1 Chronicles 27

1 Now the children of Yisra'el after their number, [to wit], the heads of fathers' [houses] and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who 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-of every course were twenty-four thousand.
2 Over the first course for the first month was Yashov`am the son of Zavdi'el: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
3 [He was] of the children of Peretz, the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
4 Over the course of the second month was Dodo the Achochi, and his course; and Miklot the ruler: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benayah, the son of Yehoiada the Kohen, chief: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
6 This is that Benayah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and [of] his course was `Ammizavad his son.
7 The fourth [captain] for the fourth month was `Asa'el the brother of Yo'av, and Zevadyah his son after him: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
8 The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
9 The sixth [captain] for the sixth month was `Ira the son of `Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
10 The seventh [captain] for the seventh month was Heletz the Pelonite, of the children of Efrayim: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
11 The eighth [captain] for the eighth month was Sibbekhai the Hushatite, of the Zarchi: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
12 The ninth [captain] for the ninth month was Avi-Ezer the `Antotite, of the Binyamini: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
13 The tenth [captain] for the tenth month was Maharai the Netofatite, of the Zarchi: and in his course were Twenty-four thousand.
14 The eleventh [captain] for the eleventh month was Benayah the Pir`atonite, of the children of Efrayim: and in his course were Twenty-four thousand.
15 The twelfth [captain] for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netofatite, of `Otni'el: and in his course were twenty-four thousand.
16 Furthermore over the tribes of Yisra'el: of the Re'uveni was Eli`ezer the son of Zikhri the ruler: of the Shim`oni, Shefatyah the son of Ma`akhah:
17 of Levi, Hashavyah the son of Kemu'el: of Aharon, Tzadok:
18 of Yehudah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Yissakhar, `Omri the son of Mikha'el:
19 of Zevulun, Yishma`yahu the son of `Ovadyah: of Naftali, Yeremot the son of `Azri'el:
20 of the children of Efrayim, Hoshea the son of `Azazyahu: of the half-tribe of Menashsheh, Yo'el the son of Pedayahu:
21 of the half -[tribe] of Menashsheh in Gil`ad, `Iddo the son of Zekharyah: of Binyamin, Ya`asi'el the son of Aviner:
22 of Dan, `Azar'el the son of Yerocham. These were the captains of the tribes of Yisra'el.
23 But David didn't take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said he would increase Yisra'el like the stars of the sky.
24 Yo'av the son of Tzeru'yah began to number, but didn't finish; and there came wrath for this on Yisra'el; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
25 Over the king's treasures was `Azmavet the son of `Adi'el: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Yonatan the son of `Uzziyah:
26 Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was `Ezri the son of Kelub:
27 and over the vineyards was Shim`i the Ramatite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zavdi the Shifmite:
28 and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Ba`al-Hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Yo'ash:
29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shirtai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shafat the son of `Adlai:
30 and over the camels was Ovil the Yishme`elite: and over the donkeys was Yechdeyahu the Meronotite: and over the flocks was Yaziz the Hagrite.
31 All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
32 Also Yonatan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a Sofer: and Yechi'el the son of Hakhmoni was with the king's sons:
33 Achitofel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Arki was the king's friend:
34 and after Achitofel was Yehoiada the son of Benayah, and Avyatar: and the captain of the king's host was Yo'av.

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 Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.