1 Chronicles 6:39-43 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:31-53

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:39-43

And his brother Asaph ,.... That is, Heman's brother; so Asaph was, as he was a descendant from the same original ancestor Levi, yet in the line of Gershon; and as being of the same office, a precentor, or chief singer: who stood on his right hand ; he was next to Heman; Heman stood in the middle, which was the most honourable F8 "Alecto stetit in mediis----", Claudian in Rufin. l. 1. ver. 41. Vid. Barthii Animadv. in ib. , and Asaph on his right hand, and Ethan, after mentioned,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:39

Asaph - This person, with Heman, the sons of Kora, Ethan, Jeduthun, etc., are celebrated in these books, and in the Psalms, for their skill in singing, and the part they performed in the public worship of God. It is very likely that their singing was only a kind of recitative or chanting, such as we still find in the synagogues. It does not appear that God had especially appointed these singers, much less any musical instruments, (the silver trumpets excepted), to be employed in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:31-48

In the early verses of this section we may notice, if not the first beginning, yet some of the earliest crystallization of the forms of religious services. It was given to David to settle the ark after its travels through the wilderness, its sojourn in various places since then, doubtless always within the care of some Levitical family (except when taken by enemies, 1 Samuel 4:11 ; 1 Samuel 5:1-12 ; 1 Samuel 6:1-21 .), and in especial its prolonged twenty years' sojourn .at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:39

Asaph is called brother of Heman, either as brother in office or generally as relative in the degree of cousin by many removes. He stands fourteenth in line of descent after Levi, while Ethan ( 1 Chronicles 6:44 ) stands thirteenth. If the line of Heman (as given in 1 Chronicles 6:33-38 ) were correct. it would force on us the conviction that there are several omissions in these two lines; but if these are correct, we must conclude that there are unwarranted additions in the other.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Chronicles 6:31-48

The genealogies of David’s three chief singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan or Jeduthun.1 Chronicles 6:32They waited on their office - On the establishment and continuance of the choral service in the temple, see 2 Chronicles 5:12, 2 Chronicles 29:27-30; 2 Chronicles 35:15.1 Chronicles 6:33Heman - 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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Chronicles 6:39

1 Chronicles 6:39. His brother Asaph Asaph is here called Heman’s brother, according to the Hebrew phraseology, by which all near relations are brothers; and because he was of the same office and employment. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Chronicles 6:1-81

The Levites (6:1-81)Levi had three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The priesthood in Israel began with Aaron, who was descended from Levi through Kohath. From that time on, all Aaron’s descendants, and no others, were priests. This means that the Levites may be divided into four groups - the priestly Kohathites, the non-priestly Kohathites, the Gershonites and the Merarites.The Chronicler begins with the priestly line descended from Aaron through his son Eleazar, and traces the line to the... read more

E.W. Bullinger