John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:8
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound ,.... That is not plain and manifest, so as that it cannot be known on what account it is given: who shall prepare himself to the battle ? the allusion is to the custom of many nations, Jews and others, who, when about to engage in war, made use of musical instruments, particularly the trumpet, to gather the soldiers together, prepare them for the battle, give them notice of it, and animate them to it F25 Vid Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l.... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:7
And even things without life giving sound ,.... He instances in things inanimate, that have neither reason, sense, nor life, in musical instruments, and these of various sorts: whether pipe or harp ; wind music, or hand music; either that which is blown with the breath, or pressed or stricken with the hand: except they give a distinction in the sounds ; or "tunes", so as one may be discerned from another; as that this is such a musical note, and that is another: how shall it be... read more