1 Chronicles 25

1 Chronicles 25:1

Ch. 1 Chronicles 25:1-7. The Families of the Singers

1. Moreover David] Render, And David. separated] Cp. 1 Chronicles 23:13, note. to the service of the sons of Asaph] R.V. for the service certain of the sons of Asaph. psalteries] See 1 Chronicles 13:8, note. of the workmen] R.V. of them that did the work.

1 Chronicles 25:2

2. Asaph] See 1 Chronicles 15:17, note. Asarelah] R.V. Asharelah; in 1 Chronicles 25:14 “Jesharelah.” under the hands] R.V. under the hand. prophesied] i.e. sang and praised in the manner of prophets; cp. 1 Chronicles 25:3, “prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the Lord.” There is no reference to prediction here. Cp. 1 Samuel 10:5. according to the order] R.V. after the order. All was done according to the order established by king David.

1 Chronicles 25:3

3. Jeduthun] See 1 Chronicles 16:41, note. Zeri] In 1 Chronicles 25:11 “Izri.” Jeshaiah] After this LXX. B inserts the name “Shimei” (Óåìååὶ), no doubt rightly for (1) six sons are reckoned in this verse, (2) the “Shimei” of 1 Chronicles 25:17 is otherwise unmentioned in 1 Chronicles 25:2-4, though his twenty-three companions are named. Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise] R.V. Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising.

1 Chronicles 25:4

4. Heman] See 1 Chronicles 15:17, note. Uzziel] In 1 Chronicles 25:18 “Azarel.” (R.V.) The variation between the two words when written with Hebrew consonants is small. Cp. note on 2 Chronicles 26:1 (“Uzziah” and “Azariah”). Shebuel] In 1 Chronicles 25:20 “Shubael.” Jerimoth] In 1 Chronicles 25:22 “Jeremoth.” Hananiah, Hanani] Most Hebrew names are significant, and many can be used as mottoes. In this place the Chronicler (or the authority from whom he drew the list) has so arranged the names as to suggest a sentence (extending to the end of the verse) which runs somewhat as follows:—Have mercy upon me, O Lord, have mercy upon me; I have magnified and exalted [thy] help; I spake of it sitting in affliction; grant us still [thy] visions.

1 Chronicles 25:5

5. the king’s seer] This title is given to Gad in 1 Chronicles 21:9, and to Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun, all three in 2 Chronicles 35:15 (LXX. not Heb.). in the words of God] The exact meaning of this is uncertain; it may either mean “in divine things” (i.e. arrangements for worship), or “by divine appointment” (cp. 2 Chronicles 29:15 “by the words of the Lord”). to lift up the horn] i.e. to make loud blasts upon the horn. fourteen sons] Corresponding with the fourteen names given in 1 Chronicles 25:4.

1 Chronicles 25:6

6. according to … Heman] R.V. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king.

1 Chronicles 25:7

7. in the songs of the Lord] R.V. in singing unto the LORD. cunning] R.V. skilful; as 1 Chronicles 15:22, where the same Heb. word is used. two hundred fourscore and eight] The number corresponds with the twenty-four courses of twelve members each about to be enumerated.

1 Chronicles 25:8

8–31. The Allotment of the Courses 8. ward against ward] R.V. (guessing the sense rightly) for their charges (i.e. duties), all alike. The Hebrew text however is faulty. the teacher as the scholar] LXX. τελείωνκαὶμανθανόντων (i.e. the initiated and the learners). For “the teacher” we should perhaps render “the skilful” as in 1 Chronicles 25:7, R.V.; the Heb. word is the same. It is to be noted that we have here twenty-four courses of singers corresponding with the twenty-four courses of the priests.

1 Chronicles 25:9

9. for Asaph] A comparison of 1 Chronicles 25:9-31 with 1 Chronicles 25:2-4 shews that the first, third, fifth and seventh lots fell to Asaph, the second, fourth, eighth, tenth, twelfth and fourteenth to Jeduthun, and the rest (fourteen in number) to Heman.

1 Chronicles 25:11

11. Izri] See note on Zeri, 1 Chronicles 25:3.

1 Chronicles 25:14

14. Jesharelah] Cp. 1 Chronicles 25:2.

1 Chronicles 25:17

17. Shimei] Not mentioned in the present text of 1 Chronicles 25:2-4; see note on Jeshaiah, 1 Chronicles 25:3.

1 Chronicles 25:18

18. Azarel] Called Uzziel, 1 Chronicles 25:4.

1 Chronicles 25:20

20. Shubael] Called Shebuel, 1 Chronicles 25:4.

1 Chronicles 25:22

22. Jeremoth] Called Jerimoth, 1 Chronicles 25:4.