With psalteries on Alamoth - Some suppose that the word signifies virgins, or women singers, the persons mentioned here being appointed to accompany them with psalteries, and preside over them. The Vulgate says arcana cantabant , they sang secret things or mysteries; probably prophetic hymns. read more
On the Sheminith - According to the Targum, this signifies an instrument that sounded an octave, or, according to others, an instrument with eight strings. The Syriac and Arabic have it, instruments to sing with daily, at the third, sixth, and ninth hour; the Vulgate, an octave, for a song of victory: some think the eighth band of the musicians is intended, who had the strongest and most sonorous voices; and that it is in this sense that shelomith and lenatstseach should be... read more
Chenaniah - he instructed about the song - This appears to have been the master singer; he gave the key and the time, for he presided במשא bemassa , in the elevation, probably meaning what is called pitching the tune, for he was skillful in music, and powerful in his voice, and well qualified to lead the band: be might have been precentor. read more
There are few happier, and perhaps no better, chapters in any one's life than the chapter of practical repentance. To have to sorrow over the past and to undo it is, no doubt, the incident of a fallen nature and of a frail, imperfect life. When once, however, the necessity has arisen, then to sorrow no barren sorrow, but to add to it reparation, alteration, amendment, is at one and the same time to fling a just, manly defiance at the merciless spirit of remorse and to pay the merited homage... read more
To appoint their brethren to be the singers . This was the first step towards what we have already read in 1 Chronicles 6:31-39 , 1 Chronicles 6:44 ; 1 Chronicles 9:33 , 1 Chronicles 9:34 (where see notes). read more
Ben . This word is either altogether an accidental interpolation, or a remnant of some statement of the patronymic character regarding Zechariah. Another indication of the state of the text in this verse is to be found in the probable omission of the name Azazgah of verse 21, after Jeiel. It will be observed that no trace of this word Ben is found in the repeated list of verse 20. read more
The psalteries on Alamoth ( 1 Chronicles 15:20 ), and harps on the Sheminith to excel ( 1 Chronicles 15:21 ), are descriptions the exact significance of which is not yet satisfactorily ascertained. Yet their connection in a series of four divisions of musical duty does throw some light upon them. These four verses manifestly purport to describe a special part to be performed by those of whom they respectively speak. Gesenius explains psalteries on Alamoth to mean such instruments as... read more
For song . There is considerable diversity of opinion as to the meaning of this word. Some think its meaning to be "in the carrying ( בַּמַּשָׂא )" i.e. of the ark. Its exact position here seems not unfavourable to such interpretation. On the other hand, its position in 1 Chronicles 15:27 seems conclusively to point to the translation of the Septuagint and of our Authorized Version in this place as the correct one. Dr. Murphy, however, to escape this, thinks "with the singers" in 1... read more
Berechiah and Elkanah . It appears from the following verse that there was also another couple of doorkeepers ( i.e. persons to protect the openings of the ark, that it should not be opened), viz. Obed-edom and Jehiah. read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 15:17
- Heman - Asaph - Ethan - These were the three chief musicians in the time of David; see 1 Chronicles 6:31 . read more