1 Chronicles 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.