2 Chronicles 20:19

And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) And the Levites.—The Levites are the first to rise up, in order to break forth into a hymn of thanksgiving.

Of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites.—Sons of the Kohathites specifies the clan, and sons of the Korhites the house of the musicians who rose up on this occasion. The Korhites were the leading division of Kohath (1Chronicles 6:22). And is explanatory; even, namely some of the sons of Korah. The “sons of Korah” were a guild of Levitical minstrels of the first rank. (Comp. the headings of many psalms, e.g., 44-49, connecting them with their authorship.)

To praise the Lord God of Israel.—1Chronicles 16:14 (hallel).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

20:14-19 The Spirit of prophecy came upon a Levite in the midst of the congregation. The Spirit, like the wind, blows where and on whom He listeth. He encouraged them to trust in God. Let the Christian soldier go out against his spiritual enemies, and the God of peace will make him more than a conqueror. Our trials will prove our gain. The advantage will be all our own, but the whole glory must be given to God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

By the "cliff (or, rather - as in the margin - ascent) of Ziz," we must understand the mountain path which leads up from Engedi across the elevated tract still known as El-Husasah, in the direction of Tekoa 2 Chronicles 20:20.

At the end of the brook - Rather, "at the end of the gulley," or dry torrent-course. No name like Jeruel has been as yet found in this district.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19. the Levites … stood up to praise the Lord—doubtless by the king's command. Their anthem was sung with such a joyful acclaim as showed that they universally regarded the victory as already obtained.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The Levites stood up, by Jehoshaphat’s appointment.

With a loud voice on high, i.e. with most loud voice, with heart and voice lifted up; whereby they showed their full assurance of the victory, as if it were already accomplished.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites,.... Who were of the posterity of Kohath, in the line of Korah:

stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high; in high notes; they being the course in turn at this time for this service.

Geneva Study Bible

And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

19. the Korhites] R.V. the Korahites. The Korahites were a branch of the Kohathites (1 Chronicles 6:22 [7 Heb.], 37, 38 [22, 23 Heb.]); the Chronicler simply defines his first statement; those who stood up to praise were Kohathites by clan, Korahites by family.

a loud voice on high] R.V. an exceeding loud voice.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - Of the children of the Korhites; i.e., with Revised Version, of the Korahites, who were the best of the Kohathite family (1 Chronicles 6:22; also at head of Psalm 42-49, Authorized Version and Revised Version). Keil would translate, "Of the sons of Kohath, yea, of the Korahites." 2 Chronicles 20:19

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

For this comforting assurance the king and people thanked the Lord, falling down in worship before Him, whereupon the Levites stood up to praise God with a loud voice. Levites "of the sons of Kohath, yea, of the Korahites," for they were descended from Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:22).