1 Chronicles 27
Read 1 Chronicles 27 (WEB)+
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.
World English Bible (public domain)
“The king's chief officers were in charge of the different divisions that served the king, and they were in charge of all the inventory of the king's territories, as they had to be appointed by the king himself.”
1 Chronicles 27:1
Summary
1 Chronicles chapter 27 outlines the organization of David's kingdom and the leaders of various groups in Israel. It provides a detailed account of the military leaders, including the divisions of the army that were ready to serve the king each month. This chapter emphasizes the importance of order and structure in governance, hinting at the need for strong leadership as Israel transitioned to a monarchy. Additionally, David's careful allocation of military resources displays his strategic foresight and reliance on God's guidance in building a nation under His rule. The chapter also details the administrative roles assigned to different tribes, which indicates the value David placed on unity and cooperation among the various groups within Israel. Each tribe had a designated leader, signifying their importance in maintaining societal order. Furthermore, the discussion of tribal leaders and their contributions reflects the community aspect of Israelite identity, where everyone played a role in supporting the kingdom. Through this organization, the theological theme of divine order is evident, portraying God as a deity who desires a well-structured and harmonious society. The careful delineation of duties and responsibilities can be seen as a reflection of God's desire for His people to live in a way that honors Him, where each individual and leader serves a purpose according to His divine plan. David’s reign exemplifies the pursuit of wisdom in governance while implicitly directing the people toward reliance on God's sovereignty over the nation.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about 1 Chronicles 27
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying 1 Chronicles with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for beginners.
Chapter outline
How 1 Chronicles 27 unfolds
1 Chronicles 27:1 Census of Israel's Military Divisions
The chapter opens with a summary of the Israelite census, highlighting the organization of military divisions serving the king.
1 Chronicles 27:2–15 Monthly Military Commanders
It describes the twelve military captains assigned to each month, detailing their names and divisions, each comprising twenty-four thousand men.
1 Chronicles 27:16–22 Tribal Leaders of Israel
The chapter outlines the leaders of each tribe, indicating their roles and responsibilities, emphasizing unity among the tribes under David's reign.
1 Chronicles 27:23–24 Census Limitations and Consequences
David refrains from counting men under twenty years old, recalling God's promise; Joab's incomplete census leads to divine disfavor.
1 Chronicles 27:25–31 Administration of Resources
David assigns various officials to manage his resources, from treasures to agricultural produce, demonstrating his strategic governance.
1 Chronicles 27:32–34 Counselors and Military Leadership
David's advisors and military leaders are named, highlighting the support structure underpinning his reign and the importance of wise counsel.
Key verses
1 Chronicles 27:1The key verse encapsulates the chapter's focus on organized leadership and the systematic governance of David's kingdom.
Main themes in 1 Chronicles 27
Divine Order
The theme of divine order surfaces through the structured organization of military divisions in verses 1-15. This meticulous arrangement illustrates how David established specific roles for each unit, ensuring that every soldier had a purpose within the larger framework of the army. Such organization demonstrates God's intention for an orderly society, where leadership is aligned with divine principles and the community functions harmoniously under David's rule.
Leadership and Service
Leadership and service are evident in the designated roles of military and tribal leaders throughout the chapter. Each leader's assignment, as seen in the various divisions, signifies their responsibility not only to the king but also to the people they serve. This portrayal emphasizes that effective governance is rooted in servant leadership, where leaders act in the best interest of their communities and demonstrate accountability for their roles.
Community and Cooperation
The theme of community and cooperation emerges through the listing of tribal leaders in verses 16-22. By assigning leaders for each tribe, David fosters a sense of unity and shared responsibility among the Israelites. This collaboration is vital for the nation's stability and reflects the interconnectedness of their societal roles.
Strategic Governance
Strategic governance is highlighted in David's careful assignment of officials to manage resources in verses 25-31. This allocation of duties reflects David's understanding of the kingdom's needs, ensuring that each official is positioned to oversee critical areas such as agriculture, treasuries, and livestock. Such governance exemplifies David's wisdom in preparing for the nation’s growth and stability, emphasizing that thoughtful administration is essential for the well-being of the people.
Cross-references
Passages that echo 1 Chronicles 27
- 1 Chronicles 11This passage connects by continuing the theme of military leadership established in David's reign.
- 2 Samuel 23Echoes David's military organization and the valor of his warriors, paralleling the accounts of leadership.
- 2 Samuel 24Develops the theme of census-taking and its consequences, as seen in Joab's actions here.
- 2 Samuel 15Connects through the depiction of leadership challenges faced during David's kingship.
- 1 Chronicles 21Echoes the repercussions of taking a census, as it also leads to divine displeasure.
- 1 Kings 4Develops the theme of administrative structure, showcasing the continuity of governance after David.
Study questions
Questions for studying 1 Chronicles 27
- Who were the captains for each month mentioned in the chapter?
- What reasons did David have for not counting young men?
- How does the organization of the tribes reflect David's leadership style?
- What roles were assigned to the various officials overseeing resources?
- How does this chapter illustrate the theme of community among the tribes?
- What does the mention of Joab's incomplete census signify for Israel?
1 Chronicles 27: frequently asked questions
What is 1 Chronicles 27 about?+
What is the key verse in 1 Chronicles 27?+
What are the main themes of 1 Chronicles 27?+
Related chapters