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.
Parallel Translations
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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.
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Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that 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 and four thousand.
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Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the heads of fathers' houses and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers that 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 and four thousand.
Cross-references (11)
Passages linked to 1 Chronicles 27:1 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Exodus 18:25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
- Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes.
- 1 Samuel 8:12 He will appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will assign some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.
- 1 Kings 4:7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for a month in the year.
- 1 Kings 4:27 Those officers provided food for king Solomon, and for all who came to king Solomon’s table, every man in his month. They let nothing be lacking.
- 1 Kings 5:14 He sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses; for a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home; and Adoniram was over the men subject to forced labor.
- 1 Chronicles 13:1 David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.
- 1 Chronicles 28:1 David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king by division, the captains of thousands, the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, to Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 17:12-19 Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah. He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand; and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; and next to him Jehozabad, and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready and prepared for war. These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 26:11-13 Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains. The whole number of the heads of fathers’ households, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand six hundred. Under their hand was an army, three hundred seven thousand five hundred, who made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
- Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (22 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain Which executed their charge and office, which is meant…
Which executed their charge and office, which is meant by coming in, and going out.
Hebrew, divisions, or bands.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 1Ch 27:1 Now the children of Israel after their…
1Ch 27:1 Now the children of Israel after their number, [to wit], the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that 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 and four thousand.
Ver. 1. Now the children of Israel, &c.] David having in the four foregoing chapters taken order for the better settling of the sincere service of God in the temple that was to be built for his name; and so sought God’s kingdom in the first place; prudently proceedeth here, before his death, to settle the militia of the kingdom. He well remembered, that himself was no sooner made king, but the Philistines came up to seek him. {2Sa 5:17} The like whereunto he knew might befall his son Solomon. And although he doubted not of the faithfulness of God’s promises, yet knowing that his providence must also be served, and all good means used, he appointed twelve legions to be ever in readiness to serve upon all occasions for the security of the kingdom; each legion, consisting of twenty-four thousand valiant and expert soldiers, was to wait a month, and then to be relieved and succeeded by another, the whole year about. Thus the ancient Romans had many legions ever in arms; whence that answer of a certain philosopher to Adrian the emperor, who dared him to dispute, It is hard for a man to do his best against such an adversary as commanded thirty legions. The Chinese are said to have always a hundred thousand soldiers ready pressed for any service; but David had two hundred eighty and eight thousand.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Their officers; the standing force or militia of Israel…
Their officers; the standing force or militia of Israel as it was settled under their several officers, as it here follows. In any matter of the courses, i.e. in all the business wherein the king had occasion for these persons, who were to attend upon him or his commands by courses or by turns. Or, according to all the order or state of the divisions, or, about the companies or courses into which they were distributed. Came in and went out, i.e. executed their office; which is commonly signified by this phrase, as Num 27:17, and elsewhere. Month by month; who were to be armed and mustered, and to wait upon the king, either at Jerusalem, or in other places, as the king should see fit. By this order near three hundred thousand of his people were instructed and exercised in the use of their arms, and fitted for the defence of their king and kingdom when it should be needful, and in the mean time sufficient provision was made against any sudden tumults or of it irruptions of enemies. And this monthly course was contrived, that the burden might be easy and equally distributed among the people.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain We have here an account of the regulation of…
We have here an account of the regulation of the militia of the kingdom. David was himself a man of war, and had done great things with the sword; he had brought into the field great armies. Now here we are told how he marshalled them when God had given him rest from all his enemies. He did not keep them all together, for that would have been a hardship on them and the country; yet he did not disband and disperse them all, for then he would have left his kingdom naked, and his people would have forgotten the arts of war, wherein they had been instructed. He therefore contrived to keep up a constant force, and yet not a standing army. The model is very prudent. 1. He kept up 24,000 constantly in arms, I suppose in a body, and disciplined, in one part or other of the kingdom, the freeholders carrying their own arms and bearing their own charges while they were up. This was a sufficient strength for the securing of the public peace and safety. Those that are Israelites indeed must learn war; for we have enemies to grapple with, whom we are concerned constantly to stand upon our guard against. 2. He changed them every month; so that the whole number of the militia amounted to 288,000, perhaps about a fifth part of the able men of the kingdom. By being thus distributed into twelve courses, they were all instructed in, and accustomed to, military exercises; and yet none were compelled to be in service, and at expenses, above one month in the year (which they might very well afford), unless upon extraordinary occasions, and then they might all be got together quickly. It is the wisdom of governors, and much their praise, while they provide for the public safety, to contrive how to make it effectual and yet easy, and as little as possible burdensome to the people. 3. Every course had a commander in chief over it. Besides the subaltern officers that were rulers over thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, there was one general officer to each course or legion. All these twelve great commanders are mentioned among David's worthies and champions, 2 Sa. 23 and 1 Chr. 11. They had first signalized themselves by their great actions and then they were advanced to those great preferments. It is well with a kingdom when honour thus attends merit. Benaiah is here called a chief priest, Ch1 27:5. But, cohen signifying both a priest and a prince, it might better be translated here a chief ruler, or (as in the margin) a principal officer. Dodai had Mikloth (Ch1 27:4) either for his substitute when he was absent or infirm, or for his successor when he was dead. Benaiah had his son under him, Ch1 27:6. Asahel had his son after him (Ch1 27:7), and by this it seems that this plan of the militia was laid in the beginning of David's reign; for Asahel was killed by Abner while David reigned in Hebron. When his wars were over he revived this method, and left the military affairs in this posture, for the peaceable reign of his son Solomon. When we think ourselves most safe, yet, while we are here in the body, we must keep in a readiness for spiritual conflicts. Let not him that girdeth on the harness boast as he that puts it off.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Now the children of Israel after their number,.... Not…
Now the children of Israel after their number,.... Not the whole body of the people, but the militia of the nation; for after the account of the division of the priests and Levites into courses, follows an account of the militia of the nation, being divided also into monthly courses; which, though done in the beginning of David's reign, as Kimchi and Jarchi observe, yet is here related; and that it was so soon is clear from the instance of Asahel, who was killed while David was king in Hebron, Ch1 27:7 to wit:
the chief fathers; the chief men in the tribes, the princes of them, not the natural fathers of the soldiers in each course, as a learned man suggests (i): since it can never be thought that such a number sprung from those as made a course of 24,000; for they are distinct from the captains and officers after mentioned, under which the soldiers were; besides, why should they be called "chief fathers?" these, no doubt, were the general officers or princes, under which the captains and inferior officers were:
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and captains of thousands and hundreds; in the several tribes:
and their officers; that were under them:
that 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; by which it appears that the militia of the kingdom was divided into twelve courses, which served each month by turns; when one went out another came in; by which means the king was well supported and guarded, and had an army at once at command upon any insurrection or war that might arise; and each course serving but one month in a year, it was no great burden upon them, even if they maintained themselves, since they were at leisure, the other eleven months, to attend to their business; and especially if it was, as Jarchi observes, that not the poor but the rich were selected for this service:
of every course were twenty and four thousand; so that the twelve courses amounted to 288,000 men.
(i) Delaney's Life of King David, vol. 1. p. 319.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain The captains for every month of the year, ver.…
The captains for every month of the year, ver. 1-15. The princes of the several tribes, ver. 16-24. The officers of the court, ver. 25-34.
Officers - The standing militia of Israel as it was settled under their several officers. Of courses - In all the business wherein the king had occasion for these persons who were to attend him by turns. Came in, &c. - who being armed and mustered, and to wait upon the king, at Jerusalem or other places, as the king should see fit. By this order near three hundred thousand of his people were instructed and exercised in the use of their arms, and fitted for the defense of their king and kingdom when it should be needful, and in the mean time sufficient provision was made against any sudden tumults or irruptions of enemies. And this monthly course was contrived that the burden of it might be easy and equally distributed among the people.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain An account of the twelve captains who were over…
CHAPTER XXVII
An account of the twelve captains who were over the monthly
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course of twenty-four thousand men; each captain serving one
month in turn, 1.
The names of the twelve, and the months in which they served,
2-15.
The names of the rulers of the twelve tribes, 16-22.
The reasons why the whole number of Israel and Judah had not
been taken, 23, 24.
The persons who were over the king's property, treasures,
fields, flocks, c., 25-31.
His officers of state, 32-34.
NOTES ON CHAP. XXVII
Verse 1. The chief fathers and captains of thousands] The patriarchs, chief generals, or generals of brigade. This enumeration is widely different from the preceding. In that, we have the orders and courses of the priests and the Levites in their ecclesiastical ministrations in this, we have the account of the order of the civil service, that which related simply to the political state of the king and the kingdom. Twenty-four persons, chosen out of David's worthies, each of whom had a second, were placed over twenty-four thousand men, who all served a month in turn at a time; and this was the whole of their service during the year, after which they attended to their own affairs. Thus the king had always on foot a regular force of twenty-four thousand, who served without expense to him or the state, and were not oppressed by the service, which took up only a twelfth part of their time, and by this plan he could at any time, when the exigency of the state required it, bring into the field twelve times twenty-four thousand, or two hundred and eighty-eight thousand fighting men, independently of the twelve thousand officers, which made in the whole an effective force of three hundred thousand soldiers; and all these men were prepared, disciplined, and ready at a call, without the smallest expense to the state or the king. These were, properly speaking, the militia of the Israelitish kingdom. See Calmet.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 1Ch 27:1. Now the children of Israel, &c. —…
1Ch 27:1. Now the children of Israel, &c. — After the settlement of sacred affairs, we have here an account of the manner in which the army, or militia, as we may call it, was disposed. It was distributed into twelve legions, each consisting of twenty-four thousand men, who were commanded by one of the chief of the fathers; under whom there were captains of thousands, such as we now call colonels; and then under them captains of hundreds. Each of these legions attended one month, for the security of the king and kingdom; at the end of which they were dismissed, and another legion, with their general, succeeded: so that their course came but once in a year, and that only for one month, which was no considerable burden to them. That served the king in any matter of the courses — In all the business in which the king had occasion for these persons. Which came in and went out, &c. — Who, being armed and mustered, were to wait upon the king, at Jerusalem, or other places, as the king should see fit. By this order near three hundred thousand of his people were instructed and exercised in the use of their arms, and fitted for the defence of their king and kingdom when it should be needful, and in the mean time sufficient provision was made against any sudden tumults or irruptions of enemies. And this monthly course was contrived that the burden of it might be easy, and equally distributed among the people.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain This verse is a general heading to the list…
This verse is a general heading to the list 1Ch 27:2-15. The heading has been taken from some fuller and more elaborate description of David’s army, whereof the writer of Chronicles gives us only an abridgement. Omitting the captains of thousands, the captains of hundreds, and the officers (probably “scribes”) who served the king, he contents himself with recording the “chief fathers” or heads of the divisions 1Ch 28:1, and the number of Iraelites in each course.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Now. This list is entirely of a political nature.…
Now. This list is entirely of a political nature. It seems to have been made before David had obtained the throne of Israel, (ver. 7.) though perhaps the monthly division did not comprise 24,000, before that time. This regulation was very excellent, and enabled the king to have an army of 300,000 men, at a short notice. It was not attended with any material inconvenience to the people, as none were on service above a month. --- Hands. Commanders in chief. --- Captains. Twenty-four in number, with 240 centurions under them. --- Officers. Hebrew shoterim. Septuagint, "scribes," whose employment is not well ascertained. They perhaps acted as commissaries, or kept an account of the king’s troops, and reviewed them. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "and scribes serving the people, and the king’s orders respecting the divisions, both coming in and going out, monthly, throughout the year. One division comprised 24,000 men.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain γ. Division of the Military Officers; Order of the…
γ. Division of the Military Officers; Order of the Service and of the Royal Househould: 1 Chronicles 27
1. The Twelve Divisions of the Army: 1Ch_27:1-15
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1Ch_27:1 And the sons of Israel after their number, the heads of the houses and the captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, that which came in and that which went out month by month for all the months of the year, the one course was twenty and four thousand. 2Over the first course, for the first month, was Jashobam son of Zabdiel; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 3Of the sons of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4And over the course of the second month was Dodai1 the Ahohite, and his course, and Mikloth the commander; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 5The third captain of the host, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest as chief; and in his course were twenty 6and four thousand. This is Benaiah the hero of the thirty, and above the 7thirty; and his course was for Ammizabad his son. The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel Joab’s brother, and Zebadiah his son after him; and in 8his course were twenty and four thousand. The fifth, for the fifth month, was the captain Shamhuth the Izharite; and in his course were twenty and four 9thousand. The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; 10and in his course were twenty and four thousand. The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim; and in his 11course were twenty and four thousand. And the eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; and in his course were twenty 12and four thousand. And the ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anthothite, of the Benjamites; and in his course were twenty and four13thousand. The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, of 14the Zarhites; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the sons of Ephraim; 15and in his course were twenty and four thousand. The twelfth, for the twelfth month, Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
2. The Princes of the Twelve Tribes: 1Ch_27:16-24
16And over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites, Eliezer son of Zichri was 17ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah son of Maachah. Of Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok. 18Of Judah, Elihu.2 of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri son of Michael. 19Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of 20Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel. Of the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Azariah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah. 21Of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, 22Jaasiel son of Abner. Of Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham: these are the princes of the tribes of Israel. 23But David took not their number from twenty years old and under, because the Lord had promised to increase Israel as the stars of heaven. 24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but did not finish, because for this there was wrath against Israel; and the number was not put in the account of the chronicles of King David.
3. The Lords of the Treasures and Possessions of David: 1Ch_27:25-31
25And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth son of Adiel: and over the stores in the country, in the cities, and the villages, and the towers, was26Jonathan son of Uzziah. And over the field-labourers for tillage of the ground was Ezri son of Chelub. 27And over the vineyards was Shimi the Ramathite; and over that which was in the vineyards of stores in wine was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28And over the olive-trees and the sycamores which were in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash. 29And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai[3] the Sharonite: and over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat son of Adlai. And 30over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite.4 31And over the flocks Jaziz the Hagrite: all these were rulers of the substance which belonged to King David.
4. The State Counsellors of David: 1Ch_27:32-34
32And Jonathan, David’s kinsman, was a counsellor, a wise man, and a cribe; and Jehiel son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. 33And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor; and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada son of Benaiah, and Abiathar; and the general of the king’s army was Joab.
EXEGETICAL
Preliminary Remark.—In this list of the military and civil officers of David, the collocation of ministers and associates of the army, domains, and Kingdom of this king is connected with the survey contained in 1 Chronicles 23-26 of the Levites and priests in his reign, and also with the account of the census of the people in 1 Chronicles 21 to the latter 1Ch_27:23-24 distinctly refer, which show the fore-mentioned captains of the military divisions and princes of the tribes as included in that census, and thereby indicate the political and military import of that measure (comp. on 1Ch_21:1; 1Ch_21:6). With the registers of Levites and priests in 1 Chronicles 23-26, however, our section is connected partly by its position and the similarity of its contents, partly by the circumstance that both, the spiritual (Levitical) and the temporal hierarchy of officers had obtained their more permanent regulation and organization in the last year of his government, and, indeed, in connection with the census of the people, as appears again from 1Ch_27:23.
1. The Twelve Divisions of the Army: vers.1–15.—And the sons of Israel after their number. 1Ch_27:1 forms the full superscription to the following list. As this contains only the twelve divisions of the army of 24,000 men each, with the names of their commanders, this circumstantial superscription seems to promise too much; the detailed description of the army divisions announced in it, and of their officers, appears in 1Ch_27:2-15 to be no longer complete, but only preserved in the form of an abstract (Berth.). But the chief stress rests on “after their number” (לְמִסְפָּרָם), as the determination of the monthly changing military courses at the strength of 24,000 each, immediately after the close of this superscription, clearly shows. Hence all else that is here indicated, the mention of the captains of the thousands and hundreds, the officers, etc., is to be regarded as of mere secondary account.—That which came in and that which went out month by month, properly, “the coming in and outgoing,” namely, the course going in and out of service at the beinning of every month; comp. 2Ki_11:5; 2Ki_11:7; 2Ki_11:9, and 2Ch_23:4; 2Ch_23:8. Here naturally only the monthly attendance of each of the twelve divisions or corps is spoken of, not that they had changed places every month, and were stationed one after another in Jerusalem, which would have been quite impossible for so large a corps.—The one course;הָאַחַת taken distributively, as Num. 17:18;Jdg_8:18.
1Ch_27:2. Over the first course… Jashobam. Concerning this Jashobam (perhaps “Ishbosheth”) son of Zabdiel, see on 1Ch_11:11.—And in his course were twenty and four thousand, literally, “on (עַל) his course went 24,000 men.”
1Ch_27:3. Of the sons of perez: he was descended from that distiguished Jewish family from which David sprang; comp. 1Ch_2:4 ff.—The chief of all the captains of the host for the first month, stood as first in the series of twelve commanders relieving each other monthly, but was still subordinate to the commander of the whole army (generalissimo), namely, to Joab (1Ch_27:34).
1Ch_27:4. Dodai the Ahohite. On the omission of “Eleazar son of” before Dodai, see the Crit. Note.—And his course, and Mikloth the commander.ו before מִקְלוֹת appears to introduce the consequent, and seems to be superfluous, as it is wanting before עַמִּיזָבָד, 1Ch_27:6, in a similar connection. At all events, Mikloth is a proper name, as 1Ch_8:32, 1Ch_9:37 f. prove; whether the there named Benjamite be identical with the present Mikloth must remain doubtful.
1Ch_27:5. The third captain … was Benaiah ... as chief.רֹאשׁ, predicate to Benaiah, not attribute to הַכֹּהֵן. Concerning this Benaiah and his distinguished position as “hero of the thirty, and above the thirty” (more honoured than all of them), see 1Ch_11:22; 1Ch_11:25; 2Sa_23:23. For the constuction in 1Ch_27:6 b,comp. on 1Ch_27:4 b
1Ch_27:7. Asahel … and Zebadiah his son after him. This from of expression contains a plain reference to the early death of Asahel (1Ch_11:26), his tragic end, which Abner prepared for him, 2Sa_2:18-23. The Fourth course would thus, at least for the late time now in question, have to be designated properly after Asahel’s son Zebadiah, its than living leader. But it is called (honoris causa) de patris defuncti nomine, as Clericus well remarks, just as the family of the Maccabees is distinguished by the name Asmonæans.
1Ch_27:8 ff. The following names shamhuth (earlier, 1Ch_11:27, Shammoth; 2Sa_23:11, Shammah), Ira, Helez, Sibbechai, Abiezer, Maharai, Benaiah, and Heldai occurred together already, though in a somewhat different order, in the list of heroes in 1Ch_11:27-31.—Shamhuth the Izrahite, the descendant of Zerah son of Judah, 1Ch_2:4; 1Ch_2:6; הַיִּזְרָח stands for הַיִּזְרָחִי, and this is equivalent to הַזַּרְחִי, 1Ch_27:11; 1Ch_27:13.
1Ch_27:15.Heldai theNetophathite, of Othniel, belonging to the family of Othniel, incorporated by his connection with Caleb into the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:17; Jdg_1:12-15. The name Heldai is besides in 1Ch_11:30 Heleh, and in 2Sa_23:29, by an error of the pen, Heleb.
2. The Princes of the Twelve Tribes: 1Ch_27:16-24.—In this list the twelve tribes are enumerated in quite a different order from that in Genesis, and even that in 1Ch_4:7. of our book. A fundamental ground for the order here exhibited—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan—can the less be ascertained, because the names of two tribes (Gad and Asher) have fallen out probably by an old corruption of the text; and there is no means even of conjecturing what was their original place in the list. There remains, therefore, only an uncertain surmise that Dan has been assigned the last place on account of his fall into idolatry; comp. evangelical and ethical reflections on 1 Chronicles 1-9, No. 3.
1Ch_27:17. Of Aaron, Zadok. Whether this naming of a prince of the Aaronites, namely, the high, priest Zadok, of the line of Eleazar, along with that of the Levite was to make amends for the omitted princes of Gad and Asher is uncertain.
1Ch_27:18. Of Judah, Elihu. That “Eliab” (1Ch_2:13) is to be read, with the Sept., for “Elihu” is most probable, even for this reason, that Eliab was the first-born of Jesse, to whom the dignity of prince must have naturally fallen.
1Ch_27:21. Of the half … in Gilead, literally, “toward Gilead” (גִּלְעָדָה), a suitable designation of the east half of Manasseh.
1Ch_27:23-24. Closing Remark on the Two Lists referring to the Army of Israel, 1Ch_27:2-15 and 1Ch_27:16-22.—But David took not their number from twenty years old and under; he had only those above twenty years numbered. On נָשָׂא מִסְפָּר, to take, determine, a number, comp. Num_3:40, and Exo_30:12; Num_1:49.—Because the Lord had promised to increase Israel as the stars of heaven. This ground for the remark that David included only those above twenty years in his census of the people obviously means that to number the whole mass of the people, which God’s promise to the patriarchs (Gen_22:17, etc.) had designated as innumerable, was not intended by David; he had only wished to ascertain the number of those able to bear arms for the organization of his army. On 1Ch_27:24 a, comp. 1Ch_21:6.—And the number was not put in the account of the chronicles of King David,- literally, “and the number went not up,” etc.; comp. העלה על ספר, 2Ch_20:34, on account of which parallel, moreover, בְּסֵפֶר is not to be read for בְּמִסְפָּר, especially as the phrase ספר דברי הימים does not occur in Chronicles. The second מִסְפָּר is rather to be understood in the sense of “reckoning, register of numbers,” and therefore we are to think of the statistical section of the annals of David’s reign (Berth., Kamph., etc.). In these the result of that great census of the people had no place according to our passage; and if, 1Ch_21:5, a communication regarding this result is made, it must have been derived from some other source.
3. The Lords of the Treasures and Possessions of David: 1Ch_27:25-31.—And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth. These first-mentioned treasures in general (אֹצָרוֹת; comp. 1Ch_26:20; Job_38:22) were perhaps, as the contrast with the “treasures in the country” teaches, the stores or spoils of war preserved in Jerusalem, so far as they were crown and not temple property (1Ch_26:22); thus rightly Luther: “over the treasure of the king.”—And over the stores in the country, in the cities, and the villages, and the towers, that is, in the forts or keeps; comp. the notice of such towers in 2Ch_26:10; Mic_4:8; Son_4:4.
1Ch_27:26. And over the field-labourers for tillage of the ground was Ezri. Here begins the specification of the stores in the field, with the royal domains or fields (שׂדה here in the strict or proper sense, not as in 1Ch_27:25).
1Ch_27:27. And over the vineyards was Shimi the Ramathite, of Ramah in the tribe of Benjamin, Jos_18:25. The next following officer, Zabdi, the manager of the wine-stores in the vineyards, is called הַשִּׁפְמִי, “the Shiphmite,” coming perhaps from שְׁפָם, a place mentioned in Num_34:10 f., on the north border of Canaan. But perhaps it is more natural to refer to שִׁפְמוֹת, in the south of Judah (1Sa_30:28), as the south produced the most wine, and of course the most vineyards and vine cultivators.
1Ch_27:28. And over the olive-trees and the sycamores in the Shephelah, in the lowlands of the fruitful plain, between the hills of Judah and the Mediterranean, Jos_15:53. זֵיתִים, olive plantations and gardens; comp. Deu_6:11,1 Kings 5:25; and so the following שִׁקְמִים How important the produce of the sycamores must have been in the times of David and Solomon appears from the proverbial expression, 1Ki_10:27, 2Ch_1:15 : “Cedar-wood as plentiful as the sycamores that grew in the Shephelah.” Comp. C. Hoffmann, Blicke in die frühere Geschichte des gelobten Landes, p. 171; “None of the plants adorning the country in that time is so fallen as those oft-mentioned sycamores, of which only a few still stand in the gardens of Jaffa as tokens of bygone beauty. On the coast, on the hot soil, moistened by under water, stood in broad plantations these mighty, shady, leafy crowns, the native land of which is Egypt. They are mentioned at Jericho in the time of Christ (Luk_19:4). Did they, as the herdsman Amos, who plucked their figs, intimates Amo_7:14, extend to the now so cool and dry valleys of Tekoa, about the Frank Mountains, that now bear among the Arabs the name of paradise, as a monument of vanished glories? At all events, they were proverbially common in Solomon’s time; and this leads to one of those numerous indications of a former abundance of water,” etc.—Baal-hanan the Gederite, of Geder or Gederah, situated in the lowlands south-east of Jabneh (comp. Jos_12:13; Jos_15:36, and our remark on Beth-geder, ii. 51); הַגְּדֵרִי is thus not really different from הַגְּדֵרָתִי, 1Ch_12:4. Keil would derive הַגְּדֵרִי rather from Gedor (גְּדוֹר), on the hills of Judah, Jos_15:58; but the form of the Gentilicium is against this.—And over the herds in the valleys, namely, those in the hill country of Judah towards the Dead Sea and the Jordan; comp. 1Ch_12:15.
1Ch_27:30. And over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. As the riches of the king consisted in camels (comp. Job_1:3; Jdg_7:12) in the south country, where the Ishmaelites formerly wandered, a descendant of this race was appointed overseer of them. So it might be with the Hagarite Jaziz, who was placed over the flocks (comp. 1Ch_5:10; 1Ch_5:19; Psa_83:7). For Jehdeiah the Meronothite, see Crit. Note.
1Ch_27:31. All these were rulers of the property which belonged to King David.רְכוּשׁ, “property,” a wider notion than that of the “treasures of the king,” 1Ch_27:25, including these (the treasures in Jerusalem) and “the treasures in the country.” The total number of the officers appointed to take charge of all this property, as they are named above, is twelve, namely, the two head officers, 1Ch_27:25 (for the city, Azmaveth; for the country, Jonathan), and the ten overseers of the tillage and pasturage, the latter of whom were to give a yearly account of the produce of the stock under their charge to the former. The number twelve can scarcely be accidental here, though it is not expressly noticed.
4. The State Counsellors of David: 1Ch_27:32-34; comp. the similar lists of the chief officers of state in 1Ch_18:15-17 (2Sa_8:15-18) and in 2Sa_20:23-26, with which, however, the present has only Joab the commander-in-chief in common, whereas, otherwise, here partly other persons, partly other functions, appear; and, indeed, its chief aim is to name the counsellors (יֹעֲצִים) of the king: it is a list of the chief counsellors of David (as it were his private council of state or cabinet).—And Jonathan David’s kinsman was a counsellor;דּוֹד (properly favourite, friend, Son_1:13, etc.) may signify the father’s brother, Jer_32:7, in which sense it appears to be taken by the Sept. (παράδελφος) and Vulg. (patruus). Yet it signifies also (Jer_32:12) “kinsman, cousin” in general, and appears here also to convey this wider sense, where scarcely any other Jonathan than the son of Shima is meant, and therefore a nephew of David. On יוֹעֵץ, counsellor, comp. 1Ch_26:14; on the following attribute, “wise,” 1Ch_25:22; on a “scribe” (סוֹפֵר, here not a name of office, as in 1Ch_18:16), 1Ch_2:55; Ezr_7:6.—And Jehiel .… was with the king’s sons, as their instructor or tutor, an office mentioned only here. Whether Hachmoni the father of this Jehiel be the same with the Hachmoni father of Jashobam mentioned 1Ch_11:11 must remain uncertain.
1Ch_27:33. And Ahithophel was counsellor of the king, without doubt the same who became notorious from the history of the revolt of Absalom—comp. 2Sa_15:31; 2Sa_16:23; 2Sa_17:1 ff; Psa_41:10—as Hushai the Archite is the well-known opponent of this Ahithophel, 2Sa_15:32; 2Sa_15:37; 2Sa_16:16.
1Ch_27:34. And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada son of Benaiah and Abiathar. That by the latter the well-known high priest of the family of Ithamar (1Chr 5:27) is meant cannot well be doubted; whether with regard to the previous name we are to think of the Benaiah named 1Ch_27:5, captain of the third division, son of Jehoiada the priest, so that here a transposition of the names has taken place (Berth.), appears doubtful. It is perhaps simpler to take the Jehoiada named as successor to Ahithophel in the privy council of the king for a son of that Benaiah who, after the well-known Hebrew custom, bore the name of his grandfather. We may observe, moreover, how clearly the Chronist here again (as in 1Ch_27:7) betrays his acquaintance with certain episodes in the history of David, the special course of which it does not lie within the scope of his plan to narrate.—And the general of the king’s army was Joab; as such generalissimo, at the same time in some sense minister of war, and therefore eo ipso belonging to the rank of king’s counsellors. Accordingly he appears, 1Ch_21:2 ff., in the exercise of his office of counsellor in regard to the census of the people.
In an apologetic respect, it is worthy of remark, in regard to this list of the counsellors of David, that, with the exception of Jehiel, names of persons about David occurring also in the books of Samuel and elsewhere in our books are contained in it, but that it cannot be compiled by the Chronist from the other accounts of the history of this king, because it exhibits something peculiar, not elsewhere occurring, in its statements of the functions of these men. “We must therefore assume that this list comes from the same source from which our historian has drawn the previous lists (23–26 and 1Ch_27:1-31)” (Berth.).
Footnotes:
[1]For דּוֹדַי, according to 1Ch_11:12, is to be read אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־דּוֹדַי.
[2]For אֱלִיהוּ the Sept., in accordance with 1Ch_2:13 and 1Sa_16:6; 1Sa_17:13, exhibits ’Ελιάβ.
[3]So the Kethib: the Keri has Shirtai (שִׁרְטַי).
[4]Sept. ὁ ἐχ Μεραθών but מְרֹנוֹת occurs also, Neh_3:17, as the name of a place near Mizpah; a מֵרָתוֹן nowhere.
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures (Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical), ed. John Peter Lange, English translation edited by Philip Schaff (1864–1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain “The military force was distributed into twelve legions of…
THE TWELVE MILITARY CAPTAINS, 1-15.
“The military force was distributed into twelve legions of 24,000 men each=288,000 men fit for service; each of these legions was on duty for a month at a time, and during the rest of the year they might attend to their own private occupations. Each had a captain, one of David’s worthies. Comp. 1Ch_11:11, and 2Sa_23:8.
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We recognise the same numerical basis in the military service of David’s kingdom as in the ecclesiastical. The number twelve is the basis of both. The analogy between the two is suggested by the Hebrew word tsaba, (צבא) host, which is applied to both. The temple of God was like a camp, in which the soldiers of the Lord watched, and defended the king and the people by the arms of prayer. And the camp of David was like a sanctuary, in which the king’s armies did service to God, and from which they went forth to fight the Lord’s battles.” — Wordsworth.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain Ch. 1Ch_27:1-15. The Service of the Courses
Ch. 1Ch_27:1-15. The Service of the Courses
These “courses” are not mentioned elsewhere in the O.T.; but in 1Ki_5:14 (5:28 Heb.), where however the Heb. word is different, courses of Israelites engaged on Solomon’s building works are mentioned.
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1. the chief fathers and captains] R.V. the heads of fathers’ houses and the captains.
came in and went out] Came on duty and went off duty; cp. 2Ch_23:8.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (1) Now the children of Israel.—This first verse is…
(1) Now the children of Israel.—This first verse is the heading or superscription of the list which follows.
After their number.—The stress lies on this phrase. It refers to the twelve courses of twenty-four thousand warriors each.
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Chief fathers.—Heads of the clans.
Captains of thousands and hundreds.—See 1Ch_13:1.
Their officers.—Scribes, who kept the muster-rolls, and did the work of recruiting sergeants.
The courses.—Here, military divisions, corps d’armée. The same Hebrew term (mahlĕqôth) was used of the Levitical classes in the preceding chapters.
Which came in and went out.—Scil. The class or corps which came in and went out. Render: That which came in and went out every month, for all the months of the year, i.e., the single corps, was twenty and four thousand. As regards construction, the whole verse, from “the chief fathers” to “of every course,” is a long apposition to “the children of Israel.”
Came in and went out month by month.—Every month, the division whose turn it was stood under arms, as a sort of national guard, ready for immediate service.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain This chapter, continuing the general subject of David"s arrangements…
This chapter, continuing the general subject of David"s arrangements of all the leading departments, sacred and civil, of the kingdom, which he was so soon to yield into the hands of his son Solomon, proceeds in the first fifteen verses to the enumeration of the military courses of his people, month by month. These were twelve in number, each containing twenty,four thousand men; and the captain, or chief, or chief father, of each is specially mentioned.
It is impossible to feel fully satisfied with any translation which the words of this verse offer. Yet there can scarcely he any doubt of the meaning of the verse, viz. that the writer would speak of the children of Israel, including the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, as regards their courses and their number in their courses, as they succeeded one another, month by month, including also all those officers who served the king in any relation to these courses the courses were twelve, and each course was numbered twenty-four thousand. Meantime, when we turn to the list, we do not find any full complement of chiefs, captains, and officers specified, but apparently only the chief of each course, with somewhat ambiguous additions in vers. 4 (Mikloth), 6 (Ammizabad), 7 (Zebadiah); while what seems an unnecessary stress repeats the number each time. This, however, in fact, tallies with the clause "respecting their number" in the first verse, and may constitute the explanation of the apparent inconsistency in question. Milman ("Hist. of the Jews," 1:251, edit. 1830) says on this military portion of David"s preparations, that he "organized an immense disposable force; every month twenty-four thousand men, furnished in rotation by the tribes, appeared in arms, and were trained as the standing militia of the country. At the head of his army were officers of consummate experience and, what was more highly esteemed in the warfare of the time, extraordinary personal activity, strength, and valour. His heroes remind us of those of Arthuror Charlemagne, excepting that the armour of the feudal chieftains constituted their superiority; here, main strength of body and dauntless fortitude of mind." Which came in and went out month by month; i.e. exchanged places in rotation. (2Ki_11:5-7, 9 2Ch_23:8)
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HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON Vers. 1-34.
Wisdom, kindness, and folly.
In reading this chapter we are struck with three features of David"s rule.
1. The presence of royal wisdom in:
(1) Securing the safety of his kingdom by a sufficient militia without sustaining a burdensome standing army. One month"s practice in the year would suffice to maintain their soldierly qualities without seriously interfering with their civil pursuits (ver. 1).
(2) Adopting the system of promotion by merit. In the list of captains (vers. 2-15) we meet with names of men that had distinguished themselves by their courage and capacity, and who had "earned their promotion." Favouritism is a ruinous policy, and fatal to kings and ministers.
(3) Limiting his own personal requirements to a moderate demand. David lived as became such a king as he was, but he did not indulge in a costly and oppressive "civil list" (see vers. 25-31).
(4) Choosing so sagacious a counsellor as Ahithophel, (2Sa_17:1-3, 2Sa_17:14) and so true and brave a friend as Hushai. (2Sa_17:7-14)
1. The presence of personal kindness. Although David acted, most wisely,on the principle that the highest pests should be reserved for the most capable men and those who "deserved well of their country," yet he did not
2. neglect his own kindred in the hour of his opportunity. We find, amongst others of the foremost men, the names of his relatives, Asahel (ver. 7); Jonathan, his uncle (ver. 32); Joab (ver. 34).
3. The presence of royal folly. We are reminded here of the grievous error,the disastrous departure from rectitude, when, notwithstanding the wise counsel and somewhat strenuous opposition of Joab, he insisted on numbering the people (vers. 23, 24). Regarding the folly of the king, we learn
I THAT HUMAN NATURE, EVEN AT ITS BEST, BEARS THE STAIN OF IMPERFECTION. Devout and humble as David was, prosperous and beneficent as was his reign, he yet fell, more than once, into sin; and on this occasion (of the numbering) he involved the nation in a terrible calamity. He resembled all other good men of every age. Human excellency is a beautiful but a blemished thing; it has admirable qualities, but is never without defects; it halts somewhere. Therefore:
1. Let us conclude that there is certain to be something in ourselves whichneeds to be corrected; we also, though we possess the mens conscia recti, have faults which others see and which they regret to see in us.
2. Let us not be hasty in estimating the character of others; if we judge menby the first thing we see in them, it may be that we shall apprise them by the one pardonable fault behind, which, unrecognized by us, hide a hundred virtues. We should not like to be judged by the first action our neighbours chanced to witness in us.
3. Let us make all kindly allowance for men when we know them; andplacing their many solid graces against their few superficial failings, let us not withhold our esteem, or our confidence, or our affection. Regarding David"s kindness, we learn
II THAT WE DO WELL TO USE OUR OWN ELEVATION TO SERVE OUR KINDRED. Nepotism is a crime as well as a sin, but, when other things are equal and when opportunity offers, we should surely remember those whom, by the ties of affinity, God commends to our kindness, and those whom, by profession of friendship in earlier and humbler days, we promised to assist. And in view of the king"s wisdom, we may learn
III THAT GOODNESS AND WISDOM TOGETHER ARE A SOURCE OF INCALCULABLE BENEFIT. David without his devoutness would have been nothing to his country or his kind; without his wisdom he would have been little more. Piety and prudence together are a power for God and man. C.
HOMILIES BY F. WHITFIELD Vers. 1-34
The army, tribal princes, royal possessions, and chief counsellors of the king.
This chapter brings before us the organization of the army, and also the public administration (vers. 1-15); next we have a list of the princes of the twelve tribes (vers. 16-24); then we have the managers of the domains and royal possessions rots. 25-31); and lastly, the chief counsellors of the king (vers. 32-34). These subjects follow the arrangement of the Levites" service, because it was David"s earnest desire before his death to give the constitution of his kingdom a more stable form. David"s object in numbering the people, as we may gather from the twenty-third verse, was to leave his kingdom, strong within and without, to his son. There were twelve divisions of the army, consisting of twenty-four thousand men in each. In the enumeration of the tribal princes, the tribes of Gad and Asher are omitted without any reason being assigned for the omission. With regard to David"s domains and possessions, the property and income of the king were divided into treasures of the king. treasures in the country, in the cities, the villages, and the castles. The treasures of the king were the treasures of the royal palace in Jerusalem. The remaining treasures were fields, vineyards, plantations, cattle, camels, asses, and sheep. Officers were set over these various departments. With reference to David"s counsellors (vers. 32-34), we have here enumerated three catalogues, and the mention of Joab as the commander-in-chief of the army. W.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Now the children of Israel.
1Ch_27:1-34
Now the children of Israel.
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Wisdom, kindness, and folly
In reading this chapter we are struck with three features of Davids rule.
1. The presence of royal wisdom in--
1. Securing the safety of his kingdom by a sufficient militia without sustaining a burdensome standing army. One months practice in the year would suffice to maintain their soldierly qualities without seriously interfering with their civil pursuits (1Ch_27:1).
2. Adopting the system of promotion by merit. In the list of captains (1Ch_27:2-15) we meet with names of men that had distinguished themselves by their courage and capacity, and who had earned their promotion. Favouritism is a ruinous policy, and fatal to kings and ministers.
3. Limiting his own personal requirements to a moderate demand. David lived as became such a king as he was, but he did not indulge in a costly and oppressive civil list (see 1Ch_27:25-31).
4. Choosing so sagacious a counsellor as Ahithophel (2Sa_17:1-8; 2Sa_17:14), and so true and brave a friend as Hushai (2Sa_17:7-14).
2. The presence of personal kindness. Although David acted, most wisely, on the principle that the highest posts should be reserved for the most capable men and those who deserved well of their country, yet he did not neglect his own kindred in the hour of his opportunity. We find, amongst others of the foremost men, the names of his relatives, Asahel (1Ch_27:7); Jonathan, his uncle (1Ch_27:32); Joab (1Ch_27:34).
3. The presence of royal folly. We are reminded here of the grievous error, the disastrous departure from rectitude, when, notwithstanding the wise counsel and somewhat strenuous opposition of Joab, he insisted on numbering the people (1Ch_27:23-24). Regarding the folly of the king, we learn--
I. That human nature, even at its best, bears the stain of imperfection. Therefore--
1. Let us conclude that there is certain to be something in ourselves which needs to be corrected.
2. Let us not be hasty in estimating the character of others. Regarding Davids kindness we learn--
II. That we do well to use our own elevation to serve our kindred. Nepotism is a crime as well as a sin, but, when other things are equal, and when opportunity offers, we should surely remember those whom, by the ties of affinity, God commends to our kindness, and those whom, by profession of friendship in earlier and humbler days, we promised to assist. And in view of the kings wisdom, we may learn--
III. That goodness and wisdom together are a source of incalculable benefit. David without his devoutness would have been nothing to his country or his kind; without his wisdom he would have been little more. Piety and prudence together are a power for God and man. (W. Clarkson, B. A.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain CRITICAL NOTES.] We have captains of monthly divisions of…
CRITICAL NOTES.] We have captains of monthly divisions of the army (1Ch_27:1-15), princes of tribes (1Ch_27:16-24), stewards of treasures and possessions of the king (1Ch_27:25-29), and David’s counsellors (1Ch_27:30-34).
1Ch_27:1-15.—Captains of divisions. Arrangements for army similar to those for priests and Levites. Military force consisted of 12 companies of 24,000 each, a company serving a month at a time (2Sa_23:8; 1Ch_11:11). Chief fathers, princes of tribes and chief officers of state. Captains, subordinate to commanders of monthly divisions. Officers, scribes who performed duty of commissariat, and kept muster-roll in army. This verse heads the chapter. “It may be safely assumed that the heading originally referred to a more elaborate description of the classes and their different officers, for which we have here only a shorter extract” [Keil]. 1Ch_27:2. Jash., son of Hachmoni (ch. 1Ch_11:11; 2Sa_23:8); Zab., one of his ancestors, or these may be different names of the same person. 1Ch_27:3. Perez, Pharez. 1Ch_27:4. Dod., read Eleazar, son of Dodo (ch. 1Ch_11:12; 2Sa_23:9). 1Ch_27:5. Ben. (2Sa_23:20-23). Chief priest, i.e., chief prince. Abiathar chief priest, but Jehoiada head of Aaronite family. 1Ch_27:7. Asahel, slain by Abner (2Sa_2:18-23; 2Sa_23:24); his name given in honour of his memory. 1Ch_27:8. Sham. (cf. 2Sa_23:11; 1Ch_11:27). 1Ch_27:11. Sibb, for different spelling see ch. 1Ch_20:4; 2Sa_21:18. 1Ch_27:15. Oth., a descendant of the judge in succession to Joshua (Jdg_3:9-11).
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1Ch_27:16-24.—Princes of the tribes. This a civil institution, in contrast to the military ruler. “Rulers” or “princes” of the tribes appear to have been the eldest lineal descendants of the patriarchs, according to the law of primogeniture [Speak. Com.]. 1Ch_27:18. Elihu, for “Eliab,” eldest son of Jesse (1Sa_16:6). 1Ch_27:21. Abner, Saul’s general. 1Ch_27:22. These, princes of most of the tribes, for “Gad and Asher omitted. Similarly, Dan and Zebulon omitted from the genealogical survey of the tribes in chs. 4–7. We can only suppose that the lists, as they came down to the writer of Chronicles, were incomplete” [Speak. Com.]. 1Ch_27:23. Took not, but only those above twenty years, or of those that drew sword (1Ch_21:5). Said, therefore to number all above and under twenty years old would have been immense trouble and offensive to God. 1Ch_27:24. Finished not (cf. 1Ch_21:6). Chronicles. The census was not completed; full details not reported to David by enumerators, and therefore not registered in public archives or daily records.
1Ch_27:25-31.—Stewards of royal possessions. Treasures, those in royal palace, private accumulations. Storehouses, scattered in country, for taxes paid in kind, not in money. Castles, watch-towers in border distriots exposed to raids from plundering tribes in the desert (cf. 2Ch_26:10; 2Ch_27:4). 1Ch_27:31. Substance, consisting of money, fruits, labourers, flocks, and land. “David had become, by some means or other, a large landed proprietor, as well as a capitalist, possessed of much moveable wealth” [Speak. Com.].
1Ch_27:32-34.—David’s ministers. Compare in contents and style with its counterpart in 2Sa_8:15-18; 1Ch_18:15-17; 2Sa_20:23-26. “The list is chiefly supplemental, the officers mentioned being, in the main, such as have not been noticed before—e.g., king’s counsellor, king’s friend, companion of the king’s sons. The list cannot belong to a very late part of David’s reign, since it contains the name of Ahithophel, who slew himself during Absalom’s rebellion (2Sa_17:23)” [Speak. Com.]. 1Ch_27:32. Uncle, David’s “nephew,” as word often used (cf. ch. 1Ch_20:7 and 2Sa_21:21). 1Ch_27:33. Ahith., only mention made by writer of Chronicles. Companion, “king’s friend” (1Ki_4:5). 1Ch_27:34. Jehoiada, son of Ben., named probably alter his grandfather.
HOMILETICS
THE MILITARY FORCE OF DAVID.—1Ch_27:1-15
Here an account of the army, the militia, with its officers and regulations. The organisation in part inherited from Saul, but greatly developed by David.
I. The strength of its numbers. Twelve legions, each 24,000 men; divided into regiments of 1,000, and these again into companies of 100 men, under the command of their respective subalterns, there being 24 captains of thousands and 240 centurions. This a sufficient force for ordinary purposes of State; for putting down sudden attacks or popular tumults, and repelling invasion. “When extraordinary emergencies demanded a larger force, the whole standing army could easily be called to arms, amounting to 288,000 or 300,000 including the 12,000 officers that naturally attended on the twelve princes” (1Ch_27:16-24). “There is no king saved by the multitude of an host (by the greatness of his warlike might). A mighty man (a warrior) is not delivered by much strength” (Psa_34:16).
II. The limited period of its service. “Month by month.” This monthly course would not be burdensome to the country nor royal exchequer; would be a training and discipline; and would permit every soldier to return to the pursuits and duties of private life for eleven months in the year. None compelled to serve, nor at expenses for more than a month, which could easily be borne. Every wise king will contribute for public safety, with as little expense as possible to the people. “The prince shall not take of the people’s inheritance by oppression.”
III. The officers by which it was commanded. These termed “the chief fathers,” the hereditary “heads of tribes, who, like chieftains of clans, possessed great power and influence.”
1. Men of great experience. Not ignorant and unaccustomed to warfare. They are mentioned among David’s worthies in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. “At the head of his army were officers of consummate experience, and what was more highly esteemed in the warfare of the time, extraordinary personal activity, strength, and valour. His heroes remind us of those of Arthur or Charlemagne, excepting that the armour of the feudal chieftains constituted their superiority; here main strength of body and dauntless fortitude of mind” [“Hist. of Jews,” Milman].
2. Men promoted by merit. Tried and distinguished by great actions, then advanced to great preferments. Favoritism had no influence. Each appointed to office for which best qualified. Men of worth thus encouraged, and public efficiency promoted. “Many seek the ruler’s favour” in social servility; to whom a smile from superiors is like a sunbeam. But princes find it good policy to promote men of truth and incorruptible honesty rather than sycophants and time-servers. “The king’s favour is towards a wise servant.” The great King will finally promote “the faithful and wise servant” who has improved his talents, been diligent in his work, and is ready for his account.
THE CIVIL OFFICERS OF DAVID.—1Ch_27:16-22
Here a list of hereditary chiefs or rulers of tribes—tribal princes—at the time of David’s census. Gad and Ashar for some reason excluded. Take the record—
I. As illustrating the optimist style of the writer. David pictured in his struggles, elevation, and grandeur. His wars and conquests, the extension of his kingdom, and the list of his officers. Arrangements sacred and civil, and the use of symbolic numbers illustrate the same tendency. A preference for brilliant scenes. Parts omitted chiefly dark. “Such as would disturb and in some points obscure the lustre of the picture. He collects all that is fitted to represent the hero-king in his greatness, and the activity of his reign as an uninterrupted chain of splendid theocratic events. To finish a picture that presents David in the meridian height of his glory and mighty achievements is the obvious aim of all that our author adds in the way of supplement on the ground of his resources to the life-picture of the great king as given in the Books of Samuel” [Lange].
II. As upholding ancient institutions. Moses gave to every tribe its chief. Many references to the Pentateuch, Levitical rites, and prescriptions of the law. A few changes are made to meet the exigencies of the time; but constant regard is paid to “the command of the Lord God of Israel” in ancient days. Institutions educational and industrial, social and religious, have a wonderful energy, re-duplicate human strength, embody and perpetuate the acquisitions of society in sacred forms. There is much to conserve as well as create. The spirit of reverence must ever be joined with the spirit of invention; the old and the new must be inseparably linked together in the work of the legislator and social reformer. “Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it.”
THE RESTRAINTS OF GOD ON THE WILL of MAN.—1Ch_27:23-24
God restrained David from completing the census, and often controls men’s actions for the accomplishment of his will. His sway most absolute and indisputable. He could not fulfil his designs without this. But no interference with human volition and responsibility. Divine restraint over the human will difficult to understand, but involves no absurdity. How does God restrain man’s will?
I. By revealing his own will. “The Lord had said, &c.” We are apt to do what we think is right; hence need for a clear, distinct revelation from God. This is given.
1. God’s will should be our law. It is best, the safest and only guide.
2. To disobey his law is rebellion. David knew God had promised that his people should be innumerable, yet was determined to number them, though regarding the custom not to include those under twenty. A full and unmistakable revelation of duty should induce to its performance and check, as intended, in disobedience.
II. By restraining man’s will. David, unchecked by Joab, determined to carry out his own wish and make arrangements for political and military purposes. God restrained him and kept him in bounds.
1. By inward conviction of wrong-doing. “I have sinned.” Wounded to the quick, as if struck by an arrow. Conscience roused, accused, and checked. We cannot fly in the face of God without moral rebuke and self-accusation.
2. By outward restraints. When Joab’s reluctance and natural delay produced no impression, God sent the plague. This answered the end. Thus God controls the human heart. (Abimelech, Pharaoh, and Babylonish monarchs.) “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, &c.”
DAVID’S POSSESSIONS.—1Ch_27:25-31
I. What they consisted of. “The king’s treasures,” royal possessions in palace, and stores in other places.
1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c., in Jerusalem.
2. Goods in the provinces, grain and stores in castles, cities, villages, and in the fields (1Ch_27:25).
3. Cultivators of the ground (1Ch_27:26).
4. Vineyards and their produce (1Ch_27:27).
5. Olive-trees and their produce, and sycamore plantations (1Ch_27:28).
6. Flocks and herds in different districts.
7. Camels and asses (1Ch_27:30). As younger son, David had not much private property (1Sa_16:11-20). Now a large landed proprietor, and a capitalist owning moveable wealth.
II. How they were gained. By successful wars. During Saul’s lifetime he had made raids and gained wealth (1Sa_27:8-9; 1Sa_30:20). He received much spoil, and acquired newly conquered countries (2Sa_8:4). “His olive grounds and sycamore plantations were in the ‘low plain,’ which was the country of the Philistines (1Ch_27:28); camels and flocks were pastured by Arabs (1Ch_27:30-31); probably on lands formerly belonging to Arabs. No doubt he derived considerable revenue from subject kings (1Sa_8:2; 1Sa_10:19), as Solomon did (1Ki_4:21), and he may have bought or rented lands in different places. There may possibly have been a certain quantity of public unassigned land in Palestine at the time when he became king, which would naturally fall into his hands to be dealt with as he chose. Further, he enjoyed, of course, the usual rights of a Jewish king over the landed property of his subjects, and was thus entitled to receive a tithe of the produce (1Sa_8:15-17). He would also from time to time obtain those ‘benevolences’ which were expected from all on certain occasions” [Speak. Com.].
III. How they were guarded. “All these were rulers of the substance” (1Ch_27:31). The king divided his private possessions into twelve departments, like his public affairs. In these departments were choice men, able to manage and guard his treasure. No officers for state and display, none for sport, but all for service. Men loyal and obedient, in whom the king could put confidence. “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule.”
THE MINISTERS OF DAVID’S COURT.—1Ch_27:32-34
In this list David’s counsellors, seven men of high position, worthy apparently of special mention. Four or five known in other capacity (cf. lists ch. 1Ch_18:14-17; 2Sa_8:16-18; 2Sa_20:23-26).
1. The counsellors of the king. First Jonathan, kinsman of David, a politician, scribe, and eminent for wisdom. Then Ahithophel, cunning; held in great estimation, and generally followed in counsel. After death of Ahith., Jehoiada and Abiathar succeeded in the privy council.
2. The companion of the king. “Hushai was the king’s companion,” the friend whom he entrusted with secrets, and whose conversation was acceptable (2Sa_16:17). H. an opponent of Ahithophel, but honest and faithful.
3. The tutor of the king’s sons. Jehiel, the Hachmonite, filled this position; an office mentioned only here.
4. The commander-in-chief to the king. Joab, as generalissimo, would be in some sense minister of war, and belong to rank of counsellor. As such he appears to act in taking the census of the people (ch. 21). Such men eminent for wisdom and integrity, most honourable and trusty advisers, but David preferred his Bible above all, says one. “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors” (men of counsel) (Psa_119:24). A privilege to be counsellor to such a king; but Jehovah has friends whom he admits to his audience. “The secret (privy council met for deliberation) of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant” (Psa_25:14).
HOMILETIC HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
1Ch_27:1 to 1Ch_22:1. David as a powerful prince, a type of Christ. Thousands trained as regular militia for his service. His kingdom well defended, and secure against all assault. Christ’s kingdom and Church well guarded—never wants champions; legions of angels at his command.
2. David’s soldiers a type of Christ’s subjects. They are bound to fight, should never desert, and will be sure to win if faithful.
1Ch_27:23-24. “The Lord said he would increase Israel.” The wonderful promise.
1. Embodied in the tradition of the nation.
2. The ground of hope for the people.
3. Fulfilled by the providence of God. Or, An innumerable people (cf. Gen_15:5; Gen_22:17; Gen_26:4).
1. In actual existence.
2. In future calculations. The actual number of the people living at a given time is not the sum of the Lord’s people. In the Divine estimate those gone before and those coming after are taken into account. Can we count the stars? then may we number God’s children! They are perpetually increasing!
1Ch_27:27. A remembered name. Asahel, captain of the fourth course, died early in David’s reign (2Sa_2:12-23). But greatly respected, and gave name to family or regiment. The value of a good name. A good reputation inseparable from man, outlasts every worldly blessing. “The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.”
1Ch_27:33. The King’s companion. Heb., friend or companion. A great privilege and distinction. “Hushai’s is not obscurely indicated in the questions which Absalom addressed to him, “Is this thy kindness to thy friend?” Why wentest thou not with thy friend? (2Sa_16:17). On his devotion to David, see 2Sa_15:32-37; 2Sa_17:5-16)” [Speak. Com.]. Abraham “a friend of God.” “Ye are my friends,” says Christ, “if ye do what I command you.”
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 27
1Ch_27:1-15. Captains. An English captain in the year 1759, who was beating up for recruits in the vicinity of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, met one day a Moravian Indian, and asked him whether he had a mind to be a soldier. “No,” answered he, “I am already engaged.” “Who is your captain?” asked the officer. “I have a very brave and excellent captain,” replied the Indian. “His name is Jesus Christ. Him will I serve as long as I live. My life is at his disposal.” Reproved by the Indian’s answer, the officer left him unmolested [Baxendale].
1Ch_27:25-29. Our treasures. If every man works at that which nature fitted him for, the cows (1Ch_27:26) will be well attended [La Fontaine]. Not what I have, but what I do, is my kingdom [Carlyle].
1Ch_27:32-34. Counsellor. The best friends are those who stimulate us to that which is good (Heb_10:24) [Nicholls]. Every friend is to the other a sun and a sunflower also; he attracts and follows [Richter]. “A faithful friend is a strong defence, and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure” (Sir_6:14). “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel” (Pro_27:9).
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain Particulars respecting various Military Officers
Particulars respecting various Military Officers
This c., as distinguished from the four preceding chapters which describe David's ecclesiastical officials, relates to his secular officers.
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1. Which came.. out] i.e. relieved each other in turn: cp. 2Ch_23:8. For particulars concerning several of the officers mentioned in the following vv. see 1 Chronicles 11.
3. Of the children, etc.] Rv'He was of the children of Perez, the chief of,' etc.
4. Dodai] The words 'Eleazar son of' have been lost: cp. 2Ch_11:12.
5. A chief priest] RV 'of Jehoiada the priest, chief.'
16. Over the tribes] In the following list Gad and Asher are omitted, and the Aaronites are distinguished from the Levites.
18. Elihu] the 'Eliab' of 1Ch_2:13; 1Sa_16:6.
23. From twenty years old and under] In Num_1:3 it is laid down that those required for military service should be above this age.
25. Over the king's treasures] The account implies that David had large private estates as well as considerable accumulations of treasure. Some of his possessions may have formed part of what the king could claim from the nation in virtue of his position (cp. 1Sa_8:14-15), or may have been given him freely by his subjects (cp. 1Sa_10:27), but the bulk was doubtless derived from his successful wars (see 1Sa_30:20; 2Sa_8:6-8). The lands in the low plains (1Ch_27:28) were probably in part taken from the Philistines. Castles] better, 'towers' to shelter the herdmen and serve as look-outs.
27. Over the increase, etc.] better, 'over the wine-cellars which were in the vineyards.'
28. The sycomore trees] not the English tree that goes by this name, but one that bears a fig-like fruit. The low plains] RV 'Lowland': a name applied to the downs that extend from the central hills to the maritime plain.
32. David's uncle] better, 'David's nephew': see 1Ch_20:7.
34. Jehoiada the son of Benaiah] probably to be corrected to 'Benaiah the son of Jehoiada': cp. 1Ch_18:17.
Some of the names mentioned in this chapter belonged to periods much earlier than David's closing years, for Asahel (1Ch_27:7) was killed before David became king at Jerusalem (2Sa_2:14), and Ahithophel killed himself in the course of Absalom's rebellion: 2Sa_17:23.
J. R. Dummelow, A Commentary on the Holy Bible (Macmillan, 1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain 6. The Captains, Princes, and Various Officials
6. The Captains, Princes, and Various Officials
CHAPTER 27
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1. The twelve captains (1Ch 27:1-15)
2. The princes of the twelve tribes (1 Chron. 27-16-22)
3. The unfinished numbering (1Ch 27:23-24)
4. Various officers (1Ch 27:25-34)
We have here the military organization of David’s kingdom. The army comprised all males over twenty years of age. The host had twelve divisions each of 24,000. It is remarkable how the number twenty-four occurs again and again. Twelve is the governmental number and twice twelve, that is, twenty-four, would indicate a perfect and complete government such as will be established when Heaven’s King of Glory is enthroned. In the list of the Princes of Israel the tribe of Dan is numbered last. There is something significant about this. Dan, as we have seen, is not mentioned in the chronological register, nor is this tribe mentioned in Rev. 7. Dan is called a serpent (Gen 49:17); it may be that the coming false Messiah will come out of Dan. Gad and Asher are not mentioned in the list.
Arno C. Gaebelein, The Annotated Bible (1913–1922) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain The Captains and Princes of Israel
The Captains and Princes of Israel
v. 1. Now, the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, the commanders of the twelve divisions of the army and the officers under their command, and their officers that 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 and four thousand. This was the number included in the division or legion of each tribe, their term of service being a month each in rotation. There were thus always twenty-four thousand soldiers on duty, and an army of at least 288,000 men was available on very short notice, which, with its total number of officers, 12,000, could make a very creditable showing at any time. Moreover, it is probable that the same individuals from every tribe were not always enrolled, and that the number of trained soldiers was twice the number given.
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v. 2. Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam, the son of Zabdiel; and in his course were twenty and four thousand, these being, in turn, divided into regiments of one thousand, with twenty-four captains, and into companies of one hundred men each, with 240 centurions. In the military courses the highest dignity, though not that of authority, was given to the hero with the most exploits to his credit.
v. 3. of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
v. 4. And over the course of the second month was Dodai, an Ahohite, a great champion of the army, 2Sa 23:9, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler, the captain actually in command; in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.
v. 5. The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, 1Ch 11:22-25; 2Sa 23:23, a chief priest, rather, a chief or principal officer; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 6. This is that Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty and above the thirty; and in his course was Ammizabad, his son.
v. 7. The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel, the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah, his son, after him; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 8. The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 9. The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira, the son of Ikkesh, the Tekoite; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 10. The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 11. The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 12. The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 13. The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 14. The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
v. 15. The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai (or Heled) the Netophathite, of Othniel, whose family, through his connection with Caleb, was included in the tribe of Judah; and in his course were twenty and four thousand. Many of the champions here named have occurred in the list of David’s heroes, 1Ch 11:27-31.
v. 16. Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel, no reason being evident for the order of the tribes as here given, and for the omission of Gad and Asher: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer, the son of Zichri; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah, the son of Maachah;
v. 17. of the Levites, Hashabiah, the son of Kemuel, who, although under the high priest in all church affairs, was the civil officer of the tribe and had jurisdiction in all civil matters; of the Aaronites, Zadok, the importance of the line of Eliezcr thus being emphasized;
v. 18. of Judah, Elihu (or Eliab), one of the brethren of David; of Issachar, Omri, the son of Michael;
v. 19. of Zebulun, Ishmaiah, the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jerimoth, the son of Azriel;
v. 20. of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea, the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, west of Jordan, Joel, the son of Pedaiah;
v. 21. of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo, the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel, the son of Abner;
v. 22. of Dan, Azareel, the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel, the hereditary chiefs, or rulers, in whom the civil authority was vested. Every government is ordained of God, who wants the work of the government to be carried on in a systematic and efficient manner.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 This is the list
This is the list
"These are the names"
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commanders of thousands and hundreds
Possible meanings are 1) these numbers represent the exact amount of soldiers that these commanders led. AT: "the commanders of 1,000 soldiers and the commanders of 100 soldiers" or 2) the words translated as "thousands" and "hundreds" do not represent exact numbers, but are the names of larger and smaller military divisions. AT: "the commanders of large military divisions and the commanders of smaller military divisions" See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 13:1. (See: Numbers)
in various ways
"in different ways" or "in many ways"
Each military division served month by month throughout the year
This means that each division took turns serving periods of a month at a time.
Each military division
"Each group"
twenty-four thousand men
"24,000 men" (See: Numbers)
throughout the year
"all year long"
Over the division
This is an idiom. AT: "In charge of the division" (See: Idiom)
first month
This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of March and the first part of April on Western calendars. (See: Hebrew Months and Ordinal Numbers)
Jashobeam ... Zabdiel ... Perez
These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
translationWords
Israel
family
commander
servant
king
descend
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 27:1-15 David’s reserve army was organized into twelve divisions,…
27:1-15 David’s reserve army was organized into twelve divisions, each serving on active duty one month each year. Their duties probably included protecting the borders, policing, keeping order in conquered territories, manning fortresses, and tending military equipment (horses and chariots). The divisions were not related to Israel’s tribal structure; each division contained individuals from various tribes, indicating the integration of the kingdom.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.