Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the 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.
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.
Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
And 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.
The 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.
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; 2Sa 20:26. 1 Kings 4:5.Job 12:19; Job 12:19.
This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:
1 Chronicles 27:17. Of the Aaronites, Zadok— The Aaronites were the 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.
Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:
Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.
But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
Joab 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.
And 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:
And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
1 Chronicles 27:27. Over the increase of the vineyards, &c.— And over the 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, 1Ch 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, 1Ch 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.
And 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:
And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counseller, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:
And Ahithophel was the king's counseller: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:
And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.
