1 Chronicles 25

The Ordination of the singers out of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, v.1.&c. distributed unto four and twenty orders, 21.

1. And David, together with the chief of the host, [That is, the chief of the Levites: For in the law the Levites in regard of their multitudes employed in spiritual administration, were likewise called an host, Num.4.23. But understand such an host as were to heed the worship of God, and spiritual businesses: therefore in the wilderness they had their camp near the Tabernacle, Numb.chap.3. Now the Captains or heads of this spiritual host were the Priests, and among the common Levites the heads of the Fathers houses of Gerson, Kehat, and Merari, with the advice of whom, and of the Captains, David as being also a Prophet, made this Ecclesiastical order here mentioned] separated to the service, of the children of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophecy with Harps, with Lutes, and with Cymbals: And those that were numbered among them, were men fit for the work of their service [Hebr. and their number was men of the work for their service. (Men of the work) that is, men that are sit for the work.]

2. Of the children of Asaph were, Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethanja, and Asarela, [He is called Jesurela, below v.14.] children of Asaph: At the hand [that is, according to the conduct, instruction, ordinance, &c.] of Asaph, who prophesied [that is, praised God by singing of Psalms and spiritual songs made by David, and other Prophets, playing them also upon Musical instruments. Thus is the word prophecying also taken, ver.3. &c. and 1 Sam.19.20. and elsewhere] at the kings hands. [the king made and endited the Psalms and spiritual songs, which the singers sung, who dealt herein as a Prophet. See above chap.23.on v.6.]

3. Concerning Jeduthun: The children of Jeduthun were Gedalja, and Zeri, [He is called Jizri, v.11.] and Jesaja, Hasabja, and Mattithja, six, [understand withal Simei also from v.17. he must necessarily be joined with them, else there would be but five named here] at the hands of their Father Jeduthun, prophesying upon Harps, by thanking and praising the LORD.

4. Concerning Heman: The children of Heman were Bukkija, Mattanja, Uzziel, [He is called Azzareel, v.18.] Sebuel, [he is called Sebael, v.20.] and Jerimoth, Hananja, Eliatha, Giddalti, and Romanti-Ezer, Josbekasa, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.

5. All these were children of Heman the Kings Seer. [i.e. Prophet. See 1 Sam.9.9.] in the words of God [or, in the things of God] to lifting up the horn: [That is, according to the opinion of some, to sing the Psalms which contain the promises of God concerning the kingdom of David, and of Jesus Christ, whose power and glory are singnified by the horn] for God had given Heman fourteen sons [their names were mentioned v.4.] and three daughters.

6. These were all of them placed at the hands of their Father, for the song of the house of the LORD, upon Cymbals, Lutes, and Harps, for the service of the house of God: AT the hands of the King, [See above v.2.] of Asaph, of Jeduthun, and of Heman.

7. And the number of them with their brethren that were instructed in the song of the LORD, all (being) masters, [Heb. understanding ones, or, giving understanding (that is, teachers) who taught others [namely, their disciples or scholars) to sing and understand the psalms] was two hundred fourscore and eight [these two hundred eighty being added to the number of their disciples or scholars mentioned above chap 23.v.5. make up together four thousand.]

8. And they cast lots for the guard, one against another, [To wit, to know what order they were to follow in the executing of their office] as well the small as the great, the master with the scholar. [Heb. so the small, as the great, as the teacher, so he that is taught. The meaning is, that the lot was cast between the four and twenty singing-masters, which are hereafter named, and each their scholars under them. In the casting of lots there will be no regard had to the greatness or smallness of the one or other singing-master, but they cast lots promiscuously one among another. Some think that this is to be understood of the smallness or greatness of the voices.]

9. Now the first lot came forth for Asaph, [That is, Asaphs family] (namely) for Joseph; [this Joseph was for the house of Asaph: And although the number of those that were under Joseph, be not here expressed, yet it is credible, it is affirmed of all the rest, that they with their sons & brethren, that is, kinsmen, were twelve, that the same is likewise to be understood of Joseph] the second for Gedalja, he, and his brethren, and his sons, were twelve.

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

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

12. The fifth for Nethanja, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

13. The six for Bukkija, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

14. The seventh for Jesarela, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

15. The eight for Jesaja, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

16. The ninth for Mattanja, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

17. The tenth for Simei, his sons, and his brethren twelve.

18. The eleventh for Asarel, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

19. The twelfth for Hasabja, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

20. The thirteenth for Subuel, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

21. The fourteenth for Mattithja, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

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

23. The sixteenth for Hananja, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

24. The seventeenth for Jasbakasa, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

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

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

27. The twentieth for Elijatha, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

28. The one and twentieth for Hothir, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

29. The two and twentieth for Giddalti, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

30. The three and twentieth for Mahazioth, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.

31. The four and twentieth for Romamthi-Ezer, his sons, and his brethren; twelve.