Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 15:16
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
16. psalteries ] See note on 1Ch 13:8.
sounding, by lifting up ] R.V. sounding aloud and lifting up. So. 1Ch 15:19 ; 1Ch 16:42.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The singers – Singing had long been recognized as appropriate to religious ceremonies Exo 15:21; Jdg 5:1; 1Ch 13:8; but this is the first occasion on which we find the duty of conducting musical services expressly laid on the Levites. Henceforth, the services of the tabernacle and the temple were regularly choral, and a considerable section of the Levites was trained in musical knowledge, and set apart to conduct this portion of the national worship.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
16-24. David spake to the chief ofthe Levites to appoint . . . the singers with instrumentsTheseeminent Levites were instructed to train the musicians and singerswho were under them, for the solemn procession. The performers wereranged in three choirs or bands, and the names of the principalleaders are given (1Ch 15:17;1Ch 15:18; 1Ch 15:21),with the instruments respectively used by each. “Ben” (1Ch15:18) is omitted (1Ch 15:20).Either it was used merely as a common noun, to intimate thatZechariah was the son of Jaaziel or Aziel, or Ben is the same asAzaziah [1Ch 15:21].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And David spake to the chief of the Levites,…. The six before mentioned, 1Ch 15:11
to appoint their brethren to be the singers; before the ark, as they brought it up:
with instruments of music, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals; which were used in those times, see 2Sa 6:5
sounding by lifting up the voice with joy; the instrumental music was to be attended with vocal music, and that very sonorous and loud, and performed with all tokens of inward joy and gladness, as the occasion required.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
David gave the princes of the Levites a further charge to appoint singers with musical instruments for the solemn procession, which they accordingly did. , instruments to accompany the song. In 1Ch 15:16 three kinds of these are named: , nablia , , which Luther has translated by psalter, corresponds to the Arabic santir, which is an oblong box with a broad bottom and a somewhat convex sounding-board, over which strings of wire are stretched; an instrument something like the cithara. , harps, more properly lutes, as this instrument more resembled our lute than the harp, and corresponded to the Arabic catgut instrument el ud ( l – c ud ); cf. Wetzstein in Delitzsch, Isaiah, S. 702, der 2 Aufl., where, however, the statement that the santir is essentially the same as the old German cymbal, vulgo Hackebrett, is incorrect, and calculated to bring confusion into the matter, for the cymbal was an instrument provided with a small bell. , the later word for , cymbals, castanets; see on 2Sa 6:5. does not belong to the three before-mentioned instruments (Berth.), but, as is clear from 1Ch 15:19, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5, 1Ch 16:42, undoubtedly only to (Bttcher, Neue krit. Aehrenlese, iii. S. 223); but the meaning is not “modulating,” but “sounding clear or loud,” – according to the proper meaning of the word, to make to hear. The infinitive clause belongs to the preceding sentence: “in order to heighten the sound (both of the song and of the instrumental music) to joy,” i.e., to the expression of joy. is frequently used to express festive joy: cf. 1Ch 15:25, 2Ch 23:18; 2Ch 29:30; but also as early as in 2Sa 6:12; 1Sa 18:6; Jdg 16:23, etc. – In 1Ch 15:17, 1Ch 15:18 the names of the singers and players are introduced; then in 1Ch 15:19-21 they are named in connection with the instruments they played; and finally, in 1Ch 15:22-24, the other Levites and priests who took part in the celebration are mentioned. The three chief singers, the Kohathite Heman, the Gershonite Asaph, and the Merarite Ethan, form the first class. See on 1Ch 6:33, 1Ch 6:39, and 1Ch 6:44. To the second class ( , cf. , 2Ki 23:4) belonged thirteen or fourteen persons, for in 1Ch 15:21 an Azaziah is named in the last series who is omitted in 1Ch 15:18; and it is more probable that his name has been dropped out of 1Ch 15:18 than that it came into our text, 1Ch 15:21, by an error. In 1Ch 15:18 comes in after by an error or transcription, as we learn from the w before the following name, and from a comparison of 1Ch 15:20 and 1Ch 15:25. The name is in 1Ch 15:20 written , Yodh being rejected; and in 1Ch 16:5 it is , which is probably only a transcriber’s error, since occurs along with it both in 1Ch 15:18 and in 1Ch 16:5. The names Benaiah and Maaseiah, which are repeated in 1Ch 15:20, have been there transposed. All the other names in vv.18 and 20 coincide.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(16) David spake to the chief.Ordered the chiefs (srm).
To appoint their brethren to be the singers.To station or assign places to their clansmen, the minstrels.
Psalteries and harps.Harps and lutes, or guitars (nblm and kinnrth).
Sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.So far as grammar goes, the participle sounding (Heb., causing to heari.e., making a loud noise) might refer to the musicians, or to all the instruments mentioned, or to the last kind (the cymbals) only. The third reference is the best, because of the special sense of the verb. (Comp. 1Ch. 15:19 and Psa. 150:5 : loud cymbals, i.e., cymbals of sound or hearing.) Translate: harps and lutes and clashing cymbals, in order to swell the sound for gladness: that is, to express and enhance the rejoicing. (Comp. 2Ch. 5:13.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music Already many of the Levites were skilled in vocal and instrumental music, otherwise they could not, upon so short a notice, have entered at once upon the service of song to which David called them. But sacred music had long been cultivated in Israel, and the schools of the prophets had probably carried it to a considerable degree of perfection. It is possible that some kind of musical service had also already become a part of the tabernacle worship, but it seems to have been the exalted genius of David that first made it a fixed and permanent part of Levitical service; and the new regime was appropriately inaugurated with the removal of the ark to its new tabernacle in Jerusalem. On the musical instruments here named see notes at 1Sa 10:5; 2Sa 6:5.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ch 15:16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
Ver. 16. And David spake to the chief of the Levites ] From hence it appeareth, saith one, that this sacred music, vocal and instrumental, was in use even before David’s time; though there be no mention made of it in the law: but David did afterwards illustrate it. 1Ch 25:1-7
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
brethren: i.e. fellow-tribesmen. See note on the names in 1Ch 15:17 below.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Ch 15:16-24
1Ch 15:16-24
THE LEVITES APPOINT SINGERS AND INSTRUMENTALISTS
“And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, sounding aloud, and lifting up the voice with joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaia; and with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeeprs. So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed with cymbals of brass to sound aloud; And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries set to Alamoth; and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps set to the Sheminith, to lead. And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful. And Berechiah, and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark. And Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow the trumpets before the ark of God; and Obed-edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.”
“The psalteries set on Alamoth … the harps set on Sheminith” (1 Chronicles 15:20,21). It is not definitely known just what these instructions indicated.
The detailed description here of the ceremonies that accompanied David’s bringing the ark to Jerusalem was the Chronicler’s way of emphasizing the importance of that event. “The bringing of the ark into Jerusalem brought about a permanent centralization of the religion of Israel within Jerusalem.”
E.M. Zerr:
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
And David: 2Ch 30:12, Ezr 7:24-28, Isa 49:23
chief: 1Ch 15:12, Act 14:23, 1Ti 3:1-15, 2Ti 2:2, Tit 1:5
the singers: 1Ch 15:27, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 6:31-38, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 16:42, 1Ch 23:5, 1Ch 25:1-6, 2Ch 29:28-30, Neh 12:36, Neh 12:46, Psa 87:7, Psa 149:3, Psa 150:3, Psa 150:4
lifting up: 2Ch 5:13, Ezr 3:10, Ezr 3:11, Neh 12:43, Psa 81:1, Psa 92:1-3, Psa 95:1, Psa 100:1, Jer 33:11
Reciprocal: 2Sa 6:15 – with shouting 1Ch 9:33 – the singers 1Ch 15:19 – General 1Ch 15:22 – song 1Ch 16:5 – Asaph 2Ch 5:12 – the Levites 2Ch 7:6 – the Levites 2Ch 8:14 – the Levites 2Ch 20:19 – Levites 2Ch 23:13 – the singers 2Ch 29:25 – And he set 2Ch 34:12 – all Neh 12:27 – thanksgivings Psa 33:2 – Praise Psa 68:24 – even Psa 92:3 – instrument Psa 98:5 – General Psa 150:5 – the loud cymbals Dan 3:10 – the cornet
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 15:16. By lifting up the voice with joy Singing so loud that all might hear, and having their hearts lifted up to God with joy. There was scarce any solemn service performed to their gods, either by Greeks or barbarians, without both vocal and instrumental music.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
15:16 And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers with {g} instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
(g) These instruments and other ceremonies which they observed, were instructions of their infancy, which continued to the coming of Christ.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
4. The joy produced by God’s presence 15:16-16:6
David provided for a full orchestra and choir to sing God’s praises at his new worship center. He originated musical guilds and services. [Note: See W. F. Albright, Archaeology and the Religion of Israel, pp. 125-26.] God’s presence in Israel’s capital symbolized His leadership over the nation, and it brought great joy to all the godly. This incident (1Ch 15:16) marked the beginning of the Levitical singers’ ministry in Israel (1Ch 16:7).
Michal possessed a different spirit, however (1Ch 15:16). Her concept of kingship in Israel was her father’s, namely, that the human king was the ultimate authority in Israel as in other ancient Near Eastern countries. It was her attitude, rather than David’s actions, that was despicable.
According to the Mosaic Law, individual Israelites were to bring their sacrificial animals to the sanctuary and slay them themselves (Lev 1:3-5; Lev 3:2; 1Ch 16:1-2). Only the priests were to place the blood and other parts of the animals on the altar (Lev 1:5; Lev 3:2; Lev 3:5). How could David, clothed in a priestly garment (1Ch 15:27), offer sacrifices to God since he was not an Aaronic priest? Evidently he did so as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, fulfilling the provisions of the Abrahamic Covenant, rather than as an Aaronic priest serving under the Mosaic Covenant. [Note: See Thomas L. Constable, "A Theology of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth," in A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, p. 96.] David realized he was the king promised to the patriarchs (Gen 17:6; Gen 49:10; et al.) for whom Israel had been looking (cf. 1Sa 2:10). [Note: See Eugene H. Merrill, "The Book of Ruth: Narration and Shared Themes," Bibliotheca Sacra 142:566 (April-June 1985):136; and Aubrey Johnson, Sacral Kingship in Ancient Israel, pp. 27-46.]
"David functioned as the type for the Messiah as a king who is also a priest." [Note: Thompson, p. 138.]
David personalized God’s blessing on Israel by giving each participant bread, meat, and fruit, which were emblems of fruitfulness (1Ch 16:3).