Divrey Hayamim Alef 27

1 7 Now the Bnei Yisroel after their number, namely, the rashei ha’avot and sarim of alafim and me’ot (hundreds), and their shoterim that served HaMelech in any matter of the divisions, which came in and went out chodesh b’chodesh (month by month) throughout all the months of the shanah, each division consisting of twenty and four elef.
2 Over the first division for the chodesh harishon was Yashov’am Ben Zavdiel; and in his division were twenty and four elef.
3 Of the Bnei Peretz was the rosh of all the sarim of the tzava’os (armies) for the first month.
4 And over the division of the second month was Dodai the Achochi, and of his division was Miklot also the nagid; in his division likewise were twenty and four elef.
5 The third sar (commander) of the tzava (army) for the third month was Benayahu Ben Yehoyada, the Kohen Rosh; and in his division were twenty and four elef.
6 This is that Benayahu, who was gibbor among the Shloshim (Thirty), and over the Shloshim; and in his division was Ammizabad bno.
7 The fourth for the fourth month was Asah-el the brother of Yoav, and Zevadyah bno after him; and in his division were twenty and four elef.
8 The fifth sar for the fifth month was Shamhut the Yizrach; and in his division were twenty and four elef.
9 The sixth for the sixth month was Ira Ben Ikkesh the Tekoi; and in his division were twenty and four elef.
10 The seventh for the seventh month was Cheletz the Peloni, of the Bnei Ephrayim; and in his division were 24,000.
11 The eighth for the eighth month was Sibbchai the Chushati, of the Zarchi; and in his division were 24,000.
12 The ninth for the ninth month was Aviezer the Anetoti, of Binyamin; and in his division were 24,000.
13 The tenth for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophati, of the Zarchi; and in his division were 24,000.
14 The eleventh for the eleventh month was Benayah the Piratoni, of the Bnei Ephrayim; and in his division were 24,000.
15 The twelfth for the twelfth month was Cheldai the Netophati, of Otniel; and in his division were 24,000.
16 Furthermore over the Shivtei Yisroel; the nagid of the Reuveni was Eliezer Ben Zichri; of the Simeoni, Shephatyahu Ben Ma’achah;
17 Of the Levi’im, Chashavyah Ben Kemu’el; of Aharon, Tzadok;
18 Of Yehudah, Elihu, one of the brethren of Dovid; of Yissakhar, Omri Ben Micha’el;
19 Of Zevulun, Yishmayahu Ben Ovadyah; of Naphtali, Yerimot Ben Azri’el;
20 Of the Bnei Ephrayim, Hoshea Ben Azazyahu; of the half tribe of Menasheh, Yoel Ben Pedayahu;
21 Of the half tribe of Menasheh in Gil’ad, Yiddo Ben Zecharyahu; of Binyamin, Ya’asiel Ben Avner;
22 Of Dan, Azare’el Ben Yerocham. These were the sarim of the Shivtei Yisroel.
23 But Dovid took not the number of them from twenty shanim and under; because Hashem had said he would increase Yisroel like to the kokhavim of HaShomayim.
24 Yoav Ben Tzeruyah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell ketzef (wrath) on account of this against Yisroel; neither was the number put in the Divrei HaYamim of Melech Dovid.
25 And over the otzarot HaMelech was Azmavet Ben Adiel; and over the storehouses in the sadot, in the towns, and in the villages, and in the migdalot was Yehonatan Ben Uziyahu;
26 And over them that did the work of the sadeh to till the adamah was Ezri Ben Keluv;
27 And over the kramim was Shimei the Ramati; over the increase of the kramim for the wine vats was Zavdi the Shiphmi;
28 And over the zeitim and the sycomore trees that were in the Shefelah was Ba’al Chanan the Gederi; over the shemen storehouses, Yoash;
29 And over the bakar (herd) that fed in Sharon was Shirtai the Sharoni; over the bakar that were in the valleys was Shaphat Ben Adlai;
30 Over the gemalim (camels) also was Ovil the Yishmaeli; and over the donkeys was Yechdeyahu the Meronoti;
31 And over the tzon (flock) was Yaziz the Hageri. All these were the sarim of the property which pertained to Melech Dovid.
32 Also Yonatan Dovid’s dod (uncle) was a yoetz (counsellor), an ish meivin, and a sofer; and Yechiel Ben Chachmoni was with the Bnei HaMelech;
33 And Achitophel was the yoetz l’Melech; and Chushai the Arki was the re’a HaMelech;
34 And after Achitophel was Yehoyada Ben Benayahu, and Evyatar (Abiathar); and the sar tzava (commander of the army) of HaMelech was Yoav.

Divrey Hayamim Alef 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.

Divrey Hayamim Alef 27 Commentaries

The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.