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:
captains of the host = the heads of the Temple service. This word "host" applied to Levites in Numbers 4:3 . Rendered "service" (margin warfare) in Numbers 4:23 , Numbers 4:30 , Numbers 4:35 , Numbers 4:39 , Numbers 4:43 ; Numbers 8:24 .
Jeduthun. Probably another name for Ethan. See note on 1 Chronicles 16:41 .
prophesy with harps. Not "perform", or "render". The music therefore eminently spiritual. See note on 1 Chronicles 25:5 .
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.
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 LORD.
six. Only five named. The sixth is Shimei (1 Chronicles 25:17 ).
Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
Giddalti. The fact that the meanings of these six names form a complete sentence in Hebrew is no more proof that this is a mistaken "obscure and ancient prayer", than that the chronicler has strung together a list of six names in order to form a sentence. What it shows is that Heman, in naming his sons, did so with this set purpose, as parents have often done since his day. The supposed prayer would read: "I have magnified, and I have raised up help; Sitting in trouble, I have spoken many oracles. "
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.
the words of God. Not the words of man. None but Divine words used in Divine worship.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [true] God. App-4 .
All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
songs of the LORD. Not of man.
cunning = skilful. See note on 1 Chronicles 22:15 .
two hundred fourscore and eight. (288 = 24 x 12.) Twelve (the number of Governmental perfection) is a factor in all that pertains to government. Compare 1 Chronicles 27:1 . See App-10 .
And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
cast lots. See notes on the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30 . Numbers 26:55 ).
ward = charge. A word belonging to usage of Pentateuch. Compare 1 Chronicles 23:32 .
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
came forth: i.e. out of the ephod, the bag behind the high priest's breastplate; the lap, or bag of Proverbs 16:33 . Compare Joshua 21:4 , and see note on Exodus 28:30 . Numbers 26:55 .
to Joseph. Not the eldest son.
his brethren. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , for relatives.
The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
Zaccur, the son of Asaph (1 Chronicles 25:2 ).
The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
Jesharelah = Asarelah of 1 Chronicles 25:2 .
The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
Azareel = Uzziel of 1 Chronicles 25:4 .
The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
The four and twentieth to Romamti-ezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.
