1 Chronicles · Chapter 27

V. 1. Officers-The standing militia of Israel as it was settled under their several officers. Of courses-In all the business wherein the king had occasion for these persons who were to attend him by turns. Came in, &c.-who being armed and mustered, and to wait upon the king, at Jerusalem or other places, as the king should see fit. By this order near three hundred thousand of his people were instructed and exercised in the use of their arms, and fitted for the 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.

Verse 1. The chief fathers and captains of thousands] The patriarchs, chief generals, or generals of brigade. This enumeration is widely different from the preceding. In that, we have the orders and courses of the priests and the Levites in their ecclesiastical ministrations; in this, we have the account of the order of the civil service, that which related simply to the political state of the king and the kingdom. Twenty-four persons, chosen out of David’s worthies, each of whom had a second, were placed over twenty-four thousand men, who all served a month in turn at a time; and this was the whole of their service during the year, after which they attended to their own affairs. Thus the king had always on foot a regular force of twenty-four thousand, who served without expense to him or the state, and were not oppressed by the service, which took up only a twelfth part of their time, and by this plan he could at any time, when the exigency of the state required it, bring into the field twelve times twenty-four thousand, or two hundred and eighty-eight thousand fighting men, independently of the twelve thousand officers, which made in the whole an effective force of three hundred thousand soldiers; and all these men were prepared, disciplined, and ready at a call, without the smallest expense to the state or the king. These were, properly speaking, the militia of the Israelitish kingdom. See Calmet.

Verse 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.

Verse 2. First course for the first month] Instead of mentioning first, second, third, &c., 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.

Verses 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.

2. Jashobeam — The names of all these captains are found in the lists of David’s mighty men. 1 Chronicles 11:11-47, 2 Samuel 23:8-39. Some few names are spelled differently in the different lists.

Verses 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.

Verse 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, verse 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.

Verse 5. 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,” &c. 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 הכהנ haccohen, which generally signifies priest, should be translated here a principal officer; so the margin has it. But, in the Old Testament, כהנ 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.

Verses 5, 6. Jehoiada, a chief priest — Or rather, a chief prince, as the Hebrew word ˆhk, 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, (2 Samuel 18:18,) and therefore needed a deputy in the one or other place.

5. A chief priest — Rather, as margin, a principal officer; the private counsellor of the king. Comp. 1 Kings 4:5, note, and 2 Samuel 23:23.

Verses 5, 6. Jehoiada, a chief priest — Or rather, a chief prince, as the Hebrew word ˆhk, 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, (2 Samuel 18:18,) and therefore needed a deputy in the one or other place.

Verse 7. Asahel the brother of Joab] This verse proves that the division and arrangement mentioned above were made before David was acknowledged king in Hebron; for Asahel, the brother of Joab, who was fourth captain, was slain by Abner, while Ishbosheth reigned over Israel at Mahanaim, 2 Samuel 2:19-23.

Verse 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 which 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.

7. Asahel… Zebadiah — Though the son was captain of the fourth division, his swift-footed and heroic Father was ever honourably named upon the roll.

THE PRINCES OF THE TRIBES, 16-22.

These princes or rulers were probably the oldest representatives of their several tribes; “the eldest lineal descendants of the patriarchs according to the law of primogeniture.” — Rawlinson. For some reason now unknown the tribes of Gad and Asher are not here mentioned.

V. 16. The ruler-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.

Verse 16. 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.

Verse 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.

V. 22. Tribes-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.

Verse 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.

V. 23. Because-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.

Verse 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.

Verse 23. The Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven. Genesis 15:5. If all had been numbered, David would have had about a million and a half of men, from twenty to fifty years of age. Women the same number, children three millions and a half, and the people above fifty, one million; so that the population of David’s kingdom could not, at his death, be less than seven millions and a half.

23, 24. These two verses seem to have been inserted in this connexion with a reference especially to the military divisions mentioned in verses 1-15. “The numbering of the Israelites from twenty years and upwards,” says Bertheau, “was undertaken, as we may infer from the reference to it in this passage, in order that its results might be made available for dividing the army into twelve sections, and for the other arrangements described in this chapter.”

It appears from 1 Chronicles 21:1 and 2 Samuel 24:1, that David sinned in attempting to number Israel at all. But while he refused to be counselled in that matter, and his “word prevailed against Joab,” he ventured not to number any Israelites under twenty years, lest he should seem to distrust God’s promise to Abraham. Genesis 15:5; 22:17.

Verse 24. 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.

Verse 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.

24. Began to number, but he finished not — Here we find that the census was interrupted by the pestilence. Comp. note on chap. 21:6. Neither was the number put in the account of the Chronicles of king David — “We can easily understand that the disastrous circumstances which followed on the taking of the census produced a feeling that God might be further provoked by its being put on record in the state archives. It was consequently omitted; and the accounts of the numbers which have come down to us must have been derived from some comparatively private sources.” — Rawlinson.

OFFICERS OF THE KING’S REVENUE, 25-31.

This section is interesting as showing the various kinds and sources of David’s royal revenue. Precious metals, grains, fruits, wine, oil, flocks, and herds, furnished each their measure “of the substance which was King David’s.” A stone tablet containing the amount of information here given of any heathen king of David’s time would be gladly bought by the payment of thousands of dollars; and many a sceptic, who treats the Bible with comparative scorn, would be ready to extol the heathen tablet to the skies.

DAVID’S COUNSELLORS, 32-34.

“This catalogue of the king’s officials forms a supplement to the catalogues of the public officials given in 1 Chronicles 18:15-17; 2 Samuel 8:15-18; 20:23-26. It is not the chief public officials who are enumerated, but only the first counsellors of the king, who formed, as it were, his senate, and the catalogue was probably derived from the same source as the preceding catalogues.” — Keil.

Verses 25. - 31. Over the king’s treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted:-1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c. 2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields. 3. Vineyards and their produce. 4. Olive-trees and their produce. 6. Neat cattle, in different districts. 6. Camels and asses: they had no horses. 7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

Verse 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.

Verses 25. - 31. Over the king’s treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted:-1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c. 2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields. 3. Vineyards and their produce. 4. Olive-trees and their produce. 6. Neat cattle, in different districts. 6. Camels and asses: they had no horses. 7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

V. 27. 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, ver. 26, and another over the fruits of the fields put into stores.

Verses 25. - 31. Over the king’s treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted:-1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c. 2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields. 3. Vineyards and their produce. 4. Olive-trees and their produce. 6. Neat cattle, in different districts. 6. Camels and asses: they had no horses. 7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

Verse 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, (verse 26,) and another over the fruits of the fields put into stores.

Verses 25. - 31. Over the king’s treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted:-1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c. 2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields. 3. Vineyards and their produce. 4. Olive-trees and their produce. 6. Neat cattle, in different districts. 6. Camels and asses: they had no horses. 7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

Verses 25. - 31. Over the king’s treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted:-1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c. 2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields. 3. Vineyards and their produce. 4. Olive-trees and their produce. 6. Neat cattle, in different districts. 6. Camels and asses: they had no horses. 7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

Verses 29, 30. Over the herds that fed in Sharon — A place famous for its fruitfulness, (see Isaiah 33:9; 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.

Verses 25. - 31. Over the king’s treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted:-1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c. 2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields. 3. Vineyards and their produce. 4. Olive-trees and their produce. 6. Neat cattle, in different districts. 6. Camels and asses: they had no horses. 7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

Verses 29, 30. Over the herds that fed in Sharon — A place famous for its fruitfulness, (see Isaiah 33:9; 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.

V. 31. All these-It is observable, here are no officers for state, none for sport, no master of the ceremonies, or of the bounds, 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.

Verses 25. - 31. Over the king’s treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted:-1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c. 2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields. 3. Vineyards and their produce. 4. Olive-trees and their produce. 6. Neat cattle, in different districts. 6. Camels and asses: they had no horses. 7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

Verse 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.

V. 32. A scribe-Either one learned in the laws of God, which were also the laws of the land, or, the king’s secretary. King’s sons-As their tutor or governour.

Verse 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.

Ver. 32. Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a prince, a statesman, and a divine. He expounded the law, for it becomes the highest dignitaries to do this, the best and highest work of God. Eusebius gives us Constantine’s oration in the church, and it is probable he delivered more than one. Julian also in the days of his youth, read in the churches.

V. 33. Counsellor-The person whose counsel in matters of state the king most prized and followed. 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.

Verses 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, Psalm 119:24.

V. 34. After Ahithophel-After his death, these were his chief counsellors.

Verse 34. 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 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.

I CHRONICLES

Verses 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, Psalm 119:24.