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1 Chronicles Chapter Twenty-seven

 

1 Chronicles 27 Outline of Contents

The Military Divisions (v.1~15)

Leaders of Tribes (v.16~24)

Other State Officials (v.25~34)

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 27

In this chapter we have an account of twelve military courses or twelve legions of soldiers with the captains of them that served David monthly in their turns 1 Chronicles 27:1 and of the princes of the several tribes 1 Chronicles 27:16 and of his economical rulers 1 Chronicles 27:25 and of his counsellors and general 1 Chronicles 27:32.

 

1 Chronicles 27:1  And 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.

   YLT  1And the sons of Israel after their number heads of the fathers and princes of the thousands and of the hundreds and their officers those serving the king in any matter of the courses that are coming in and going out month by month throughout all months of the year -- [are] in each course twenty and four thousand.

Now the children of Israel after their number .... Not the whole body of the people but the militia of the nation; for after the account of the division of the priests and Levites into courses follows an account of the militia of the nation being divided also into monthly courses; which though done in the beginning of David's reign as Kimchi and Jarchi observe yet is here related; and that it was so soon is clear from the instance of Asahel who was killed while David was king in Hebron 1 Chronicles 27:7 to wit:

the chief fathers; the chief men in the tribes the princes of them not the natural fathers of the soldiers in each course as a learned man suggestsF9Delaney's Life of King David vol. 1. p. 319. : since it can never be thought that such a number sprung from those as made a course of 24 000; for they are distinct from the captains and officers after mentioned under which the soldiers were; besides why should they be called "chief fathers?" these no doubt were the general officers or princes under which the captains and inferior officers were:

and captains of thousands and hundreds; in the several tribes:

and their officers; that were under them:

that served the king in any matter of the courses which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year; by which it appears that the militia of the kingdom was divided into twelve courses which served each month by turns; when one went out another came in; by which means the king was well supported and guarded and had an army at once at command upon any insurrection or war that might arise; and each course serving but one month in a year it was no great burden upon them even if they maintained themselves since they were at leisure the other eleven months to attend to their business; and especially if it was as Jarchi observes that not the poor but the rich were selected for this service:

of every course were twenty and four thousand; so that the twelve courses amounted to 288 000 men.

 

1 Chronicles 27:2  2 Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel and in his division were twenty-four thousand;

   YLT  2Over the first course for the first month [is] Jashobeam son of Zabdiel and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand;

Verses 2-15

Over the first course for the first month .... The month Nisan sometimes called Abib which was March:

was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel; the first and chief of David's worthies 1 Chronicles 11:11.

and in his course were twenty and four; and so in all the following ones; this man was of the posterity of Perez or Pharez a son of Judah and so had the preference and command of all the captains of the army for that month:

Dodai an Ahohite; the same with Dodo 1 Chronicles 11:12 was over the course of the second month the month Ziv sometimes called Jiar or April; and his lieutenant or successor was Mikloth:

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada a chief priest; or rather a prince a principal officer was general of the army for the third month Sivan or May; the same was mighty among the thirty and even above them for he was among the three mighty 1 Chronicles 11:22 and Ammizabad his son succeeded him or was his deputy when other ways employed: though led by our version here and following the Jewish writers I have called Benaiah a priest; see Gill on 1 Kings 2:31 yet I am now rather of opinion that he was not one; for though priests might bear arms on some occasions yet it is not likely that one should be in a constant military office and especially general of an army; and besides this man was of Kabzeel a city in the tribe of Judah which is not mentioned among the Levitical cities see 2 Samuel 23:20. Asahel the brother of Joab was over the course for the fourth month Tammuz or June and who being slain by Abner his son Zebadiah succeeded him: Shamhuth the same with Shammah 2 Samuel 23:11 and Shammoth 1 Chronicles 11:27 was captain for the fifth month Ab or July: Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite was over the course of the sixth month Elul or August see 1 Chronicles 11:28. Helez the Pelonite was captain for the seventh month Tisri or September see 1 Chronicles 11:27 the captain for the eighth month Marchesvan sometimes called Bul or October was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zarbites of the posterity of Zerah a son of Judah in the line of Hushah 1 Chronicles 4:4 the captain of the course for the ninth month Cisleu or November was Abiezer of Anethoth in the tribe of Benjamin see 1 Chronicles 11:28 Maharai of Netophah in the tribe of Judah and of the posterity of Zerah was over the course for the tenth month Tebet or December see 1 Chronicles 11:30 and the captain for the eleventh month Sheber or January was Benaiah of Pirathon in the tribe of Ephraim see 1 Chronicles 11:31 and over the course for the twelfth month Adar or February was Heldai the Netophathite the same with Heled 1 Chronicles 11:30 and who was of the posterity of Othniel the first judge in Israel Judges 1:13.

 

1 Chronicles 27:3  3 he was of the children of Perez and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.

   YLT  3of the sons of Perez [is] the head of all princes of the hosts for the first month.

 

1 Chronicles 27:4  4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai[a] an Ahohite and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  4And over the course of the second month [is] Dodai the Ahohite and his course and Mikloth [is] the president and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:5  5 The 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.

   YLT  5Head of the third host for the third month [is] Benaiah son of Jehoiada the head priest and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:6  6 This was the Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty and was over the thirty; in his division was Ammizabad his son.

   YLT  6This Benaiah [is] a mighty one of the thirty and over the thirty and [in] his course [is] Ammizabad his son.

 

1 Chronicles 27:7  7 The 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.

   YLT  7The fourth for the fourth month [is] Asahel brother of Joab and Zebadiah his son after him and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:8  8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth[b] the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  8The fifth for the fifth month [is] the prince Shamhuth the Izrahite and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:9  9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  9The sixth for the sixth month [is] Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:10  10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  10The seventh for the seventh month [is] Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:11  11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbechai the Hushathite of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  11The eighth for the eighth month [is] Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zarhite and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:12  12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite of the Benjamites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

  YLT  12The ninth for the ninth month [is] Abiezer the Antothite of the Benjamite and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:13  13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  13The tenth for the tenth month [is] Maharai the Netophathite of the Zarhite and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:14  14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  14Eleventh for the eleventh month [is] Benaiah the Pirathonite of the sons of Ephraim and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:15  15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai[c] the Netophathite of Othniel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

   YLT  15The twelfth for the twelfth month [is] Heldai the Netophathite of Othniel and on his course [are] twenty and four thousand.

 

1 Chronicles 27:16  16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites Shephatiah the son of Maachah;

  YLT  16And over the tribes of Israel: Of the Reubenite a leader [is] Eliezer son of Zichri; of the Simeonite Shephatiah son of Maachah;

Verses 16-22

Furthermore over the cities of Israel .... Were the following rulers or princes; the captains over the militia before named were of David's appointment; but these ruled over their respective tribes in their own right or by the choice of their tribes: the ruler of the tribe of Reuben was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the tribe of Simeon Shephatiah the son of Maachah; whether this was his father's or mother's name is not certain it being the name both of a man and woman: of the tribe of Levi Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites who were of the same tribe but being priests are thus distinguished from the Levites Zadok who was made high priest in the times of Solomon: of the tribe of Judah Elihu a brother of David's the same with Eliab 1 Samuel 16:6 of the tribe of Issachar Omri the son of Michael: of the tribe of Zebulun Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of the tribe of Naphtali Jerimoth the son of Azriel: of the tribe of Ephraim Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh on this side Jordan westward Joel the son of Pedaiah: of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead on the other side Jordan eastward Iddo the son of Zechariah: of the tribe of Benjamin Jaasiel the son of Abner the famous general on the side of Ishbosheth; of the tribe of Dan Azareel the son of Jeroham:

these were the princes of the tribes of Israel; of all excepting Gad and Asher who are omitted; perhaps he that was prince of the tribe of Reuben or else of the half tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan was ruler of Gad and Asher; these lying between Zebulun and Naphtali might be under the prince of one of them.

 

1 Chronicles 27:17  17 over the Levites Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; over the Aaronites Zadok;

   YLT  17of the Levite Hashabiah son of Kemuel; of the Aaronite Zadok;

 

1 Chronicles 27:18  18 over Judah Elihu one of David’s brothers; over Issachar Omri the son of Michael;

   YLT  18of Judah Elihu of the brethren of David; of Issachar Omri son of Michael;

 

1 Chronicles 27:19  19 over Zebulun Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; over Naphtali Jerimoth the son of Azriel;

   YLT  19of Zebulun Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; of Naphtali Jerimoth son of Azriel;

 

1 Chronicles 27:20  20 over the children of Ephraim Hoshea the son of Azaziah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh Joel the son of Pedaiah;

   YLT  20of the sons of Ephraim Hoshea son of Azaziah; of the half of the tribe of Manasseh Joel son of Pedaiah;

 

1 Chronicles 27:21  21 over the half–tribe of Manasseh in Gilead Iddo the son of Zechariah; over Benjamin Jaasiel the son of Abner;

   YLT  21of the half of Manasseh in Gilead Iddo son of Zechariah; of Benjamin Jaasiel son of Abner; of Dan Azareel son of Jeroham:

 

1 Chronicles 27:22  22 over Dan Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

   YLT  22these [are] heads of the tribes of Israel.

 

1 Chronicles 27:23  23 But 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.

   YLT  23And David hath not taken up their number from a son of twenty years and under for Jehovah said to multiply Israel as the stars of the heavens.

But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under .... Only those that were twenty years and upwards; but according to Cornelius BertramF11Lucubrat. Franktall c. 2. he numbered them that were under twenty though but sixteen seventeen eighteen or nineteen years of age provided they were of robust bodies and of a tall stature and able to bear arms; which he takes to be the sin of David in numbering the people being contrary to the law of God; yet though he had ordered them to be numbered and they were yet he would not take them and put them into the account of his chronicles as in the next verse that his sin might not be known see 2 Samuel 24:9.

because the Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars in the heavens; which are not to be numbered and therefore David sinned in attempting to number the people.

 

1 Chronicles 27:24  24 Joab 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.

   YLT  24Joab son of Zeruiah hath begun to number -- and hath not finished -- and there is for this wrath against Israel and the number hath not gone up in the account of the Chronicles of king David.

Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number .... By the order of David but entirely against his own will see 1 Chronicles 21:2

but he finished not; the two tribes of Benjamin and Levi not being counted by him 1 Chronicles 21:6.

because there fell wrath for it against Israel; the plague being broke forth before he had done numbering which put a stop to it 1 Chronicles 21:14.

neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of David; that which was brought in by Joab though imperfect was not entered into the diary journal or annals which David ordered to be written of all memorable events and transactions in his reign; and which were afterwards carried on by the kings of Judah often referred to in the preceding books; and this was done not because of the imperfection of the account but because David did not choose this sin of his should be transmitted to posterity though it has been notwithstanding this precaution of his.

 

1 Chronicles 27:25  25 And 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.

   YLT  25And over the treasures of the king [is] Azmaveth son of Adiel; and over the treasures in the field in the cities and in the villages and in the towers [is] Jehonathan son of Uzziah;

Verses 25-34

And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel .... The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer either by a levy on his own people or by the tribute of others: Jehonathan the son of Uzziah had the care of the storehouses in which were laid up what the fields cities villages and castles that belonged to the king produced whether by fruits gathered in or by rents collected: Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields employed in the tillage of the ground: Shimei of Ramath in the tribe of Benjamin had the care of the vineyards to see that they were dressed and pruned and kept in good order: Zabdi of Shepham Numbers 34:10 had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes both in the presses and in the cellars: Baalhanan of Gedor in the tribe of Judah Joshua 15:36 was over the olive and sycamore trees to see that they were well taken care of: and Joash was entrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited: Shitrai the Sharonite had the herds of cattle fed in Sharon committed to his trust; whether in Sharon beyond Jordan or that about Lydda and Joppa near the Mediterranean sea both affording fruitful pastures for herds; and this man being of Sharon was a fit man to be employed in such service: and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over those herds that were in the valleys where were good pastures for them; such officers Pharaoh king of Egypt had Genesis 47:6 and as early as the times of Ninus king of Assyria one named Simma was master of the king's cattleF12Diodor. Sicul. l. 2. p. 93. as Faustulus was to Amulius king of the LatinesF13Liv. Hist. Decad. 1. l. 1. p. 5. ; and so Tyrrhus in VirgilF14Aeneid. l. 7. Tyrrhusque pater &c. ver. 485. had the command of all the king's cattle; and Cicero mentions another in the same officeF15Apud Servium in ib. : Obil the Ishmaelite (an Arab as the Targum) had the care of the camels; and a very proper person he was who must know the nature of them and how to manage them Arabia or the land of the Ishmaelites abounding with them. This man was so called either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth and was proselyted to the Jewish religion; or he was an Israelite that had dwelt some time in the land of Ishmael and therefore so called. BochartF16Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. col. 77. thinks he had his name of Obil from his office the word in the Arabic language signifying a keeper of camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the asses which were employed in ploughing and carrying burdens; and Jaziz the Hagarite was over the flocks of sheep the chief shepherd who had the command of all the under shepherds and a very proper person being an Hagarite or Arab; for such dwelt in tents for the sake of pasturage for their flocks as Jarchi notes: these were the principal men that had the care of David's personal substance; so in later times the Roman CaesarsF17Vid. Pignorium de Servis p. 548. had such sort of servants to take care of their farms fields fruit cattle &c. the rest that follow were David's courtiers. Jonathan or to whom David was uncle the son of Shimea his brother being a wise and learned man was his counsellor see 2 Samuel 21:21 and Jehiel the Hachmonite was preceptor or tutor to the king's sons that brought them up and took care of their education; Ahithophel was his counsellor until the conspiracy and rebellion of Absalom; and Hushai the Archite was his companion friend and favourite with whom he conversed at leisure hours. After the death of Ahithophel Jehoiada the son of Benaiah and Abiathar were his counsellors and Joab the general of his army.

 

1 Chronicles 27:26  26 Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground.

   YLT  26and over workmen of the field for the service of the ground [is] Ezri son of Chelub;

 

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

   YLT  27and over the vineyards [is] Shimei the Ramathite; and over what [is] in the vineyards for the treasures of wine [is] Zabdi the Shiphmite;

 

1 Chronicles 27:28  28 Baal-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.

   YLT  28and over the olives and the sycamores that [are] in the low country [is] Baal-Hanan the Gederite; and over the treasures of oil [is] Joash;

 

1 Chronicles 27:29  29 And 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.

   YLT  29and over the herds that are feeding in Sharon [is] Shitrai the Sharonite; and over the herds in the valleys [is] Shaphat son of Adlai;

 

1 Chronicles 27:30  30 Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys

   YLT  30and over the camels [is] Obil the Ishmeelite; and over the asses [is] Jehdeiah the Meronothite;

 

1 Chronicles 27:31  31 and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David’s property.

   YLT  31and over the flock [is] Jaziz the Hagerite; all these [are] heads of the substance that king David hath.

 

1 Chronicles 27:32  32 Also 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.

   YLT  32And Jonathan uncle of David [is] counsellor a man of understanding he is also a scribe; and Jehiel son of Hachmoni [is] with the sons of the king;

 

1 Chronicles 27:33  33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion.

   YLT  33and Ahithophel [is] counsellor to the king; and Hushai the Archite [is] the friend of the king;

 

1 Chronicles 27:34  34 After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah then Abiathar. And the general of the king’s army was Joab.

   YLT  34and after Ahithophel [is] Jehoiada son of Benaiah and Abiathar; and the head of the host of the king [is] Joab.

 

──John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Chronicles 27:4 Hebrew Dodai usually spelled Dodo (compare 2 Samuel 23:9)
  2. 1 Chronicles 27:8 Spelled Shammoth in 11:27 and Shammah in 2 Samuel 23:11
  3. 1 Chronicles 27:15 Spelled Heled in 11:30 and Heleb in 2 Samuel 23:29