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1 Chronicles 27:1-34

Leaders for the Kingdom

1This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division:

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

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

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

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

6This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

7The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri; over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah;

17over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron was Zadok;

18over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar was Omri son of Michael;

19over Zebulun was Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; over Naphtali was Jerimoth son of Azriel;

20over the Ephraimites was Hoshea son of Azaziah; over one of the half-tribes of Manasseh was Joel son of Pedaiah;

21over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead was Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin was Jaasiel son of Abner;

22and over Dan was Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

23David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.

24Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.

25Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.

26Ezri son of Chelub was in charge of the workers in the fields who tilled the soil.

27Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

28Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the foothills. Joash was in charge of the stores of olive oil.

29Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds 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 flocks. All these officials were in charge of King David’s property.

32David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king.

33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

34Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

Berean Standard Bible

Israel's military divisions are listed by month. Each division numbers twenty-four thousand men and serves for one month under a named commander. The arrangement provides a rotating defense rather than requiring the same people to carry the kingdom's military burden every day.

The tribal leaders are then named, followed by the officers over the king's storehouses, fields, vineyards, olive trees, livestock, and camels. A kingdom depends on more than soldiers. Food, animals, land, money, and records all need responsible oversight.

David's counselors include Ahithophel, Hushai, Jehoiada, Abiathar, and Joab. The list is not a promise that every adviser will remain wise or loyal, but it shows that governing requires counsel and specialized knowledge.

The chapter gives us an image of a kingdom with many moving parts. Rotations, farms, treasuries, and advisers may seem ordinary, yet ordinary systems determine whether authority serves people well. Leadership is not only what happens in a crisis; it is also the care taken before one arrives.

Questions

1 How were the military divisions arranged?

AnswerTwelve divisions served in rotation, one for each month, with twenty-four thousand men in each division.

2 Who led the tribal groups?

AnswerNamed leaders were assigned over the tribes and families of Israel.

3 What resources needed oversight?

AnswerStorehouses, fields, vineyards, olive trees, livestock, camels, and other royal resources needed oversight.

4 Why does the list of officials matter?

AnswerIt shows that responsible leadership includes systems, specialized work, and wise counsel rather than only dramatic decisions.

What This Means for Us

The health of a household is often decided by systems nobody applauds: who checks the bills, cares for the animals, plans the meals, keeps the calendar, or asks for advice.

Share the load and make responsibilities visible. Quiet organization can be an act of love when it keeps one person from carrying every burden alone.

Prayer

God of wisdom, help us organize our responsibilities with care. Give us trustworthy advisers, fair sharing of burdens, and patience to tend ordinary matters that protect the people entrusted to us. Amen.