1 Chronicles 27 Study Notes

27:17 One person was in charge of the tribe of Levi at large, but the descendants of Aaron—the priests—were represented separately by Zadok.

27:18 Elihu was one of David’s brothers. He is not listed among David’s six brothers in 2:13-15. This could mean that this name is a variation on Eliab, David’s older brother, or that this is a seventh brother who is not mentioned earlier by the Chronicler. This second interpretation makes sense because 1Sm 16:10 refers to seven brothers of David.

27:23-24 A potential army would have been much larger than the 288,000 mentioned here, but the Chronicler reminds us that no exact total is available because the census that David had ordered was contrary to God’s directions and was punished by the Lord (see chap. 21).

27:25-33 These verses tell us about David’s cabinet. Azmaveth was secretary of the treasury. Under him overseeing the various treasury locations around the nation was Jonathan son of Uzziah. There were also cabinet posts for the oversight of agriculture and herding.

27:32 This verse describes the inner circle of David’s advisers, though again this is not a permanent group. Jonathan, despite these accolades, makes his only appearance in the record at this point. Jehiel, who tended David’s sons, must have had great skill at diplomacy and conflict resolution.

27:33 Ahithophel was so wise that his advice was considered almost like hearing from God himself (2Sm 16:23). Unfortunately, none of this wisdom prevented him from joining Absalom’s rebellion and ending his life with suicide (2Sm 17:23). Hushai helped David by infiltrating Absalom’s inner circle and frustrating Ahithophel’s advice (2Sm 17:14).

27:34 Although this passage does not mention Ahithophel’s death, it is implied by mentioning his successors. First came Jehoiada son of Benaiah (not to be confused with the hero Benaiah son of Jehoiada); then came Abiathar, who may have been either the priest who was David’s friend during the king’s time in the wilderness, or his grandson.