I recently talked with a friend who teaches a course called “Write Your Own Obituary.” Do you think it sounds kind of sad to think about writing your obituary? My friend said it’s actually one of the most empowering things a person can do. Her students invariably feel deeply grateful as they review their history and write about it. They’re glad they get to write the words that sum up their lives instead of leaving it to someone else.

King David was enthusiastic about preparing for the end of his life. He drew up plans and made preparations for the great temple building project. He stocked up on building materials, and hired skilled workers. Most importantly, he named the successor who would take his place as king and carry on the work.

“Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. He said to them, ‘Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? For he has given the inhabitants of the land into my hands, and the land is subject to the Lord and his people.

Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the Lord.’” 1 Chronicles 22:17-19

David had a tumultuous life and many troubles, but in the end God gave him peace, prosperity, and the luxury of doing what he enjoyed most. David loved worship and he spent the last part of his life creating a place for the whole world to come and worship the Lord their God.

Jesus came to that place — the former threshing floor of Araunah — the temple mount on which Solomon built the first temple. And Jesus said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’” Mark 11:17

David’s desire to build a place for all people to worship God came to pass.

The Changing Work of the Priests

 David registered the Levites by clans and assigned them new work to do since their responsibilities would change after the temple was built.

“For David had said, ‘Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.’” 1 Chronicles 23:25-26

The Levites were going to assist the descendants of Aaron in the service of the temple. There would be a large complex of rooms and courtyards to attend to at the temple, besides the bread offering and other offerings they set out regularly.

“They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on the Sabbath, at the New Moon feasts and the appointed festivals. They were to serve before the Lord regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them.

And so the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the tent of meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their relatives the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the temple of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 23:30-32

Aaron’s Descendants

The descendants of Aaron were the lead priests in the service of the existing tabernacle and future temple. Aaron’s descendants in David’s time were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, the four sons of Eli. God put Nadab and Abihu to death for their corruption, so Eleazar and Ithamar took over the priestly duties at the tabernacle while it was in Gibeon.

Eleazar and Ithamar’s descendants were next in line so David began to organize them for service in the temple. There were more men in the family of Eleazar than the family of Ithamar, but David wanted both families represented equally so they took turns choosing one priest at a time from each family.

They cast lots so the Lord would be in charge of the process, and the scribe Shemaiah recorded their names in order. This removed any conflict over how they would take turns serving in the temple.

Prophesying With Music

 At this time in Israel’s history prophesying had a broader definition than we are used to now. We think of prophecy as a foretelling of the future, but the Bible applies the term to any message that tells people about God or glorifies him. Prophets delivered specific messages from God to people, but they also instructed people about God and led them in praise. One of the ways prophets prophesied was through music.

1 Chronicles 25:3 talks about Jeduthun who had six sons. He trained them all to be musicians, “under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.”

 The Lord wanted praise music in his temple so the people could learn about him through the beauty of poetry and song. He gifted a large portion of his priests with the ability to sing, play instruments, and write psalms and hymns. It made going to the temple a joyful experience; something to look forward to.

There were times when prophecies came from unexpected sources.

Samuel had a school for prophets at his home in Ramah. One time King Saul went there looking for David and when he arrived the Spirit of God came upon him and he fell to the ground and lay there prophesying for three days. This brought about the saying in Israel, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

Saul was not a prophet like Samuel or Nathan, but the Spirit of God compelled him to prophesy with praises and testimonies to the greatness of God.

Someday everyone who ever lived is going to bow and prophesy that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. Prophetic truth will fill every mouth simply because of the glory of Christ.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Not everyone will want to praise Christ, but everyone will do it because his glory will be undeniable. We will all be prophets then.

Are You a Prophet?

 A prophet is someone who speaks truth about God . . . and you are learning great truths about God right now as you read your Bible. How does the truth you are learning emerge in you life? Do you talk about him with friends? Do you write thoughts in a journal? Do you sing his praises?

You are living prophetically whenever you apply the truths of the Word to your life, and you honor God when you sing his praises. You proclaim his greatness when you tell someone what you have learned.

So what kind of prophet are you? Make a note of your answer to that question and you will see how God’s truth is showing up in your life.