1 Chronicles — Chapter 27
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1Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.
2Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
3Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
4And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.
5The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
6This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
7The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
8The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
17Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:
18Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
19Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:
20Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
21Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
22Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.
23But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
25And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
26And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
27And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
28And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:
29And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
30Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
31And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.
32Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons:
33And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:
34And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army was Joab.
1Now the children of Israel after their number, [to wit], the heads of fathers` [houses] and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers that served the king, in any matter of the courses which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year-of every course were twenty and four thousand.
2Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
3[He was] of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
4And over the course of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his course; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
5The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
6This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and [of] his course was Ammizabad his son.
7The fourth [captain] for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
8The fifth captain for this fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
9The sixth [captain] for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
10The seventh [captain] for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
11The eighth [captain] for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
12The ninth [captain] for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
13The tenth [captain] for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
14The eleventh [captain] for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
15The twelfth [captain] for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah:
17of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok:
18of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
19of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel:
20of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
21of the half -[tribe] of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
22of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.
23But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but finished not; and there came wrath for this upon Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
25And over the king`s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah:
26And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
27and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
28and over the olive-trees and the sycomore-trees that were in the lowland was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:
29and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
30and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
31All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David`s.
32Also Jonathan, David`s uncle, was a counsellor, a man of understanding, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king`s sons:
33And Ahithophel was the king`s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king`s friend:
34and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king`s host was Joab.
1What follows is a list of Israelite family leaders and commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, as well as their officers who served the king in various matters. Each division was assigned to serve for one month during the year; each consisted of 24,000 troops.
2Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
3He was a descendant of Perez; he was in charge of all the army officers for the first month.
4Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division assigned the second month; Mikloth was the next in rank. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
5The third army commander, assigned the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. He was the leader of his division, which consisted of 24,000 troops.
6Benaiah was the leader of the thirty warriors and his division; his son was Ammizabad.
7The fourth, assigned the fourth month, was Asahel, brother of Joab; his son Zebadiah succeeded him. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
8The fifth, assigned the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
9The sixth, assigned the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
10The seventh, assigned the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
11The eighth, assigned the eighth month, was Sibbekai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
12The ninth, assigned the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
13The tenth, assigned the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
14The eleventh, assigned the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
15The twelfth, assigned the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, a descendant of Othniel. His division consisted of 24,000 troops.
16The officers of the Israelite tribes:Eliezer son of Zikri was the leader of the Reubenites,Shephatiah son of Maacah led the Simeonites,
17Hashabiah son of Kemuel led the Levites,Zadok led the descendants of Aaron,
18Elihu, a brother of David, led Judah,Omri son of Michael led Issachar,
19Ishmaiah son of Obadiah led Zebulun,Jerimoth son of Azriel led Naphtali,
20Hoshea son of Azaziah led the Ephraimites,Joel son of Pedaiah led the half-tribe of Manasseh,
21Iddo son of Zechariah led the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead,Jaasiel son of Abner led Benjamin,
22Azarel son of Jeroham led Dan.These were the commanders of the Israelite tribes.
23David did not count the males twenty years old and under, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.
24Joab son of Zeruiah started to count the men but did not finish. God was angry with Israel because of this, so the number was not recorded in the scroll called The Annals of King David.
25Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king’s storehouses;Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the towns, and in the towers.
26Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the field workers who farmed the land.
27Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards;Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the wine stored in the vineyards.
28Baal Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the foothills; Joash was in charge of the storehouses of olive oil.
29Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the cattle grazing in Sharon;Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the cattle in the valleys.
30Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels;Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.
31Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the sheep.All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property.
32Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise adviser and scribe; Jehiel son of Hacmoni cared for the king’s sons.
33Ahithophel was the king’s adviser;Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant.
34Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.Joab was the commanding general of the king’s army.
1Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king, in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand.
2Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
3He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.
4Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his division; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
5The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
6This is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of his division was Ammizabad his son.
7The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
8The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his division were Twenty-four thousand.
14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;
17of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;
18of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;
20of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.
23But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Yahweh had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn’t finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn’t put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
25Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah;
26Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub;
27and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite;
28and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash;
29and over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai;
30and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
31All these were the rulers of the property which was king David’s.
32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.
33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain of the king’s army.
Summary
The military and civil organization of David's kingdom is detailed, listing twelve divisional commanders who serve in monthly rotation, tribal leaders, and royal officials. David's administrative structure ensures the kingdom runs efficiently for Solomon's succession.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Largely parallels 1-2 Samuel geographically. Jerusalem (Zion/City of David) is the theological and political center.
- Key sites: Hebron (David's first capital, 7 years), the threshing floor of Ornan/Araunah (future Temple site, ch.21).
- Chapters 1-9 (genealogies) contain tribal allotments but minimal narrative geography.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes that the rotation system of 24,000 men per month was both militarily effective and economically wise — citizens served without being permanently removed from productive life. He highlights the theological significance of v.23-24, where David's faith in God's promise restrained the impulse to count comprehensively, and observes that the Chronicler's mention of the failed census serves as a humility check within an otherwise impressive organizational chapter.
- Charles Spurgeon: "David numbered his soldiers but would not number God's stars. When the king looked upon his army, he saw twenty-four thousand per course — a fine sight for a warrior. But when he looked upon the promise, he saw more than numbers could contain. Herein lies the great lesson of this chapter: organize what you can, but do not reduce God's work to your arithmetic. The kingdom was vast — twelve courses, tribal princes, stewards over every field and flock — yet the mightiest reality in Israel was the uncounted promise of God. Let your planning be thorough but let your trust be in Him whose purposes exceed your spreadsheets and whose faithfulness outlasts your systems."
Reflection
- 1. Good stewardship requires comprehensive organization (vv.25-31). David appointed specific leaders over every category of royal property — fields, vineyards, olive trees, herds, flocks, camels, donkeys. Nothing was left unmanaged. Apply this principle to your own life: finances, time, relationships, health, and spiritual growth all require intentional oversight. What areas of your life have no appointed steward — no plan, no accountability, no attention? Neglect is not neutrality; it is slow decay.
- 2. Trust God's promises more than your statistics (vv.23-24). David refused to count those under twenty because God had promised to multiply Israel like the stars. He chose faith over data. There are moments when the spiritual leader must set aside metrics and trust the Word of God. Numbers can become an idol — counting attendance, tracking growth, measuring success by statistics rather than faithfulness. Count what needs counting, but never let your numbers replace your trust in God's promises.
- 3. Leaders need both wisdom and loyalty in their advisors (vv.32-34). Ahithophel was brilliant but ultimately disloyal; Hushai was faithful and brave. The best advisory team combines competence with character. In choosing who speaks into your life, prioritize those who are both wise and trustworthy. Brilliant counsel from someone without loyalty to God or to you is a dangerous gift.
- 4. Preparation for succession is a mark of godly leadership (v.32). Jehiel was "with the king's sons" — educating and mentoring the next generation. David did not merely build his own kingdom; he invested in forming those who would lead after him. Whether in family, church, or profession, ask: Am I preparing those who will come after me? Legacy is not what you build but who you develop.
- 5. Military strength serves under God's sovereignty (vv.1-15). The twelve divisions were impressive — 288,000 trained men — but the chapter immediately follows this with a reminder that the ill- fated census brought wrath (v.24). Military preparation is wise; military pride is sin. Prepare diligently but trust ultimately in the Lord, not in horses and chariots (Psalm 20:7). The same principle applies to any form of human preparation: do your best, then rest in God's sovereignty.