1 Chronicles25
New International Version
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, 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, fell to Joseph, his sons and relatives12 the second to Gedaliah,him and his relatives and sons 12
10 the third to Zakkur, his sons and relatives12
11 the fourth to Izri,his sons and relatives 12
12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and relatives12
13 the sixth to Bukkiah,his sons and relatives 12
14 the seventh to Jesarelah, his sons and relatives12
15 the eighth to Jeshaiah,his sons and relatives 12
16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and relatives12
17 the tenth to Shimei,his sons and relatives 12
18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and relatives12
19 the twelfth to Hashabiah,his sons and relatives 12
20 the thirteenth to Shubael, his sons and relatives12
21 the fourteenth to Mattithiah,his sons and relatives 12
22 the fifteenth to Jerimoth, his sons and relatives12
23 the sixteenth to Hananiah,his sons and relatives 12
24 the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and relatives12
25 the eighteenth to Hanani,his sons and relatives 12
26 the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and relatives12
27 the twentieth to Eliathah,his sons and relatives 12
28 the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and relatives12
29 the twenty-second to Giddalti,his sons and relatives 12
30 the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and relatives12
31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer,his sons and relatives 12.
People in this chapter — 26
All people →Study
1 Chronicles 25Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 25. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The singers and musicians. (1-31).
vv1-31
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.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
שַׂר: a head person (of any rank or class)
צָבָא: a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)
בָּדַל: to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
עֲבֹדָה: work of any kind
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אָסָף: Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
הֵימָן: Heman, the name of at least two Israelites
יְדוּתוּן: Jeduthun, an Israelite
נָבָא: to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 25Illuminates musical 'prophesying' under the influence of the Holy Spirit, connected to the sons of the prophets.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Shows historical precedent of musical instruments used to stir and awaken the prophetic spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains the biblical equivalence between the terms 'seer' and 'prophet' as applied to Heman.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies other royal seers of David (like Gad) matching Heman's title 'the king's seer'.
Supported by JFB
Establishes the appointments of the three primary musical leads: Asaph, Heman, and Ethan/Jeduthun.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms their specific musical instruments (cymbals of brass) matching their service assignments.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the assembled 'captains' and princes of Israel present to establish these sacred orders.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illuminates the inclusion of Heman's daughters in the sacred choir alongside the male singers.
Supported by JFB
Explains how the 288 skilled musicians directed the broader host of 4,000 levitical singers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel structure of casting lots impartially, similar to the ordering of the priests.
Supported by JFB