23 For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
23 The musicians were under the king's orders, which regulated their daily activity.
23 For there was a command from the king concerning them, and a fixed provision for the singers, as every day required.
23 The singers got their orders from the king, who drew up their daily schedule.
23 For it was the king's command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day.
23 Their daily responsibilities were carried out according to the terms of a royal command.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 11:23
Chapter Contents
The distribution of the people.
In all ages, men have preferred their own ease and advantage to the public good. Even the professors of religion too commonly seek their own, and not the things of Christ. Few have had such attachment to holy things and holy places, as to renounce pleasure for their sake. Yet surely, our souls should delight to dwell where holy persons and opportunities of spiritual improvement most abound. If we have not this love to the city of our God, and to every thing that assists our communion with the Saviour, how shall we be willing to depart hence; to be absent from the body, that we may be present with the Lord? To the carnal-minded, the perfect holiness of the New Jerusalem would be still harder to bear than the holiness of God's church on earth. Let us seek first the favour of God, and his glory; let us study to be patient, contented, and useful in our several stations, and wait, with cheerful hope, for admission into the holy city of God.