(5, 6) The names of the persons appointed--ten Levites and two priests--all of whom but one, Jahaziel, were in the procession described in 1 Chronicles 15:19-21.
Asaph the chief, and next to him (his second) Zechariah.--See 1 Chronicles 15:18.
Verse 5. - Obed-edom. No colon should follow this name. And the first time of the occurrence of the name Jeiel in this verse should probably have shown the Jaaziel of 1 Chronicles 15:18. The contents of this verse put us, then, into possession of this much, that Asaph presided (1 Chronicles 6:39) at this musical service, and that his instrument was the cymbals (1 Chronicles 15:19), with which time was kept; that Zechariah was next to him, and, with eight others formed a band, who played on psalteries (or lutes) and harps. If we may guide ourselves by vers. 20, 21 of the preceding chapter, three of these - viz. Mattithia, Jeiel, Obed-edom - performed on the harp, the other six on the psaltery, or lute.
16:1-6 Though God's word and ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall shine out of obscurity. This was but a tent, a humble dwelling, yet this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of with so much affection. David showed himself generous to his subjects, as he had found God gracious to him. Those whose hearts are enlarged with holy joy, should show it by being open-handed.
Asaph the chief,.... Of those that were now appointed: otherwise, of the three principal singers, Heman was the chief, and Asaph next, 1 Chronicles 6:33.
and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, with psalteries, and with harps; to play upon them before the ark at the same time the psalms and songs were vocally sung; the above persons are such as are named before, 1 Chronicles 15:18,
but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; he struck and played upon them, see 1 Chronicles 15:19.
Asaph the chief, and next to him (his second) Zechariah.--See 1 Chronicles 15:18.
Jeiel.--A scribe's error for "Jaaziel" (1 Chronicles 15:18).
With psalteries and with harps.--With instruments of harps and lutes (appositive or defining genitive).
But Asaph made a sound with cymbals.--Literally, and Asaph with cymbals clanging.
and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, with psalteries, and with harps; to play upon them before the ark at the same time the psalms and songs were vocally sung; the above persons are such as are named before, 1 Chronicles 15:18,
but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; he struck and played upon them, see 1 Chronicles 15:19.