1 Chronicles 27

The order concerning the men of war, vers.1.&c. The Princes of the Tribes, 16. The chief keepers of Davids treasures and revenues, 25. His chiefest Counsellors and friends, 32.

1. Now these are the children of Israel according to their number, the heads of the Fathers, and the Captains of the thousand, and of the hundreds, with their Officers, serving the king in all matters of the divisions [That is, of the orders, into which David had divided the host] coming on, and going off from month to month in all the months of the year. [understand, that according to the division made by David, the twelve Chieftains with their men were to keep their guards and their marchings forth for a month together, Changing their courses every month. And whatever businesses or difficulties occurred, where unto military strength was required, for that those were to be in readiness, whose month and turn it was. So that those things were as it were Legions, or, hands of the militia, or train-bands, which were to be always in readiness for the service of King and country] every division was four and twenty thousand.

2. Over the first division in the first month was Jasabham [See of this Commander, 2 Sam.23.8. where he is called Joschebbasthebeth] the son of Zabdiel: And in his divisions there were four and twenty thousand.

3. He was of the children of Perez, the head of all the Captains of the hosts in the first month. [oth. He was of the children of Perez, (and) he was the chief over all the Captains, etc.]

4. And over the division in the second month was Dodai [Otherwise called Dodo, 2 Sam.23.9.] the Abohite and (over) his division was Mikloth also Leader: [oth. After that Mikloth became Commander over his division: To wit, when Dodai was dead: But others understand this thus, that Mikloth was Dodai’s Lieutenant] in his division there were likewise four and twenty thousand.

5. The third Commander of the host in the third month was Benaja the son of Jojada the chief officer, [Heb. Cohen; which signifieth a person that executeth an honourable office, either in church or state] he was the head: In his division there were likewise four and twenty thousand.

6. This Benaja was a champion of the thirty, [These thirty champions are expressed by name, 2 Sam.23.24, etc. and 1 Chron.11.26.] and over the thirty. And (over) his division was Ammizabad his son. [some understand this thus, that this Ammazabad was Chief Lleutenant of his Fathers Regiment: Who was also Commander over the Crethi and Plethi, 2 Sam.8.18.]

7. The fourth [To wit, Commander: and so in the sequel] of the fourth month; was Asahel the brother of Joab, and after him [to wit, after his death, after that he was slain by Abner, 2 Sam.2.23.] Zebadja his son: In his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

8. The fifth commander in the fifth month, was Samhath [He is called Samma, 2 Sam.23.15. and Sammoth 1 Chron.11.27.] the Izrahite: In his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

9. The six, in the six month, was Iru the son of Ikkes the Tekoite: In his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

10. The seventh, in the seventh month, was Helez, the Palonite [Otherwise called Paltite, 2 Sam.23.26.] of the children of Ephraim: In his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

11. The eighth, in the eight month, was Sibbechai the Husathite, of the Zarhites: [These were the posterity of Zerah the son of Juda] In his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

12. The ninth, in the ninth month, was Abidzer the Anethotite, of the Benjamites: in his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

13. The tenth, in the tenth month, was Maharai the Methophathite, of the Zarhites: In his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

14. The eleventh, in the eleventh month, was Benaja the Pirhathonite, of the children of Ephraim: in his division there were likewise four and twenty thousand.

15. The twelfth, in the twelfth month, was Heldai [Otherwise called Heled, 1 Chron.11.30. and Hebeb, 2 Sam.23.29.] the Netophathite, of Othniel: In his division there were also four and twenty thousand.

16. But over the tribes of Israel were (these): Over the Reubenites Eliezer the son of zichri was Leader: over the Simeonites was Sephatja the son of Maacha.

17. Over the Levites was Hasabia the son of Kemuel, over the Aaronites [Hebr. over Aaron, that is, over the high Priests house, which ought to continue in Aarons family] was Zadok.

18. Over Juda was Elihu, [Called Eliab, 1 Sam.16.6.] (one) of Davids brethren: over Issaschar was Homri the son of Michael.

19. Over Zebulon was Ismaja the son of Obadja: over Naphathali was Jerimoth the son of Azriel.

20. Over the children [That is, posterity] of Ephraim was Hosea the son of Azazia; over the half tribe of Manasseh was Joel the son of Pedaja.

21. Over half Manasseh in Gilead, was Iddo the son Zacharja: over Benjamin was Jaasiel the son of Abner.

22. Over Dan was Azarel the son of Jeroham: these [To wit, that were even now expressly named] were the Princes of the tribes of Israel. [Aser and Gad with the Chieftains are not named in this Register, why they are passed by or concealed, is uncertained.]

23. But David took not the number of them that were twenty years old, [Heb. from the son of twenty years] and under; because the LORD had said, that he would multiply Israel as the stars of Heaven. [understand this thus, that David would not number these, that it might not appear that he doubteth of the promise of God made to Abraham, Gen.22.17. and 26.4. Some understand this thus, David would not take the number of the people after the time that he was chastised and punished of God for causing the people to be numbered by Joab.]

24. Joab the son of Zeruja had begun to number, [To wit, all the Israelites that were above twenty years old, 2 Sam.24.] but he finished it not, [for he counted not Benjamin nor Levi, because he did this work of numbering the people grudgingly, and against his will. See 1 Chron.21.6.] because there came great wrath upon Israel for it: [meaning the burning wrath of God; that is, the hot siery pestilence, 2 Sam.24.13.] therefore the number is not brought into the account [Hebr. into the number] of the Chronicle of king David. [to wit, the full number was not brought in; for Joab took not the number of Levi and Benjamin, chap.21.6. Others understand this thus, that David being grieved for what he had done, would not have this to be set down in the public records; but God would have it to be recorded in the books of the holy Scripture.]

25. And over the kings treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel. [Understand those treasures that were in the kings house, or within Jerusalem; as Jonathan was over the kings treasures and revenues, that were received and gathered without the said city] and over the treasures in the country, in the cities, and in the towers; [that is, castles, strong holds, fenced houses] was Jonathan the son of Uzzija.

26. And over those that did the work of the field in the tillage of the ground, [Understand here those that did the kings husbandry, and tilled his ground] was Ezri the son of Chelub.

27. And over the vineyards was Simei the Ramathite: [That is, over the vine-dressers, that were to look to, and dress the kings vineyards. And so was this mans office distinct from Zaddi’s] but over that which came of the vines, for the store-houses of wine, [that is, over the wine-cellars] wos Zadi the Siphmite.

28. And over the olive-yards, and the Sycamore-trees that were in the low grounds was BaalHaman the Gederite; but Joas was over the treasures of the oil. [That is, over the oil that was stored up in cellars.]

29. And over the oxen that fed in Saron, [See Cant.2.1.] was Sitrai the Saronite: But over the oxen in the low grounds, was Saphat the son of Adlai.

30. And over the camels was Obil the Ismeelite: And over the she-asses was Jechdeja the Meronothite.

31. And over the small cattle [As sheep ad goats] was Jaziz the Hagerite: All these were Rulers over the substance that king David had.

32. And Jonathan Davids Uncle, [Some think that this Jonathan was Davids Nephew, the son of Samma, Davids brother, of whom we read, Sam.21.22. and so David should have been his Uncle] was counselor, an understanding man, he was also Scribe: [or Secretary] Now Jehiel the son of Hachmoni, was with the kings sons. [to wit, for to instruct and fashion them as their tutor in all good manners and learning.]

33. And Achitophel was the kings Counsellor: And Husai the Archite was the kings friend.

34. And after Achitophel was Jojada the son of Benaja, and Abjathar: But Joab was the General of the kings army.