Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 1 Chronicles » Chapter 25

1 Chronicles 25:1-31 King James Version (KJV)

1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:

2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.

3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.

4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, 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. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.

7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.

8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, 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, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:

10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

11 The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

12 The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

13 The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

14 The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

16 The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

17 The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

18 The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

19 The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

20 The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

22 The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

23 The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

25 The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

26 The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

27 The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

28 The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

29 The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

30 The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:

31 The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.


1 Chronicles 25:1-31 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Moreover David H1732 and the captains H8269 of the host H6635 separated H914 to the service H5656 of the sons H1121 of Asaph, H623 and of Heman, H1968 and of Jeduthun, H3038 who should prophesy H5012 H5030 with harps, H3658 with psalteries, H5035 and with cymbals: H4700 and the number H4557 of the workmen H582 H4399 according to their service H5656 was:

2 Of the sons H1121 of Asaph; H623 Zaccur, H2139 and Joseph, H3130 and Nethaniah, H5418 and Asarelah, H841 the sons H1121 of Asaph H623 under the hands H3027 of Asaph, H623 which prophesied H5012 according to the order H3027 of the king. H4428

3 Of Jeduthun: H3038 the sons H1121 of Jeduthun; H3038 Gedaliah, H1436 and Zeri, H6874 and Jeshaiah, H3470 Hashabiah, H2811 and Mattithiah, H4993 six, H8337 under the hands H3027 of their father H1 Jeduthun, H3038 who prophesied H5012 with a harp, H3658 to give thanks H3034 and to praise H1984 the LORD. H3068

4 Of Heman: H1968 the sons H1121 of Heman; H1968 Bukkiah, H1232 Mattaniah, H4983 Uzziel, H5816 Shebuel, H7619 and Jerimoth, H3406 Hananiah, H2608 Hanani, H2607 Eliathah, H448 Giddalti, H1437 and Romamtiezer, H7320 Joshbekashah, H3436 Mallothi, H4413 Hothir, H1956 and Mahazioth: H4238

5 All these were the sons H1121 of Heman H1968 the king's H4428 seer H2374 in the words H1697 of God, H430 to lift up H7311 the horn. H7161 And God H430 gave H5414 to Heman H1968 fourteen H702 H6240 sons H1121 and three H7969 daughters. H1323

6 All these were under the hands H3027 of their father H1 for song H7892 in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 with cymbals, H4700 psalteries, H5035 and harps, H3658 for the service H5656 of the house H1004 of God, H430 according to the king's H4428 order H3027 to Asaph, H623 Jeduthun, H3038 and Heman. H1968

7 So the number H4557 of them, with their brethren H251 that were instructed H3925 in the songs H7892 of the LORD, H3068 even all that were cunning, H995 was two hundred H3967 fourscore H8084 and eight. H8083

8 And they cast H5307 lots, H1486 ward H4931 against H5980 ward, as well the small H6996 as the great, H1419 the teacher H995 as the scholar. H8527

9 Now the first H7223 lot H1486 came forth H3318 for Asaph H623 to Joseph: H3130 the second H8145 to Gedaliah, H1436 who with his brethren H251 and sons H1121 were twelve: H8147 H6240

10 The third H7992 to Zaccur, H2139 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

11 The fourth H7243 to Izri, H3339 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

12 The fifth H2549 to Nethaniah, H5418 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

13 The sixth H8345 to Bukkiah, H1232 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

14 The seventh H7637 to Jesharelah, H3480 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

15 The eighth H8066 to Jeshaiah, H3470 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

16 The ninth H8671 to Mattaniah, H4983 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

17 The tenth H6224 to Shimei, H8096 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

18 The eleventh H6249 H6240 to Azareel, H5832 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

19 The twelfth H8147 H6240 to Hashabiah, H2811 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

20 The thirteenth H7969 H6240 to Shubael, H7619 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

21 The fourteenth H702 H6240 to Mattithiah, H4993 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

22 The fifteenth H2568 H6240 to Jeremoth, H3406 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

23 The sixteenth H8337 H6240 to Hananiah, H2608 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

24 The seventeenth H7651 H6240 to Joshbekashah, H3436 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

25 The eighteenth H8083 H6240 to Hanani, H2607 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

26 The nineteenth H8672 H6240 to Mallothi, H4413 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

27 The twentieth H6242 to Eliathah, H448 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

28 The one H259 and twentieth H6242 to Hothir, H1956 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

29 The two H8147 and twentieth H6242 to Giddalti, H1437 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

30 The three H7969 and twentieth H6242 to Mahazioth, H4238 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve: H8147 H6240

31 The four H702 and twentieth H6242 to Romamtiezer, H7320 he, his sons, H1121 and his brethren, H251 were twelve. H8147 H6240


1 Chronicles 25:1-31 American Standard (ASV)

1 Moreover David and the captains of the host set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of them that did the work according to their service was:

2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king.

3 Of Jeduthun; the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Jehovah.

4 Of Heman; the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.

5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king.

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.


1 Chronicles 25:1-31 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And David and the heads of the host separate for service, of the sons of Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun, who are prophesying with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals, and the number of the workmen is according to their service.

2 Of sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, `are' by the side of Asaph, who is prophesying by the side of the king.

3 Of Jeduthun: sons of Jeduthun, Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, Shisshah, `are' by the side of their father Jeduthun; with a harp he is prophesying, for giving of thanks and of praise to Jehovah.

4 Of Heman: sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth;

5 all these `are' sons of Heman -- seer of the king in the things of God -- to lift up a horn; and God giveth to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All these `are' by the side of their father in the song of the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God; by the side of the king `are' Asaph, and Jeduthun, and Heman.

7 And their number, with their brethren -- taught in the song of Jehovah, all who are intelligent -- is two hundred, eighty and eight.

8 And they cause to fall lots -- charge over-against `charge', as well the small as the great, the intelligent with the learner.

9 And the first lot goeth out for Asaph to Joseph; `to' Gedaliah the second; he, and his brethren and his sons, 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 eleventh `to' Azareel, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

19 the twelfth `to' Hashabiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

20 at the thirteenth `to' Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

21 at the fourteenth `to' Mattithiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

22 at the fifteenth `to' Jeremoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

23 at the sixteenth `to' Hananiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

24 at the seventeenth `to' Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

25 at the eighteenth `to' Hanani, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

26 at the nineteenth `to' Mallothi, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

27 at the twentieth `to' Eliathah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

28 at the one and twentieth `to' Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

29 at the two and twentieth `to' Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

30 at the three and twentieth `to' Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve;

31 at the four and twentieth `to' Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.


1 Chronicles 25:1-31 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And David and the captains of the host separated for the service those of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun who were to prophesy with harps and lutes and cymbals; and the number of the men employed according to their service was:

2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied at the direction of the king.

3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Isaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, [and Shimei] six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, to give thanks and to praise Jehovah.

4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkijah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth:

5 all these were sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to exalt his power; and God had given to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All these were under the direction of their fathers Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, lutes and harps, for the service of the house of God, under the direction of the king.

7 And the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of Jehovah, all of them skilful, was two hundred and eighty-eight.

8 And they cast lots with one another over the charges, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the scholar.

9 And the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph; to Gedaliah the second: he and his brethren and his sons were twelve.

10 The third to Zaccur; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

11 The fourth to Jizri; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

12 The fifth to Nethaniah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

13 The sixth to Bukkijah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

14 The seventh to Jesharelah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

15 The eighth to Isaiah; 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 Azareel; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

19 The twelfth to Hashabiah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

20 The thirteenth to Shubael; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

22 The fifteenth to Jeremoth; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

23 The sixteenth to Hananiah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

25 The eighteenth to Hanani; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

26 The nineteenth to Mallothi; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

27 The twentieth to Elijathah; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

28 The twenty-first to Hothir; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

29 The twenty-second to Giddalti; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

30 The twenty-third to Mahazioth; his sons and his brethren, twelve.

31 The twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer; his sons and his brethren, twelve.


1 Chronicles 25:1-31 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Moreover, David and the captains of the host set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of those who did the work according to their service was:

2 of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king.

3 Of Jeduthun; the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Yahweh.

4 Of Heman; the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, 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 house of Yahweh, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God; 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 Yahweh, even all who were skillful, was two hundred eighty-eight.

8 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 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 one and twentieth to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve:

29 for the two and twentieth to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve:

30 for the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve:

31 for the four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve.


1 Chronicles 25:1-31 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Further, David and the chiefs of the servants of the holy place made selection of certain of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun for the work of prophets, to make melody with corded instruments and brass; and the number of the men for the work they had to do was:

2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur and Joseph and Nethaniah and Asharelah, sons of Asaph; under the direction of Asaph, acting as a prophet under the orders of the king;

3 Of Jeduthun: the six sons of Jeduthun, Gedaliah and Zeri and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah and Mattithiah; under the direction of their father Jeduthun who, acting as a prophet, with corded instruments gave praise and glory to the Lord.

4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth;

5 All these were sons of Heman, the king's seer in the words of God. And to make great his power God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 All these, under the direction of their father, made music in the house of the Lord, with brass and corded instruments, for the worship of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the orders of the king.

7 And the number of them, with their brothers who were trained and expert in making melody to the Lord, was two hundred and eighty-eight.

8 And selection was made of them for their special work, all having equal chances, small as well as great, the teacher as the learner.

9 Now of the group of Asaph, the first name to come out was Joseph; the second Gedaliah; he and his brothers and sons were twelve?

10 The third Zaccur, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

11 The fourth Izri, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

12 The fifth Nethaniah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

13 The sixth Bukkiah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

14 The seventh Jesharelah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

15 The eighth Jeshaiah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

16 The ninth Mattaniah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

17 The tenth Shimei, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

18 The eleventh Azarel, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

19 The twelfth Hashabiah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

20 The thirteenth Shubael, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

21 The fourteenth Mattithiah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

22 The fifteenth Jeremoth, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

23 The sixteenth Hananiah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

24 The seventeenth Joshbekashah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

25 The eighteenth Hanani, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

26 The nineteenth Mallothi, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

27 The twentieth Eliathah, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

28 The twenty-first Hothir, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

29 The twenty-second Giddalti, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

30 The twenty-third Mahazioth, with his sons and his brothers, twelve;

31 The twenty-fourth Romamti-ezer, with his sons and his brothers, twelve.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 25

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 25 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 25

David, having settled the courses of these Levites that were to attend the priests in their ministrations, proceeds, in this chapter, to put those into a method that were appointed to be singers and musicians in the temple. Here is,

  • I. The persons that were to be employed, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (v. 1), their sons (v. 2-6), and other skilful persons (v. 7).
  • II. The order in which they were to attend determined by lot (v. 8-31).

1Ch 25:1-7

Observe,

  • I. Singing the praises of God is here called prophesying (v. 1-3), not that all those who were employed in this service were honoured with the visions of God, or could foretel things to come. Heman indeed is said to be the king's seer in the words of God (v. 5); but the psalms they sang were composed by the prophets, and many of them were prophetical; and the edification of the church was intended in it, as well as the glory of God. In Samuel's time singing the praises of God went by the name of prophesying (1 Sa. 10:5; 19:20), and perhaps that is intended in what St. Paul calls prophesying, 1 Co. 11:4; 14:24.
  • II. This is here called a service, and the persons employed in it workmen, v. 1. Not but that it is the greatest liberty and pleasure to be employed in praising God: what is heaven but that? But it intimates that it is our duty to make a business of it, and stir up all that is within us to it; and that, in our present state of corruption and infirmity, it will not be done as it should be done without labour and struggle. We must take pains with our hearts to bring them, and keep them, to this work, and to engage all that is within us.
  • III. Here were, in compliance with the temper of that dispensation, a great variety of musical instruments used, harps, psalteries, cymbals (v. 1, 6), and here was one that lifted up the horn (v. 5), that is, used wind-music. The bringing of such concerts of music into the worship of God now is what none pretend to. But those who use such concerts for their own entertainment should feel themselves obliged to preserve them always free from any thing that savours of immorality or profaneness, by this consideration, that time was when they were sacred; and then those were justly condemned who brought them into common use, Amos 6:5. They invented to themselves instruments of music like David.
  • IV. The glory and honour of God were principally intended in all this temple-music, whether vocal or instrumental. It was to give thanks, and praise the Lord, that the singers were employed, v. 3. It was in the songs of the Lord that they were instructed (v. 7), that is, for songs in the house of the Lord, v. 6. This agrees with the intention of the perpetuating of psalmody in the gospel-church, which is to make melody with the heart, in conjunction with the voice, unto the Lord, Eph. 5:19.
  • V. The order of the king is likewise taken notice of, v. 2 and again v. 6. In those matters indeed David acted as a prophet; but his taking care for the due and regular observance of divine institutions, both ancient and modern, is an example to all in authority to use their power for the promoting of religion, and the enforcing of the laws of Christ. Let them thus be ministers of God for good.
  • VI. The fathers presided in this service, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (v. 1), and the children were under the hands of their father, v. 2, 3, 6. This gives a good example to parents to train up their children, and indeed to all seniors to instruct their juniors in the service of God, and particularly in praising him, than which there is no part of our work more necessary or more worthy to be transmitted to the succeeding generations. It gives also an example to the younger to submit themselves to the elder (whose experience and observation fit them for direction), and, as far as may be, to do what they do under their hand. It is probable that Heman, Asaph, and Jeduthun, were bred up under Samuel, and had their education in the schools of the prophets which he was the founder and president of; then they were pupils, now they came to be masters. Those that would be eminent must begin early, and take time to prepare themselves. This good work of singing God's praises Samuel revived, and set on foot, but lived not to see it brought to the perfection it appears in here. Solomon perfects what David began, so David perfects what Samuel began. Let all, in their day, do what they can for God and his church, though they cannot carry it so far as they would; when they are gone God can out of stones raise up others who shall build upon their foundation and bring forth the top-stone.
  • VII. There were others also, besides the sons of these three great men, who are called their brethren (probably because they had been wont to join with them in their private concerts), who were instructed in the songs of the Lord, and were cunning or well skilled therein, v. 7. They were all Levites and were in number 288. Now,
    • 1. These were a good number, and a competent number to keep up the service in the house of God; for they were all skilful in the work to which they were called. When David the king was so much addicted to divine poesy and music many others, all that had a genius for it, applied their studies and endeavours that way. Those do religion a great deal of good service that bring the exercises of devotion into reputation.
    • 2. Yet these were but a small number in comparison with the 4000 whom David appointed thus to praise the Lord, ch. 23:5. Where were all the rest when only 288, and those but by twelve in a course, were separated to this service? It is probable that all the rest were divided into as many courses, and were to follow as these led. Or, perhaps, these were for songs in the house of the Lord (v. 6), with whom any that worshipped in the courts of that house might join; and the rest were disposed of, all the kingdom over, to preside in the country congregations, in this good work: for, though the sacrifices instituted by the hand of Moses might be offered but at one place, the psalms penned by David might be sung every where, 1 Tim. 2:8.

1Ch 25:8-31

Twenty-four persons are named in the beginning of this chapter as sons of those three great men, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. Ethan was the third (ch. 6:44), but probably he was dead before the establishment was perfected and Jeduthun came in his room. [Or perhaps Ethan and Jeduthun were two names for the same person.] Of these three Providence so ordered it that Asaph had four sons, Jeduthun six [only five are mentioned v. 3; Shimei, mentioned v. 17, is supposed to have been the sixth], and Heman fourteen, in all twenty-four (who were named, v. 2-4), who were all qualified for the service and called to it. But the question was, In what order must they serve? This was determined by lot, to prevent strife for precedency, a sin which most easily besets many that otherwise are good people.

  • I. The lot was thrown impartially. They were placed in twenty-four companies, twelve in a company, in two rows, twelve companies in a row, and so they cast lots, ward against ward, putting them all upon a level, small and great, teacher and scholar. They did not go according to their age, or according to their standing, or the degrees they had taken in the music-schools; but it was referred to God, v. 8. Small and great, teachers and scholars, stand alike before God, who goes not according to our rules of distinction and precedency. See Mt. 20:23.
  • II. God determined it as he pleased, taking account, it is probable, of the respective merits of the persons, which are of much more importance than seniority of age or priority of birth. Let us compare them with the preceding catalogue and we shall find that,
    • 1. Josephus was the second son of Asaph.
    • 2. Gedaliah the eldest son of Jeduthun.
    • 3. Zaccur the eldest of Asaph.
    • 4. Izri the second of Jeduthun.
    • 5. Nethaniah the third of Asaph.
    • 6. Bukkiah the eldest of Heman.
    • 7. Jesharelah the youngest of Asaph.
    • 8. Jeshaiah the third of Jeduthun.
    • 9. Mattaniah the second of Heman.
    • 10. Shimei the youngest of Jeduthun.
    • 11. Azareel the third of Heman.
    • 12. Hashabiah the fourth of Jeduthun.
    • 13. Shubael the fourth of Heman.
    • 14. Mattithiah the fifth of Jeduthun.
    • 15. Jeremoth the fifth of Heman.
    • 16. Hananiah the sixth of Heman.
    • 17. Joshbekashah the eleventh of Heman.
    • 18. Hanani the seventh of Heman.
    • 19. Mallothi the twelfth of Heman.
    • 20. Eliathah the eighth of Heman.
    • 21. Hothir the thirteenth of Heman.
    • 22. Giddalti the ninth of Heman.
    • 23. Mehazioth the fourteenth of Heman.
    • And, lastly, Romamti-ezer, the tenth of Heman. See how God increased some and preferred the younger before the elder.
  • III. Each of these had in his chorus the number of twelve, called their sons and their brethren, because they observed them as sons, and concurred with them as brethren. Probably twelve, some for the voice and others for the instrument, made up the concert. Let us learn with one mind and one mouth to glorify God, and that will be the best concert.