For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

For the king's commandment was concerning them, and an order among the singing men day by day.

For it was the king's commandment concerning them, and there was a settled portion for the singers, due for each day.

for the command of the king is upon them, and support is for the singers, a matter of a day in its day.

For there was an order from the king about them and a regular amount for the music-makers, for their needs day by day.

For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a sure ordinance concerning the singers, as every day required.

In fact, there was a precept of the king about them, and an order among the singing men, throughout each day.

The goodwill of Artaxerxes toward the ministers employed in the temple service, had been previously shown by his exempting them from taxation of every kind Ezra 7:24. Now, it would seem, he had gone further and assigned to the singers an allowance from the royal revenue.

It was the king's commandment - By the king some understand David, and others Artaxerxes. It is most probable that it was the latter; who wished that a provision should be made for these, a part of whose office was to offer up prayers also, as well as praises. For we know that Darius made an ample provision for the priests, that they might offer sacrifices of sweet savor unto the God of heaven; and pray for the life of the king and of his sons, Ezra 6:10. Some have thought that they had been Jewish singers employed in the service of the Persian king, to whom he had given a salary, and to whom he wished still to continue the same.

For it was the king's commandment concerning them,.... Either of King David as some, see Nehemiah 12:24 or rather of the king of Persia:
that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day; he settled a daily salary for them, to be paid out of his treasury; having perhaps a peculiar respect for such sort of men, being a lover of music, by means of which they had a settled habitation in Jerusalem.

it was the king's commandment--It was the will of the Persian monarch in issuing his edict that the temple service should be revived in all its religious fulness and solemnity. As this special provision for the singers is said to have been by the king's commandment, the order was probably given at the request or suggestion of Ezra or Nehemiah.