1 Chronicles 27NLT
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1 Chronicles27

New Living Translation

1This is the list of Israelite generals and captains, and their officers, who served the king by supervising the army divisions that were on duty each month of the year. Each division served for one month and had 24,000 troops.

2Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was commander of the first division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the first month.

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

4Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah, was commander of the second division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the second month. Mikloth was his chief officer.

5Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest was commander of the third division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the third month.

6This was the Benaiah who commanded David’s elite military group known as the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was his chief officer.

7Asahel, the brother of Joab, was commander of the fourth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the fourth month. Asahel was succeeded by his son Zebadiah.

8Shammah the Izrahite was commander of the fifth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the fifth month.

9Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa was commander of the sixth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the sixth month.

10Helez, a descendant of Ephraim from Pelon, was commander of the seventh division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the seventh month.

11Sibbecai, a descendant of Zerah from Hushah, was commander of the eighth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the eighth month.

12Abiezer from Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin was commander of the ninth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the ninth month.

13Maharai, a descendant of Zerah from Netophah, was commander of the tenth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the tenth month.

14Benaiah from Pirathon in Ephraim was commander of the eleventh division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the eleventh month.

15Heled, a descendant of Othniel from Netophah, was commander of the twelfth division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the twelfth month.

16The following were the tribes of Israel and their leaders:TribeLeaderReuben Eliezer son of ZicriSimeon Shephatiah son of Maacah

17Levi Hashabiah son of KemuelAaron (the priests) Zadok

18Judah Elihu (a brother of David)Issachar Omri son of Michael

19Zebulun Ishmaiah son of ObadiahNaphtali Jeremoth son of Azriel

20Ephraim Hoshea son of AzaziahManasseh (west) Joel son of Pedaiah

21Manasseh in Gilead (east) Iddo son of ZechariahBenjamin Jaasiel son of Abner

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

23When David took his census, he did not count those who were younger than twenty years of age, because the Lord had promised to make the Israelites as numerous as the stars in heaven.

24Joab son of Zeruiah began the census but never finished it because the anger of God fell on Israel. The total number was never recorded in King David’s official records.

25Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the palace treasuries. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the regional treasuries throughout the towns, villages, and fortresses of Israel.

26Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who farmed the king’s lands.

27Shimei from Ramah was in charge of the king’s vineyards. Zabdi from Shepham was responsible for the grapes and the supplies of wine.

28Baal-hanan from Geder was in charge of the king’s olive groves and sycamore-fig trees in the foothills of Judah. Joash was responsible for the supplies of olive oil.

29Shitrai from Sharon was in charge of the cattle on the Sharon Plain. Shaphat son of Adlai was responsible for the cattle in the valleys.

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

31Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the king’s flocks of sheep and goats. All these officials were overseers of King David’s property.

32Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise counselor to the king, a man of great insight, and a scribe. Jehiel the Hacmonite was responsible for teaching the king’s sons.

33Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend.

34Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s 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