From
Matthew Henry’s Commentary, I
Chronicles 25:1-7
Matthew Henry (1662-1714), still
world-famous amongst Christians for his Commentary, was a Presbyterian
minister born in Flintshire,
Wales. His father was a renowned pastor of the Puritan era.
Observe,
I.
Singing the praises of God is here called prophesying (v. 1-3),
not that all those who were employed in this service were honoured with the
visions of God, or could foretel things to come. Heman indeed is said to be
the king's seer in the words of God (v. 5); but the psalms they
sang were composed by the prophets, and many of them were prophetical; and the
edification of the church was intended in it, as well as the glory of God. In
Samuel's time singing the praises of God went by the name of prophesying
(1 Sam. x. 5; xix. 20), and perhaps that is intended in what
St. Paul
calls prophesying, 1 Cor. xi. 4; xiv. 24.
II. This is here
called a service, and the persons employed in it workmen, v.
1. Not but that it is the greatest liberty and pleasure to be employed in
praising God: what is heaven but that? But it intimates that it is our duty to
make a business of it, and stir up all that is within us to it; and that, in
our present state of corruption and infirmity, it will not be done as it
should be done without labour and struggle. We must take pains with our hearts
to bring them, and keep them, to this work, and to engage all that is within
us.
III. Here were,
in compliance with the temper of that dispensation, a great variety of musical
instruments used, harps, psalteries, cymbals (v. 1, 6), and here
was one that lifted up the horn (v. 5), that is, used
wind-music. The bringing of such concerts of music into the worship of God now
is what none pretend to. But those who use such concerts for their own
entertainment should feel themselves obliged to preserve them always free from
any thing that savours of immorality or profaneness, by this consideration,
that time was when they were sacred; and then those were justly
condemned who brought them into common use, Amos vi. 5. They invented to
themselves instruments of music like David.
IV. The glory
and honour of God were principally intended in all this temple-music, whether
vocal or instrumental. It was to give thanks, and praise the Lord, that
the singers were employed, v. 3. It was in the songs of the Lord
that they were instructed (v. 7), that is, for songs in the
house of the Lord, v. 6. This agrees with the intention of the
perpetuating of psalmody in the gospel-church, which is to make melody with
the heart, in conjunction with the voice, unto the Lord, Eph. v.
19.
V. The order of
the king is likewise taken notice of, v. 2 and again v. 6. In
those matters indeed David acted as a prophet; but his taking care for the due
and regular observance of divine institutions, both ancient and modern, is an
example to all in authority to use their power for the promoting of religion,
and the enforcing of the laws of Christ. Let them thus be ministers of God
for good.
VI. The fathers
presided in this service, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (v. 1), and the
children were under the hands of their father, v. 2, 3, 6. This
gives a good example to parents to train up their children, and indeed to all
seniors to instruct their juniors in the service of God, and particularly in
praising him, than which there is no part of our work more necessary or more
worthy to be transmitted to the succeeding generations. It gives also an
example to the younger to submit themselves to the elder (whose
experience and observation fit them for direction), and, as far as may be, to
do what they do under their hand. It is probable that Heman, Asaph, and
Jeduthun, were bred up under Samuel, and had their education in the schools of
the prophets which he was the founder and president of; then they were pupils,
now they came to be masters. Those that would be eminent must begin early, and
take time to prepare themselves. This good work of singing God's praises
Samuel revived, and set on foot, but lived not to see it brought to the
perfection it appears in here. Solomon perfects what David began, so David
perfects what Samuel began. Let all, in their day, do what they can for God
and his church, though they cannot carry it so far as they would; when they
are gone God can out of stones raise up others who shall build upon their
foundation and bring forth the top-stone.
VII. There were
others also, besides the sons of these three great men, who are called their brethren
(probably because they had been wont to join with them in their private
concerts), who were instructed in the songs of the Lord, and were
cunning or well skilled therein, v. 7. They were all Levites and were
in number 288. Now, 1. These were a good number, and a competent number to
keep up the service in the house of God; for they were all skilful in the work
to which they were called. When David the king was so much addicted to divine
poesy and music many others, all that had a genius for it, applied their
studies and endeavours that way. Those do religion a great deal of good
service that bring the exercises of devotion into reputation. 2. Yet these
were but a small number in comparison with the 4000 whom David appointed thus
to praise the Lord, ch. xxiii. 5. Where were all the rest when
only 288, and those but by twelve in a course, were separated to this service?
It is probable that all the rest were divided into as many courses, and were
to follow as these led. Or, perhaps, these were for songs in the house of
the Lord (v. 6), with whom any that worshipped in the courts of
that house might join; and the rest were disposed of, all the kingdom over, to
preside in the country congregations, in this good work: for, though the
sacrifices instituted by the hand of Moses might be offered but at one place,
the psalms penned by David might be sung every where, 1 Tim. ii. 8.
Reference
“A
Commentary on the Holy Bible,” Ward, Lock & Co., Vol 2, pp 1037-1038.
