1 Chronicles 25:2-3. Under the hands of Asaph Under his oversight and direction. According to the order of the king In such manner and order as David appointed. The sons of Jeduthun, six Jeduthun, their father, being included in that number; or Shimei, mentioned 1 Chronicles 25:17. read more
Arrangements for the Levites (23:1-26:32)Having appointed Solomon to be his successor, David made further arrangements for the service of the temple. First, he set out a plan to distribute duties among the Levites. A census showed that there were 38,000 Levites eligible for temple service. Of these, 14,000 were official record-keepers, judges, guards, singers and musicians. The remainder were to help in the general service of the temple (23:1-6). Clearly, there were far too many Levites to work... read more
captains of the host = the heads of the Temple service. This word "host" applied to Levites in Numbers 4:3 . Rendered "service" (margin warfare) in Numbers 4:23 , Numbers 4:30 , Numbers 4:35 , Numbers 4:39 , Numbers 4:43 ; Numbers 8:24 . Jeduthun. Probably another name for Ethan. See note on 1 Chronicles 16:41 . prophesy with harps. Not "perform", or "render". The music therefore eminently spiritual. See note on 1 Chronicles 25:5 . read more
DAVID'S INSTRUMENTALISTS AND SINGERS;THE PRINCIPAL FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO SERVED"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: 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... read more
1 Chronicles 25:1. Should prophesy— 1:e. Sing prophesies or sacred hymns, composed by the prophets, in the temple of God. See Numbers 11:25. The captains of the host, at the beginning of this verse, is rendered very properly by Houbigant, the chiefs, or heads of the orders in the ministry; those priests, whom David had lately appointed and divided into four-and-twenty classes; and not, as some have absurdly supposed, the commanders of the army, who certainly could have nothing to do with the... read more
1. David and the captains of the host—that is, the princes (1 Chronicles 23:2; 1 Chronicles 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. read more
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 :-). It is said that Asaph did this... read more
Particulars respecting the Singers1. Separated to the service] RV ’separated for the service certain of the sons,’ etc. Jeduthun] as in 1 Chronicles 16:41, this name takes the place of ’Ethan’ in other lists: 1 Chronicles 6:44; 1 Chronicles 15:17. Prophesy] see on 1 Chronicles 25:5. And the number.. was] The sentence is interrupted, and continued in 1 Chronicles 25:7.3. Six] only five names are given, but the LXX adds a sixth, ’Shimei’: cp. 1 Chronicles 25:17.5. The king’s seer] Music and... read more
XXV.THE TWENTY-FOUR CLASSES OF SINGERS, OR MINSTRELS.(1) Moreover (and) David and the captains of the host.—The latter (“the princes” of 1 Chronicles 24:6), were also concerned in the arrangement of the priestly classes (1 Chronicles 23:2).Separated to the service of the sons of Asaph.—Rather, separated for service the sons of Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun. These formed three guilds of sacred minstrels, famous to all after times. (Comp. the headings of many psalms in which these names occur,... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 25:1
1 Chronicles 25:1. And captains All the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites, whom David gathered together ( 1Ch 23:2 ) for this very end, that, with their approbation and consent, all these things might be established, who are here fitly called the captains of the host; for the princes were, under David, the chief captains of the militia of the kingdom; and as the Levites are called a host, and the Lord’s host, because of their number and order in holy ministrations, so... read more