1 Chronicles 25:2

_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._ Which prophesied - i:e., in this connection, played with instruments. This metaphorical application of the term "prophesy" most probably originated in the practice of the prophets, who endeavoured to rouse their prophetic spirit by the animating influence of music (see the note at 2 Kings 3:15). It is said that Asaph did this 'according to David's order,' because by royal appointment he officiated in the tabernacle on Zion (1 Chronicles 16:37), while other leaders of the sacred music were stationed at Gibeon. ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF THE KING, х_ `AL_ ...

Verse 1 Chronicles 25:2. _WHICH PROPHESIED_] Sung hymns and prayed. But the _Targum_ understands this of prophesying in the proper sense of the term; and therefore says, "Who prophesied by the Holy Spirit." _Jarchi_ is of the same opinion and quotes the case of Elisha, 2 Kings 3:15; _While the minstrel played, the hand of the Lord_ [i.e., the spirit of prophecy] _was upon him_....

UNDER THE HANDS OF ASAPH ... - That is to say, “under the direction of Asaph” - who himself “prophesied,” or performed the sacred services, “under the direction of the king.”...

EXPOSITION 1 CHRONICLES 25:1 The families of the three chiefs in song. 1 CHRONICLES 25:1 The twenty-four courses of those who were to be engaged in the temple service as singers and musicians fill up this chapter. They are to be taken from the three great families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun. For THE CAPTAINS OF THE HOST, as designating those who superintended the order of temple worship, see 1 Chronicles 22:17; 1Ch 23:2; 1 Chronicles 24:6; as also...

OF THE SONS OF ASAPH,.... Who were separated, and by lot appointed, to the service of singers in the temple: ZACCUR, AND JOSEPH, AND NETHANIAH, AND ASARELAH; called Jesharelah, 1 Chronicles 25:14, these had the third fourth, fifth, and seventh lots, 1 Chronicles 25:9, UNDER THE HANDS OF ASAPH; under his instruction and authority: WHICH PROPHESIED ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF THE KING; which Asaph composed psalms under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and was ordered by King David to sing them, and by whose command they were inserted in the book of Psalms, where they now stand with his name to them....

4. THE SINGERS AND MUSICIANS OF THE TEMPLE CHAPTER 25 _ 1. Sons of Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman (1 Chronicles 25:1)_ 2. Their division by Lot into twenty-four (1 Chronicles 25:8) As we have seen before, Asaph, Jeduthun (Ethan) and Heman were the master leaders in song and music; their service was eminently spiritual, for we read “they should prophesy.” Heman especially is called the king's seer in the words of God. This is a significant expression. How much there is in what is termed “worship”, which has nothing whatever of the words of God in it. In most of the songs used in our times there is little of the words of God and many contain unscriptural and sentimental phrases. Israel's worship in song and music was to be spiritual, prophesying and in the words

THE TEMPLE SINGERS AND MUSICIANS. The musicians, according to the Chronicler, also consisted of twenty-four courses. 1 Chronicles 25:1. Asaph... HEMAN. JEDUTHUN: see note on 1 Chronicles 15:17. WHO SHOULD PROPHESY WITH HARPS...: according to the Chronicler the Temple musician ranked with the prophet; but he had authority for doing so, since it is evident from 1 Samuel 10:5 f. that the playing of musical instruments was associated with the prophetic office. In 2 Chronicles 20:14 it is said that the spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, one of the sons of Asaph....

_Asaph_ See 1 Chronicles 15:17, note. _Asarelah_ R.V. ASHARELAH; in 1 Chronicles 25:14 "Jesharelah." _under the hands_ R.V. UNDER THE HAND. _prophesied_ i.e. sang and praised in the manner of prophets; cp. 1 Chronicles 25:3, "prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the Lord." There is no reference to prediction here. Cp. 1 Samuel 10:5. _according to the order_ R.V. AFTER THE ORDER. All was done according to the order established by king David....

LESSON TWELVE 25-26 THE APPOINTMENT OF MUSICIANS DOORKEEPERS AND STEWARDS OF THE TEMPLE TREASURY 17. THE TEMPLE SINGERS (Chapter 25) INTRODUCTION David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, showed real interest in the musical program of the Temple. The instrumentalists and the singers were equipped and appointed. The physical matters such as guards and treasurers were also attended to by David. TEXT 1 Chronicles 25:1. Moreover 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: 2. of 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.

25:2 direction (a-19) direction (a-26) Lit. 'at the hand.'...