1 Chronicles Chapter 27
1 Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers' households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year-of every division were 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, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.
4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his division; and Mikloth the ruler: and 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 chief priest. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
6 This is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of 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: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
8 The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
9 The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and 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 Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. 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 Zerahites. 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: of the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;
17 of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;
18 of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19 of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;
20 of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21 of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22 of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.
23 But David didn't take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.
24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn't finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn't put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
25 Over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah;
26 Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub;
27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and 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 lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash;
29 and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai;
30 and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
31 All these were the rulers of the property which was king David's.
32 Also Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons.
33 Ahithophel was the king's counsellor. Hushai the Archite was the king's friend.
34 After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain of the king's army.
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1 Chronicles Chapter 27 Guide
This chapter gives us an idea of the internal order of the kingdom under the government of David. The courses mentioned in the opening part of the chapter are not mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament. They may have been the toilers who wrought in some specific work. Perhaps this refers to arrangement made for the labour necessary to build the Temple. Then the rulers of the tribes are named. Following this is a significant statement that in the numbering necessary to organization David was careful not to sin again. He had learned a lesson from experience. Next the rulers of departments are named, and, finally, a list of the chief men in David's household is given.
The chapter is a striking revelation of the fact that David's greatness as a king was not confined to his victories in war. He was no less great in peaceful administration. Tilling the soil, careful cultivation, raising cattle and all that pertained to the internal welfare of his people had his attention, and were arranged for under duly qualified and appointed oversight. There is no room for doubt that under the reign of David the Hebrew people realized their greatest strength, even if they did not reach the height of their magnificence. Truly a wonderful man was David. Fundamentally a man of God, he was also a warrior, a poet, an administrator. With his passing, the day of Hebrew greatness passed its meridian.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Chronicles Chapter 27 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- 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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.