BibleWord.ai›Bible›1 Chronicles›Chapter 25

1 Chronicles Chapter 25

Old Testament Historical 31 Verses

What is 1 Chronicles 25 about?

A priestly perspective on David's reign, his gathering of Temple materials, and preparations for Solomon's building project. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Moreover 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:
2of 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 of the king.
3Of Jeduthun; the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising Jehovah.
4Of Heman; the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth.
5All these were the sons of Heman the king`s seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God; Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman being under the order of the king.
7And the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in singing unto Jehovah, even all that were skilful, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
8And they cast lots for their offices, all alike, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
9Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah; he and his brethren and sons were twelve:
10the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
11the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
12the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
13the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
14the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
15the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
16the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
17the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
18the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
19the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
20for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
21for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
22for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
23for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
24for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
25for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
26for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
27for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
28for the one and twentieth to Hothir, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
29for the two and twentieth to Giddalti, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
30for the three and twentieth to Mahazioth, his sons and his brethren, twelve:
31for the four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, his sons and his brethren, twelve.
← 1 Chronicles 241 Chronicles 26 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Moreover, David and the captains of the host separated to the service, etc.] Of singing the praises of God; this was done by the princes of the people, and the chief of the priests, who were gathered together, and before whom the lots were cast, both for priests and Levites, and now here for the singers, (see <132202>1 Chronicles 22:2 24:6) and those that were separated were of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun; or Ethan, the three precentors, or chief of the singers: who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals; sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, endited by the Holy…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“NUMBER AND OFFICE OF THE SINGERS. (Ch1 25:1-7) David and the captains of the host--that is, the princes (Ch1 23:2; Ch1 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 attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The captains of the host - Rather, “the princes” of 1 Chronicles 23:2; 1 Chronicles 24:6. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“And captains - All the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites, whom David gathered together, Ch1 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 an host, and the Lord's host, because of their number and order in holy ministrations; so these priests and Levites were the captains and governors of the rest. Separated - Distributed them into their several ranks: which, tho' chiefly…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“25:1-7 The musicians who served at the time of King David are listed according to their membership in the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. 25:1 Asaph: See 6:39-40; 15:17-19; 16:5; 2 Chr 29:30; Ezra 2:40-41; Pss 50; 73–-83.• Heman: See 1 Chr 6:33-38; Ps 88. • Jeduthun: See 1 Chr 16:41-42; 2 Chr 5:12; 35:15; Pss 39, 62, 77.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“the captains: That is, the chief of the several orders; not military captains. Ch1 12:28, Ch1 23:2, Ch1 24:5, Ch1 24:6; Ch2 23:1, Ch2 23:9 Asaph: Ch1 6:33, Ch1 6:39, Ch1 6:44, Ch1 15:16-19 prophesy: The word prophesy, here, seems to mean no more than praising God by singing inspired prophetical hymns. Ch1 25:3; Sa1 10:5; Kg2 3:15; Co1 14:24-26 harps: Ch1 15:16-21, Ch1 16:4, Ch1 16:5, Ch1 16:42, Ch1 23:5-7; Ch2 23:13, Ch2 29:25, Ch2 29:26, Ch2 31:2, Ch2 34:12; Ezr 3:10, Ezr 3:11; Neh 12:24, Neh 12:27, Neh 12:43-46; Psa 81:2, Psa 92:1-3, Psa 150:3-5; Rev 15:2-4 1 Chronicles 25:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The twenty-four classes of musicians. - Ch1 25:1. "David and the princes of the host separated for the service the sons of Asaph," etc. הצּבא שׂרי are not princes of the Levite host; for although the service of the Levites is called צבא צבא in Num 4:23, yet the princes of the Levites are nowhere called הצבא שׂרי. This expression rather denotes either the leaders of the army of the chiefs of Israel, as the host of Jahve, Exo 12:17, Exo 12:41, etc. Here it is used in the last signification, as synonymous with princes of Israel ( Ch1 23:2); in Exo 24:6 we have simply the princes, along with whom the heads of the…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

1 Chronicles overviewCompare translationsOpen this chapter in the study reader

Sources and verification