The Importance of Music in Worship

2 Kings 3

¹²  And Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the LORD is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
¹³  Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No, for the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab."
¹⁴  And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you.
¹⁵  But now bring me a musician." Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

The situation:  Israel and Judah are now separate and sometimes antagonistic countries.  Elijah the great prophet has left for heaven, and his assistant, Elisha, has continued the ministry.  The kingdom of Moab has chosen to rebel against Israel and the king of Israel, Jehoram has enlisted the king of Edom and Jehosphaphat, king of Judah, to go to battle with him.  Uncertain how to proceed, they decide to consult the gods.  Jehoshaphat requests Elisha, prophet of the God of Israel, who agrees to help only because of Jehoshaphat.   The prophet begins by asking that a musician come and perform.  Then he prophesied.

 

Note:  Perhaps this is an example of music being the vehicle of worship.  Worship is an end in itself:  It needs no other purpose than to honor God in a special and unique way and is worth doing even if the worshipper received no benefit.  But worship with music seems to prepare the spirit to receive from the Holy Spirit.  Here the musician helps Elisha and he prophesies to the kings.  Among other things, there is an element of prophecy in a good sermon.