7 And the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in singing unto Jehovah, even all that were skilful, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
8 And they cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah; he and his brethren and sons were twelve:
10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
20 for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
21 for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
22 for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
23 for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
24 for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
25 for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
26 for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
27 for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
28 for the one and twentieth to Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
29 for the two and twentieth to Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
30 for the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
31 for the four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 25
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 25 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 25
1Ch 25:1-7. Number and Office of the Singers.
1. David and the captains of the host—that is, the princes (1Ch 23:2; 24:6). It is probable that the king was attended on the occasion of arranging the singers by the same parties that are mentioned as having assisted him in regulating the order of the priests and Levites.
2. according to the order of the king—Hebrew, "by the hands of the king," that is, "according to the king's order," under the personal superintendence of Asaph and his colleagues.
which prophesied—that is, in this connection, played with instruments. This metaphorical application of the term "prophecy" most probably originated in the practice of the prophets, who endeavored to rouse their prophetic spirit by the animating influence of music (see on 2Ki 3:15). It is said that Asaph did this "according to David's order," because by royal appointment he officiated in the tabernacle on Zion (1Ch 16:37-41), while other leaders of the sacred music were stationed at Gibeon.
5. Heman the king's seer—The title of "seer" or "prophet of David" is also given to Gad (1Ch 21:9), and to Jeduthun (2Ch 29:14, 15), in the words (Margin, "matters") of God.
to lift up the horn—that is, to blow loudly in the worship of God; or perhaps it means nothing more than that he presided over the wind instruments, as Jeduthun over the harp. Heman had been appointed at first to serve at Gibeon (1Ch 16:41). But his destination seems to have been changed at a subsequent period.
God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters—The daughters are mentioned, solely because from their musical taste and talents they formed part of the choir (Ps 68:25).
6, 7. All these were under the hands of their father—Asaph had four sons, Jeduthun six, and Heman fourteen, equal to twenty-four; making the musicians with their brethren the singers, an amount of two hundred eighty-eight. For, like the priests and Levites, they were divided into twenty-four courses of twelve men each, equal to two hundred eighty-eight, who served a week in rotation; and these, half of whom officiated every week with a proportionate number of assistants, were skilful and experienced musicians, capable of leading and instructing the general musical corps, which comprised no less than four thousand (1Ch 23:5).
1Ch 25:8-31. Their Division by Lot into Four and Twenty Orders.
8. they cast lots, ward against ward—"Ward" is an old English word for "division" or "company." The lot was cast to determine the precedence of the classes or divisions over which the musical leaders presided; and, in order to secure an impartial arrangement of their order, the master and his assistants, the teacher and his scholars, in each class or company took part in this solemn casting of lots. In the first catalogue given in this chapter the courses are classed according to their employment as musicians. In the second, they are arranged in the order of their service.