1 Chronicles 27

1 Now the sons of Israel after their number, who were chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, who came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each course was of twenty-four thousand.
2 Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam, the son of Zabdiel, and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
3 Of the sons of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
4 And over the course of the second month was Dodai, an Ahohite, and in his course was prince Mikloth; in his course likewise were twenty-four thousand.
5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty; and in his course was Ammizabad, his son.
7 The fourth for the fourth month was Asahel, the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
8 The fifth for the fifth month was prince Shamhuth, the Izrahite; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
9 The sixth for the sixth month was Ira, the son of Ikkesh of Tekoah; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
10 The seventh for the seventh month was Helez, the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbecai, the Hushathite, of Zarhi; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
12 The ninth for the ninth month was Abiezer, the Anetothite, of the Benjamites; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai, the Netophathite of Zarhi; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benaiah, the Pirathonite, of the sons of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Heldai, the Netophathite of Othniel; and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
16 Presiding, likewise, over the tribes of Israel: over the Reubenites was prince Eliezer, the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites, Shephatiah, the son of Maachah.
17 Over the Levites, Hashabiah, the son of Kemuel. Over the Aaronites, Zadok.
18 Over Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David. Over those of Issachar, Omri, the son of Michael.
19 Over those of Zebulun, Ishmaiah, the son of Obadiah. Over those of Naphtali, Jerimoth, the son of Azriel.
20 Over the sons of Ephraim, Hosea, the son of Azaziah. Over the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel, the son of Pedaiah.
21 Over the other half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo, the son of Zechariah. Over those of Benjamin, Jaasiel, the son of Abner.
22 And over Dan, Azareel, the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.
23 But David did not number those twenty years old and under because the LORD had said he would multiply Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
24 Joab, the son of Zeruiah, had begun to number, but he did not finish; and because of this, wrath fell upon Israel; and thus the number was not put in the account of the chronicles of King David.
25 And Azmaveth, the son of Adiel, had charge of the king’s treasures and of the treasures of the fields, of the cities, and of the villages, and of the castles, was Jehonathan, the son of Uzziah;
26 and over those that did the work of the tillage of the ground in the fields was Ezri the son of Chelub;
27 and over the vineyards was Shimei, the Ramathite; over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi, the Shiphmite;
28 and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan, the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil, Joash;
29 and over the cows that fed in Sharon was Shitrai, the Sharonite; and over the cows that were in the valleys was Shaphat, the son of Adlai;
30 over the camels, Obil, the Ishmaelite; and over the asses, Jehdeiah, the Meronothite;
31 and over the sheep was Jaziz, the Hagerite. All these were the princes of the substance which was King David’s.
32 And Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni had charge of the king’s sons.
33 Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor; and Hushai, the Archite, was the king’s companion.
34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada, the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. And Joab was the general of the king’s army.

1 Chronicles 27 Commentary

Chapter 27

David's military force. (1-15) Princes and officers. (16-34)

Verses 1-15 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.

Verses 16-34 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.

Chapter Summary

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, 1Ch 27:1-15 and of the princes of the several tribes, 1Ch 27:16-24 and of his economical rulers, 1Ch 27:25-31, and of his counsellors and general, 1Ch 27:32-34.

1 Chronicles 27 Commentaries

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010