Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 6:31

And these [are they] whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.

31, 32 (= 16, 17 according to the Heb. division). David’s Singers

31. the ark had rest ] i.e. was brought into the city of David for a permanent resting-place.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

The genealogies of Davids three chief singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan or Jeduthun.

1Ch 6:32

They waited on their office – On the establishment and continuance of the choral service in the temple, see 2Ch 5:12, 2Ch 29:27-30; 2Ch 35:15.

1Ch 6:33

Heman – In general Asaph takes precedence of Heman and Jeduthun, but here Heman is placed first, because his family, that of the Kohathites, had the highest priestly rank, being the family which furnished the high priests (see 1Ch 6:2-15).

Shemuel – i. e. Samuel. Our translators have here given the Hebrew, while elsewhere they give uniformlv the Greek, form of the name. We learn by this genealogy that Heman was Samuels grandson.

1Ch 6:39

His brother Asaph – Not brother in the ordinary sense of the term, since Asaph was the son of Berachiah, and a Gershonite, not a Kohathite. Brother here may mean fellow-craftsman (compare 1Ch 25:7).

1Ch 6:44

Ethan – Or Jeduthun (see the margin). Corruption will scarcely account for the two forms of the name, since Ethan is used persistently up to a certain point 1Ch 15:19, after which we have uniformly Jeduthun. The case seems to be rather one in which a new name was taken after a while, which thenceforth superseded the old. Compare Abraham, Sarah, Joshua, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, etc.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

1Ch 6:31; 1Ch 6:48

And these are they whom David let over the service of song lit the house of the Lord.

The ministry of song

I. Song an element of Christian worship.

II. Song an expression of human feeling.

III. Song a power for which its possessors are responsible. (J. Wolfendale.)

Religious worship

I. Worship varied in its forms.

II. Lively in its spirit.

III. Orderly in its method.

IV. Universal in its participation. (J. Wolfendale.)

.

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 31. After that the ark had rest.] The Targum says, “These are they whom David set over the service of the singing, in the house of the sanctuary, or tabernacle of the Lord, at the time in which the ark was brought into it;” that is, when it was brought from the house of Obed-edom.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

These are they, whose names here follow.

The service, Heb. the hands. Hand put for ministry or service, which is commonly performed by the hand. Thus God is frequently said to speak or command things by the hand (i.e. the ministry) of Moses. Compare 2Ch 29:27.

After that the ark had rest; which was in Davids time, 2Sa 6:17.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

And these are they,…. Who follow; the account of whom begins 1Ch 6:33,

whom David set over the service of the song in the house of the Lord: whom he appointed chief musicians, and masters of the chorus, to manage and conduct that part of divine service in the sanctuary, singing the praises of God, both with vocal and instrumental music:

after the ark had rest; which was when it was brought from the house of Obededom to the city of David, and was placed in a tabernacle he provided for it, 2Sa 6:12, where it remained until the temple was built, when and which was the only time it was removed, whereas before it had been removed from place to place, and so till now had no rest; though some understand this of the ceasing or silence of the oracle over the ark, which was neither consulted by Solomon and his successors, nor any of the high priests afterwards g.

g Vid. Marsham. Canon. Chron. Setul. 14. p. 365.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(6:16-34). The genealogies of the Levite musicians – Heman, Asaph, and Ethan. – These registers are introduced by an account of the service of the Levites about the sanctuary (1Ch 6:31, 1Ch 6:32), and conclude with remarks on the service of the remaining Levites (1Ch 6:48, 1Ch 6:49).

1Ch 6:31-32

(6:16-17). “These are they whom David set for the leading of the song in the house of Jahve, after the resting of the ark,” cf. 1Ch 6:20, 1Ch 6:22. “upon the hands,” “to the hands;” that is, both for leading, and, according to arrangement. To the hands of the song, i.e., to manage the singing, to carry it on, to conduct it. , “from the resting of the ark,” i.e., from the time that the ark of the covenant, which in the prae-Davidic time had been carried about from one place to another, had received a permanent resting-place on Zion, and had become the centre of the worship instituted by David, 2Sa 6:17. “And they served before the dwelling of the tabernacle with song.” , “before the dwelling,” for the sacrificial worship, with which the singing of psalms was connected, was performed in the court before the dwelling. The genitive is to be taken as explanatory: “The dwelling (of Jahve), which was the tent of the meeting (of God with His people).” was the usual designation of the tabernacle built by Moses, which was at first set up in Shiloh, then in the time of Saul at Nob, and after the destruction of that city by Saul (1 Sam 22) in Gibeon (1Ch 21:29). It denotes here the tent which David had erected upon Mount Zion for the ark of the covenant, because from its containing the ark, and by the institution of a settled worship in it (cf. 1Ch 16:1-4.), it thenceforth took the place of the Mosaic tabernacle, although the Mosaic sanctuary at Gibeon continued to be a place of worship till the completion of the temple (1Ki 3:4; 2Ch 1:3), – “till Solomon built the house of Jahve in Jerusalem,” into which the ark was removed, and to which the whole of the religious services were transferred. In their services they stood , according to their right, i.e., according to the order prescribed for them by David; cf. 1 Chron 16:52ff.

1Ch 6:33-38

(6:18-23). “These (following three men, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan) are they who stood (in service) with their sons.” The three were the heads of the three Levitic families, to whom the execution of the liturgic singing was entrusted. The names of their sons, vide 1Ch 25:1-6. The object of the following genealogies is to show their descent from Levi. “Of the sons of the Kohathite family (is) Heman the singer.” , lxx. Heman is named first as being the head of the choir of singers who stood in the centre, while Asaph and his choir stood on his right hand, and on the left Ethan and his choir, so that when they sang in concert the conducting of the whole fell to Heman. His family is traced back in 1Ch 6:33-38 through twenty members to “Kohath the son of Levi, then son of Israel” (Jacob).

1Ch 6:39-43

(6:24-28). “His brother Asaph,” who is Heman’s brother only in the more general sense of being closely connected with him, partly by their common descent from Levi, partly by their common calling, was a descendant of Gershon from his younger son Shimei. His genealogy contains only fifteen names to Gershon, five less than that of his contemporary Heman, probably because here and there intermediate names are omitted.

1Ch 6:44-47

(6:29-32). “And the sons of Merari their brethren (i.e., the brethren of the choirs of Heman and Asaph) on the left (i.e., forming the choir which stood on the left hand) were Ethan and his sons.” As in the case of Asaph, so also in that of Ethan, (1Ch 6:18) is omitted, but is to be supplied; when the introductory clause “and the sons of Merari” is at once explained. Ethan is a Merarite of the younger line of Mushi (see above). The name of his father is here , and in 1Ch 15:17 it is , which latter is clearly the original form, which has been shortened into Kishi. Instead of the name Ethan ( ) as here and in 1Ch 15:19, we find in other passage a Jeduthun mentioned as third chief-musician, along with Heman and Asaph (cf. 1Ch 25:1; 2Ch 35:15; Neh 11:17, cf. 1Ch 6:41); from which we see that Jeduthun was another name for Ethan, probably a by-name – , “praiseman” – which he had received from his calling, although nothing is said in the Old Testament as to the origin of this name. His genealogy contains only twelve names to Merari, being thus still more abridged than that of Asaph.

1Ch 6:48-49

(6:33-34). “And their brethren the Levites,” i.e., the other Levites besides the singers just mentioned, “were given for every service of the dwelling of the house of God,” i.e., given to Aaron and his sons (the priests) for the performance of service in the carrying on of the worship; cf. Num 3:9; Num 8:16-19; Num 18:6. But Aaron and his sons had three duties to perform: (1) they burnt the offerings on the altar of burnt-offering and on the altar of incense, cf. Num 18:1-7; (2) they looked after all the service of the holy place; (3) they had to atone for Israel by offering the atoning-sacrifices, and performing the cleansings according to all that Moses commanded. This last clause refers to all the three above-mentioned duties of the priests. Moses is called the servant of God, as in Deu 34:5; Jos 1:1, Jos 1:13.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

Genealogies.

B. C. 1015.

      31 And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.   32 And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.   33 And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,   34 The son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah,   35 The son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai,   36 The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,   37 The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,   38 The son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel.   39 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,   40 The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,   41 The son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah,   42 The son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei,   43 The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi.   44 And their brethren the sons of Merari stood on the left hand: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch,   45 The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,   46 The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,   47 The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.   48 Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.   49 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.   50 And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son,   51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son,   52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,   53 Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son.

      When the Levites were first ordained in the wilderness much of the work then appointed them lay in carrying and taking care of the tabernacle and the utensils of it, while they were in their march through the wilderness. In David’s time their number was increased; and, though the greater part of them was dispersed all the nation over, to teach the people the good knowledge of the Lord, yet those that attended the house of God were so numerous that there was not constant work for them all; and therefore David, by special commission and direction from God, new-modelled the Levites, as we shall find in the latter part of this book. Here we are told what the work was which he assigned them.

      I. Singing-work, v. 31. David was raised up on high to be the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam. xxiii. 1), not only to pen psalms, but to appoint the singing of them in the house of the Lord (not so much because he was musical as because he was devout), and this he did after that the ark had rest. While that was in captivity, obscure, and unsettled, the harps were hung upon the willow-trees: singing was then thought unseasonable (when the bridegroom is taken away they shall fast); but the harps being resumed, and the songs revived, at the bringing up of the ark, they were continued afterwards. For we should rejoice as much in the prolonging of our spiritual privileges as in the restoring of them. When the service of the ark was much superseded by its rest they had other work cut out for them (for Levites should never be idle) and were employed in the service of song. Thus when the people of God come to the rest which remains for them above they shall take leave of all their burdens and be employed in everlasting songs. These singers kept up that service in the tabernacle till the temple was built, and then they waited on their office there, v. 32. When they came to that stately magnificent house they kept as close both to their office and to their order as they had done in the tabernacle. It is a pity that the preferment of the Levites should ever make them remiss in their business. We have here an account of the three great masters who were employed in the service of the sacred song, with their respective families; for they waited with their children, that is, such as descended from them or were allied to them, v. 33. Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were the three that were appointed to this service, one of each of the three houses of the Levites, that there might be an equality in the distribution of this work and honour, and that every one might know his post, such an admirable order was there in this choir service. 1. Of the house of Kohath was Heman with his family (v. 33), a man of a sorrowful spirit, if it be the same Heman that penned the 88th psalm, and yet a singer. He was the grandson of Samuel the prophet, the son of Joel, of whom it is said that he walked not in the ways of Samuel (1Sa 8:2; 1Sa 8:3); but it seems, though the son did not, the grandson did. Thus does the blessing entailed on the seed of the upright sometimes pass over one generation and fasten upon the next. And this Heman, though the grandson of that mighty prince, did not think it below him to be a precentor in the house of God. David himself was willing to be a door-keeper. Rather we may look upon this preferment of the grandson in the church as a recompense for the humble modest resignation which the grandfather made of his authority in the state. Many such ways God has of making up his people’s losses and balancing their disgraces. Perhaps David, in making Heman the chief, had some respect to his old friend Samuel. 2. Of the house of Gershom was Asaph, called his brother, because in the same office and of the same tribe, though of another family. He was posted on Heman’s right hand in the choir, v. 39. Several of the psalms bear his name, being either penned by him or tuned by him as the chief musician. It is plain that he was the penman of some psalms; for we read of those that praised the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph. He was a seer as well as a singer, 2 Chron. xxix. 30. His pedigree is traced up here, through names utterly unknown, as high as Levi, v. 39-43. 3. Of the house of Merari was Ethan (v. 44), who was appointed to Heman’s left hand. His pedigree is also traced up to Levi, v. 47. If these were the Heman and Ethan that penned the 88th and 89th psalms, there appears no reason here why they should be called Ezrahites (see the titles of those psalms), as there does why those should be called so who are mentioned ch. ii. 6, and who were the sons of Zerah.

      II. There was serving-work, abundance of service to be done in the tabernacle of the house of God (v. 48), to provide water and fuel,–to wash and sweep, and carry out ashes,–to kill, and flay, and boil the sacrifices; and to all such services there were Levites appointed, those of other families, or perhaps those that were not fit to be singers, that had either no good voice or no good ear. As every one has received the gift, so let him minister. Those that could not sing must not therefore be laid aside as good for nothing; though they were not fit for that service, there was other service they might be useful in.

      III. There was sacrificing-work, and that was to be done by the priests only, v. 49. They only were to sprinkle the blood and burn the incense; as for the work of the most holy place, that was to be done by the high priest only. Each had his work, and they both needed one another and both helped one another in it. Concerning the work of the priests we are here told, 1. What was the end they were to have in their eye. They were to make an atonement for Israel, to mediate between the people and God; not to magnify and enrich themselves, but to serve the public. They were ordained for men. 2. What was the rule they were to have in their eye. They presided in God’s house, yet must do as they were bidden, according to all that God commanded. That law the highest are subject to.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

Singers’ Families, Verses 31-48

Interesting things may be learned from this list of the singers and their genealogies. Back in the wilderness these families were first utilized to convey the various parts of the tabernacle and its furniture from camp to camp. The Kohathites carried the holy furniture on staves on their shoulders; the Gershonites had two wagons by which they conveyed the curtains, hangings, skins, etc; the Merarites had four wagons for carrying the boards, bars, pillars and other heavy items. But after they came into Canaan the Levites were no longer needed for these tasks.

The Levites were distributed throughout the tribes in designated cities where the should have performed the services of instruction in the law, judges in matters, and spiritual examples. How well they succeeded is not entirely clear, but it is doubtful that they exercised their potential of influence, due to their own negligence as well as that of the people. In David’s time he organized them into various orders of temple service which continued to the captivity. The singers, who became outstanding among the Levites, are enumerated here, but verse 48 makes clear that their brethren had offices of service also.

There were three chief groups of the singers and musicians, each under a leader who became quite prominent in Israelite history. Each of the groups pertained to a different one of the three sons of Levi. Thus Heman was of the family of Kohath, and seems to be the chief of all the singers. On his right hand stood Asaph, who was of the family of Gershom, while on his left stood Ethan of the family of Merari.

The family of Heman is particularly interesting because he was the grandson of Samuel the prophet (spelled Shemuel here), and was also descended from the rebel Korah who was swallowed alive in the earth during the wilderness wandering because of his sin (Numbers -Chapter 16). Asaph and his sons were responsible for some of the psalms in the Book of Psalms. Ethan also was a psalmist (Psalms 89).

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

(31) Set over the service of song.Literally, made stand by the sides (hands) of song, as if to minister to the sacred music. (Comp. 1Ch. 25:2-3, where the same peculiar phrase recurs, and Psa. 123:2, as the eyes of slaves are unto the hand of their Lord. Comp. also the common heading of the Psalms, to the conductor or precentor; Authorised Version, chief musician.)

In the house of the Lord.In Davids time, a tent, as next verse declares.

After that the ark had rest.Perhaps locative: at the restin-place of the Ark (comp. Gen. 8:9). From the time of its capture by the Philistines (2Sa. 6:17), the Ark had no certain dwelling till it was lodged in the tent which David spread for it on Mount Zion.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

31. Whom David set over the service of song See on 1Ch 15:16.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

These verses give us the relation of the order respecting the psalmody in the house of the Lord. David himself is stilled, the sweet Psalmist of Israel: and it appears, from what is here said, that he presided in the choir of singers, and gave them their several stations. Some of the characters here mentioned, are noticed in the book of Psalms. Heman’s name stands at the head of Psa 88 . Ethan at Psa 89 . Asaph at several, Psa 73 to Psa 83 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

service = the hands: hands being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the work done by them.

ark had rest. See 1Ch 16:1, notes on 1Ch 13:3, and Exo 25:22.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

1ch 6:31-48

1Ch 6:31-48

“And these are they that David set over the service of song in the house of Jehovah, after that the ark had rest. And they ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem: and they waited on their office according to their order. And these are they that waited, and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, the son lzhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel. And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea, the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Maichijah, the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi. And on their left hand their brethren the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. And their brethren the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.”

E.M. Zerr:

1Ch 6:31. Since the preceding para. graph extends to the captivity, it would include the period of David’s work. After the ark had rest refers to the time when David had brought the ark to Jerusalem and placed it in the tent pitched for it. (2Sa 6:1-17.)

1Ch 6:32. The tabernacle was the building that Moses erected at Sinai, and the house of the Lord was the temple that Solomon built to be used instead of the tabernacle. Not being descended from Kohath, these people had no work in the priesthood. They were therefore employed in this sere vice according to David’s appointment. According to their order means according to the directions that David gave them. Each of the men served as he was bidden, so that order was maintained in the service.

1Ch 6:33-38. The group of the Ko hathites was eligible for the priestly service. However, since their service in that capacity was not always needed, they could be employed otherwise. In the present instance we see they were engaged in the song service. Furthermore, the descendants of Kohath were in the priestly group, yet some of them might be disqualified for that service because lacking in some personal requirements. (Lev 21:1-8.) But while disqualified for that service, they could be useful in other forms of service about the Lord’s institution.

1Ch 6:39-47. Stood . . . left hand. This was arranged for the purpose of maintaining good order in the service. God has always manifested a desire for order and not confusion. Paul taught this principle in 1Co 14:33.

1Ch 6:48. There were many services pertaining to the tabernacle in general, that did not require the special qualifications of a priest, and yet which should be done by the specially chosen tribe. Also, by the ones who did have the priestly qualifications previously, but had lived past the age limit. There was plenty of useful work to be done and they were to have the privilege of doing so. (Deu 18:6-8.)

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

am 2962, bc 1042

whom David: 1Ch 15:16-22, 1Ch 15:27, 1Ch 25:1-31

after that: 1Ch 16:1, 2Sa 6:17, Psa 132:8, Psa 132:14

Reciprocal: 1Ch 9:33 – the singers 1Ch 23:5 – praised 1Ch 23:30 – stand 1Ch 28:2 – rest 2Ch 7:6 – the Levites 2Ch 8:14 – the Levites 2Ch 34:12 – all Ezr 3:10 – after the ordinance Ezr 7:7 – singers Eze 40:44 – chambers

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1Ch 6:31. And these Whose names follow, are they whom David set over the service Appointed to minister to God by singing songs of praise in his house; after that the ark had rest After David had brought it from the house of Obed-edom, and settled it in Jerusalem, 2Sa 8:17.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

6:31 And these [are they] whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had {f} rest.

(f) After it was brought to the place where the temple would be built and was no longer carried to and fro.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes