Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 6:5

"And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of [instruments made of] fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals." — 2 Samuel 6:5 (ASV)

Played.—This word means dancing accompanied by music. (See 1 Samuel 18:7; 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:29, and others.)

On all kinds of instruments made of fir wood.—Instead of this strange expression, the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 13:8 has with all their might and with songs. The difference between the two is very slight in the Hebrew, and it is generally thought that the latter is the correct reading. The variation, however, must have been ancient, since the Septuagint combines the two.

Cornets.—This word occurs only here, and is thought from its etymology to mean some kind of metal instrument with bells or rings, which produced its sound on being shaken. The Vulgate translates sistra. Instead of it Chronicles has trumpets.