1 Chronicles 25:18

The eleventh to Azareel— His name is written Uzziel in the fourth verse. Probably he was sometimes called by one of those names, and sometimes by the other.

REFLECTIONS.—The courses of singers are here appointed to accompany the priests and Levites in their service. Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, or Ethan, were the three great masters, and their sons under them, four-and-twenty, according to the number of courses. Their service is called prophesying (see 1 Corinthians 11:4; 1 Corinthians 14:24.); for the songs in which they praised God were chiefly prophetical of the Messiah. A variety of instruments were used to fill the sacred chorus, while their hearts and voices joined in the songs of the Lord. Music is highly pleasing; but we must not lose the sense in the sound. Songs of praise are no longer harmonious, than while we are making melody in our hearts unto God. Each of these twenty-four had eleven assistant singers, of the most musical of their brethren; in all 288: and, as four thousand are before said to be appointed for song, either they were divided into classes, and followed when these principal singers led; or they might be employed in teaching the divine hymns of David to the rest of the people in the country. The singers were appointed by lot as before, and we may observe that many of the younger sons were preferred before their elders. Note; The younger in years are often the elder in grace.