1 Chronicles 25:1

“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 Spirit of God; which contained in them prophecies concerning things to come,…”

“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.”

“The captains of the host - Rather, “the princes” of 1 Chronicles 23:2; 1 Chronicles 24:6. return to 'Top of Page'”

“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 done by David as a prophet, and by Divine direction, yet is imputed in part to the…”

“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.”

“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”

“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 fathers'-houses of the priests and the Levites are mentioned. לעבדה הבדּיל,…”