and ordered service, seen in the twelve-member divisions, finds its ultimate expression in the body of Christ, where the Spirit distributes various gifts for the edification of the whole ([Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for the Church") and [1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts")). Through Christ, the need for hereditary temple service is superseded by a universal calling to worship God "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")), with every believer being divinely appointed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to contribute to the harmonious praise and service of God's new temple, the Church.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.