1 Chronicles27
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand.
2Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
3He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.
4Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite and his division, and Mikloth the ruler; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
5The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
6This is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty and over the thirty. Of 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 Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. 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 Zerahites. 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: of the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;
17of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;
18of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;
20of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.
23But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn’t finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn’t put into the account in the chronicles of King David.
25Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel. Over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers was Jonathan the son of Uzziah;
26Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub.
27Over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. Over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite.
28Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite. Over the cellars of oil was Joash.
29Over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite. Over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai.
30Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. Over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
31All these were the rulers of the property which was King David’s.
32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.
33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain 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