1 Chronicles Chapter 25
1 Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals. The number of those who did the work according to their service was:
2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah. The sons of Asaph were under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied at the order of the king.
3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD with the harp.
4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth.
5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the LORD's house, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of God's house: Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king.
7 The number of them, with their brothers who were instructed in singing to the LORD, even all who were skilful, was two hundred and eighty-eight.
8 They cast lots for their offices, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the student.
9 Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, he and his brothers and sons were twelve;
10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
20 for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
21 for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
22 for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
23 for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
24 for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
25 for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
26 for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
27 for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
28 for the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
29 for the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
30 for the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve;
31 for the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.
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1 Chronicles Chapter 25 Guide
It is easy to imagine what joy the poet king would take in arranging the song service of the new Temple. Music played a very important part in his career. His musical skill had been his first introduction to Saul, and had put his life in peril in Saul's presence. Then the psalms attributed to him in our collection breathe out the spirit of the varied experiences through which he passed. The days of his simple life as a shepherd, the period of his exile and suffering, the hours of battle and weariness, the triumph of his crowning, the agony of his sin, the joy of pardon, these and many other experiences are reflected in the great collection.
The man of poetic nature would naturally take great delight in making such arrangements for that "magnificent" house of God as would ensure proper and skilful attention in its service of praise. Again, from among the trained the courses were so arranged as to ensure perfect use of all classes, "as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar."
This work of praise is thrice described by a somewhat singular, and, in this connection, arresting word, "prophecy." The use of this word here is a revelation of the true value of the service of music in the sanctuary of God. There is no doubt that it is used in its broadest sense of forthtelling rather than its more restricted sense of foretelling. Therefore, music is at once the medium of expressing praise to God, and telling forth that praise in the hearing of men for their instruction and blessing. This includes the whole sphere, and the two thoughts interact. That is true praise of God which instructs the hearers. That is true musical prophesying which sets forth the praise of God.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Chronicles Chapter 25 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The singers and musicians.
Verses 1-31
David put those in order who were appointed to be singers and musicians in the temple. To prophesy, in this place, means praising God with great earnestness and devout affections, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. In raising these affections, poetry and music were employed. If the Spirit of God do not put life and fervour into our devotions, they will, however ordered, be a lifeless, worthless form.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.