25:1 David and the army officers selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy as they played stringed instruments and cymbals. 1 The following men were assigned this responsibility: 2
25:2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were supervised by Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision. 3
25:3 From the sons of Jeduthun: 4 Gedaliah, Zeri, 5 Jeshaiah, 6 Hashabiah, and Mattithiah – six in all, 7 under supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied as he played a harp, giving thanks and praise to the Lord.
25:4 From the sons of Heman: 8 Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. 25:5 All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s prophet. God had promised him these sons in order to make him prestigious. 9 God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
25:6 All of these were under the supervision of their fathers; they were musicians in the Lord’s temple, playing cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the supervision of the king. 25:7 They and their relatives, all of them skilled and trained to make music to the Lord, numbered two hundred eighty-eight. 10
25:8 They cast lots to determine their responsibilities – oldest as well as youngest, teacher as well as student. 11
1 tn Heb “David and the officers of the army set apart for service the sons of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, the ones prophesying by harps, by lyres, and by cymbals.”
2 tn Heb “and their number was, the men of work for their service.”
3 tn Heb “the sons of Asaph [were] upon the hand of Asaph, the one prophesying upon the hands of the king.”
4 tn Heb “belonging to Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun.”
5 tn This name appears as “Izri” in v. 10.
6 tc One Hebrew
7 tc The list includes only five names. Apparently the name “Shimei” (see v. 17), which appears in one medieval Hebrew
8 tn Heb “belonging to Heman, the sons of Heman.”
9 tn Heb “by the words of God to exalt a horn.” An animal’s horn is sometimes used metaphorically as a symbol of strength and honor. See BDB 901-2 s.v. קֶרֶנ.
10 tn Heb “and their number with their brothers, trained in music to the
11 tn Heb “and they cast lots [for] service, just as like small, like great, teacher with student.”