They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.
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...
Commenting on 1 Chronicles 6:31-53
And their brethren, the sons of Merari,.... Who were the brethren of the Kohathites and Gershonites, descending from the same ancestor Levi: stood on the left hand; that is, of Heman, see Ch1 6:39, the chief of whom was Ethan, sometimes called Jeduthun, Ch1 16:41 and often in the book of Psalms; his genealogy is traced up to Levi thus; Kishi, called Kushaiah, Ch1 15:17...
before the dwelling-place, &c.--that is, in the tent which David had erected for receiving the ark after it was removed from the house of Obed-edom [Sa2 6:17]. This was a considerable time before the temple was built. they waited on their office according to their order--which David, doubtless by the direction of the Holy Spirit, had instituted for the better regulation of divine worship.