³¹These likewise cast lots even as their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ _houses_ of the priests and of the Levites; the fathers’ _houses_ of the chief even as those of his younger brother. =31.= _and Ahimelech_] We expect _and Abiathar_; compare verse 3, xv. 11, xviii. 16, with the notes. CHAPTER XXV. =1‒7.= THE FAMILIES OF THE SINGERS. The Chronicler displays so much interest in the liturgical worship of the Temple that it is very probable that he was himself a member of the musical guilds. There is no reason to question the importance of the musicians in the Temple worship of the late post-exilic period. But the development of their organisation and duties was certainly a gradual process, and did not, as the Chronicler here represents, spring into being, full-grown, in the days of David. Three classes――the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun (= Ethan) had come to be clearly recognised. They are here regarded as divided into twenty-four courses (like the Levites and Priests), but that this even in the Chronicler’s time represents not an actuality but an ideal is suggested by the artificial character of the names which conclude the list――see verse 4, note on _Hananiah_. ¹Moreover David and the captains of the host separated for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of them that did the work according to their service was: =1.= _Moreover David_] Render, =And David=. _separated_] compare xxiii. 13, note. _who should prophesy_] i.e. sing and praise in the manner of the prophets, compare 1 Samuel x. 5. There is no reference to the predictive power or the higher spiritual activities of the great prophets. Nevertheless the term serves, and is intended, to invest the office of the musicians with a greater honour than that of the ministrant Levites. _psalteries_] See xiii. 8, note. ²of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah¹, the sons of Asaph; under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order² of the king. ¹ In verse 14, _Jesharelah_. ² Hebrew _by the hands of the king_. =2.= _Asaph_] See xv. 17, note. _Asharelah_] In verse 14, “Jesharelah.” _after the order_] All was done according to the order established by king David. ³Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri¹, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six²; under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD. ¹ In verse 11, _Izri_. ² With Shimei, mentioned in verse 17. =3.= _Jeduthun_] See xvi. 41, note. _Zeri_] read as in verse 11, =Izri=.