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.
2 Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division were twenty-four thousand;
3 he was of the children of Perez, and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.
4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
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.
6 This was the Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty, and was over the thirty; in his division was Ammizabad his son.
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.
8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
10 The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
12 The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
13 The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
14 The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
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;
17 over the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; over the Aaronites, Zadok;
18 over Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers; over Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19 over Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; over Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel;
20 over the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21 over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; over Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22 over Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
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.
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.
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.
26 Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground.
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.
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.
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.
30 Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys,
31 and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David's property.
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.
33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion.
34 After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king's army was Joab.

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.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Hebrew Dodai, usually spelled Dodo (compare 2 Samuel 23:9)
  • [b]. Spelled Shammoth in 1 Chronicles 11:27 and Shammah in 2 Samuel 23:11
  • [c]. Spelled Heled in 1 Chronicles 11:30 and Heleb in 2 Samuel 23:29

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

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.