Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 27:1 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.

Ver. 1. Now the children of Israel, &c.] David having in the four foregoing chapters taken order for the better settling of the sincere service of God in the temple that was to be built for his name; and so sought God’s kingdom in the first place; prudently proceedeth here, before his death, to settle the militia of the kingdom. He well remembered, that himself was no sooner made king, but the Philistines came up to seek him. [2 Samuel 5:17] The like whereunto he knew might befall his son Solomon. And although he doubted not of the faithfulness of God’s promises, yet knowing that his providence must also be served, and all good means used, he appointed twelve legions to be ever in readiness to serve upon all occasions for the security of the kingdom; each legion, consisting of twenty-four thousand valiant and expert soldiers, was to wait a month, and then to be relieved and succeeded by another, the whole year about. Thus the ancient Romans had many legions ever in arms; whence that answer of a certain philosopher to Adrian the emperor, who dared him to dispute, It is hard for a man to do his best against such an adversary as commanded thirty legions. The Chinese are said to have always a hundred thousand soldiers ready pressed for any service; but David had two hundred eighty and eight thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:7 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.

Ver. 7. And Asahel the brother of Joab.] Asahel was slain in the beginning of David’s reign. [2 Samuel 2:23] Sed hoc memoriae datum est fortissimi viri. So 1 Chronicles 11:26.

1 Chronicles 27:16 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:

Ver. 16. Furthermore over the several tribes.] Here followeth a list of the rulers of the several tribes. Only Gad and Asher are left out, for reasons unknown.

1 Chronicles 27:23 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.

Ver. 23. He would increase Israel.] And therefore David knew it was impossible to number them; and, besides, by going about it he might seem to doubt of the truth of God’s promise. ^(a)

1 Chronicles 27:24 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.

Ver. 24. Neither was the number of the account put into the chronicles of king David.] Utpote qui ipse iam factum suum abominabatur, because he detested his own act, as well he might; especially if he had commanded the people to be numbered below the age appointed by the Lord, as some hold he had.

1 Chronicles 27:25 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:

Ver. 25. And over the king’s treasures.] Rich men are but God’s treasurers; and to him they must be accountable.

1 Chronicles 27:32 Also 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:

Ver. 32. David’s uncle.] Indeed, his nephew or cousin.

A wise man and a scribe.] Prudent and learned.

Was with the king’s sons.] To teach them and train them up.

1 Chronicles 27:34 And after Ahithophel [was] Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army [was] Joab.

Ver. 34. And after Ahithophel,] i.e., After his death.