1 Chronicles 27NKJV
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1 Chronicles27

New King James Version

1And the children of Israel, according to their number, the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers, served the king in every matter of the military divisions. These divisions came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division having twenty-four thousand.

2Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division were twenty-four thousand;

3he was of the children of Perez, and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.

4Over the division of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

5The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

6This was the Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty, and was over the thirty; in his division was Ammizabad his son.

7The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

8The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

16Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah;

17over the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; over the Aaronites, Zadok;

18over Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;

19over Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; over Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel;

20over the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;

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

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

23But David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, because the Lord had said He would multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens.

24Joab the son of Zeruiah began a census, but he did not finish, for wrath came upon Israel because of this census; nor was the number recorded in the account of the chronicles of King David.

25And Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s treasuries; and Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.

26Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground.

27And Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine.

28Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands, and Joash was over the store of oil.

29And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys.

30Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys,

31and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David’s property.

32Also Jehonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.

33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion.

34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king’s army was Joab.

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