1 Chronicles 27NIV
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1 Chronicles27

New International Version

1This is the list of the Israelites—heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

2In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division.

3He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army officers for the first month.

4In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division.

5The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division.

6This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

7The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah was his successor. There were 24,000 men in his division.

8The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

9The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

10The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

11The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

12The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

13The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

14The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

15The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division.

16The leaders of the tribes of Israel: over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zikri; over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maakah;

17over Levi: Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron: Zadok;

18over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David; over Issachar: Omri son of Michael;

19over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel;

20over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah; over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah;

21over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner;

22over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.

24Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David.

25Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers.

26Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land.

27Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

28Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills. Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil.

29Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

30Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

31Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

32Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons.

33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant.

34Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the royal army.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 27.

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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.

Cross References

1 Chronicles 27

Detailed 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

v52 Samuel 23:20thematic

Highlights the mighty deeds and status of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v181 Samuel 16:6thematic

Identifies Elihu as Eliab, David's eldest brother.

Supported by JFB

v23Genesis 15:5allusion

God's original promise to Abraham to make his descendants numerous as the stars.

Supported by JFB

v332 Samuel 15:12thematic

Introduces Ahithophel as David's counselor who later conspired with Absalom.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v332 Samuel 15:37thematic

Identifies Hushai the Archite as David's faithful friend and companion.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v51 Kings 4:5thematic

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

v132 Samuel 23:28thematic

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