Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 35:15. It’s a really important passage about the roles and responsibilities of the priests in the temple of God. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very specific setup at the Temple in Jerusalem during a time of great importance – when King David was still alive and the Temple was being built or renovated. It says that the priests (a group of men dedicated to God) were specifically tasked with guarding the temple entrance and keeping it busy, preventing anyone from leaving their duties. Let’s unpack each part: “And the singers the sons of Asaph [were] in their place…” : This tells us that these priests were assigned a particular job – they were responsible for singing and performing a specific role. “Asaph” and “Heman” are two prominent priests who were known for their musical talent. So, they were being used for a designated task. “…according to the commandment of David…” : This is crucial. It means that this job was approved by King David himself. He had a very clear idea of what these priests should do. It’s like saying "This is how we're supposed to do it." “and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer…” : These are three more priests – Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun – who were also responsible for guarding the temple entrance. “…and the porters [waited] at every gate; they might not depart from their service…” : This is the most important part . The "porters" (guards) weren’t just standing there. They were waiting at every gate – the entrances to the temple. They were instructed to stay put , never leave their duties. The idea is that they were keeping watch, ensuring no one entered or left without permission. “for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.” : This means that the priests and porters weren’t just doing a job; they were preparing something – making sure everything was in order to handle the temple visitors. The Levites (a group of skilled artisans) were busy preparing for this important event. In short, it's about a carefully organized system of security at the Temple to ensure that only those who were authorized and prepared could enter. Why is this important? This passage shows that the temple wasn’t just a place of worship; it was a strategic location with very specific roles and responsibilities. It highlights the importance of order, preparation, and control in the Temple's operations. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some historical context about the priests and their role at this time? Discuss what this passage might symbolize (like the importance of obedience and trust)?