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<div2 id="iCh.xxvi" n="xxvi" next="iCh.xxvii" prev="iCh.xxv" progress="78.21%" title="Chapter XXV">
<h2 id="iCh.xxvi-p0.1">F I R S T   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iCh.xxvi-p0.2">CHAP. XXV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCh.xxvi-p1">David, having settled the courses of these Levites
that were to attend the priests in their ministrations, proceeds,
in this chapter, to put those into a method that were appointed to
be singers and musicians in the temple. Here is, I. The persons
that were to be employed, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.1" parsed="|1Chr|25|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:1">ver. 1</scripRef>), their sons (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.2-1Chr.25.6" parsed="|1Chr|25|2|25|6" passage="1Ch 25:2-6">ver. 2-6</scripRef>), and other skilful
persons, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.7" parsed="|1Chr|25|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:7">ver. 7</scripRef>. II. The
order in which they were to attend determined by lot, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.8-1Chr.25.31" parsed="|1Chr|25|8|25|31" passage="1Ch 25:8-31">ver. 8-31</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxvi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25" parsed="|1Chr|25|0|0|0" passage="1Ch 25" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCh.xxvi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.1-1Chr.25.7" parsed="|1Chr|25|1|25|7" passage="1Ch 25:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.25.1-1Chr.25.7">
<h4 id="iCh.xxvi-p1.7">The Courses of the Singers. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvi-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1015.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxvi-p2">1 Moreover David and the captains of the host
separated to the service 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 the workmen according to their service
was:   2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and
Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of
Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.  
3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and
Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their
father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to
praise the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvi-p2.1">Lord</span>.   4 Of Heman:
the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and
Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer,
Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, <i>and</i> Mahazioth:   5 All
these <i>were</i> 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.   6 All these <i>were</i> under the hands of
their father for song <i>in</i> the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvi-p2.2">Lord</span>, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for
the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to
Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.   7 So the number of them, with
their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iCh.xxvi-p2.3">Lord</span>, <i>even</i> all that were cunning,
was two hundred fourscore and eight.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p3">Observe, I. Singing the praises of God is
here called <i>prophesying</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.1-1Chr.25.3" parsed="|1Chr|25|1|25|3" passage="1Ch 25:1-3"><i>v.</i> 1-3</scripRef>), not that all those who were
employed in this service were honoured with the visions of God, or
could foretel things to come. Heman indeed is said to be the
<i>king's seer in the words of God</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.5" parsed="|1Chr|25|5|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>); but the psalms they sang were
composed by the prophets, and many of them were prophetical; and
the edification of the church was intended in it, as well as the
glory of God. In Samuel's time singing the praises of God went by
the name of <i>prophesying</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.10.5 Bible:1Sam.19.20" parsed="|1Sam|10|5|0|0;|1Sam|19|20|0|0" passage="1Sa 10:5,19:20">1 Sam. x. 5; xix. 20</scripRef>), and perhaps that
is intended in what St. Paul calls <i>prophesying,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.4 Bible:1Cor.14.24" parsed="|1Cor|11|4|0|0;|1Cor|14|24|0|0" passage="1Co 11:4,14:24">1 Cor. xi. 4; xiv. 24</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p4">II. This is here called a <i>service,</i>
and the persons employed in it <i>workmen,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.1" parsed="|1Chr|25|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Not but that it is the greatest
liberty and pleasure to be employed in praising God: what is heaven
but that? But it intimates that it is our duty to make a business
of it, and stir up all that is within us to it; and that, in our
present state of corruption and infirmity, it will not be done as
it should be done without labour and struggle. We must take pains
with our hearts to bring them, and keep them, to this work, and to
engage all that is within us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p5">III. Here were, in compliance with the
temper of that dispensation, a great variety of musical instruments
used, <i>harps, psalteries, cymbals</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.1 Bible:1Chr.25.6" parsed="|1Chr|25|1|0|0;|1Chr|25|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:1,6"><i>v.</i> 1, 6</scripRef>), and here was one that
<i>lifted up the horn</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.5" parsed="|1Chr|25|5|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>), that is, used wind-music. The bringing of such
concerts of music into the worship of God now is what none pretend
to. But those who use such concerts for their own entertainment
should feel themselves obliged to preserve them always free from
any thing that savours of immorality or profaneness, by this
consideration, that time was when they were sacred; and then
<i>those</i> were justly condemned who brought them into common
use, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Amos.6.5" parsed="|Amos|6|5|0|0" passage="Am 6:5">Amos vi. 5</scripRef>. <i>They
invented to themselves instruments of music like David.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p6">IV. The glory and honour of God were
principally intended in all this temple-music, whether vocal or
instrumental. It was <i>to give thanks, and praise the Lord,</i>
that the singers were employed, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.3" parsed="|1Chr|25|3|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. It was <i>in the songs of the
Lord that they were instructed</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.7" parsed="|1Chr|25|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), that is, <i>for songs in the
house of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.6" parsed="|1Chr|25|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. This agrees with the intention of the perpetuating of
psalmody in the gospel-church, which is <i>to make melody with the
heart,</i> in conjunction with the voice, <i>unto the Lord,</i>
<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.19" parsed="|Eph|5|19|0|0" passage="Eph 5:19">Eph. v. 19</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p7">V. The order of the king is likewise taken
notice of, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.2" parsed="|1Chr|25|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef> and
again <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.6" parsed="|1Chr|25|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. In those
matters indeed David acted as a prophet; but his taking care for
the due and regular observance of divine institutions, both ancient
and modern, is an example to all in authority to use their power
for the promoting of religion, and the enforcing of the laws of
Christ. Let them thus be <i>ministers of God for good.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p8">VI. The fathers presided in this service,
Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.1" parsed="|1Chr|25|1|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), and the children were <i>under the hands of their
father,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.2-1Chr.25.3 Bible:1Chr.25.6" parsed="|1Chr|25|2|25|3;|1Chr|25|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:2,3,6"><i>v.</i> 2, 3,
6</scripRef>. This gives a good example to parents to train up
their children, and indeed to all seniors to instruct their juniors
in the service of God, and particularly in praising him, than which
there is no part of our work more necessary or more worthy to be
transmitted to the succeeding generations. It gives also an example
to the younger to <i>submit themselves to the elder</i> (whose
experience and observation fit them for direction), and, as far as
may be, to do what they do <i>under their hand.</i> It is probable
that Heman, Asaph, and Jeduthun, were bred up under Samuel, and had
their education in the schools of the prophets which he was the
founder and president of; then they were pupils, now they came to
be masters. Those that would be eminent must begin early, and take
time to prepare themselves. This good work of singing God's praises
Samuel revived, and set on foot, but lived not to see it brought to
the perfection it appears in here. Solomon perfects what David
began, so David perfects what Samuel began. Let all, in their day,
do what they can for God and his church, though they cannot carry
it so far as they would; when they are gone God can out of stones
raise up others who shall build upon their foundation and bring
forth the top-stone.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p9">VII. There were others also, besides the
sons of these three great men, who are called their <i>brethren</i>
(probably because they had been wont to join with them in their
private concerts), who were <i>instructed in the songs of the
Lord,</i> and were cunning or well skilled therein, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.7" parsed="|1Chr|25|7|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. They were all Levites
and were in number 288. Now, 1. These were a good number, and a
competent number to keep up the service in the house of God; for
they were all skilful in the work to which they were called. When
David the king was so much addicted to divine poesy and music many
others, all that had a genius for it, applied their studies and
endeavours that way. Those do religion a great deal of good service
that bring the exercises of devotion into reputation. 2. Yet these
were but a small number in comparison with the 4000 whom David
appointed thus to <i>praise the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.23.5" parsed="|1Chr|23|5|0|0" passage="1Ch 23:5"><i>ch.</i> xxiii. 5</scripRef>. Where were all the rest
when only 288, and those but by twelve in a course, were separated
to this service? It is probable that all the rest were divided into
as many courses, and were to follow as these led. Or, perhaps,
these were <i>for songs in the house of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.6" parsed="|1Chr|25|6|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), with whom any that
worshipped in the courts of that house might join; and the rest
were disposed of, all the kingdom over, to preside in the country
congregations, in this good work: for, though the sacrifices
instituted by the hand of Moses might be offered but at one place,
the psalms penned by David might be sung every where, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.2.8" parsed="|1Tim|2|8|0|0" passage="1Ti 2:8">1 Tim. ii. 8</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCh.xxvi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.8-1Chr.25.31" parsed="|1Chr|25|8|25|31" passage="1Ch 25:8-31" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Chr.25.8-1Chr.25.31">
<p class="passage" id="iCh.xxvi-p10">8 And they cast lots, ward against <i>ward,</i>
as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.  
9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to
Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons <i>were</i> twelve:  
10 The third to Zaccur, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren,
<i>were</i> twelve:   11 The fourth to Izri, <i>he,</i> his
sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   12 The fifth to
Nethaniah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i>
twelve:   13 The sixth to Bukkiah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and
his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   14 The seventh to
Jesharelah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i>
twelve:   15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and
his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   16 The ninth to Mattaniah,
<i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:  
17 The tenth to Shimei, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren,
<i>were</i> twelve:   18 The eleventh to Azareel, <i>he,</i>
his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   19 The
twelfth to Hashabiah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren,
<i>were</i> twelve:   20 The thirteenth to Shubael, <i>he,</i>
his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   21 The
fourteenth to Mattithiah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren,
<i>were</i> twelve:   22 The fifteenth to Jeremoth, <i>he,</i>
his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   23 The
sixteenth to Hananiah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren,
<i>were</i> twelve:   24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah,
<i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:  
25 The eighteenth to Hanani, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren,
<i>were</i> twelve:   26 The nineteenth to Mallothi,
<i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:  
27 The twentieth to Eliathah, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his
brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   28 The one and twentieth to
Hothir, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:
  29 The two and twentieth to Giddalti, <i>he,</i> his sons,
and his brethren, <i>were</i> twelve:   30 The three and
twentieth to Mahazioth, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren,
<i>were</i> twelve:   31 The four and twentieth to
Romamti-ezer, <i>he,</i> his sons, and his brethren, <i>were</i>
twelve.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p11">Twenty-four persons are named in the
beginning of this chapter as sons of those three great men, Asaph,
Heman, and Jeduthun. Ethan was the third (<scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.6.44" parsed="|1Chr|6|44|0|0" passage="1Ch 6:44"><i>ch.</i> vi. 44</scripRef>), but probably he was dead
before the establishment was perfected and Jeduthun came in his
room. [Or perhaps Ethan and Jeduthun were two names for the same
person.] Of these three Providence so ordered it that Asaph had
four sons, Jeduthun six [only five are mentioned <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.3" parsed="|1Chr|25|3|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>; Shimei, mentioned <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.17" parsed="|1Chr|25|17|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>, is supposed to have
been the sixth], and Heman fourteen, in all twenty-four (who were
named, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.2-1Chr.25.4" parsed="|1Chr|25|2|25|4" passage="1Ch 25:2-4"><i>v.</i> 2-4</scripRef>),
who were all qualified for the service and called to it. But the
question was, In what order must they serve? This was determined by
lot, to prevent strife for precedency, a sin which most easily
besets many that otherwise are good people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p12">I. The lot was thrown impartially. They
were placed in twenty-four companies, twelve in a company, in two
rows, twelve companies in a row, and so they cast lots, <i>ward
against ward,</i> putting them all upon a level, small and great,
teacher and scholar. They did not go according to their age, or
according to their standing, or the degrees they had taken in the
music-schools; but it was referred to God, <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.8" parsed="|1Chr|25|8|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Small and great, teachers and
scholars, stand alike before God, who goes not according to our
rules of distinction and precedency. See <scripRef id="iCh.xxvi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.20.23" parsed="|Matt|20|23|0|0" passage="Mt 20:23">Matt. xx. 23</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p13">II. God determined it as he pleased, taking
account, it is probable, of the respective merits of the persons,
which are of much more importance than seniority of age or priority
of birth. Let us compare them with the preceding catalogue and we
shall find that, 1. Josephus was the second son of Asaph. 2.
Gedaliah the eldest son of Jeduthun. 3. Zaccur the eldest of Asaph.
4. Izri the second of Jeduthun. 5. Nethaniah the third of Asaph. 6.
Bukkiah the eldest of Heman. 7. Jesharelah the youngest of Asaph.
8. Jeshaiah the third of Jeduthun. 9. Mattaniah the second of
Heman. 10. Shimei the youngest of Jeduthun. 11. Azareel the third
of Heman. 12. Hashabiah the fourth of Jeduthun. 13. Shubael the
fourth of Heman. 14. Mattithiah the fifth of Jeduthun. 15. Jeremoth
the fifth of Heman. 16. Hananiah the sixth of Heman. 17.
Joshbekashah the eleventh of Heman. 18. Hanani the seventh of
Heman. 19. Mallothi the twelfth of Heman. 20. Eliathah the eighth
of Heman. 21. Hothir the thirteenth of Heman. 22. Giddalti the
ninth of Heman. 23. Mehazioth the fourteenth of Heman. And,
<i>lastly,</i> Romamti-ezer, the tenth of Heman. See how God
increased some and preferred the younger before the elder.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCh.xxvi-p14">III. Each of these had in his chorus the
number of twelve, called <i>their sons and their brethren,</i>
because they observed them as sons, and concurred with them as
brethren. Probably twelve, some for the voice and others for the
instrument, made up the concert. Let us learn with one mind and one
mouth to glorify God, and that will be the best concert.</p>
</div></div2>