King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:15 in the King James Version says “And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. place: Heb. station”

2 Chronicles 35:15 · KJV

Context

13

And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people . divided: Heb. made them run

14

And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.

15

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. place: Heb. station

16

So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah.

17

And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. present: Heb. found

Read 2 Chronicles 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Greatest worship celebration since Samuel's time. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְהַמְשֹֽׁרֲרִ֨ים1 of 25

“And the singers”

H7891

to sing

בְּנֵֽי2 of 25

“the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְאָסָ֞ף3 of 25

“and Asaph”

H623

asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first

עַל4 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מַֽעֲמָדָ֗ם5 of 25

“were in their place”

H4612

(figuratively) a position

כְּמִצְוַ֤ת6 of 25

“according to the commandment”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

דָּוִיד֙7 of 25

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְאָסָ֞ף8 of 25

“and Asaph”

H623

asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first

וְהֵימָ֤ן9 of 25

“and Heman”

H1968

heman, the name of at least two israelites

וִֽידֻתוּן֙10 of 25

“and Jeduthun”

H3038

jeduthun, an israelite

חוֹזֵ֣ה11 of 25

“seer”

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ12 of 25

“the king's”

H4428

a king

וְהַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֖ים13 of 25

“and the porters”

H7778

a janitor

וָשָׁ֑עַר14 of 25

“waited at every gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וָשָׁ֑עַר15 of 25

“waited at every gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֵ֣ין16 of 25
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָהֶ֗ם17 of 25
H0
לָסוּר֙18 of 25

“they might not depart”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵעַ֣ל19 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲבֹֽדָתָ֔ם20 of 25

“from their service”

H5656

work of any kind

כִּֽי21 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲחֵיהֶ֥ם22 of 25

“for their brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הַלְוִיִּ֖ם23 of 25

“the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

הֵכִ֥ינוּ24 of 25

“prepared”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

לָהֶֽם׃25 of 25
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 35:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 35:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 9:17-191 Chronicles 25:1-71 Chronicles 26:12-192 Chronicles 29:25-26Psalms 79:11 Chronicles 16:41-42

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