At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.
We have read of the building of the wall of Jerusalem with a great deal of fear and trembling; we have here an account of the dedicating of it with a great deal of joy and triumph. Those that sow in tears shall thus reap. I.
Commenting on Nehemiah 12:27-43
And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together,.... Such of the Levites that were singers, and their sons that were trained up as such: both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem the plain of Jordan by Jericho, and the plain of Saron and Lydda: and from the villages of Netophathi: see Ch1 9:16, here they dwelt, when not in their courses, to...
SUCCESSION OF THE HIGH PRIESTS. (Neh. 12:10-47) Jeshua begat Joiakim, &c.--This enumeration was of great importance, not only as establishing their individual purity of descent, but because the chronology of the Jews was henceforth to be reckoned, not as formerly by the reigns of their kings, but by the successions of their high priests.
Commenting on Nehemiah 12:10-47