1 Chronicles 25

The Musicians

1 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:
2 From the sons of Asaph: Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.
3 As for Jeduthun, from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,[a] Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the LORD.
4 As for Heman, from his sons: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael and Jerimoth; Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-Ezer; Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth.
5 (All these were sons of Heman the king’s seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.)
6 All these men were under the supervision of their father for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king.
7 Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the LORD—they numbered 288.
8 Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties.
9 The first lot, which was for Asaph,1 fell to Joseph, his sons and relatives, 12 the second to Gedaliah, he and his relatives and sons, 12
10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and relatives, 12
11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and relatives, 12
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and relatives, 12
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and relatives, 12
14 the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons and relatives, 12
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and relatives, 12
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and relatives, 12
17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and relatives, 12
18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and relatives, 12
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and relatives, 12
20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and relatives, 12
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah his sons and relatives, 12
22 the fifteenth to Jerimoth, his sons and relatives, 12
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and relatives, 12
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and relatives, 12
25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and relatives, 12
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and relatives, 12
27 the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and relatives, 12
28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and relatives, 12
29 the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and relatives, 12
30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and relatives, 12
31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and relatives, 12.

1 Chronicles 25 Commentary

Chapter 25

The singers and musicians.

- 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.

Cross References 14

  • 1. S 1 Chronicles 6:39
  • 2. S 1 Chronicles 6:33
  • 3. 1 Chronicles 16:41,42; Nehemiah 11:17
  • 4. S 1 Samuel 10:5; 2 Kings 3:15
  • 5. S 1 Chronicles 15:16
  • 6. S 1 Chronicles 6:31
  • 7. 2 Chronicles 5:12; 2 Chronicles 8:14; 2 Chronicles 34:12; 2 Chronicles 35:15; Ezra 3:10
  • 8. 1 Chronicles 16:41-42
  • 9. S Genesis 4:21; Psalms 33:2
  • 10. S 1 Chronicles 15:16
  • 11. S 1 Chronicles 15:19
  • 12. 2 Chronicles 23:18; 2 Chronicles 29:25
  • 13. 1 Chronicles 26:13
  • 14. S 1 Chronicles 6:39

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. One Hebrew manuscript and some Septuagint manuscripts (see also verse 17); most Hebrew manuscripts do not have "Shimei."

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 25

This chapter relates the appointment of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, to be singers in the temple, 1Ch 25:1-7 the distribution of them by lot into twenty four classes, twelve in each class, 1Ch 25:8-31.

1 Chronicles 25 Commentaries

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