1 Chronicles27
New American Standard
1Now this is the number of the sons of Israel, the heads of fathers’ households, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all the affairs of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout the months of the year, each division numbering twenty-four thousand:
2Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division for the first month; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
3He was from the sons of Perez, and was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month.
4Dodai the Ahohite and his division was in charge of the division for the second month, Mikloth being the chief officer; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
5The third commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, as chief; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
6This Benaiah was the mighty man of the thirty, and was in charge of thirty; and over his division was his son Ammizabad.
7The fourth, for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
8The fifth, for the fifth month was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
9The sixth, for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
10The seventh, for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
11The eighth, for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
12The ninth, for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite of the Benjaminites; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
13The tenth, for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
14The eleventh, for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the sons of Ephraim; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
15The twelfth, for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
16Now in charge of the tribes of Israel: chief officer for the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;
17for Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok;
18for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;
20for the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
23But David did not count those twenty years of age and under, because the Lord had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to count them, but did not finish; and because of this, wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not included in the account of the chronicles of King David.
25Now Azmaveth the son of Adiel was responsible for the king’s storehouses. And Jonathan the son of Uzziah was responsible for the storehouses in the country, the cities, the villages, and the towers.
26Ezri the son of Chelub was responsible for the agricultural workers who tilled the soil.
27Shimei the Ramathite was responsible for the vineyards; and Zabdi the Shiphmite was responsible for the produce of the vineyards stored in the wine cellars.
28Baal-hanan the Gederite was responsible for the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah; and Joash was responsible for the stores of oil.
29Shitrai the Sharonite was responsible for the cattle which were grazing in Sharon; and Shaphat the son of Adlai was responsible for the cattle in the valleys.
30Obil the Ishmaelite was responsible for the camels; and Jehdeiah the Meronothite was responsible for the donkeys.
31Jaziz the Hagrite was responsible for the flocks. All these were overseers of the property which belonged to King David.
32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni tutored the king’s sons.
33Ahithophel was counselor to the king; and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
34Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar succeeded Ahithophel; and Joab was the commander of the king’s army.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 27.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David's military force. (1–15). Princes and officers. (16–34).
vv1-15
In the kingdoms of this world readiness for war forms a security for peace; in like manner, nothing so much encourages Satan's assaults as to be unwatchful. So long as we stand armed with the whole armour of God, in the exercise of faith, and preparation of heart for the conflict, we shall certainly be safe, and probably enjoy inward peace.
vv16-34
The officers of the court, or the rulers of the king's substance, had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his herds, his flocks, which formed the wealth of eastern kings. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry, and common persons show it in the choice of their advisers. David, though he had all these about him, preferred the word of God before them all. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.
Key Words
מִסְפָּר: a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
רֹאשׁ: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
שַׂר: a head person (of any rank or class)
אֶלֶף: hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
מֵאָה: a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
שֹׁטֵר: properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
שָׁרַת: to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
Cross References
1 Chronicles 27Detailed parallel account of David's census which brought divine wrath upon Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Jashobeam as the chief of David's mighty men.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains how Asahel, Joab's brother, was slain early in David's reign.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Highlights the mighty deeds and status of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Elihu as Eliab, David's eldest brother.
Supported by JFB
God's original promise to Abraham to make his descendants numerous as the stars.
Supported by JFB
Introduces Ahithophel as David's counselor who later conspired with Absalom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies Hushai the Archite as David's faithful friend and companion.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the use of high-ranking priestly/civil officials in royal administration.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions Sibbecai the Hushathite among David's mighty men.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Maharai the Netophathite as one of the elite thirty.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Hashabiah as a prominent Hebronite leader over the Levites.
Supported by JFB
Mentions Eleazar the son of Dodo, associated with Dodai the Ahohite.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Uzziah's extensive royal agricultural holdings and storehouses.
Supported by Matthew Henry