1 Chronicles 27

SUMMARY QUESTIONS LESSON THIRTEEN 27-29

How many special officials were appointed each month to serve David in Jerusalem?

Name the person responsible for each course of special officials.

Who was the Benaiah of 1 Chronicles 27:5?

What additional information outside of Chronicles is provided concerning Asahel?

Name the princes of each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Who specifically represented the house of Aaron?

To whom did Jehovah promise increasing Israel like the stars of heaven?

Twelve rulers of David’s substance are named. List the names and responsibilities of each.

Name David’s counsellors.

For what purpose did David call a meeting of all his princes, captains, and mighty men?

Which of all the tribes of Israel did Jehovah choose for the kingly tribe?

What did Jehovah intend to do for Solomon?

What did David mean when he charged his people to possess the land of Israel?

How should Solomon serve Jehovah?

How does the Word account for the origin of the pattern of the Temple?

How would the fashion and weight of the candle-stick, basins, and bowls be determined?

Concerning the work, what promise did David make to Solomon?

What would Solomon do about skilled workmen for the Temple?

Explain David’s word, the palace is not for man. (1 Chronicles 29:1)

List the various kinds of materials David had prepared for the building of the Temple.

What did David do with his personal fortune?

Carefully locate Ophir.

In addressing the people what challenge did David propose?

Describe the response of the princes, captains, and rulers.

According to 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 what was David’s concept of Jehovah?

What did David mean in the last part of 1 Chronicles 29:14?

Historically, who were the fathers of the Hebrew people?

What request did David make of Jehovah for Solomon?

How can an assembly of people bless Jehovah?

Why was Solomon made king a second time?

How did Solomon’s kingdom compare with other kingdoms?

What was the total length of David’s reign over God’s people?

Name three men who wrote accounts of David’s reign. Carefully identify each man.

1 Chronicles 27:1-15

LESSON THIRTEEN 27-29

DAVID’S MILITARY ORGANIZATION. HIS COUNSELLORS, HIS CHARGE TO SOLOMON. HIS PRAYER FOR THE TEMPLE. HIS DEATH. (27-29)

20. THE CAPTAINS OF THE ARMY (1 Chronicles 27:1-15)

INTRODUCTION

David’s consuming interest late in his life was the Temple. Having furnished Solomon with the pattern, David prayed for his people and set Solomon on the throne.

TEXT

1 Chronicles 27:1. 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 yearof every course were twenty and four thousand. 2. Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 3. He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4. And over the course of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his course; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 5. The third chief: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 6. This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of his course was Ammizabad his Song of Solomon 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. 8. The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 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. 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. 11. The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 12. The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 13. The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 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. 15. The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

PARAPHRASE

1 Chronicles 27:1. The Israeli army was divided into twelve regiments, each with 24,000 troops, including officers and administrative staff. These units were called up for active duty one month each year. Here is the list of the units and their regimental commanders: 2, 3. The commander of the First Division was Jashobeam. He had charge of 24,000 troops who were on duty the first month of each year. 4. The commander of the Second Division was Dodai (a descendant of Ahohi). He had charge of 24,000 troops who were on duty the second month of each year. Mikloth was his executive officer. 5, 6. The commander of the Third Division was Benaiah. His 24,000 men were on duty the third month of each year. (He was the son of Jehoiada the High Priest, and was the chief of the thirty highest-ranking officers in David’s army.) His son Ammizabad succeeded him as division commander. 7. The commander of the Fourth Division was Asahel (brother of Joab), who was later replaced by his son Zebadiah. He had 24,000 men on duty the fourth month of each year. 8. The commander of the Fifth Division was Shamuth from Izrah, with 24,000 men on duty the fifth month of each year. 9. The commander of the Sixth Division was Ira, the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa; he had 24,000 men on duty the sixth month of each year. 10. The commander of the Seventh Division was Helez from Pelona in Ephraim, with 24,000 men on duty the seventh month of each year. 11. The commander of the Eighth Division was Sibbecai of the Hushite subclan from Zerah, who had 24,000 men on duty the eighth month of each year. 12. The commander of the Ninth Division was Abi-ezer (from Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin), who commanded 24,000 troops during the ninth month of each year. 13. The commander of the Tenth Division was Maharai from Netophah in Zerah, with 24,000 men on duty the tenth month of each year. 14. The commander of the Eleventh Division was Benaiah from Pirathon in Ephraim, with 24,000 men on duty during the eleventh month of each year. 15. The commander of the Twelfth Division was Heldai from Netophah in the area of Othni-el, who commanded 24,000 men on duty during the twelfth month of each year.

COMMENTARY

David was concerned to set every department of his government in order before he died and before Solomon ascended the throne. The religious considerations were of primary importance; however he did not neglect the civil or military provisions. He established a standing army of two hundred eighty eight thousand men. These men were organized into twelve sections of twenty four thousand each. Each section was under the direction of a captain who by sheer strength and courage had won the coveted position as chief of his course. 1 Chronicles 27:1-15 recorded the detail of this military provision and the names of the twelve captains. Jashobeam, one of David’s mighty warriors, was from the tribe of Judah. Benaiah, though a Levite, held the high office of captain for the third month. Asahel, Joab’s brother, had been slain by Abner. His name is memorialized in this assignment as chief captain for the third month. Asahel, Joab’s brother, had been slain by Abner. His name is memorialized in this assignment as chief captain for the fourth month. His son, Zebadiah, most likely stood in his heroic father’s place. Since Ira was the son of a Tekoite, he was from the tribe of Judah. The great tribe of Ephraim was represented among these warriors by Helez, captain for the seventh month. Sibbecai was of the tribe of Judah. The tribe of Benjamin had its champion in Abiezer from the village of Anathoth. Maharai represented Judah. Benaiah’s charge was the eleventh month and he represented Ephraim. Heldai (or Heled) had charge of the militia over which he was captain. He was descended from Othniel, the judge and Caleb’s nephew, and he represented Judah. The twelfth month was his time of special service as appointed by the king. The tribe of Judah furnished seven of the twelve captains. Benjamin and Ephraim each provided two leaders. Levi was represented by one.

1 Chronicles 27:16-24

21. THE PRINCES OF THE TRIBES (1 Chronicles 27:16-24)

TEXT

1 Chronicles 27:16. Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah: 17. of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok: 18. of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19. of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel: 20. of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son on Pedaiah: 21. of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 22. of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. 23. But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven. 24. Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but finished not; and there came wrath for this upon Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.

PARAPHRASE

1 Chronicles 27:16-22. The top political officers of the tribes of Israel were as follows: Over Reuben, Eliezer (son of Zichri); Over Simeon, Shephatiah (son of Maacah); Over Levi, Hashabiah (son of Kemuel); Over the descendants of Aaron, Zadok; Over Judah, Elihu (a brother of King David); Over Issachar, Omri (son of Michael); Over Zebulun, Ishmaiah (son of Obadiah); Over Naphtali, Jeremoth (son of Azriel); over Ephraim, Hoshea (son of Azaziah); Over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel (son of of Pedaiah); Over the other half of Manasseh, in Gilead, Iddo (son of Zechariah); Over Benjamin, Ja-asiel (son of Abner); Over Dan, Azarel (son of Jeroham). 23. When David took his census he didn-’t include the twenty-year-olds, or those younger, for the Lord had promised a population explosion for his people. 24. Joab began the census, but he never finished it, for the anger of God broke out upon Israel; the final total was never put into the annals of King David.

COMMENTARY

Before David passed he was concerned about the political organization of each of the tribes of Israel. Among the other matters in his check list and in the sacred record of the chronicler would be the detail of the naming of the ruler or prince of each tribe. The tribes of Gad and Asher are not listed here. For this there is no satisfactory explanation. The tribe of Levi is listed and receives special attention in that Hashabiah is the ruler over the Levites while Zadok is the ruler over the priests (those of Aaron’s house). When the historian turns to Joseph he names three rulers or princes for this tribe. Hoshea is prince of Ephraim. Joel rules over Manasseh in Canaan. Iddo is prince over Manasseh beyond the Jordan eastward. Elihu (1 Chronicles 27:18) most likely was Eliah, David’s brother, who is prince of Judah. Thirteen men were named here in spite of the omission of the tribes of Gad and Asher. David had taken a military census of the tribes of Israel (2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21) contrary to Jehovah’s will. That it was a military accounting is evident in this record (1 Chronicles 27:23) which says that he would not number those under twenty years of age.[43] The military age was twenty years old and upwards (Numbers 1:3). Jehovah had made this wonderful promise about multiplying Israel (Genesis 15:5), but David was not considering that promise when he ordered Joab to take the census. Joab saw no need for the numbering and went about the task half-heartedly. Joab made no attempt to number the people of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin (1 Chronicles 21; 1 Chronicles 6), so the census was never actually completed. Jehovah’s wrath came in the form of an awful pestilence (1 Chronicles 21:1-7) which killed seventy thousand Israelites. While David made remarkable provisions for all of the tribes of Israel at this time in the record, the historian called to remembrance David’s sin which had disastrously reduced Israel’s population.

[43] Cook, F. C., The Bible Commentary, I SamuelEsther, p. 363

1 Chronicles 27:25-31

22. THE STEWARDS OF THE TREASURIES (1 Chronicles 27:25-31)

TEXT

1 Chronicles 27:25. And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah: 26. and over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: 27. and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: 28. and over the olive-trees and the sycamore-trees that were in the lowland was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash: 29. and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: 30. and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’S.

PARAPHRASE

1 Chronicles 27:25. Azmaveth (son of Adi-el) was the chief financial officer in charge of the palace treasuries, and Jonathan (son of Uzziah) was chief of the regional treasuries throughout the cities, villages, and fortresses of Israel. 26. Ezri (son of Chelub) was manager of the laborers on the king’s estates. 27. And Shime-i from Ramath had the oversight of the king’s vineyards; and Zabdi from Shiphma was responsible for his wine production and storage. 28. Baal-hanan from Gedera was responsible for the king’s olive yards and sycamore trees in the lowlands bordering Philistine territory, while Joash had charge of the supplies of olive oil. 29. Shitrai from Sharon was in charge of the cattle on the Plains of Sharon, and Shaphat (son of Adlai) had charge of those in the valleys. 30. Obil, from the territory of Ishmael, had charge of the camels, and Jehdeiah from Meronoth had charge of the donkeys. 31. The sheep were under the care of Jaziz the Hagrite. These men were King David’s overseers.

COMMENTARY

The stewardship of the treasures of the king, himself, was assigned to Azmaveth. Jonathan was chargeable for the grain, fruit, produce of the agricultural operation. Ezri had charge of the field laborers and the actual preparation and care of the soil. Shimei was assigned to manage the production of grapes. Zabdi was a specialist in the storage of the vintage. Baal-hanan was the chief officer responsible for olive groves and sycamore trees which produced a kind of edible fig. The prophet, Amos, dressed sycamore trees (Amos 7:14). The storage of olive oil was Joash’s field of service. Sharon was a beautiful plain and provided good pasture between Mt. Carmel and Joppa. Shitrai specialized in animal husbandry in that district. Other valley regions and the oversight of flocks and grazing fell to the direction of Shaphat. Obil was the camel man. The name Obil means camel. Jehdeiah had charge of the asses. This assignment was very important because the mule was the royal carriage. Jaziz was David’s steward responsible for the king’s sheep and goats. There were many departments in David’s government. He was careful to see that someone was responsible for every area of concern.

1 Chronicles 27:32-34

23. SPECIAL COUNSELLORS (1 Chronicles 27:32-34)

TEXT

1 Chronicles 27:32. Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons: 33. and Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend: 34. and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king’s host was Joab.

PARAPHRASE

1 Chronicles 27:32. The attendant to the king’s sons was Jonathan, David’s uncle, a wise counsellor and an educated man. Jehiel (the son of Hachmoni) was their tutor. 33. Ahithophel was the king’s official counsellor and Hushai the Archite was his personal advisor. 34. Ahithophel was assisted by Jehoiada (the son of Benaiah) and by Abiathar. Joab was commander-in-chief of the Israeli army.

COMMENTARY

Jonathan, here called David’s uncle, is named in 2 Samuel 21:21 as David’s brother Shimea’s son. He would then be David’s nephew. The term used here may simply refer to Jonathan as a relative. His credentials in this record are very good. He must have been intelligent, well educated, an able consultant to David. Ahithophel was a trusted counsellor of David’S. He is identified as the grandfather of Bathsheba. When Absalom rebelled, Ahithophel went with him. Hushai returned to Jerusalem at the time of Absalom’s rebellion so he could defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. When Ahithophel saw that he had taken second place to Hushai, he went home and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23). David also received some valuable assistance in policy making from Jehoiada and Abiathar, both of whom were from the priestly connection. Joab certainly was one of David’s closest confidants. All of these men were makers of history. Each was very influential in his own right and carried the destiny of many people on his shoulders.