1 Chronicles 25:2

(2) Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur.—Literally, To the sons of Asaph belonged Zaccur. In 1Ch_25:2-7 the term “sons” appears to mean trained members of the musical guilds, of which the three chiefs, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, were masters.

Asarelah.—This singular name is spelt “Jesharelah” in 1Ch_25:14. Ewald identifies it with “Israel,” the unaccented ending ah having the force belonging to—literally, towards, unto—so that Jesharelah is in effect the modern Jewish surname Israels. (Comp. “Jaakobah,” 1Ch_4:36, to Jacob, i.e., Jacobs.)

Under the hands of Asaph.—Rather, at the hand of Asaph. It is implied that the four leaders here named were subordinate to Asaph, and under his direction. (Comp. 1Ch_25:3; 1Ch_25:6; 2Ch_23:18; 2Ch_29:27; Ezr_3:10.)

Which prophesied according to the order of the king.—Literally (Asaph), who prophesied (or should prophesy, the participle, as in 1Ch_25:1) at the hands of the king: that is, either according to the royal arrangements (2Ch_23:18), under David’s own appointment, or under the royal direction.

Prophesied.—That is, made music. (See 1Ch_25:1.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 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.

Ver. 2. According to the order of the king.] Heb., By the hand of the king; who as he penned most of the Psalms, so he appointed the singers, the instruments, the tunes, the times, and the uses of them, as appeareth by the titles of divers of David’s Psalms. Some render it iuxta regem, nigh to the king; near his seat in the holy assembly, where these holy musicians, by their melodious noises, stirred up David to true faith and piety. Non dispuduit tantum Prophetam, saith Lavater. So great a prophet held it no shame thus to excite his devotion. There are too many now-a-days addicted to music, but of another nature, and for a worse purpose.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 25:2-3. Under the hands of Asaph — Under his oversight and direction. According to the order of the king — In such manner and order as David appointed. The sons of Jeduthun, six — Jeduthun, their father, being included in that number; or Shimei, mentioned 1Ch 25:17.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

25:2-3 Asaph and Jeduthun . . . proclaimed God’s messages, meaning they were prophets as well as musicians.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Hebrew, hands.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

according to the order of the king--Hebrew, "by the hands of the king," that is, "according to the king's order," under the personal superintendence of Asaph and his colleagues.

which prophesied--that is, in this connection, played with instruments. This metaphorical application of the term "prophecy" most probably originated in the practice of the prophets, who endeavored to rouse their prophetic spirit by the animating influence of music (see on Kg2 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 (Ch1 16:37-41), while other leaders of the sacred music were stationed at Gibeon.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 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, 2Kg 3:15; While the minstrel played, the hand of the Lord [i.e., the spirit of prophecy] was upon him.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Asaph] See 1Ch_15:17, note.

Asarelah] R.V. Asharelah; in 1Ch_25:14 “Jesharelah.”

under the hands] R.V. under the hand.

prophesied] i.e. sang and praised in the manner of prophets; cp. 1Ch_25:3, “prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the Lord.” There is no reference to prediction here. Cp. 1Sa_10:5.

according to the order] R.V. after the order. All was done according to the order established by king David.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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, Ch1 25:14, these had the third fourth, fifth, and seventh lots, Ch1 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.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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.”

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

King, who sat in a separate tribune. Asaph presided in the royal city, at court, and in the tabernacle, while some of the singers were fixed at Gabaon, chap. xvi. 7, 37, and 41. (Calmet) --- Hebrew may signify, "at the king’s command. (Pagnin) --- He sometimes condescended to direct the singers, ver. 6. (Haydock)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Under the hands of Asaph, i.e. under his oversight and direction. According to the order of the king; in such manner and order as David appointed.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Prophesied according to the order of the king — That is, in accordance with David’s arrangements and orders.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Four sons of Asaph are hero given, the number, however, not being ex. pressed, although it is expressed in the cases of Jeduthun and Heman (vers. 3, 5). "For Asaph," we find twelve psalms inscribed, viz. Ps 1 Ps 73 Ps 83.; of some of which he was himself the inspired composer. When it is said "for Asaph," the meaning is for those "under his hand," or direction, and who as a band bore his name, and performed among other odes those which he prophesied. Zaccur. A descendant after the Return is mentioned in Neh_12:35. Asarelah. This last of the four sons of Asaph is called in ver. 14, Jesharelah. Under the hands of according to the order of. The Hebrew words are "to the hand of" and "to the hands of." Between the signification of these two forms, the one expressed in the singular number and the ether in the plural, there does not seem to be any distinction, and accordingly they might be better translated, under the direction of under the directions of. The latter form is that found in vers. 3, 6.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Of Asaph - Under his direction. Of the king - In such manner and order as David appointed.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

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, Ch1 25:14, these had the third fourth, fifth, and seventh lots, Ch1 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.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)