Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:7

"Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." — 1 Corinthians 10:7 (ASV)

Do not be idolaters. This caution is evidently given considering the danger to which you would be exposed if you partook of the feasts celebrated in honor of idols in their temples. The particular idolatry referred to here is the worship of the golden calf that was made by Aaron, Exodus 32:1–6.

As it is written (Exodus 32:6):

The people sat down to eat and drink. This was to worship the golden calf. They partook of a feast in honor of that idol. I have already observed that it was common to hold a feast in honor of an idol, and that the food eaten on such an occasion was mainly the meat that had been offered in sacrifice to it. This instance was particularly suited to the apostle's purpose, as he was cautioning the Corinthians against the danger of participating in the feasts celebrated in the heathen temples.

And rose up to play. paizein. The Hebrew word used in Exodus 32:6 means to laugh, to sport, to jest, to mock, to insult (Genesis 21:9); and then to engage in dances accompanied with music, in honor of an idol. This was often practiced, as the worship of idols was celebrated with songs and dances. This is particularly affirmed of this instance of idol worship (Exodus 32:19); and this was common among ancient idolaters. This mode of worship was even adopted by David before the ark of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:6; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:29).

All that the word "to play" here necessarily implies is choral songs and dances, accompanied with revelry in honor of the idol. However, it was the fact that such worship was usually accompanied with much licentiousness, though that is not necessarily implied in the use of the word. Most Eastern dances were grossly indecent and licentious, and the word here may be intended to include such indelicacy and licentiousness.