1 Chronicles 25:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Chronicles 25:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “All 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

All 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.
1 Chronicles 25:5 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Chronicles 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s seer, etc.] The prophet of the king, as the Targum, who was frequently with him, assisting him in the words of God: in divine things: to lift up the horn; to blow with the hornpipe or trumpet, and to magnify and set forth the greatness of the kingdom of Israel, and especially of the King Messiah, the horn of salvation, that would be raised up in the house of David: and God gave to Heman fourteen sons; whose names are before mentioned: and three daughters; of whom we have no more account, only may observe, that both are the gifts of God, and an heritage from him, (<19C703>Psalm 127:3).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Heman the king's seer--The title of "seer" or "prophet of David" is also given to Gad (Ch1 21:9), and to Jeduthun (Ch2 29:14-15), in the words (Margin, "matters") of God. to lift up the horn--that is, to blow loudly in the worship of God; or perhaps it means nothing more than that he presided over the wind instruments, as Jeduthun over the harp. Heman had been appointed at first to serve at Gibeon (Ch1 16:41). But his destination seems to have been changed at a subsequent period. God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters--The daughters are mentioned, solely because from their musical taste and talents they formed part of the choir (Psa 68:25).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To lift up the horn - Some take this literally, and consider that Heman and his sons played on the born in the musical services; but there is no other evidence that the horn was so employed. Perhaps the most probable explanation is that it has been transferred from the next clause, where (as here) it followed the word “God,” with the sense that “God, to exalt Heman’s horn (or, increase his dignity), gave him fourteen sons and three daughters.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The king's seer - He is called the king's seer, either because the king took special delight in him; or because he frequently attended the king in his palace, executing his sacred office there, while the rest were employed in the tabernacle. In the words - To sing Divine songs as were inspired by God to the prophets or holy men of God. The horn - To praise God with the sound of a trumpet or some other musical instrument made of horn, which being a martial kind of music, might be most grateful to David's martial spirit: tho' he was also skilled in other instruments of music which he used in the house of God. 1 Chronicles 25:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the king's seer: Ch1 21:9; Sa1 9:9 words: or, matters to lift up: This may denote that he presided over those who used wind instruments. God gave: Ch1 28:5; Gen 33:5; Psa 127:3; Isa 8:18 1 Chronicles 25:6”
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Sources and verification