Outside Jerusalem
20 The rest of Israel, of the priests and of the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, each on his own inheritance. 21 But the temple servants were living in Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were [n]in charge of the temple servants.
22 Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, from the sons of Asaph, who were the singers for the [o]service of the house of God. 23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a firm regulation for the song leaders day by day. 24 Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah the son of Judah, was the king’s [p]representative in all matters concerning the people.
25 Now as for the villages with their fields, some of the sons of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba and its [q]towns, in Dibon and its [r]towns, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, 26 and in Jeshua, in Moladah and Beth-pelet, 27 and in Hazar-shual, in Beersheba and its towns, 28 and in Ziklag, in Meconah and in its towns, 29 and in En-rimmon, in Zorah and in Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba as far as the valley of Hinnom. 31 The sons of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, at Bethel and its towns, 32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. 36 From the Levites, some divisions in Judah belonged to Benjamin.
Same song, second verse… Just as some were chosen to stay behind and fight, some of the Levites were designated as song leaders in Jerusalem. The main reason the people came back to Jerusalem was to restore the temple and the proper worship/service of God. Without the Levites and priests each doing their part, it would be incomplete.
God had originally set some of the Levites apart for making music, and “a commandment of the king” had re-established that. Likely it was David, Solomon, or both who had reinstated the proper Levite clans as musicians. And one might think, “well phooey, that’s a nice life, to sit around and make music all day…”
But imagine a life without music, it’d be a dull thing indeed. And I can pretty confidently say that God agrees, which is why he made music (no it isn’t a human invention, no matter what we might think). So sure, it was likely enjoyable for the musicians, but so is a lot of work when you find what you were made to do. There are even folks who enjoy “odd” things like plumbing, where most might say, “no thanks!”
Again, God made all of us on purpose, and we each have something we were born to do. It might not be the most glamorous, and we might not become famous musicians, but there’s meaning to be found in the seeming chaos of life. Seek, and you will find Him and so much more.