I Chronicles 27
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Commentaries
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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.
Open source ↗TWELVE CAPTAINS FOR EVERY MONTH. (Ch1 27:1-15) 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 Ch1 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 (Ch1 27:16-24). Such a military establishment would be burdensome neither to the 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…
Open source ↗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, Ch1 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 obser…
Open source ↗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, Ch1 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 obser…
Open source ↗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 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 cour…
Open source ↗27:1-15 David’s reserve army was organized into twelve divisions, each serving on active duty one month each year. Their duties probably included protecting the borders, policing, keeping order in conquered territories, manning fortresses, and tending military equipment (horses and chariots). The divisions were not related to Israel’s tribal structure; each division contained individuals from various tribes, indicating the integration of the kingdom.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִסְפָּר (miçpâr, H4557) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שֹׁטֵר (shôṭêr, H7860) — properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month יָשׇׁבְעָם (Yâshobʻâm, H3434) — Jashobam, the name of two or three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זַבְדִּיאֵל (Zabdîyʼêl, H2068) — gift of God; zabdiel, the name of two Israelites עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… פֶּרֶץ (Perets, H6557) — Perets, the name of two Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month
Open source ↗מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month דּוֹדַי (Dôwday, H1737) — Dodai, an Israelite אֲחוֹחִי (ʼĂchôwchîy, H266) — an Achochite or descendant of Achoach מִקְלוֹת (Miqlôwth, H4732) — Mikloth, a place in the Desert נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month בְּנָיָה (Bᵉnâyâh, H1141) — Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוֹיָדָע (Yᵉhôwyâdâʻ, H3077) — Jehojada, the name of three Israelites רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗בְּנָיָה (Bᵉnâyâh, H1141) — Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עַמִּיזָבָד (ʻAmmîyzâbâd, H5990) — Ammizabad, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month עֲשָׂהאֵל (ʻĂsâhʼêl, H6214) — Asahel, the name of four Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… יוֹאָב (Yôwʼâb, H3097) — Joab, the name of three Israelites זְבַדְיָה (Zᵉbadyâh, H2069) — Zebadjah, the name of nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month שַׁמְהוּת (Shamhûwth, H8049) — Shamhuth, an Israelite יִזְרָח (Yizrâch, H3155) — a Jizrach (i.e. Ezrachite or Zarchite) or descendant of Zerach מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗שִׁשִּׁי (shishshîy, H8345) — sixth, ord. or (feminine) fractional חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month עִירָא (ʻÎyrâʼ, H5896) — Ira, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עִקֵּשׁ (ʻIqqêsh, H6142) — Ikkesh, an Israelite תְּקוֹעִי (Tᵉqôwʻîy, H8621) — a Tekoite or inhabitant of Tekoah מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month חֶלֶץ (Chelets, H2503) — Chelets, the name of two Israelites פְּלוֹנִי (Pᵉlôwnîy, H6397) — a Pelonite or inhabitant of an unknown Palon בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗שְׁמִינִי (shᵉmîynîy, H8066) — eight חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month סִבְּכַי (Çibbᵉkay, H5444) — Sibbecai, an Israelite חֻשָׁתִי (Chushâthîy, H2843) — a Chushathite or descendant of Chushah זַרְחִי (Zarchîy, H2227) — a Zarchite or descendant of Zerach מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗תְּשִׁיעִי (tᵉshîyʻîy, H8671) — ninth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month אֲבִיעֶזֶר (ʼĂbîyʻezer, H44) — Abiezer, the name of two Israelites עַנְתֹתִי (ʻAnthôthîy, H6069) — a Antothite or inhabitant of Anathoth בֶּן־יְמִינִי (Ben-yᵉmîynîy, H1145) — a Benjaminite, or descendent of Benjamin מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗עֲשִׂירִי (ʻăsîyrîy, H6224) — tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month מַהֲרַי (Mahăray, H4121) — Maharai, an Israelite נְטֹפָתִי (Nᵉṭôphâthîy, H5200) — a Netophathite, or inhabitant of Netophah זַרְחִי (Zarchîy, H2227) — a Zarchite or descendant of Zerach מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗עַשְׁתֵּי (ʻashtêy, H6249) — eleven or (ordinal) eleventh עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month בְּנָיָה (Bᵉnâyâh, H1141) — Benajah, the name of twelve Israelites פִּרְעָתוֹנִי (Pirʻâthôwnîy, H6553) — a Pirathonite or inhabitant of Pirathon בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălôqeth, H4256) — a section (of Levites, people or soldiers) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, to make his weapons of war, and to equip his chariots.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel— One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
Now David summoned all the leaders of Israel to Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials and mighty men—every mighty man of valor.
So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.
He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.
Each month the governors in turn provided food for King Solomon and all who came to his table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking.
Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands.
Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year,
So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.