1 CHRONICLES 27 COMMENTARY

EDITED BY GLENN PEASE

Army Divisions

1This is the list of the Israelites—heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.

BARNES, "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.

CLARKE, "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.

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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.

GILL, "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, 1Ch_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:

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.

HENRY 1-15, "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

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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, 1Ch_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 (1Ch_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, 1Ch_27:6. Asahel had his son after him (1Ch_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.

JAMISON, "1Ch_27:1-15. Twelve captains for every month.

came in and went out month by month — Here is an account of the standing military force of Israel. A militia formed, it would seem, at the beginning of David’s reign (see 1Ch_27:7) was raised in the following order: Twelve legions, corresponding to the number of tribes, were enlisted in the king’s service. Each legion comprised a body of twenty-four thousand men, whose term of service was a month in rotation, and who were stationed either at Jerusalem or in any other place where they might be required. There was thus always a force sufficient for the ordinary purposes of state, as well as for resisting sudden attacks or popular tumults; and when extraordinary emergencies demanded a larger force, the whole standing army could easily be called to arms, amounting to two hundred eighty-eight thousand, or to three hundred thousand, including the twelve thousand officers that naturally attended on the twelve princes (1Ch_27:16-24). Such a military establishment would be burdensome neither to the

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country nor to the royal treasury; for attendance on this duty being a mark of honor and distinction, the expense of maintenance would be borne probably by the militiaman himself, or furnished out of the common fund of his tribe. Nor would the brief period of actual service produce any derangement of the usual course of affairs; for, on the expiry of the term, every soldier returned to the pursuits and duties of private life during the other eleven months of the year. Whether the same individuals were always enrolled, cannot be determined. The probability is, that provided the requisite number was furnished, no stricter scrutiny would be made. A change of men might, to a certain degree, be encouraged, as it was a part of David’s policy to train all his subjects to skill in arms; and to have made the enlistment fall always on the same individuals would have defeated that purpose. To have confined each month’s levy rigidly within the limits of one tribe might have fallen hard upon those tribes which were weak and small. The rotation system being established, each division knew its own month, as well as the name of the commander under whom it was to serve. These commanders are styled, “the chief fathers,” that is, the hereditary heads of tribes who, like chieftains of clans, possessed great power and influence.

captains of thousands and hundreds — The legions of twenty-four thousand were divided into regiments of one thousand, and these again into companies of a hundred men, under the direction of their respective subalterns, there being, of course, twenty-four captains of thousands, and two hundred forty centurions.

and their officers — the Shoterim, who in the army performed the duty of the commissariat, keeping the muster-roll, etc.

K&D, "The twelve divisions of the army. - 1Ch_27:1. The lengthy superscription, “And the sons of Israel according to their number, the heads of the fathers'-houses, and the princes over the thousands and the hundreds, and their scribes, who swerved the king in regard to every matter of the divisions; which month for month of all months of the year went and came, one division 24,000 men,” is towards the end so intimately interwoven with the divisions of the army, that it can only refer to this, i.e., only to the catalogue, 1Ch_27:2-15. Since, then, we find in this catalogue only the twelve classes, the number of the men belonging to each, and their leaders, and since for this the short superscription, “the Israelites according to their number, and the princes of the divisions which served the king,” would be amply sufficient, Bertheau thinks that the superscription originally belonged to a more complete description of the classes and their different officers, of which only a short extract is here communicated. This hypothesis is indeed possible, but is not at all certain; for it is questionable whether, according to the above superscription, we have a right to expect an enumeration by name of the various officials who served the king in the classes of the army. The answer to this question depends upon our view of the relation of the words, “the heads of the fathers'-houses, and the princes,” to the first clause, “the sons of Israel according to their number.” Had these words been connected by the conjunction (וראשי) ו with this clause, and thereby made co-ordinate with it, we should be justified in having such an expectation. But the want of the conjunction shows that these words form an apposition, which as to signification is subordinate to the main idea. If we take this appositional explanation to mean something like this, “the sons of Israel, according to their number, with the heads of the fathers'-houses and the princes,” the emphasis of the

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superscription falls upon למספרם, and the number of the sons of Israel, who with their heads and princes were divided into classes, is announced to be the important thing in the following catalogue. That this is the meaning and object of the words may be gathered from this, that in the second half of the verse, the number of the men fit for service, who from month to month came and went as one class, is stated האחת, one at a

time (distributive), as in Jdg_8:18; Num_17:6, etc.; cf. Ew. §313, a, note 1. א וצא used ,בof entering upon and leaving the service (cf. 2Ch_23:4, 2Ch_23:8; 2Ki_11:5, 2Ki_11:7,2Ki_11:9). But the words are hardly to be understood to mean that the classes which were in service each month were ordered from various parts of the kingdom to the capital, and there remained under arms; but rather, as Clericus, that they paratae essent ducum imperiis parere, si quid contigisset, dum ceterae copiae, si necesse essent, convenirent.

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 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.

COFFMAN, "These verses present the structure of David's military establishment, which consisted of a standing army of 288,000 men, rotated 24,000 at a time, month by month, under the commanders here mentioned.

The commanders were "men of extraordinary personal activity, strength and valor, reminding us of the heroes of King Arthur or Charlemagne, except that the armor of the feudal chieftains gave them their superiority, while in the forces of David, it was

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main strength of body and dauntless fortitude of mind."[1]

Apparently, this arrangement continually surrounded David with 24,000 armed men, month by month, and made available for any emergency the entire 288,000. It also left the soldiery practically free eleven months in the year to pursue their own interests. The monotonous repetition is characteristic of ancient records and denies the notion that "The Chronicler" invented these records.

COKE, "1 Chronicles 27:1. Now the children of Israel, &c.— We have here an account of the manner in which the army 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 and captains of hundreds. Each of these legions attended one month for the security of the king and kingdom; at the end of which they retired to their respective places of abode, and were succeeded by another legion. See Patrick and Lowman.

ELLICOTT, "The account of the religious organisation (1 Chronicles 23-26) is naturally followed here by a sort of outline of the military and civil administration, given in the form of a catalogue of officers and ministers of the king.

I. THE TWELVE ARMY CORPS AND THEIR COMMANDERS (1 Chronicles 27:1-15).

Verse 1

(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.

Chief fathers.—Heads of the clans.

Captains of thousands and hundreds.—See 1 Chronicles 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.

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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.

POOLE, "The twelve captains for every several month, 1 Chronicles 27:1-15. The princes of the twelve tribes, 1 Chronicles 27:16-22. The numbering of the people is hindered, 1 Chronicles 27:23,24. The chief keepers of David’s treasures, 1 Chronicles 27:25-31. His counsellors and friends, 1 Chronicles 27:32-34.

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 Numbers 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.

PULPIT, "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.

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1 Chronicles 27:1

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 1 Chronicles 27:4 (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 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 (2 Kings 11:5-7, 2 Kings 11:9; 2 Chronicles 23:8).

BI 1-34, "Now the children of Israel.

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 (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,

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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 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. (W. Clarkson, B. A.)

GUZIK, "TRIBAL LEADERS AND OFFICIALS OF STATE

A. Captains over the army of Israel.

1. (1Ch_27:1) The military divisions of Israel.

And the children of Israel, according to their number, the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers, served the king in every matter of the military divisions. These divisions came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division having twenty-four thousand.

a. And the children of Israel . . . served the king in every matter of the military divisions: Under David and most every other king of Israel or Judah, Israel never relied on mercenary soldiers. Israelites themselves served the king

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in every matter of the military.

b. These divisions came in and went out month by month: David’s army was also divided into units of twelve, with one group of the twelve on alert each month of the year. This was an effective way to keep troops always ready and the inactive troops regularly trained.

i. “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.” (Clarke)

2 In charge of the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. There were 24,000 men in his division.

BARNES, "Jashobeam - Jashobeam is mentioned in marginal references as the chief of David’s mighty men. He is called in 1Ch_11:11 “the son of Hachmoni.” We learn from 1Ch_27:3 that he was of the tribe of Judah, being descended from Perez (or Pharez), the son of Judah, from whom David himself sprang. See 1Ch_2:3-15.

CLARKE, "First course for the first month - Instead of mentioning first, second, third, etc., month, the Targum names them thus: First month, Nisan; second, Aiyar; third, Sivan; fourth, Tammuz; fifth, Ab; sixth, Elul; seventh, Tishri; eighth, Marchesvan; ninth, Cisleu; tenth, Tebeth; eleventh, Shebat; twelfth, Adar. No mention is made of a veadar or intercalary month.

GILL 2-15, "Over the first course for the first month,.... The month Nisan, sometimes called Abib, which was March:

was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel; the first and chief of David's worthies, 1Ch_11:11.

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and in his course were twenty and four; and so in all the following ones; this man was of the posterity of Perez, or Pharez, a son of Judah, and so had the preference and command of all the captains of the army for that month:

Dodai an Ahohite; the same with Dodo, 1Ch_11:12 was over the course of the second month, the month Ziv, sometimes called Jiar, or April; and his lieutenant or successor was Mikloth:

Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest; or rather a prince, a principal officer, was general of the army for the third month, Sivan, or May; the same was mighty among the thirty, and even above them, for he was among the three mighty, 1Ch_11:22 and Ammizabad his son succeeded him, or was his deputy, when other ways employed: though led by our version here, and following the Jewish writers, I have called Benaiah a priest; see Gill on 1Ki_2:31, yet I am now rather of opinion that he was not one; for though priests might bear arms on some occasions, yet it is not likely that one should be in a constant military office, and especially general of an army; and besides, this man was of Kabzeel, a city in the tribe of Judah, which is not mentioned among the Levitical cities, see 2Sa_23:20. Asahel the brother of Joab was over the course for the fourth month, Tammuz, or June, and who being slain by Abner, his son Zebadiah succeeded him: Shamhuth, the same with Shammah, 2Sa_23:11 and Shammoth, 1Ch_11:27 was captain for the fifth month, Ab, or July: Ira the son of Ikkesh, the Tekoite, was over the course of the sixth month, Elul, or August, see 1Ch_11:28. Helez the Pelonite was captain for the seventh month, Tisri, or September, see 1Ch_11:27, the captain for the eighth month, Marchesvan, sometimes called Bul, or October, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarbites, of the posterity of Zerah, a son of Judah in the line of Hushah, 1Ch_4:4, the captain of the course for the ninth month, Cisleu, or November was Abiezer, of Anethoth, in the tribe of Benjamin, see 1Ch_11:28, Maharai, of Netophah, in the tribe of Judah, and of the posterity of Zerah, was over the course for the tenth month, Tebet, or December, see 1Ch_11:30 and the captain for the eleventh month, Sheber, or January, was Benaiah, of Pirathon, in the tribe of Ephraim, see 1Ch_11:31 and over the course for the twelfth month, Adar, or February, was Heldai the Netophathite, the same with Heled, 1Ch_11:30 and who was of the posterity of Othniel, the first judge in Israel, Jdg_1:13.

JAMISON, " Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel — (See on 1Ch_11:11; see on 2Sa_23:8). Hachmoni was his father, Zabdiel probably one of his ancestors; or there might be different names of the same individual. In the rotation of the military courses, the dignity of precedence, not of authority, was given to the hero.

K&D, "1Ch_27:2

Over the first division was Jashobeam, scil. commander. The second על מחלקת is to be rendered, “in his division were 24,000 men,” i.e., they were reckoned to it. As to Jashobeam, see on 1Ch_11:11 and 2Sa_23:8.

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BENSON, "Verse 2-3

1 Chronicles 27:2-3. Over the first course was Jashobeam — Of whom see 2 Samuel 23:8; 1 Chronicles 11:11. Of the children of Perez — Or, of Pharez, of the posterity of Judah, Genesis 46:12. This seems to be intended of Jashobeam, and to be mentioned as a reason why he was the chief. Chief of all the captains of the host — Whose several names here follow. The meaning is, he was chief in dignity and precedency, but not in power and authority; for these captains were equal in power, and Joab was their general.

ELLICOTT, " (2) Over the first course.—Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was commander of the army corps appointed to be ready for service during the first month of the year. (See 1 Chronicles 11:11.) The names of the twelve generals of division have already occurred in the list of David’s heroes contained in that chapter.

In his course.—Heb., upon his course.

PULPIT, "Jashobeam is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:11 as son of Hachmoni, and as one of those "three mighties" of David, of whom the other two were Eleazar and Shammah (see also 1 Chronicles 12:6); he is again referred to (2 Samuel 23:8) in a verse of which the text is corrupt, as "the Tachmonite," or more correctly "the Tahh-cemonite." The tau in this word is probably an error for the article. Kennicott ('Dies.,' 72, 82) confirms this supposition by noting that the Book of Samuel constantly replaces by the definite article what appears in Chronicles as "son of." He has also shown reason for believing that the words in this passage, "that sat in the seat, are a corruption of the Hebrew text for characters that would spell our name "Jashobeam." We know nothing of this name "Hachmon," which may be the name of an earlier forefather, while Zabdiel, thence named "the Hach-monite," appears to Be the name of the actual father of Jashobeam. Jashobeam was of Judah.

GUZIK, "2. (1Ch_27:2-15) Captains over David’s army.

Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division were twenty-four thousand; he was of the children of Perez, and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month. Over the division of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The third captain of the army for

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the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief; in his division were twenty-four thousand. This was the Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty, and was over the thirty; in his division was Ammizabad his son. The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim; in his division were twenty-four thousand. The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.

a. Of the first division: This section explains the twelve divisions mentioned in the previous verses.

b. Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada: Samuel 23:20-21 describes this same Benaiah as a great hero in Israel, someone who killed two mighty Moabites, a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and a formidable Egyptian.

c. Asahel the brother of Joab: As recorded in 2Sa_2:18-23, Asahel was tragically killed in battle by Abner, who was the commander of Ishbosheth’s armies (this was the son of Saul who tried to follow him on the throne of Israel).

3 He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army officers for the first month.

K&D, "1Ch_27:31Ch_27:3 further relates of him that he was of the sons (descendants) of Perez, and

the head of all the army chiefs in the first month (i.e., in the division for the first month).

ELLICOTT, " (3) Of the children of Perez.—The reference is to Jashobeam. He belonged to the branch of Judah called Perez, or Pharez, to which David himself

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belonged.

The chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.—This notice about Jashobeam is obscure. The “captains of the host” (Heb., hosts) seem to be the twelve generals of division. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 27:5.) Jashobeam, as the first of David’s heroes, may have enjoyed a kind of precedence among the commanders of the army corps; although he was not commander-in-chief of the entire national forces, which was the function of Joab. Or perhaps it is meant merely to emphasise the fact that Jashobeam was “the first” in the rotation of the generals; so that the phrase “for the first month” explains what precedes it. Or “the captains of the hosts” may possibly mean the officers of the subdivisions of the first army corps, of whom Jashobeam was, of course, the chief. The context appears to favour this last explanation.

POOLE, " Of Perez; or, of Pharez, of the posterity of Judah, Genesis 46:12. This seems to be understood of Jashobeam, and to be mentioned as a reason why he was the chief, &c.; and the verse may be rendered thus, He was (which is easily understood out of the foregoing words) of the children of Perez, (and consequently of the tribe of Judah, to which the pre-eminence belonged, and of which Perez was,) and he was (or, therefore he was)

the chief (to wit, in dignity and precedency, though not in power and authority, for these captains were equal in power, and Joab was their general)

of all the captains of the host, ( whose several names here follow,) and was

for the first month; therefore he was first in order, and was captain for the first month.

4 In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division.

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BARNES, "Dodai The words “Eleazar, son of,” have probably fallen out before Dodai (or Dodo). According to Jewish tradition, EIeazar 1Ch_11:12 was cousin to David; his father, Dodai, being Jesse’s brother. Mikloth was probably second in command to Eleazar.

JAMISON, "second month was Dodai — or, “Dodo.” Here the text seems to require the supplement of “Eleazar the son of Dodo” (2Sa_23:9).

K&D, "1Ch_27:4

Before די _has been dropped out (see on 2Sa אלעזר בן ,according to 1Ch_11:12 ,ד

23:9). The words ת הנגיד are obscure. At the end of the sixth verse ומחלקת ומקל

similar words occur, and hence Bertheau concludes that ו before ת is to be struck מקלout, and translated, “and his divisions, Mikloth the prince,” which might denote, perhaps, “and his division is that over which Mikloth was prince.” Older commentators have already translated the word in a similar manner, as signifying that Mikloth was prince or chief of this division under the Ahohite Eleazar. All that is certain is, that ת .is a name which occurred in 1Ch_8:32 and 1Ch_9:37 among the Benjamites מקל

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:4. And Mikloth also was the ruler — Either, 1st, The captain of this course after the death of this Dodai, as Zebadiah was after Asahel, 1 Chronicles 27:7. Or, 2d, His lieutenant, or deputy, in case of his necessary absence. Or, rather, 3d, One of the officers of his course; who seems here to be particularly named, as a person then of great note and eminence.

ELLICOTT, " (4) Dodai an Ahohite.—The Ahohite. 1 Chronicles 11:11 proves that the right reading is Eliezer son of Dodai the Ahohite.

And of his course was Mikloth also the ruler.—Literally, and his course, and Mikloth the prince (nâgîd); which appears meaningless. Perhaps the “and” before Mikloth is spurious. (Comp. end of 1 Chronicles 27:6.) The sense may then be that this division included Mikloth “the prince,” an unknown personage; or that Mikloth was the chief man in the division. (See 1 Chronicles 8:32; 1 Chronicles 9:37, where Mikloth is a Benjamite name.) The LXX. and Vulg. agree with Authorised Version; the Syriac and Arabic are wanting in this chapter.

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POOLE, " Of his course was Mikloth the ruler; who was either,

1. The captain of this course after the death of this Dodai, as Zebadiah was after Asahel, 1 Chronicles 27:7. But the differing phrase there and here sufficiently intimates that the same thing is not meant in both places. Or,

2. His lieutenant or deputy, in case of his necessary absence. But why should such a one be named here, and not in the rest of the courses? Or rather,

3. One of the officers of his course, who seems here particularly to be named as a person then of great note and eminency.

PULPIT, "Before the name Dodai we must supply "Eleazar the son of," on the authority of 1 Chronicles 11:12; 2 Samuel 23:9. The allusion to Mikloth (of the tribe of Benjamin, according to 1 Chronicles 8:32; 1 Chronicles 9:37) in this verse is not plain. The translation may possibly be the same which our Authorized Version gives, And over the course of the second month was (Eleazar, the son of) Dodai the Ahohite, and (over) his (or, its) course also Mikloth was ruler. The appearances of the Hebrew text, however, favour the supposition of an inaccurate text. A somewhat similar con. struction and position of words in 2 Samuel 23:6 is less difficult by the absence of a conjunction before Ammizabad.

5 The third army commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was chief and there were 24,000 men in his division.

BARNES, "A chief priest - Rather, “the chief priest” - an expression by which is meant, not the high priest, but probably the high priest’s deputy, who is sometimes

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called “the second priest” 2Ki_25:18.

CLARKE, "Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest - Why should not this clause be read as it is in the Hebrew? “Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, a captain; and in his course,” etc. Or, as the Targum has it, “The third captain of the host for the month Sivan was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was constituted a chief.” He is distinguished from Benaiah, the Pirathonite, who was over the eleventh month. Some think that the original word הכהן haccohen, which generally signifies priest, should be translated here a principal officer; so the margin has it. But, in the Old Testament, כהן cohen signifies both prince and priest; and translating it by the former removes the difficulty from this place, for we well know that Benaiah never was a priest.

K&D, "1Ch_27:5-6

Here the form of expression is changed; שר הצבא, the chief of the third host, begins

the sentence. As to Benaiah, see 1Ch_11:22 and the commentary on 2Sa_23:20. ראש

does not belong to הכהן, but is the predicate of Benaiah: “the prince of the ... was Benaiah ... as head,” sc. of the division for the third month. This is added, because in 1Ch_27:6 still a third military office held by Benaiah is mentioned. He was hero of the (among the) thirty, and over the thirty, i.e., more honoured than they (cf. 1Ch_11:25 and 2Sa_23:23). - With 1Ch_27:6 cf. what is said on the similar words, 1Ch_27:4.

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:5-6. Jehoiada, a chief priest — Or rather, a chief prince, as the Hebrew word כהן, cohen, often signifies. For it is certain neither Benaiah nor his father was high-priest or second priest. In his course was Ammizabad his son — Who seems to have been his father’s lieutenant, because his father was captain of the king’s guard,

COKE, "1 Chronicles 27:5. Benaiah—a chief priest— As Benaiah was neither high-priest nor second priest, the marginal rendering, namely, principal officer, seems most proper; and the word כהן cohen, is doubtless used for a great officer in a king's court, from his office of regulating civil affairs. See 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 20:26. 1 Kings 4:5. Job 12:19.Samuel 18:18,) and therefore needed a deputy in the one or other place.

ELLICOTT, " (5) The third captain of the host.—Heb., captain of the third host. So

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Vulg.

Benaiah.—See 1 Chronicles 11:22.

The son of Jehoiada, a chief priest.—Rather, son of Jehoiada the priest, as head, viz., of the third army corps. The term “chief,” or “head,” belongs to Benaiah, not to his father. But perhaps it is an erroneous gloss on Jehoiada. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 23:8.) Both LXX. and Vulg. make Benaiah the priest.

POOLE, " A chief priest; or, the chief priest; or rather, a chief prince, as this Hebrew word is oft used, as Genesis 41:45 Genesis 47:22 2 Samuel 8:18 20:26 1 Kings 4:5 2 Kings 10:11, and elsewhere. Probably he was not only a captain of this course, but a great officer in the court and state. For although the priests might take up arms in some special cases; yet it is not likely that such were constant officers in the king’s army, especially seeing the rest of the captains here named were of other tribes. Besides, neither Benaiah nor Jehoiada was high priest at that time, but Zadok or Abiathar, and before them Abimelech, in whom the priesthood had been for a long time together, even in the days of Samuel, and Saul, and David, and Solomon.

PULPIT, "Benaiah (1 Chronicles 11:22-25; 2 Samuel 23:20-23). To this name Keil thinks the word chief ( ראש ), in the succeeding expression, chief priest, belongs. Thus Jehoiada would be named here only priest. Yet see 1 Chronicles 12:27, where Jehoiada is called לאהרן חגגיד; and 2 Kings 25:18; where כהן הראש stands for our .as applied to Seraiah. Benaiah was manifestly a Aaronite ,הכהן ראש

6 This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

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ELLICOTT, " (6) This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty.—Literally, he, Benaiah, was a hero of the thirty. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 11:25; 2 Samuel 23:23.)

And in his course.—Heb., and his course. Ammizabad his son. Comp. the second clause of 1 Chronicles 27:4. Here, as there, the LXX. and Vulg. give the sense “over his course,” as if Ammizabad were coadjutor with his father. The text may be defective in both places.

POOLE, "Who seems to have been his father’s lieutenant, because his father was captain of the king’s guard, 2 Samuel 8:18, and therefore needed a deputy in the one or in the other place.

7 The fourth, for the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah was his successor. There were 24,000 men in his division.

BARNES, "Asahel died before the courses, as here described, could have been instituted. Perhaps the arrangements of David in his later years were based upon institutions belonging to the period of his reign at Hebron.

CLARKE, "Asahel the brother of Joab - This verse proves that the division and arrangement mentioned above were made before David was acknowledged king in

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Hebron; for Asahel, the brother of Joab, who was fourth captain, was slain by Abner, while Ishbosheth reigned over Israel at Mahanaim, 2Sa_2:19-23.

JAMISON, "Asahel — This officer having been slain at the very beginning of David’s reign [2Sa_2:23], his name was probably given to this division in honor of his memory, and his son was invested with the command.

K&D, "1Ch_27:7From here onwards the mode of expression is very much compressed: the fourth of

the fourth month, instead of the chief of the fourth host of the fourth month. Asahel (see 1Ch_11:26 and on 2Sa_23:24) was slain by Abner (2Sa_2:18-23) in the beginning of David's reign, and consequently long before the division of the army here recorded. The words, “and Zebadiah his son after him,” point to his death, as they mention his son as his successor in the command of the fourth division of the army. When Asahel, therefore, is called commander of the fourth division of the host, it is done merely honoris causâ, since the division over which his son was named, de patris defuncti nomine (Cler.).

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:7. Asahel the brother of Joab — As Asahel was killed before all Israel had acknowledged David as king, it is likely that this course was called the course of Asahel, in honour to his memory, it being commanded by his son. Poole, however, thinks that the foundation of this project was laid while David was in Hebron, and that then his forces were divided into twenty-four courses, under twenty-four chief commanders, whereof Asahel was one, only that the number of his forces was then much less than that which is here mentioned: but, he adds, when David was fully settled in his whole kingdom, the design was perfected, and his soldiers were increased to this number. Zebadiah his son after him — That is, after his death, of see 2 Samuel 2:23. And in his course were twenty-four thousand — Not Asahel’s, for in his time they were not so numerous, but Zebadiah’s his son.

ELLICOTT, " (7) The fourth captain for the fourth month.—Heb., the fourth, for the fourth month; an abridged mode of expression, which is preserved from this point to the end of the list.

Asahel the brother of Joab.—1 Chronicles 11:26. Asahel was slain by Abner at the beginning of David’s reign (2 Samuel 2:18-23). The added clause, “And Zebadiah

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his son after him,” evidently refers to this fact. Perhaps the difficult statements about Mikloth and Ammizabad in 1 Chronicles 27:4; 1 Chronicles 27:6 were originally similar to this one about Zebadiah. The fourth division “may have been called by the name of the fallen hero in honour of his memory” (Bertheau).

POOLE, " The fourth captain was Asahel the brother of Joab; by which, it seems, the foundation of this project was laid whilst David was in Hebron, during which time Asahel was slain, and David’s forces were then divided into twenty-four courses, under twenty-four chief commanders, whereof Asahel was one; only it is probable that the number of their forces was much less than that which is here mentioned: but when David was fully settled in his whole kingdom, the design was perfected, and the numbers of their soldiers increased to this number.

His son after him, i.e. after his death; of which see 2 Samuel 2:23.

In his course; not Asahel’s, for in his time they were not so numerous, but Zebadiah his son.

PULPIT, "With this verse, as Keil observes, the description of the successive courses is given with the greatest brevity. Zebadiah was of Judah. Inasmuch as Asahel (1 Chronicles 11:26; 2 Samuel 23:24) was killed by Abner (2 Samuel 2:23) before this division of military courses was made, it is evident that his name in this place marks, not the individual, but the family. Possibly he and his name were held in all the greater regard, and his son Zebadiah best known for the sake of his father.

8 The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

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K&D, "1Ch_27:8Shamhuth is called in 1Ch_11:27 Shammoth, and in 2Sa_23:25 Shamma. He was born

in Harod; here he is called היזרח the Jizrahite, = 1 ,הזרחיCh_27:13, of the family of Zerah the son of Judah (1Ch_2:4, 1Ch_2:6).

ELLICOTT, " (8) The fifth captain for the fifth month.—Rather, the fifth, for the fifth month, was the captain Shamhuth. Shamhuth is called “Shammoth the Harorite” in 1 Chronicles 11:27, and “Shammah the Harodite” in 2 Samuel 23:25.

The Izrahite.—Heb., ha-yizráh, which is probably a mistake for ha-zarhî, “the Zarhite” (comp. 1 Chronicles 27:11; 1 Chronicles 27:13), i.e., a member of the Judean clan called Zerah. Harod was his town.

PULPIT, "Shamhuth. For variations in the form of this name, see 1 Chronicles 11:27; 2 Samuel 23:25. In the former of these passages also we have Harorite in place of our Izrahite, and in the latter Harodite. The Izrahite probably means of the family of Zerah (1 Chronicles 2:4, 1 Chronicles 2:6), and of course marks one of the tribe of Judah. The Hebrew היזרח evidently does not justify the form as translated "Izrahite."

9 The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

K&D, "1Ch_27:9Ira; see 1Ch_11:28, 2Sa_23:26.

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ELLICOTT, "Verses 9-14

(9-14) Comp. 1 Chronicles 11:27-31 for the names here given.

10 The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

K&D, "1Ch_27:10Helez: 1Ch_11:27; 2Sa_23:26.

11 The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

K&D, "1Ch_27:11Sibbecai; see 1Ch_11:29, 2Sa_23:27.

PULPIT, "For Sibbecai, see 1 Chronicles 11:29; 1 Chronicles 20:4; 2 Samuel 21:18; 2 Samuel 23:27, where by a corruption the name Mebunnai is found for Sibbechai, a corruption all the easier to account for in the similarity of the characters that form the names. He was a Zarhite, and belonged to the tribe of Judah.

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12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

K&D, "1Ch_27:12Abiezer; see 1Ch_11:28; 2Sa_23:27; he was of Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin (Jer_

1:1).

PULPIT, "or Abiezer, of the tribe of Benjamin, see 1 Chronicles 11:28; 2 Samuel 23:27. For Anetothite (Anathoth) see 1 Chronicles 6:60 (45); Joshua 21:18; Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 11:21; Jeremiah 32:7-9.

13 The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

K&D, "1Ch_27:13Maharai (see 1Ch_11:30; 2Sa_23:28) belonged also to the family of Zerah; see 1Ch_

27:11, 1Ch_27:8.

PULPIT, "For Maharai, of the tribe of Judah, see 1 Chronicles 11:30; 2 Samuel 23:28. The Netophathite. Though the name of the town Netophah happens to occur

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only after the Captivity (e.g. Ezra 2:22; Nehemiah 7:26), yet the name of the people, as in this passage, was evidently a name existing before the Captivity (see also 2 Samuel 2:1-32 :54; 9:16).

14 The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

K&D, "1Ch_27:14Benaiah of Pirathon; see 1Ch_11:31, 2Sa_23:30.

PULPIT, "For this Benaiah, who was of Ephraim, see 1 Chronicles 11:31; 2 Samuel 23:30. For Pirathon, see 12:15, where alone the place is mentioned.

15 The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division.

K&D, "1Ch_27:15Heldai, in 1Ch_11:30 Heled, in 2Sa_23:29 erroneously called Heleb, belonging to

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Othniel's family (Jos_15:17).

ELLICOTT, " (15) Heldai (living).—The same as “Heled” (life) in 1 Chronicles 11:30.

Of Othniel.—Of the clan so called. (Comp. Joshua 15:17.) His town was Netophah, near Bethlehem.

Of the whole list of twelve generals, it is noticeable that eight—viz., the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth—belonged to the royal tribe of Judah. Of the remaining four, the second perhaps, and the ninth certainly, was a Benjamite; the seventh and eleventh were Ephraimites.

PULPIT, "For Heldai, who belonged to Judah, see 1 Chronicles 11:30, where the name appears as Heled, and 2 Samuel 23:29, where it appears as Heleb. For Othniel (who was nephew and son-in-law of Caleb, and first deliverer of the people after Joshua), see Joshua 15:17; 3:9. These twelve captains then come—from Judah seven, from Benjamin and Ephraim two each, and from Levi one.

Leaders of the Tribes

16 The leaders of the tribes of Israel:

over the Reubenites: Eliezer son of Zikri;

over the Simeonites: Shephatiah son of Maakah;

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BARNES 16Gad and Asher are omitted from this list of the tribes. Similarly, Dan and Zebulon are omitted from the genealogical survey of the tribes 1 Chr. 4–8. We can only suppose that the lists, as they came down to the writer of Chronicles, were incomplete. The “rulers” or “princes” of the tribes appear to have been the oldest lineal descendants of the patriarchs according to the law of primogeniture.

CLARKE, "Over the tribes of Israel - In this enumeration there is no mention of the tribes of Asher and Gad. Probably the account of these has been lost from this register. These rulers appear to have been all honorary men, without pay, like the lords lieutenants of our counties.

GILL 16-22, "Furthermore, over the cities of Israel,.... Were the following rulers or princes; the captains over the militia before named were of David's appointment; but these ruled over their respective tribes in their own right, or by the choice of their tribes: the ruler of the tribe of Reuben was Eliezer, the son of Zichri: of the tribe of Simeon, Shephatiah the son of Maachah; whether this was his father's or mother's name is not certain, it being the name both of a man and woman: of the tribe of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, who were of the same tribe, but, being priests, are thus distinguished from the Levites, Zadok, who was made high priest in the times of Solomon: of the tribe of Judah, Elihu, a brother of David's, the same with Eliab, 1Sa_16:6, of the tribe of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: of the tribe of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of the tribe of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, on this side Jordan westward, Joel the son of Pedaiah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, in Gilead, on the other side Jordan eastward, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of the tribe of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner, the famous general on the side of Ishbosheth; of the tribe of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham:

these were the princes of the tribes of Israel; of all excepting Gad and Asher, who are omitted; perhaps he that was prince of the tribe of Reuben, or else of the half tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan, was ruler of Gad and Asher; these lying between Zebulun and Naphtali, might be under the prince of one of them.

HENRY, "We have here an account,

I. Of the princes of the tribes. Something of the ancient order instituted by Moses in the wilderness was still kept up, that every tribe should have its prince or chief. It is probable that it was kept up all along, either by election or by succession, in the same family; and those are here named who were found in that office when this account was taken. Elihu, or Eliab, who was prince of Judah, was the eldest son of Jesse, and descended in a right line from Nahshon and Salmon, the princes of this tribe in Moses's time. Whether these princes were of the nature of lord-lieutenants that guided them in

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their military affairs, or chief-justices that presided in their courts of judgment, does not appear. Their power, we may suppose, was much less now that all the tribes were united under one king than it had been when, for the most part, they acted separately. Our religion obliges us to be subject, not only to the king as supreme, but unto governors under him (1Pe_2:13, 1Pe_2:14), the princes that decree justice. Of Benjamin was Jaaziel the son of Abner, 1Ch_27:21. Though Abner was David's enemy, and opposed his coming to the throne, yet David would not oppose the preferment of his son, but perhaps nominated him to this post of honour, which teaches us to render good for evil.

JAMISON, "1Ch_27:16-24. Princes of the twelve tribes.

over the tribes of Israel: the ruler — This is a list of the hereditary chiefs or rulers of tribes at the time of David’s numbering the people. Gad and Asher are not included; for what reason is unknown. The tribe of Levi had a prince (1Ch_27:17), as well as the other tribes; and although it was ecclesiastically subject to the high priest, yet in all civil matters it had a chief or head, possessed of the same authority and power as in the other tribes, only his jurisdiction did not extend to the priests.

K&D, "The princes of the twelve tribes. - The enumeration of the tribal princes, commencing with the words, “and over the tribes of Israel,” immediately follows the catalogue of the divisions of the army with their commanders, because the subjects are in so far connected as the chief management of the internal business of the people, divided as they were into tribes, was deposited in their hands. In the catalogue the tribes Gad and Asher are omitted for reasons unknown to us, just as in 1 Chron 4-7, in the genealogies of the tribes, Dan and Zebulun are. In reference to Levi, on the contrary, the Nagid of Aaron, i.e., the head of the priesthood, is named, viz., Zadok, the high priest of the family of Eleazar.

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:16. Over the tribes of Israel: the ruler, &c. — These were the princes of the tribes, the constant rulers of the tribes; who seem to have had a superior power to these twenty-four captains, and therefore are named before them, being probably the king’s chief counsellors and assistants in the great affairs of his kingdom.

COFFMAN, "It is strange that neither Gad nor Asher of the Twelve Tribes is mentioned. Curtis supposed that this was because, "The list of twelve was complete without them"![2]

"David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under" (1

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Chronicles 27:22). There is a hint here as to the reason why God was displeased with David's numbering Israel. Curtis (Madsen) believed that, "David refrained from counting them, because such an act would have implied a doubt on David's part of God's promise in Genesis 22:17."[3] Evidently, his efforts to find out exactly how many able-bodied soldiers Israel had likewise exhibited a sinful doubt on David's part. He was apparently tempted to trust in the number of his troops, instead of relying upon the promise of God.

ELLICOTT, " II. THE PRINCES OR EMIRS OF THE TWELVE TRIBES (1 Chronicles 27:16-24).

(16) Furthermore over the tribes of Israel. Literally, and over the tribes of Israel . . . the Reubenites had as prince (nâgîd) Eliezer, etc.

Eliezer the son of Zichri.—Originally the emir of the tribe was its leader in war, as well as its chief authority in times of peace. David, as appears by the list (1 Chronicles 27:1-15) made the important change of nominating the chief commanders himself. The emirs would still manage the internal affairs of their tribes.

POOLE, "Over the children of Israel, i.e. these were the princes of the tribes as they are called below, 1 Chronicles 27:22, who were the most ancient and constant rulers of the tribes at all times, whether of war or peace; who seem to have had a superior power to these twenty-four captains, and therefore are named before them, 1 Chronicles 28:1, being probably the king’s chief counsellors and assistants in the great affairs of his kingdom.

PULPIT, "1 Chronicles 27:16-22

These verses give the names of the rulers (1 Chronicles 27:16), or princes (1 Chronicles 27:22), of ten out of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribes not mentioned are Gad and Asher, an omission which reminds of that of the two tribes Dan and Zebulon from the genealogies contained in 1 Chronicles 4:1-43.-7; and equally unexplained. These designations ruler ( נגיד ) and prince ( שר) are the same as are found in the list of 1 Chronicles 15-4:1 —the former in 1 Chronicles 4:4, and translated also as here "ruler;" and the latter in 1 Chronicles 4:1, 1 Chronicles 4:3, 1 Chronicles 4:5, 1 Chronicles 4:8, under the Authorized Version word of"

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captains." This rehearsal of the rulers or captains of the tribes stands evidently in no special relation to the preceding military enumeration, but it forms naturally enough one of four lists in this chapter that purport to set forth David's complete arrangement of the affairs of the kingdom. So far as the enumeration goes, it appears to aim at fulness and no omission, for the "Aaronites" (1 Chronicles 4:17) are given, and Ephraim and the two halves of Manasseh separately (verses 20, 21).

GUZIK, "B. Tribal leaders over Israel and officials in King David’s government.

1. (1Ch_27:16-22) Tribal leaders.

Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel: the officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri; over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah; over the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; over the Aaronites, Zadok; over Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar, Omri the son of Michael; over Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; over Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel; over the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; over Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner; over Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

a. The officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: This list describes tribal leaders who were not priests or military leaders, but administrators in the civil service of the Kingdom of Israel.

i. “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.” (Clarke)

b. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel: For some reason, the tribes of Asher and Gad are excluded on this list. “In this enumeration there is no mention of the tribes of Asher and Gad. Probably the account of these has been lost from this register. These rulers appear to have been all honorary men, like the lords lieutenants of our counties.” (Clarke)

17 over Levi: Hashabiah son of Kemuel;

over Aaron: Zadok;

COKE, "1 Chronicles 27:17. Of the Aaronites, Zadok— The Aaronites were the

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priests, and not a distinct tribe; but being a different order from the rest of the tribe of Levi, they had a peculiar chief to preside over them. See ch. 1 Chronicles 24:19.

ELLICOTT, "(17) Of the Levites, Hashabiah.—Levi has two princes, one for the tribe and one for the great Aaronite branch. The literal rendering would be: To Levi, Hashabiah . . . to Aaron, Zadok. Zadok was the high priest (1 Chronicles 24:3).

PULPIT, "It is, perhaps, remarkable that Hashabiah—presumably a Gershonite—is not distinguished from the Hebronite (i.e. Kohathite) of the same name (1 Chronicles 26:30); some, however, think that our Hasha-biah is the Kohathite. For Zadok, see 1 Chronicles 6:4, 1 Chronicles 6:12. He was of the line of Eleazar.

18 over Judah: Elihu, a brother of David;

over Issachar: Omri son of Michael;

JAMISON, "Elihu — probably the same as Eliab (1Sa_16:6).

K&D, "Elihu, of the brethren of David, is only another form of the name Eliab, 1Ch_2:13, David's eldest brother, who, as Jesse's first-born, had become tribal prince of Judah.

ELLICOTT, " (18) Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David.—The LXX. reads “Eliab.” Eliab was David’s eldest brother (1 Chronicles 2:13). He, therefore, was tribal prince by right of the firstborn, assuming that the house of Jesse was the leading family of Judah. (See Ruth 4:17-20.)

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Omri the son of Michael.—Omri was, perhaps, an ancestor of the successful adventurer who founded the dynasty of Ahab (1 Kings 16:16; Micah 6:16).

PULPIT, "David's eldest brother Eliab is no doubt intended here by the name Elihu. The Septuagint gives Eliab. For Michael, see 1 Chronicles 7:3.

19 over Zebulun: Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;

over Naphtali: Jerimoth son of Azriel;

20 over the Ephraimites: Hoshea son of Azaziah;

over half the tribe of Manasseh: Joel son of Pedaiah;

K&D, "Of Manasseh two tribal princes are named, because the one half of this tribe had received its inheritance on this side Jordan, the other beyond Jordan. גלעדה, towards Gilead, to designate the East-Jordan Manassites.

ELLICOTT, " (20) Of the half tribe of Manasseh.—That on the west of Jordan, between Ephraim and Issachar.

21 over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Iddo

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son of Zechariah;over Benjamin: Jaasiel son of Abner;

ELLICOTT, " (21) Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead.—Rather, towards Gilead, Gilead-ward: i.e., on the east of the Jordan, in Gilead and Bashan.

Iddo the son of Zechariah.—The prophet Ze-chariah was a son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, and may have descended from this Iddo.

Jaasiel the son of Abner, was, doubtless, a son of Saul’s famous marshal.

PULPIT, "There is no reason to doubt that Jaasiel is the son of the Abner who was Saul's own cousin (1 Chronicles 9:36; 1 Samuel 14:50).

22 over Dan: Azarel son of Jeroham.

These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:22. Of the tribes of Israel — Of the most of the tribes, not of all: for Gad is omitted, probably because that tribe was joined with the Reubenites under one prince.

ELLICOTT, " (22) Of Dan.—Dan and Zebulun, omitted in the tribal registers of 1 Chronicles 4-7, are both mentioned in the present list. On the other hand, Gad and Asher are unnoticed here; why, we cannot say. The total—“twelve”—is made by counting Manasseh as two and Joseph as three tribes. The order of the first six names is that of Genesis 35:23. Why Dan is mentioned last is not clear: some have

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thought it indicates the chronicler’s reprobation of the idolatry of the tribe (1 Kings 12:29-30; comp. Judges 18:30; Amos 8:14); but he has probably kept the order of his source.

These were the princes.—The same word as “captains” in the former list (sârîm).

POOLE, "Of the most of the tribes, not of all; for Gad is omitted, probably because that tribe was joined with the Reubenites under one prince; and Asher, for some such reason, or for some other causes now unknown, and not worth our inquiry.

PULPIT, "These thirteen princes of the tribes of Israel were presumably in each case those who represented the tribe according to lineal descent in David's time. Though Gad and Asher are left out, the thirteen are filled up by the allowance of two for Levi, viz. one for the Levites and one for the priests; and three for Joseph, viz. one for Ephraim and two for the divided tribe of Manasseh.

23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.

BARNES, "David’s numbering of the people was therefore a military arrangement in order to fix the amount of his standing army. To the general Oriental prejudice against numbering possessions, etc., there was added in the case of the Jews a special objection - a feeling that it would be irreverent to attempt to count what God had promised should be countless.

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GILL, "But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under,.... Only those that were twenty years and upwards; but, according to Cornelius Bertram (k), he numbered them that were under twenty, though but sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen years of age, provided they were of robust bodies, and of a tall stature, and able to bear arms; which he takes to be the sin of David, in numbering the people, being contrary to the law of God; yet though he had ordered them to be numbered, and they were, yet he would not take them and put them into the account of his chronicles, as in the next verse, that his sin might not be known, see 2Sa_24:9.

because the Lord had said, he would increase Israel like to the stars in the heavens; which are not to be numbered, and therefore David sinned in attempting to number the people.

HENRY, "II. Of the numbering of the people, 1Ch_27:23, 1Ch_27:24. It is here said, 1. That when David ordered the people to be numbered he forbade the numbering of those under twenty years old, thinking thereby to save the reflection which what he did might otherwise cast upon the promise that they should be innumerable; yet it was but a poor salvo, for it had never been customary to number those under twenty, and the promise of their numbers chiefly respected the effective men. 2. That the account which David took of the people, in the pride of his heart, turned to no good account; for it was never perfected, nor done with exactness, nor was it ever recorded as an authentic account. Joab was disgusted with it, and did it by halves; David was ashamed of it, and willing it should be forgotten, because there fell wrath for it against Israel. A good man cannot, in the reflection, please himself with that which he knows God is displeased with, cannot make use of that, nor take comfort in that, which is obtained by sin.

JAMISON, "But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under — The census which David ordered did not extend to all the Israelites; for to contemplate such an enumeration would have been to attempt an impossibility (Gen_28:14), and besides would have been a daring offense to God. The limitation to a certain age was what had probably quieted David’s conscience as to the lawfulness of the measure, while its expediency was strongly pressed upon his mind by the army arrangements he had in view.

K&D, "1Ch_27:23 and 1Ch_27:24 contain a concluding remark on the catalogue of the twelve detachments into which the men capable of bearing arms in Israel were divided, contained in 1Ch_27:2-15. David had not taken their number from the men of twenty years and under, i.e., he had only caused those to be numbered who were over twenty years old. The word מספרם points back to 1 ,למספרםCh_27:1. נשא מספר as in

Num_3:40 = נשא ראש, Exo_30:12; Num_1:49, to take up the sum or total. The reason of this is given in the clause, “for Jahve had said (promised) to increase Israel like to the

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stars of heaven” (Gen_22:17), which cannot mean: For it was impossible for David to number all, because they were as numerous as the stars of heaven, which of course cannot be numbered (Berth.). The thought is rather that David never intended to number the whole people from the youngest to the eldest, for he did not desire in fidem divinarum promissionum inquirere aut eam labefactare (J. H. Mich.); and he accordingly caused only the men capable of bearing arms to be numbered, in order to organize the military constitution of the kingdom in the manner recorded in 1Ch_27:2-15. But even this numbering which Joab had begun was not completed, because wrath came on Israel because of it, as is narrated in 1 Chron 21. For this reason also the number, i.e., the result of the numbering begun by Joab, but not completed, is not included in the number of the chronicle of King David, i.e., in the official number which was usually inserted in the public annals. במספר neither stands for בספר (according to 2Ch_20:34), nor does it denote, “in the section which treats of the numberings” (Berth.). .book of the events of the day ,ספר דברי 'is a shorter expression for h דברי הימים

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:23. David took not the number from twenty years old and under — But only of those who were above the age of twenty years, or (which is the same thing) those that drew the sword, 1 Chronicles 21:5. Because the Lord had said, &c. — And therefore to number them all, both above and under twenty years old, had been both an infinite trouble and a tempting of God, or a questioning the truth of his promises.

ELLICOTT, " (23) But David took (Numbers 3:40, nâsâ’mispar) not the number of them.—This and the next verse contain concluding remarks on the two lists communicated in 1 Chronicles 27:1-22. The heading of the chapter professes that the “sons of Israel, according to their number,” is the subject in hand. This appended note limits that statement to those who were above “twenty years old,” that is, to those who were of the military age. The reference is undoubtedly to the census, of which 1 Chronicles 21 gave the account; and it is evident that one of the main objects of that census was the military and political organisation here so scantily and obscurely described.

Because the Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.—The reason why David restricted the census to those who were capable of bearing arms (see Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17). The idea implied seems to be that to attempt to number Israel would be to evince a distrust of Jehovah’s faithfulness; and, perhaps, that such an attempt could not possibly succeed.

POOLE, " The meaning is, David, when he desired to number the people, he

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designed to number only those who were from twenty years old and upward, or (which is the same thing) those that drew sword, 1 Chronicles 21:5, and not those who were from twenty years old and under.

He would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens; and therefore to number them all both above and under twenty years old, had been both an infinite trouble, and a tempting of God, or a questioning of the truth of his promises. And possibly this circumstance might in part deceive or quiet David’s conscience, that his desire of knowing the number of his people did not proceed from distrust of God’s promise or providence, but from a prudent care to know the true state and strength of his kingdom.

PARKER, "David here showed himself to be at once a poet and a saint.—He could have numbered Israel arithmetically, but the remembrance of a promise made by the Lord stayed his hand when he thought of thus limiting the Holy One of Israel.—God"s purpose concerning his Church is that it shall be "like to the stars of the heavens": yet there are men amongst us who love to take the statistics of the Church: so many over twenty-one years of age, and so many under twenty-one years of age; so many old, and so many young; so many rich and so many poor; all this may easily be pushed too far, and statistics may become a misrepresentation of the kingdom of heaven.—When God said he would make Israel like to the stars of the heavens, he superseded arithmetical action, he left arithmetic itself far behind, for it has no figures wherewith to represent the boundlessness of the empire of heaven.—It is enough that we have the Lord"s promise that the Church shall prevail.—We might as well take up a seed to see whether it is growing, as to number the Church in order to see whether God"s word is being fulfilled.—As Christian teachers and preachers we rest upon the words, "The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."—David took his rest here, and so he let all numbering beyond a given point cease and determine.—On the other hand, there is a numbering that may be permitted, for the sake of pointing rebukes on the one side, and affording encouragement on the other.—Our doctrine is that we are not to make too much of Numbers , for we may be deceived by them either in the way of exaggeration or defect.—The Church of God is to be weighed as well as numbered: for spiritual life relates more to quality than to quantity.—When one man is converted the whole world may be converted at the same time, prospectively and instrumentally.—Let not the Church, therefore, consult its arithmetic, but consult divine covenants and promises, when it would excite its courage, and bring all its powers to their noblest fruition.

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PULPIT, "The contents of this and the following verse may be supposed to be suggested by the distinct reference to the matter of number in the first verse of the chapter, and in the latter halves of the following fourteen verses, contrasting with the utter absence of any allusion to the same matter, when the whole body of the tribes and their princes are the subject, in 1 Chronicles 27:16-22. The deeper significance of the latter part of this verse probably comes to this; that God had already given his people the proudest name for their numbers, in saying that they should be numberless, like to GUZIK, "2. (1Ch_27:23-34) Officials in King David’s government.

But David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens. Joab the son of Zeruiah began a census, but he did not finish, for wrath came upon Israel because of this census; nor was the number recorded in the account of the chronicles of King David. And Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s treasuries; and Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses. Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground. And Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine. Baal-Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands, and Joash was over the store of oil. And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys. Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys, and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David’s property. Also Jehonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion. After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king’s army was Joab.

a. David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said He would multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens: David wisely refrained from completing an unwise census, trusting that God would increase the kingdom and make them great.

b. Treasuries . . . storehouses . . . work of the field for tilling the ground . . . vineyards . . . olive trees . . . herds . . . camels . . . donkeys . . . flocks: David had trusted men to oversee these areas, and they were just as important to the kingdom as the more obviously spiritual leaders.

i. “The greatness of David as a king was manifested in the acts of peaceful administration, as surely as in his victories on the fields of battle. The tilling of the ground, and its careful cultivation; the rearing of cattle; and all the things pertaining to the welfare of his people were arranged for, under duly qualified and appointed oversight.” (Morgan)

ii. “Each of these different men had his distinct sphere for which he was doubtless specially qualified; and it was his duty - not to be jealous of others, nor eager to imitate them, but - to be faithful in his own province.” (Meyer)

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iii. The key was that all these were the officials over King David’s property. “How great an error it would have been had any of these begun to account the produce of cattle or ground as his own! He had nothing that he had not received, and whatever he controlled had been entrusted to his care for the emolument and advantage of his sovereign.” (Meyer)

iv. “It is worthy of remark, that Obil, an Ishmaelite or Arab, was put over the camels which is a creature of Arabia; and that Jaziz, a Hagarene, (the Hagarenes were shepherds by profession,) was put over the flocks: nothing went by favour; each was appointed to the office for which he was best qualified; and thus men of worth were encouraged, and the public service effectually promoted.” (Clarke)

c. Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion: “Hushai’s post of ‘king’s friend’ (cf. 2Sa_15:37) may have begun on an informal and personal basis; but it became an official advisory position (cf. 1Ki_4:5).” (Payne)

d. The general of the king’s army was Joab: Joab is one of the more complex characters of the Old Testament. He was fiercely loyal to David, yet not strongly obedient. He disobeyed David when he thought it was in David’s best interest, and he was cunning and ruthless in furthering his own position.

the stars of the heavens, and perpetually on the increase.

24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number was not entered in the book[a] of the annals of King David.

BARNES, "Because there fell wrath - literally, “And there fell wrath.” The falling of God’s wrath was not the cause of Joab’s ceasing. His motive is clearly stated in 1Ch_

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21:6. See also the marginal references.Neither was the number ... - The meaning is, that in the portion of the chronicles

of King David which treated of numbers - the number of the standing army, of the Levitical and priestly courses, the singers, etc. - the return of the number of the people made by Joab was not entered. The disastrous circumstances which followed on the taking of the census perhaps produced a feeling that God might he further provoked by its being put on record in the state archives. The numbers which have come down to us must therefore have been derived from private sources.

CLARKE, "Neither was the number put in the account - Joab did not return the whole number; probably the plague began before he had finished: or, he did not choose to give it in, as he had entered on this work with extreme reluctance; and he did not choose to tell the king how numerous they were.

GILL, "Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number,.... By the order of David, but entirely against his own will, see 1Ch_21:2,

but he finished not; the two tribes of Benjamin and Levi not being counted by him, 1Ch_21:6.

because there fell wrath for it against Israel; the plague being broke forth before he had done numbering, which put a stop to it, 1Ch_21:14.

neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of David; that which was brought in by Joab, though imperfect, was not entered into the diary, journal, or annals which David ordered to be written of all memorable events and transactions in his reign; and which were afterwards carried on by the kings of Judah, often referred to in the preceding books; and this was done, not because of the imperfection of the account, but because David did not choose this sin of his should be transmitted to posterity, though it has been, notwithstanding this precaution of his

JAMISON, "neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of King David — either because the undertaking was not completed, Levi and Benjamin not having been numbered (1Ch_21:6), or the full details in the hands of the enumerating officers were not reported to David, and, consequently, not registered in the public archives.

the chronicles — were the daily records or annals of the king’s reign. No notice was taken of this census in the historical register, as from the public calamity with which it was associated it would have stood as a painful record of the divine judgment against the king and the nation.

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BENSON, 1 Chronicles 27:24. Joab began to number — Namely, all from twenty years old and upward, as David commanded him. But he finished not — For Levi and Benjamin he counted not, 1 Chronicles 21:6. Because there fell wrath for it against Israel — While he was doing the work, which was one reason that made him desist. The Hebrew however is, And there fell, &c. Though David numbered them with caution and limitation, as was observed before, yet this did not hinder God’s wrath from falling upon Israel for this sin. Neither was the number put in the chronicles of King David — An account of the number, as far as he went, was given by Joab to the king; but the king, being sensible of his error, would not have it recorded in the public registers of the kingdom, as other things of daily occurrence were. Yet the memory of it is preserved in these books, to teach all posterity not to put their trust in the arm of flesh.

ELLICOTT, " (24) Joab the son of Zeruiah began.—Or, had begun. This clearly refers to 1 Chronicles 21:6. Joab omitted to number Levi and Benjamin.

Because there fell wrath for it.—The same phrase recurs in 2 Chronicles 19:10; 2 Chronicles 24:18. (Comp. for the fact, 1 Chronicles 21:7, seq.) The sense of the Hebrew may be brought out better thus: “Joab son of Zeruiah had begun to number, without finishing; and there fell,” &c.

Neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.—Literally, and the number came not up (‘âlâh), was not entered. (Comp. 1 Kings 9:21; 2 Chronicles 20:34.) The number which Joab ascertained was not recorded, as might have been expected, in the official annals of the reign, here designated as “the account of the chronicles of king David” (mispar dibrê ha-yâmîm). It is implied that the chronicler had these annals before him in some form or other, probably as a section of the “History of the Kings of Judah and Israel,” and that he found the lists of this chapter in that source. Those of 1 Chronicles 23-26 may have been derived from the same authority. In 2 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 13:8; 2 Kings 13:12, and all similar instances, the phrase for “book of the Chronicles” is not mispar, but sçpher dibrê ha-yâmîm. Some suppose that the text here should be altered accordingly; others would render mispar dibrê ha-yâmîm, “the statistical section of the annals.” But mispar in Judges 7:15 means the telling or relation of a dream, and the transition from such a sense to that of written relation is easy. The phrase rendered “Chronicles” is the same as the Hebrew title of these books.

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POOLE, " Began to number, to wit, all from twenty years old and upward, as David commanded him.

He finished not; for Levi and Benjamin he counted not, 1 Chronicles 21:6. Because there fell wrath for it against Israel, whilst he was doing the work; which was one reason which made him to cease. Heb. And there fell, &c. Though David numbered them with caution and limitation, as was noted before, yet this did not hinder God’s wrath from falling upon Israel for this sin.

Neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David: the sense is either,

1. That the full number was not registered, because Levi and Benjamin were not counted by Joab. Or rather,

2. That David being sensible of and smarting for his sin, would not have the number brought in by Joab to him put into the public register, though God would have it recorded in Scripture for the instruction of succeeding ages. For he speaks not here of the account given in to the king, which was done, and was Joab’s act; but of the putting of the account into the public records, which was not done, and which could not be done but by David’s command or permission.

PARKER, ""Joab, the son of Zeruiah, began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel."— 1 Chronicles 27:24.

Joab was not a poet; Joab believed in arithmetic; and Joab was conscientious so far, that he worked according to his faculty.—Do not expect from Joab what you expect from David.—This must be held to be the law of judgment throughout all the life and action of the Church.—Inquire into the scope of a man"s mind before you pronounce definitely upon his actions.—Joab thought he would be able to finish, simply because he was a great man; but every man is small when pitted against the omnipotence of God.—Why will men betake themselves to doing wrong work, or even needless work, or work that taxes the attention beyond its power to yield reward? It would seem as if the Lord alone could number Israel.—Even the work we do in the way of numbering is not credited to us. This was notably the case in the instance of Joab, in connection with which we read:—"Neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David."—So all the numbering went for nothing.—Joab might as well have been dreaming as counting, for his arithmetic

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found no record in the register of the king.—It is not enough to be busy, we must be busy in the right direction.—We know in commerce that it is not enough to be industrious; we must be industrious under proper conditions, if our industry is to be crowned with satisfactory results.—The Joabs of the Church should never be too warmly encouraged; they are literal, arithmetical, material; they only value what they can handle; whereas the genius of the Church is one of prophecy, spirituality, a sacred dreaming that is higher in value than all philosophy and rational speculation; there is a dreaming that is akin to inspiration.—All we have to do is to attend to the business of the present moment, sow the seed, tell the truth, acknowledge error, and whoso doeth the will of God to him shall the doctrine in due time be revealed.

PULPIT, "It seems a little surprising to read of Joab, fixed on the page of history as the person who began to number, but… finished not, when we have been already particularly told that it was he to whom King David's command to number was "abominable" (1 Chronicles 21:6). However differently enough from the method of either nature or mankind, the antidote has here preceded the evil. For because there fell wrath for it, read the Hebrew, and there was for this wrath upon Israel. The last sentence of the verse purports to say that such numbering as had been done before the point at which Joab stopped was not honoured by a place, where other numbers were found, in the register of the chronicles of King David.

The King’s Overseers

25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses.

Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers.

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BARNES, "This section is important as showing that David, the younger son of a not very opulent family 1Sa_16:11, 1Sa_16:20, had now become a large landed proprietor, as well as a capitalist, possessed of much moveable wealth. We may perhaps see the sources of both these kinds of property, in the successful wars which he had waged 1Sa_27:8-9; 1Sa_30:20; 2Sa_8:4, 2Sa_8:7-8, 2Sa_8:12; in the revenue derived from subject kings 1Sa_8:2, 1Sa_8:14; 1Sa_10:19; and in the purchase and occupation of lands in different places. 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 in tithes (1Sa_8:15, 1Sa_8:17) and in “benevolences.” Compare 1Sa_10:27; 1Sa_16:20, etc.

1Ch_27:25The castles - Probably the watchtowers in the border districts, exposed to raids from

the plundering tribes of the desert 2Ch_26:10; 2Ch_27:4.

CLARKE 25-31, "Over the king’s treasures - We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted: -

1. Treasures, gold, silver, etc.2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields.3. Vineyards and their produce.4. Olive-trees and their produce.5. Neat cattle, in different districts.6. Camels and asses: they had no horses.7. Flocks, sheep, goats, etc.

GILL 25-34, "And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel,.... The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury, who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer, either by a levy on his own people, or by the tribute of others: Jehonathan the son of Uzziah had the care of the storehouses, in which were laid up what the fields, cities, villages, and castles that belonged to the king produced, whether by fruits gathered in, or by rents collected: Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields, employed in the tillage of the ground: Shimei of Ramath, in the tribe of Benjamin, had the care of the vineyards, to see that they were dressed and pruned, and kept in good order: Zabdi of Shepham, Num_34:10 had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes, both in the presses and in the cellars: Baalhanan of Gedor, in the tribe of Judah, Jos_15:36 was over the olive and sycamore trees, to see that they were well taken care of: and Joash was entrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited: Shitrai the Sharonite had the herds of cattle fed in Sharon

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committed to his trust; whether in Sharon beyond Jordan, or that about Lydda and Joppa, near the Mediterranean sea, both affording fruitful pastures for herds; and this man, being of Sharon, was a fit man to be employed in such service: and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over those herds that were in the valleys, where were good pastures for them; such officers Pharaoh king of Egypt had, Gen_47:6 and as early as the times of Ninus king of Assyria, one named Simma was master of the king's cattle (l), as Faustulus was to Amulius king of the Latines (m); and so Tyrrhus in Virgil (n) had the command of all the king's cattle; and Cicero mentions another in the same office (o): Obil the Ishmaelite (an Arab, as the Targum) had the care of the camels; and a very proper person he was, who must know the nature of them, and how to manage them, Arabia, or the land of the Ishmaelites, abounding with them. This man was so called, either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and was proselyted to the Jewish religion; or he was an Israelite that had dwelt some time in the land of Ishmael, and therefore so called. Bochart (p) thinks he had his name of Obil from his office, the word in the Arabic language signifying a keeper of camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the asses, which were employed in ploughing and carrying burdens; and Jaziz the Hagarite was over the flocks of sheep, the chief shepherd, who had the command of all the under shepherds, and a very proper person, being an Hagarite, or Arab; for such dwelt in tents for the sake of pasturage for their flocks, as Jarchi notes: these were the principal men that had the care of David's personal substance; so, in later times, the Roman Caesars (q) had such sort of servants to take care of their farms, fields, fruit, cattle, &c. the rest that follow were David's courtiers. Jonathan, or to whom David was uncle, the son of Shimea, his brother being a wise and learned man, was his counsellor, see 2Sa_21:21 and Jehiel the Hachmonite was preceptor, or tutor to the king's sons, that brought them up, and took care of their education; Ahithophel was his counsellor until the conspiracy and rebellion of Absalom; and Hushai the Archite was his companion, friend, and favourite, with whom he conversed at leisure hours. After the death of Ahithophel, Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar, were his counsellors, and Joab the general of his army.

JAMISON, "over the king’s treasures — Those treasures consisted of gold, silver, precious stones, cedar-wood, etc.; those which he had in Jerusalem as distinguished from others without the city.

the storehouses in the fields — Grain covered over with layers of straw is frequently preserved in the fields under little earthen mounds, like our potato pits.

K&D, "The managers of David's possessions and domains. - The property and the income of the king were (1Ch_27:25) divided into treasures of the king, and treasures in the country, in the cities, the villages, and the castles. By the “treasures of the king” we must therefore understand those which were in Jerusalem, i.e., the treasures of the royal palace. These were managed by Azmaveth. The remaining treasures are specified in 1Ch_27:26. They consisted in fields which were cultivated by labourers (1Ch_27:26); in vineyards (1Ch_27:27); plantations of olive trees and sycamores in the Shephelah, the fruitful plain on the Mediterranean Sea (1Ch_27:28); in cattle, which pastured partly in the plain of Sharon between Caesarea Palestina and Joppa, partly in various valleys of

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the country (1Ch_27:29); and in camels, asses, and sheep (1Ch_27:30.). All these possessions are called רכוש, and the overseers of them רכוש They consisted in the .שרי הproduce of agriculture and cattle-breeding, the two main branches of Israelitish industry.

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:25. Over the king’s treasures — Of gold, or silver, or other things of great price, which, for greater security, were kept in Jerusalem, and in the king’s palace; and thither the tribute-money also was sent, and committed to Azmaveth’s care. Over the store-houses in the fields — Of the fruits of the earth, or that share of them which belonged to the king, which were laid up in the fields, or cities, or villages, or castles, as there was convenience and occasion.

ELLICOTT, " III.—THE TWELVE OVERSEERS OF THE ROYAL ESTATES AND PROPERTY (1 Chronicles 27:25-31).

The number of these officers is noticeable, twelve being a normal number in Israelite institutions.

(25) And over the king’s treasures.—That is, those of the palace on Zion.

And over the storehouses.—The Hebrew has the same word “treasures.” The treasures “in the fields” (sâdèh), or the country, in the cities, the villages and the “castles” (migdâlîm), or towers (2 Chronicles 26:10; Micah 4:8), include all that belonged to David outside the walls of Jerusalem.

Jehonathan was comptroller-general of the revenues from these sources.

POOLE, " Over the king’s treasures; of gold or silver, or other things of great price, which for greater security were kept in Jerusalem, and in the king’s palace; and thither the tribute money also was sent and committed to his care.

Over the storehouses of the fruits of the earth, or that share of them which belonged to the king, which were laid up in the fields, or cities, or villages, or castles, as there was conveniency and occasion.

PULPIT, "1 Chronicles 27:25-31

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These verses have for their primary object, not to give an exhaustive summary of the wealth of David and the sources thereof, but to give the names of those persons who were charged with the care, or the management and care, of' it. The classification, however, is interesting, and may be naturally expected to be tolerably complete. We do not find any distinction made between such property as might have belonged to David as private property, and such as belonged to him as king—probably because there was none worth making.

1 Chronicles 27:25

For storehouses, read, as in former clause, treasures. The suggestion of the second half of this verse in comparison with the first is that Azmaveth's charge was over treasures in Jerusalem. For the castles, see 2 Chronicles 17:12; 2 Chronicles 27:4. The word אוצר, though the same in both clauses, may probably enough cover precious treasure, as of gold, silver, costly raiment, etc. (1 Kings 14:26 ; 1 Kings 15:18), more particularly in the first clause, and grain, fruit, etc. (2 Chronicles 11:11), in the latter, for the word has distinctly this double application. (See for some illustration of this verse also, Sallust; 'De Belle Jugurth.,' 12.)

26 Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land.

ELLICOTT, "(26) And over them that did the work of the field.—Ezri was steward of the arable domains.

PULPIT, "This verse appears to give the name, not (as in the former verse) of the person who had charge of the stored grain, fruits, etc, but of the chief superintendent and manager of the labour and labourers of the field.

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27 Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

JAMISON, "the vineyards — These seem to have been in the vine growing districts of Judah, and were committed to two men of that quarter.

wine-cellars — The wine is deposited in jars sunk in the court of the house.

K&D, "Special officers were set over the vineyards and the stores of wine. The ש in

over that which was in the vineyards of treasures“ :אשר is a contraction of שבכרמים(stores) of wine.” The officer over the vineyards, Shimei, was of Ramah in Benjamin (cf. Jos_18:25); he who was over the stores of wine, Zabdi, is called השפמי, probably not

from שפם on the northern frontier of Canaan, Num_34:10, the situation of which has

not yet been discovered, but from the equally unknown ה ,in the Negeb of Judah שפמ1Sa_30:28. For since the vineyards, in which the stores of wine were laid up, must certainly have lain in the tribal domain of Judah, so rich in wine (Num_13:23.; Gen_49:11), probably the overseers of it were born in the same district.

BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:27. Over the vineyards — Over the workmen and labourers in the vineyards; as the next officer is over the fruit of the vineyards. In like manner, one man was over the labourers in the fields, (1 Chronicles 27:26,) and another over the fruits of the fields put into stores.

COKE, "1 Chronicles 27:27. Over the increase of the vineyards, &c.— And over the

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wine-cellars, which were in the vine-yards, &c. Houbigant.

REFLECTIONS.—1st, 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, 1 Chronicles 27:7 being killed while 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, 1 Chronicles 27:1 were not the real fathers of the soldiers, but the general officers, who had the chief superintendance. Note; It is wise to be always ready for our spiritual warfare, and never to think ourselves so safe, as not to need a constant watch and guard against our enemies.

2nd, 1. Every tribe seems to have still a president, or prince; who, though 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 preferment.

2. About his person and court David had select persons eminent for their wisdom. One was preceptor to his children: he knew the advantage of a good education, and was desirous therefore to train up his sons betimes in the way they should go. Others were his counsellors, and, among them, Ahitophel. Hushai 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 such in his cabinet for counsel, he will chuse a better man for his companion and friend.

ELLICOTT, " (27) Shimei of Ramah-Benjamin (Joshua 18:25) was overseer of the vineyards.

Zabdi.—Zebadiah (the New Testament Zebedee), of the south Judean town Shiphmoth (1 Samuel 30:28), was “over that which is in the vineyards for the treasures (stores) of wine,” i.e., the wine-cellars. So Vulg., cellis vinariis. The territory of Judah was famous as a winegrowing land (Genesis 49:11). The memorable “grapes of Eshcol” were gathered there (Numbers 13:23).

POOLE, " Over the vineyards, i.e. over the workmen and labourers in the vineyards; as the next officer is over the fruit of the vineyards. In like manner, one man was over the labourers in the fields, 1 Chronicles 27:26, and another over the fruits of the fields put into stores after the manner, 1 Chronicles 27:25.

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PULPIT, "This verse specifies the officer who had the management of the vineyards, and also the officer who had charge over the wine-cellars. The description of Ramathite does not assist us to identify Shimei, though the choice of place is ample (Joshua 13:26; Joshua 18:25; Joshua 19:29, Joshua 19:36; 15:17). For Shiphmite, see Numbers 34:10, Numbers 34:11; to the place Shepham, mentioned in which passage, the reference here may be. For over the increase, read over that which in the vineyards, etc; where the initial ש stands for אשר.

28 Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills.

Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil.

BARNES, "1Ch_27:28In the low plains - Rather, “in the Shephelah,” the proper name of the low tract

between the hill country of Judaea and the Mediterranean.

JAMISON, "olive trees and the sycamore trees ... in the low plains — that is, the Shephela, the rich, low-lying ground between the Mediterranean and the mountains of Judah.

K&D, "As to the שפלה, see on Jos_15:33. הגדרי, he who was born in Geder, not

Gedera, for which we should expect הגדרתי (1Ch_12:4), although the situation of

Gedera, south-east from Jabne (see on Jos_12:4), appears to suit better than that of גדר

or ר .in the hill country of Judah; see Jos_12:13 and Jos_15:58 גד

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ELLICOTT, " (28) Olive trees.—The same word (zéthîm) is rendered “olive yards” in Joshua 24:13; 1 Samuel 8:14, and elsewhere in the Authorised version.

The sycamore trees that were in the low plains.—The sycomores that were in the Shephelah or lowland of Judah, between the hills and the sea (Joshua 15:33). The Ficus sycomorus, or fig-mulberry, a beautiful evergreen tree, indigenous to Egypt, was once abundant in Palestine, as appears from 1 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 1:15. Its small sweet figs were much eaten by the poor. (Comp. Amos 7:14.)

Baal-hanan (“The Lord bestowed” ).—An older form of Jehohanan. (Comp. the Phœnician Hannibal.)

The Gederite.—Of Geder, or Gedor, a town in the hill-country of Judah (Joshua 12:13; Joshua 15:58).

Over the cellars of oil.—Heb., treasures, or stores of oil. The oil was that of the olives. (Comp. Judges 9:9.)

PULPIT, "A similar couple of officers to those of the last verse are described here. By the low plains here in the Authorized Version is translated what had been better left untranslated, i.e. the Shephelah, one of the five divisions of Judaea. It comprised the low-lying tract of land on the coast and, roughly speaking, stretching from Joppa to Gaza. The sycamore tree ( השקמום, a plural masculine, and once שקמות, a plural feminine, Psalms 72-78:1 :87) is to be distinguished from the sycamine, being that kind of mulberry tree called fig mulberry. The Septuagint, however, does not observe the distinction, and always translates συκαμινος. It was a common tree, and useful to the poor. It is the same with the black mulberry of Egypt, and abounded in Palestine (1 Kings 10:27). Its fruit was eatable, and its wood, though soft, yet valuable for enduringness. The name Baal-hanan comes first before us as that of a King of Edom (Genesis 36:38, Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:49). The place Gederah (Joshua 15:36), or Beth-gader (1 Chronicles 2:51), attached to the name of the present Baal-hanan, renders it not less probable that he was of similar extraction.

29 Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the

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herds grazing in Sharon.

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

JAMISON, "herds that fed in Sharon — a fertile plain between Caesarea and Joppa.

BENSON, "Verse 29-30

1 Chronicles 27:29-30. Over the herds that fed in Sharon — A place famous for its fruitfulness, (see Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 35:2,) which lay about Lidda and Joppa. David seems to have kept great store of cattle in his pastures, particularly in this place. Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite — An Ishmaelite was the fittest person to look after the breed of camels, because that country abounded with them, and they best understood their nature. And over the asses, &c. — This was a great part of men’s riches in old times.

ELLICOTT, " (29) And over the herds that fed in Sharon.—Heb., the oxen that grazed in the Sharon. The Sharon (i.e., “the Level”) was a fertile strip of pasture-land running along the coast of the Mediterranean, between Cæsarea and Joppa. (See Song of Solomon 2:1; Isaiah 33:9.)

Shitrai.—Hebrew margin, Shirtai.

Over the herds that were in the valleys.—Apparently the valleys of the highlands of Judah. Another reading is “in valleys.”

PULPIT, "Sharon (see 1 Chronicles 5:16, 1 Chronicles 5:21). It means with the article, which, with one exception, always accompanies it, "the level laud," and on the west of the Jordan exactly corresponds with the Mishor on the east, a word of identical signification with Sharon. The tract of pasture-land which it designated stretched from Carmel to Joppa. The valleys here intended are not specified.

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30 Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

JAMISON, "camels — These were probably in the countries east of the Jordan, and hence an Ishmaelite and Nazarite were appointed to take charge of them.

K&D, "The name of the Ishmaelite who was set over the camels, Obil (ביל ,(א

reminds us of the Arab. abila, multos possedit vel acquisivit camelos. המרנמי, he of Meronoth (1Ch_27:30 and Neh_3:17). The situation of this place is unknown. According to Neh_3:7, it is perhaps to be sought in the neighbourhood of Mizpah. Over the smaller cattle (sheep and goats) Jaziz the Hagarite, of the people Hagar (cf. 1Ch_5:10), was set. The oversight, consequently, of the camels and sheep was committed to a Hagarite and an Ishmaelite, probably because they pastured in the neighbourhood where the Ishmaelites and Hagarites had nomadized from early times, they having been brought under the dominion of Israel by David. The total number of these officials amounted to twelve, of whom we may conjecture that the ten overseers over the agricultural and cattle-breeding affairs of the king had to deliver over the annual proceeds of the property committed to them to the chief manager of the treasures in the field, in the cities, and villages, and towns.

ELLICOTT, " (30) Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite.—Obil’s name means either “owner of camels” or “a good manager of camels,” answering exactly to the Arabic ‘âbil. (Comp. Genesis 37:25; Judges 7:12.) An “Ishmaelite,” i.e., an

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Arab, would be the fittest person for looking after camels.

The asses.—The she-asses. (Comp. Genesis 49:14; Judges 5:10; Zechariah 9:9.)

Jehdeiah the Meronothite.—Of Merônôth, a town perhaps near Mizpah (Nehemiah 3:7). The LXX. has Merathon, or Marathon.

POOLE, "The Ishmaelite; so called, either because he was born of that people, or had lived among them; or from some notable exploit which he did against them.

PULPIT, "Whether the word Obil ( אוביל ), is a proper name or not, it signifies "a tender of camels" by derivation. The task suited the Ishmaelite, no doubt! Nothing is known of the Meronothite, nor of the situation of the place called Meronoth, unless anything may be conjectured from Nehemiah 3:7.

31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks.

All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.

HENRY, "III. Of the officers of the court. 1. The rulers of the king's substance (as they are called, 1Ch_27:31), such as had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his olive-yards, his herds, his camels, his asses, his flocks. Here are no officers for state, none for sport, no master of the wardrobe, no master of the ceremonies, no master of the horse, no master of the hounds, but all for service, agreeable to the simplicity and plainness of those times. David was a great soldier, a great scholar, and a great prince, and yet a great husband of his estate, kept a great deal of ground in his own hand, and stocked it, not for pleasure, but for profit; for the king himself is served of the field, Ecc_5:9. Those magistrates that would have their subjects industrious must themselves be examples of industry and application to business. We find, however, that

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afterwards the poor of the land were thought good enough to be vine-dressers and husbandmen, 2Ki_25:12. Now David put his great men to preside in these employments. 2. The attendants on the king's person. They were such as were eminent for wisdom, being designed for conversation. His uncle, who was a wise man and a scribe, not only well skilled in politics, but well read in the scriptures, was his counsellor, 1Ch_27:32. Another, who no doubt excelled in learning and prudence, was tutor to his children. Ahithophel, a very cunning man, was his counsellor: but Hushai, an honest man, was his companion and confidant. It does not appear that he had many counsellors; but those he had were men of great abilities. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry. But David, though he had all these trusty and well-beloved cousins and counsellors about him, preferred his Bible before them all. Psa_119:24, Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.

JAMISON, "camels — These were probably in the countries east of the Jordan, and hence an Ishmaelite and Nazarite were appointed to take charge of them.

BENXON, "1 Chronicles 27:31. All these were the rulers of the substance which was David’s — It is observable, here are no officers for state, none for sport, no master of the ceremonies, or of the hounds, but all for substance, agreeable to the simplicity and plainness of those times. David was a great soldier, a great scholar, and a great prince; and yet a great husband of his estate. Those magistrates who would have their subjects industrious, must themselves be examples of application to business.

ELLICOTT, " (31) And over the flocks.—Of sheep and goats.

Jaziz the Hagerite.—See 1 Chronicles 5:10-19, for the conquest of East Gilead, the home of the Hagrim, or “Hagerites,” by the tribe of Reuben, in the days of Saul. David’s herds of camels and flocks of small cattle may have grazed in the pastures east of the Jordan, under the charge of his Bedawi overseers.

All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.—The word rendered “rulers” is sârîm, “captains” or “princes.” (See 1 Chronicles 27:22.) The same term is translated “stewards” in 1 Chronicles 28:1.

Substance (rĕkûsh) is an old word, denoting especially the moveable wealth of a nomad chief. (Comp. Genesis 12:5; Genesis 14:21.) The wealth of David consisted partly of flocks and herds, but partly also of the produce of husbandry, and, no doubt, of commerce. (See 1 Chronicles 14:1; 1 Chronicles 22:4.) The period of the kings saw Israel a settled nation, that had exchanged the purely nomad life for an ordered social existence.

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PULPIT, "For the Hagerite tribe, see 1 Chronicles 5:10, 1 Chronicles 5:18-22. For the rulers of the substance, the Hebrew words are שרי הרכוש. The number of them adds up again to twelve; Keil justly supposes that the two named in 1 Chronicles 5:25 were those principal officers to whom the other ten delivered the proceeds of their respective charges.

32 Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons.

BARNES, "A list - supplemental in character - of some chief officers of David, not mentioned before. The list cannot belong to a very late part of David’s reign, since it contains the name of Ahithophel, who killed himself during Absalom’s rebellion 2Sa_17:23.

K&D, "David's councillors. This catalogue of the king's officials forms a supplementary companion piece to the catalogues of the public officials, 1Ch_18:15-17, and 2Sa_8:15-18 and 2Sa_20:25-26. Besides Joab, who is met with in all catalogues as prince of the host, i.e., commander-in-chief, we find in our catalogue partly other men introduced, partly other duties of the men formerly named, than are mentioned in these three catalogues. From this it is clear that it is not the chief public officials who are enumerated, but only the first councillors of the king, who formed as it were his senate, and that the catalogue probably is derived from the same source as the preceding catalogues. Jonathan, the ד ד of David. The word ד generally denotes a father's דbrother; but since a Jonathan, son of Shimea, the brother of David, occurs 1Ch_20:7 and 2Sa_21:21, Schmidt and Bertheau hold him to be the same as our Jonathan, when ד דwould be used in the general signification of “relative,” here of a nephew. Nothing certain can be ascertained in reference to it. He was יץ councillor, and, as is added, a ,י

wise and learned man. פר ,is here not an official designation, but signifies literatus סlearned, scholarly, as in Ezr_7:6. Jehiel, the son of Hachmon, was with the children of the king, i.e., was governor of the royal princes.

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BENSON, "1 Chronicles 27:32. A wise man and a scribe — Either one learned in the laws of God, which were also the laws of the land, or the king’s secretary. Jehiel was with the king’s sons — As their tutor or governor.

COFFMAN, "It is of interest that the Chronicler passed over the treachery of Ahithophel during the rebellion of Absalom. He did, however, give the names of David's counselors following the suicide of Ahithophel.[4]

ELLICOTT, "Verses 32-34

IV.—DAVID’S PRIVY COUNCIL 1 Chronicles 27:32-34).

(32) Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor.—A son of David’s brother Shimeah was named Jonathan (1 Chronicles 20:7; 2 Samuel 21:21). Nothing further is known of the present Jonathan than what is here related.

A wise man, and a scribe.—Rather, a sage and a scholar was he. The word rendered “scribe” (sôphçr) usually answers to the γραμματὲυς of the New Testament, and so the LXX. gives it here. We may remember that in the rude epochs of society mere writing has been esteemed an art, so that a king of England who could write was dubbed Beauclerc, “fine scholar.” Charles the Great never got so far as signing his own name, though he made great efforts to do so. But writing goes back to a very ancient period among Semitic races, and sôphçr probably means here, as in Ezra 7:6, “a man of letters,” or “skilled in the sacred law.” (See 1 Chronicles 2:55; Isaiah 33:18; Psalms 45:2.) David’s official sôphçr, or scribe, was Shavsha (1 Chronicles 18:16).

Jehiel the son of Hachmoni.—Rather, son of a Hachmonite. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 11:11.)

With the king’s sons—That is, their tutor. The similar lists in 2 Samuel 8:15-18, 1 Chronicles 18:15-17, and 2 Samuel 20:23-26, lack representatives of the two offices mentioned in this verse. Obviously this account is independent of those.

POOLE, " A counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe; either one learned in the laws of God, which were also the laws of the land, by which all their counsels were to be

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ruled; or, the king’s secretary.

With the king’s sons, as their tutor or governor.

PULPIT, "1 Chronicles 27:32-34

These verses contain the names of seven men of high position, and who were, at all events, important enough, in one respect or another, for this closing special mention.

1. Jonathan and Ahithophel are singled out as counsellors ( יועץ ) of the king.

2. Hushai the Archite is mentioned as the companion ( רע) of the king.

3. Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar are mentioned as standing in a similar relation of counsellors to the king with Ahithophel, but after him.

4. The great general of the whole army of the king ( שראצבא ), Joab, has a place found for his name.

5. And the name of Jehiel is mentioned as of one with the king's sons. The first thing which may be observed as to this enumeration is that it is not one whole belonging to the later portion of David's time. Ahithophel had brag before put an end to his own life (2 Samuel 23-17:21 ; also see 2 Samuel 15:12, 2 Samuel 15:31, 2 Samuel 15:34; 2 Samuel 23-16:20 ). Secondly, that out of the seven names, four or five are already well known to us in some other capacity; for see the lists of 1 Chronicles

17-18:14 ; 2 Samuel 18-8:16 ; 2 Samuel 26-20:23 . And thirdly, that in one or two instances, a different or additional part is assigned to the names mentioned. The impression left with us is rather of honourable or special mention made of seven who had been distinguished helpers of the king or the kingdom at one time or another.

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1 Chronicles 27:32

Nothing is known of any uncle to David, named Jonathan, but special mention is made, in 1 Chronicles 20:7 and 2 Samuel 21:21, of a nephew, son of Shimea, who rendered valuable service, and u-hose name was Jonathan. It is possible that the Hebrew דור may mean "nephew," as simply meaning "relative.'' It must be admitted, however, as very remarkable, that in Leviticus, Numbers, the historical books, Jeremiah, and Amos, to the number of sixteen times in all, the word confessedly means "uncle;" while this seventeenth time, it would appear to mean "nephew." On the other hand, in Proverbs, Canticles, Isaiah, Ezekiel, to the number of thirty-six times in all, the word follows its other branch of signification of "love," and in particular "one beloved." Nothing certain can be said of the Jehiel of this verse, but, if a son of Hachmoni, we may presume him to have been related to Jashobeam of verse 2 and 1 Chronicles 11:11.

33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor.

Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant.

BARNES, "1Ch_27:33Was the king’s companion - or, “king’s friend,” as in 1Ki_4:5. Compare also 2Sa_

16:17.

K&D, "1Ch_27:33Ahithophel was also, according to 2Sa_15:31; 2Sa_16:23, David's confidential adviser,

and took his own life when Absalom, in his conspiracy against David, did not regard his counsel (2 Sam 17). Hushai the Archite was also a friend and adviser of David (2Sa_15:37 and 2Sa_16:16), who caused Absalom to reject Ahithophel's counsel (2 Sam 17).

BENSON, "Verse 33-34

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1 Chronicles 27:33-34. Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor — The person whose counsel, in matters of state, the king most prized and followed. Hushai was the king’s companion — Or his friend, (2 Samuel 15:37,) the person whom he trusted with his secrets, and whose conversation was most pleasant and acceptable to him. Observe, a cunning man was his counsellor: but an honest man was his friend. After Ahithophel — After his death, these were his chief counsellors. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry. It appears that those whom David made choice of to attend upon and advise him, were such as were peculiarly eminent for wisdom and integrity. But though he had these trusty counsellors about him, he preferred his Bible before them all, making the Lord’s testimonies his delight and his counsellors, Psalms 119:24.

ELLICOTT, "(33) And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor.—Rather, a counsellor of the king’s—Ahithophel, the faithless adviser, who committed suicide when his treachery proved unsuccessful (2 Samuel 15:31 seq., 2 Samuel 17:23).

Hushai the Archite.—The faithful counsellor, who baffled the wisdom of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17).

POOLE, " The king’s counsellor; the person whose counsel in matters of state the king most prized and followed.

The king’s companion, or his friend, as he is called, 2 Samuel 15:37; the person whom he most trusted with all his secrets, and whose conversation was most pleasant and acceptable to him.

34 Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.

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BARNES, "1Ch_27:34After Ahithophel - i. e., next in counsel to Ahithophel: inferior to him, but superior

to all others.

CLARKE, "And after Ahithophel - The Targum is curious: “When they went to war, they asked counsel of Ahithophel; and, after the counsel of Ahithophel, they inquired by Urim and Thummim of Jehoiada, the son of Benaiah, prince of the Sanhedrin, and chief of the priesthood; and from Abiathar, the high priest. And after they had inquired by Urim and Thummim, they went out to battle, well armed with bows and slings; and Joab, the general of the king’s troops, led them on.” It is worthy of remark, that Obil, an Ishmaelite or Arab, was put over the camels, which is a creature of Arabia; and that Jaziz, a Hagarene, (the Hagarenes were shepherds by profession), was put over the flocks: nothing went by favor; each was appointed to the office for which he was best qualified; and thus men of worth were encouraged, and the public service effectually promoted.

K&D, "1Ch_27:34After Ahithophel, i.e., after his death, was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah (scil. counsellor

of the king), and Abiathar. As Benaiah the son of Jehoiada is elsewhere, when named among the public officials of David, called chief of the royal body-guard (cf. 1Ch_18:17), Bertheau does not scruple to transpose the names here. But the hypothesis of such a transposition is neither necessary nor probable in the case of a name which, like Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, so frequently occurs (e.g., in 1Ch_27:5). Since sons not unfrequently received the name of the grandfather, Jehoiada the son of the hero Benaiah may have been named after his grandfather Jehoiada. Abiathar is without doubt the high priest of this name of Ithamar's family) 1Ch_15:11, etc.; see on 1Ch_6:1-4), and is here mentioned as being also a friend and adviser of David. As to Joab, see on 1Ch_18:15.

ELLICOTT, "(34) And after Ahithophel—After his death, Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar, the Ithamarite high priest, were David’s advisers. Benaiah’s father was named Jehoiada (see 1 Chronicles 27:5, and 1 Chronicles 11:22; 1 Chronicles 18:17), so that David’s counsellor Jehoiada bore the name of his grandfather—a common enough occurrence. Others assume that the right reading is “Benaiah the son of Jehoiada,” who may have been an adviser of David, as well as captain of his guard.

PULPIT, "The after of this verse may possibly be the after of time, i.e. after the death of Ahithophel, instead of the after of place, i.e. subordinate. Jehoiada the son of Benaiah. Either the individual of 1 Chronicles 27:5; 1 Chronicles 18:17; 2 Samuel

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8:18; 2 Samuel 20:23, is not the person here intended, or we have here the names accidently reversed. There seems no sufficient reason to doubt that the high priest of the Ithamar branch is here meant.

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