1 Chronicles – Chapter 25

Old Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 Chronicles 25 opens with the words: "Moreover David and the chief officers of the army separated for the ministry the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Idithun: to prophesy…" The chapter centers on Joseph and David. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Moreover David and the chief officers of the army separated for the ministry the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Idithun: to prophesy with harps, and with psalteries, and with cymbals according to their number serving in their appointed office.

2Of the sons of Asaph: Zacchur, and Joseph, and Nathania, and Asarela, sons of Asaph: under the hand of Asaph prophesying near the king.

3And of Idithun: the sons of Idithun, Godolias, Sori, Jeseias, and Hasabias, and Mathathias, under the hand of their father Idithun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the Lord.

4Of Heman also: the sons of Heman, Bocciau, Mathaniau, Oziel, Subuel, and Jerimoth, Hananias, Hanani, Eliatha, Geddelthi, and Romemthiezer, and Jesbacassa, Mellothi, Othir, Mahazioth:

5All these were the sons of Heman the seer of the king in the words of God, to lift up the horn: and God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6All these under their father's hand were distributed to sing in the temple of the Lord, with cymbals, and psalteries and harps, for the service of the house of the Lord near the king: to wit, Asaph, and Idithun, and Heman.

7And the number of them with their brethren, that taught the song of the Lord, all the teachers, were two hundred and eighty-eight.

8And they cast lots by their courses, the elder equally with the younger, the learned and the unlearned together.

9And the first lot came forth to Joseph, who was of Asaph. The second to Godolias, to him and his sons, and his brethren twelve.

10The third to Zachur, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

11The fourth to Isari, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

12The fifth to Nathania, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

13The sixth to Bocciau, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

14The seventh to Isreela, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

15The eighth to Jesaia, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

16The ninth to Mathanaias, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

17The tenth to Semeias, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

18The eleventh to Azareel, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

19The twelfth to Hasabia, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

20The thirteenth to Subael, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

21The fourteenth to Mathathias, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

22The fifteenth to Jerimoth, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

23The sixteenth to Hananias, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

24The seventeenth to Jesbacassa, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

25The eighteenth to Hanani, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

26The nineteenth to Mellothi, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

27The twentieth to Eliatha, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

28The one and twentieth to Othir, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

29The two and twentieth to Geddelthi, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

30The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

31The four and twentieth to Romemthiezer, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 25

And of Idithun: the sons of Idithun, Godolias, Sori, Jeseias, and Hasabias, and Mathathias, under the hand of their father Idithun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the Lord.

1 Chronicles 25:3

And the number of them with their brethren, that taught the song of the Lord, all the teachers, were two hundred and eighty-eight.

1 Chronicles 25:7

The third to Zachur, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

1 Chronicles 25:10

The four and twentieth to Romemthiezer, to his sons and his brethren twelve.

1 Chronicles 25:31

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 1 Chronicles was written with the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship in view. Chapter 25 of 29 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Joseph and David appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "Moreover David and the chief officers of the army separated for the ministry the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of…" The final verse reads: "The four and twentieth to Romemthiezer, to his sons and his brethren twelve. " In terms of historical background, Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 1 Chronicles around After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within David's legacy and Temple preparation. A pivotal line is verse 3: "And of Idithun: the sons of Idithun, Godolias, Sori, Jeseias, and Hasabias, and Mathathias, under the hand of their father Idithun, who prophesied with a harp…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Chronicles 25 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). St. Athanasius and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 26).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Joseph2 mentionsDavid1 mention

Reflection for Today

1 Chronicles Chapter 25, containing 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 385). Here the emphasis falls on the Eucharist as source and summit, which shapes how the Church understands David's legacy and Temple preparation.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the Eucharist as source and summit bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 25 about?

1 Chronicles 25 contains 31 verses. It opens with "Moreover David and the chief officers of the army separated for the ministry the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of…" and closes with "The four and twentieth to Romemthiezer, to his sons and his brethren twelve. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 25?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "And of Idithun: the sons of Idithun, Godolias, Sori, Jeseias, and Hasabias, and Mathathias, under the hand of their father Idithun, who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 25?

This chapter mentions Joseph, David.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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