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