1 Chronicles 27

1 Chronicles 27:1-15

In this chapter we have the civil life, including the military. 1. The twelve captains for every several month of the year, ver. 1—15. 2. The princes of the several tribes, ver. 16—24. 3. The officers of the court, ver. 25—34.

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 couries, which came in and went out month by month, throughout all the months of the year, or every course were twenty and four thousand. 2. Over the first course for the first month, was’ Jathobeam the son of Zabulin: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 3. Of the children of Ireza, was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4. And over the course of the second month, was’ Dazlat an Abohite, and of his course was Mikihith also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand. 5. The third captain of the host for the third month, was’ Benalah the son of Jehoiada a Tchief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 6. This is that Benalah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was’ Ammirabad his son. 7. The fourth captain for the fourth month, was’ Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebaulah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 8. The fifth captain for the fifth month, was’ Shamhuth the Israelite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 9. The sixth captain for the sixth month, was’ Isa the son of Ikketh the Teksuite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 10. The seventh captain for the seventh month, was’ Helea the Pelome, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 11. The eighth captain for the eighth month, was’ Sibbecai the Huthathite, of the Zarkites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 12. The ninth captain for the ninth month, was’ Abiezer the Auctothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 13. The tenth captain for the tenth month, was’ Mahari the Netophathite, of the Zarkites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 14. The eleventh captain for the eleventh month, was’ Benalah the Pirahomin, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 15. The twelfth captain for the twelfth month, was’ Hildai the Netophathite, of Othiniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

The military establishment was divided into twelve courses of twenty-four thousand men, serving monthly, amounting in all to 288,000 men. This regulation, though now mentioned, seems to have taken place early in David’s reign, Asahel, v. 7. being allied whilst David reigned in Hebron. Without the expence of a standing army, a vast force was thus always ready; a well-ordered militia, the nation’s best security. The chief fathers, v. 1. seem not to be the real fathers of the soldiers, but the general officers, who had the chief superintendence. Benalah, one of them, is called a chief priest, v. 5. but Calvo signifies a prince, or ruler, it being hardly probable, that one of that order would be engaged thus in a military life. Note, When we are at peace, it is wise to be always ready for war: and especially in our spiritual concerns, never to think ourselves to fall, as not to keep a constant guard and watch against our enemies.

16. Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the rules of the Reunionites was: Eliezer the son of Zichri; of the Simeonites, Shephariah the son of Mauchah: 17

Of the Levites, Hathabiah the son of Remuel: of the Aaronites, Zabul: 18. Of Judah, Thibin, one of the brethren of David: of Isfachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19. Of Zebulun, Ilhmuiah the son of Obaidah: of Naphali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: 20. Of the children of Ephraim, Hulsha the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Mahafeh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: 21. Of the half-tribe of Mahafeh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaafiel the son of Abner. 22. Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jerolam. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel. 23. But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said, he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens. 24. Joab the son of Zeniah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell when he was against Israel, neither was the number put in the accounts of the chronicles of king David. 25. And over the king’s treasures was Azma, with the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehoiah the son of Uzraah. 26. And over them that did the work of the field for village of the ground, was Ezri the son of Chelub. 27. And over the vineyard was Shimei the Karanthis: over the increase of the vineyards for the vine-cellars, was Zaudi the Shiphonie. 28. And over the olive-trees, and the sycamore-trees, that were in the low plains, was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joab. 29. And over the herds that fed in Sharon, was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys, was Shaphat the son of Adlai. 30. Over the camels also, was Obil the Ithmeelite: and over the afies, was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. 31. And over the flocks, was Jaziz the Hage-rite. All these were the rulers of the abishance which was king David’s. 32. Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor, a wife man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmani was with the king’s sons. 33. And ‘Ahthophel was the king’s counsellor, and ‘Hushal the Archite was the king’s companion. 34. And after Ahthophel, was Jehoiada the son of Benalah, and Abia-thar: and the general of the king’s army was’ Joab.

1 Chronicles 27:16-34

1. Every tribe seems to have still a president, or prince; who, tho’ subject to the king, had great authority under him among his brethren. Among these we find a son of Abner: his father’s opposition to David prevented not the son’s preferences.

2. In the numbering of the people, v. 23. David, deftrous only to know the state of his men of war, numbered not those under twenty years of age, for the reason given, v. 23. but even the register Joab had taken, was never entered into the book of annals, David having been convinced of his sin, and unwilling any monument of it should remain. Note, Though our sins should never be forgotten by us, yet it is desirable, that the records of them should not remain; left pederity, instead of being excited to imitate what is excellent, should humble at what is evil.

3. David’s finances were wisely managed. He had not only a treasurer to take care of the tributes, and the money brought into his exchanges; but he had vast tracts of crows lands, for corn and oil, vineyards, flocks, and herds, over which several officers were placed; an example of good management to his subjects.

4. About his person and court were select persons eminent for their wisdom. One was preceptor to his children. He knew the advantage of a good education, and would therefore train up his sons’ incomes in the way they should go. Others were his counsellors; and, among them, Ahthophel. Hushal had the distinguished honour of being his companion and friend. Note, (1.) A wicked man may be a wise counsellor. (2.) Though a good king may find it necessary to make use of facts in his cabinet for council, he will chuse a better man for his companion and friend.