1 Chronicles 25:1

1 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 25 The number and offices of the singers out of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, 1 Chronicles 25:1. Their division by lot into twenty-four orders, 1 Chronicles 25:8 The captains of the host; both of the civil and sacred host, to wit, all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites, whom David gathered together, 1 Chronicles 23:2, for this very end, that in their presence, and with their approbation and consent, all these things might be established; who are here fitly called the captains of the host; for the princes were, under David, the chief captains or commanders of the militia or trained bands of the kingdom: and as the Levites are called a host, and the Lord's host, Numbers 4:3, and elsewhere, because of their number and order in holy ministrations; so these priests and Levites were the captains and governors of the rest. Separated, i.e. distributed them into their several ranks and orders; which, though chiefly done by David as a prophet, and by Divine direction, as hath been oft observed, yet is here imputed in part to the captains of the host, because it was done with their concurrence and approbation. To the service of the sons of Asaph, &c, i.e. to the service of God under the conduct and command of these persons. Who should prophesy, i.e. praise God by singing the Psalms of David, (of which See Poole on "1 Chronicles 16:7",) and other sacred songs made by themselves, who were prophets in some sort, or by other prophets or holy men of God. Or this action of theirs is called prophesying, because it had been formerly performed by the prophets; and the sons of the prophets; of which see 1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 19:20 2 Kings 3:15 1 Chronicles 15:19. The number of the workmen; of the persons employed in this sacred work.