1 Chronicles 27

34 verses • Westminster Leningrad Codex

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

The chapter catalogs the military and administrative organization of David's kingdom. Twelve divisional commanders serve on a monthly rotation, each commanding twenty-four thousand men, yielding a standing force of two hundred eighty-eight thousand. The commanders are listed month by month: Jashobeam for the first month, Dodai for the second, Benaiah for the third, Asahel for the fourth (succeeded after his death by his son Zebadiah), and so on through the twelfth month. The chapter then lists the tribal leaders — the nagid ('chief') of each tribe, from Reuben through Benjamin, including the two halves of Manasseh. David's failed census is referenced: he began to count those from twenty years old and younger but did not finish because God's wrath fell on Israel, and the number was never entered into the chronicles of King David. Finally, the chapter lists David's estate managers: overseers of the royal treasuries, storehouses, field workers, vineyards, olive and sycamore groves, oil supplies, cattle herds, camels, donkeys, and flocks. The chapter closes by naming David's closest advisors: Jonathan his uncle as counselor, Jehiel as tutor to the king's sons, Ahithophel as the king's counselor, Hushai as the king's companion, and Joab as commander of the army.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

This chapter presents David's kingdom as a sophisticated military and economic machine. The twelve-division monthly rotation creates a professional standing army while allowing each unit to tend their farms and families for eleven months of the year — a militia system that balances military readiness with agricultural productivity. The total of 288,000 soldiers mirrors the 288 trained Temple musicians (25:7), creating an unexpected numerical symmetry between the army and the choir. The failed census passage (vv. 23-24) is theologically loaded: David counted the nation but stopped because qetsep ('wrath') fell on Israel. The Chronicler says the number lo alah ('did not go up,' i.e., was never entered) into the official records — the unfinished count remains a permanent gap in the national archives, a reminder that some knowledge belongs only to God. The estate management list (vv. 25-31) reveals the crown's economic portfolio: agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, livestock of every kind — David's kingdom is an agrarian empire with diversified holdings.

Translation Friction

The number twenty-four thousand per division, yielding a total of 288,000, is very large and may represent idealized or rounded figures. Asahel's listing as fourth-month commander (v. 7) is complicated by the fact that he was killed by Abner early in David's reign (2 Samuel 2:18-23); the text acknowledges this by naming his son Zebadiah as successor, but the assignment may be honorary or retrospective. The tribal list in verses 16-22 omits Gad and Asher, though it includes both halves of Manasseh and separates Levi and Aaron. The omission may be due to textual damage or the source list's incompleteness. The census reference (vv. 23-24) presents a different version than 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 — here David counts only those under twenty, while elsewhere the census is comprehensive.

Connections

The twelve monthly divisions echo Israel's twelve-tribe structure, imposing military organization on the tribal framework. The commanders include several of David's 'mighty men' from 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 — Jashobeam, Dodai, Benaiah — showing these warriors now hold institutional positions. Ahithophel the counselor (v. 33) is the same advisor who defected to Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12) and whose counsel was 'like the word of God' (2 Samuel 16:23). Hushai the 'king's friend' (v. 33) is the loyal agent who defeated Ahithophel's counsel during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:32-37, 17:1-14). The estate managers connect to Solomon's later district governors (1 Kings 4:7-19), showing that Solomon inherited and expanded his father's administrative apparatus.

1 Chronicles 27:1

וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל ׀ לְמִ֠סְפָּרָ֠ם רָאשֵׁ֨י הָאָב֜וֹת וְשָׂרֵ֣י הָאֲלָפִ֣ים וְהַמֵּא֗וֹת וְשֹׁ֣טְרֵיהֶם֮ הַמְשָׁרְתִ֣ים אֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ לְכֹ֣ל ׀ דְּבַ֣ר הַמַּחְלְק֗וֹת הַבָּאָ֤ה וְהַיֹּצֵאת֙ חֹ֣דֶשׁ בְּחֹ֔דֶשׁ לְכֹ֖ל חׇדְשֵׁ֣י הַשָּׁנָ֑ה הַֽמַּחֲלֹ֣קֶת הָאַחַ֔ת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The Israelites, according to their number — the heads of ancestral houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters relating to the divisions that came and went month by month throughout the year — each division numbered twenty-four thousand.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The rotation system — ha-ba'ah ve-ha-yotset chodesh be-chodesh ('coming in and going out month by month') — describes a standing army maintained by monthly rotation. Each division serves one month and then returns to civilian life. The phrase le-khol chodshei ha-shanah ('for all the months of the year') means continuous coverage without gaps. Twenty-four thousand per division multiplied by twelve yields 288,000 total.

1 Chronicles 27:2

עַ֞ל הַמַּחְלֹ֣קֶת הָרִאשׁוֹנָ֗ה לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן֮ יָשׇׁבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־זַבְדִּיאֵל֒ וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

Over the first division, for the first month: Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Jashobeam is one of David's 'three' mighty warriors (11:11), who killed three hundred men with his spear in a single engagement. His assignment to the first month places the most legendary warrior at the head of the annual rotation.

1 Chronicles 27:3

מִן־בְּנֵי־פֶ֖רֶץ הָרֹ֛אשׁ לְכׇל־שָׂרֵ֥י הַצְּבָא֖וֹת לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָרִאשֽׁוֹן׃

He was of the sons of Perez, chief of all the army commanders for the first month.

KJV Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Jashobeam's lineage traces to Perez, the son of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:29). The Perezite clan produced David's own royal line (Ruth 4:18-22), so the first-month commander shares David's tribal and clan identity.

1 Chronicles 27:4

וְעַ֣ל מַחְלֹ֗קֶת הַחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי֙ דּוֹדַ֣י הָאֲחוֹחִ֔י וּמַ֨חְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ וּמִקְל֖וֹת הַנָּגִ֑יד וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

Over the division of the second month: Dodai the Ahohite, with Mikloth as the officer of his division. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Dodai the Ahohite is connected to Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, another of David's three mighty men (11:12). Mikloth serves as the nagid ('ruler, officer') of this division — a second-in-command structure that ensures continuity if the commander falls.

1 Chronicles 27:5

שַׂ֨ר הַצָּבָ֤א הַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י בְּנָיָ֥הוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע הַכֹּהֵ֣ן רֹ֑אשׁ וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The third army commander, for the third month: Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the chief priest, as head. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Benaiah is both a warrior and the son of a priest — ha-kohen rosh ('the chief priest' or 'a leading priest'). His dual identity as fighter and priest's son is characteristic of David's inner circle, where military and sacred roles overlap. Benaiah later becomes Solomon's army commander (1 Kings 2:35).

1 Chronicles 27:6

ה֣וּא בְ֠נָיָ֠הוּ גִּבּ֨וֹר הַשְּׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וְעַל־הַשְּׁלֹשִׁים֙ וּמַ֨חְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עַמִּיזָבָ֖ד בְּנֽוֹ׃

This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man among the Thirty and over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad commanded his division.

KJV This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The Chronicler pauses to identify Benaiah — he is both gibbor ha-sheloshim ('mighty among the Thirty') and al ha-sheloshim ('over the Thirty'). His son Ammizabad serves as his operational deputy, similar to the Mikloth arrangement in verse 4.

1 Chronicles 27:7

הָרְבִיעִ֞י לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרְבִיעִ֗י עֲשָׂהאֵ֧ל אֲחִי־יוֹאָ֛ב וּזְבַדְיָ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ אַחֲרָ֑יו וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The fourth, for the fourth month: Asahel the brother of Joab, and after him Zebadiah his son. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Asahel was killed by Abner in single combat (2 Samuel 2:18-23) early in David's reign. The phrase u-Zevadyah veno acharav ('and Zebadiah his son after him') acknowledges the succession. The appointment may be honorary — recognizing Asahel's status among the original warriors — with his son as the actual operational commander.

1 Chronicles 27:8

הַחֲמִישִׁ֞י לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁ֗י הַשַּׂ֛ר שַׁמְה֥וּת הַיִּזְרָ֖ח וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The fifth, for the fifth month: Shamhuth the Izrahite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Shamhuth the Izrahite is likely Shammah (or Shammoth) the Harorite from David's mighty men (11:27). Name variants between military rosters are common in these lists.

1 Chronicles 27:9

הַשִּׁשִּׁ֞י לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשִּׁשִּׁ֗י עִירָ֧א בֶן־עִקֵּ֛שׁ הַתְּקוֹעִ֖י וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The sixth, for the sixth month: Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Ira the Tekoite appears among David's mighty men (11:28). Tekoa, south of Bethlehem, also produced the wise woman who helped Joab reconcile David with Absalom (2 Samuel 14:1-2) and the prophet Amos.

1 Chronicles 27:10

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֞י לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י חֶ֧לֶץ הַפְּלוֹנִ֛י מִן־בְּנֵ֥י אֶפְרַ֖יִם וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The seventh, for the seventh month: Helez the Pelonite, of the sons of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Helez is identified as an Ephraimite, making him the first commander explicitly from the northern tribes. David's military organization incorporates warriors from across all Israel, not just Judah.

1 Chronicles 27:11

הַשְּׁמִינִ֞י לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁמִינִ֗י סִבְּכַ֧י הַחֻשָׁתִ֛י לַזַּרְחִ֖י וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The eighth, for the eighth month: Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Sibbecai killed the Philistine giant Saph/Sippai (1 Chronicles 20:4, 2 Samuel 21:18). His designation as a Zerahite traces him to Zerah, son of Judah — the twin brother of Perez (Genesis 38:30).

1 Chronicles 27:12

הַתְּשִׁיעִ֞י לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַתְּשִׁיעִ֗י אֲבִיעֶ֧זֶר הָעַנְּתֹתִ֛י לַבִּנְיָמִינִ֖י וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The ninth, for the ninth month: Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjaminite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Abiezer is from Anathoth in Benjamin — the same town where Jeremiah will later be born (Jeremiah 1:1) and where Abiathar the priest was banished (1 Kings 2:26). A Benjaminite commander in David's army demonstrates the integration of Saul's former tribe.

1 Chronicles 27:13

הָעֲשִׂירִ֞י לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִ֗י מַהְרַ֧י הַנְּטֹפָתִ֛י לַזַּרְחִ֖י וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The tenth, for the tenth month: Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Maharai is from Netophah, a town near Bethlehem. Like Sibbecai (v. 11), he is a Zerahite of Judah. Two Zerahites among the twelve commanders gives this clan significant military representation.

1 Chronicles 27:14

עַשְׁתֵּ֤י עָשָׂר֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָעַשְׁתֵּ֣י עָשָׂ֔ר בְּנָיָ֖ה הַפִּרְעָתֹנִ֑י מִן־בְּנֵ֣י אֶפְרַ֔יִם וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The eleventh, for the eleventh month: Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the sons of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

This Benaiah is from Pirathon in Ephraim — a different person from Benaiah son of Jehoiada (v. 5). Pirathon is also the home of the judge Abdon (Judges 12:13-15). Two Ephraimite commanders (this Benaiah and Helez in v. 10) represent the northern tribes' integration.

1 Chronicles 27:15

הַשְּׁנֵ֤ים עָשָׂר֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂ֔ר חֶלְדַּ֧י הַנְּטֹפָתִ֛י לְעׇתְנִיאֵ֖ל וְעַ֨ל מַחְלׇקְתּ֔וֹ עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֖ה אָֽלֶף׃

The twelfth, for the twelfth month: Heldai the Netophathite, of the line of Othniel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

KJV The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Heldai the Netophathite traces his lineage to Othniel, the first judge of Israel (Judges 3:9-11). His placement in the twelfth and final position completes the annual military cycle. The connection to Othniel — the first deliverer after Joshua — gives this closing position historical depth.

1 Chronicles 27:16

וְעַל֙ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לָראוּבֵנִ֗י נָגִ֛יד אֱלִיעֶ֥זֶר בֶּן־זִכְרִ֖י לַשִּׁמְעוֹנִ֑י שְׁפַטְיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־מַעֲכָֽה׃

Over the tribes of Israel: for the Reubenites, the chief was Eliezer son of Zichri; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah son of Maacah;

KJV 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The tribal list uses the term nagid ('chief, leader') for each tribal head — a title implying both military command and civil governance. The list begins with Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, following the traditional birth-order sequence.

1 Chronicles 27:17

לַלֵּוִ֕י חֲשַׁבְיָ֖ה בֶּן־קְמוּאֵ֑ל לְאַהֲרֹ֖ן צָדֽוֹק׃

for Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok;

KJV Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Levi and Aaron are listed separately, distinguishing the tribal entity (Levi) from the priestly subset (Aaron). Zadok's placement as nagid over the Aaronites confirms his preeminence as David's chosen high priest, the man whose line will dominate the priesthood through the exile.

1 Chronicles 27:18

לִ֣יהוּדָ֔ה אֱלִיהָ֖וּ מֵאַחֵ֣י דָוִ֑יד לְיִ֨שָּׂשׂכָ֔ר עׇמְרִ֖י בֶּן־מִיכָאֵֽל׃

for Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers; for Issachar, Omri son of Michael;

KJV Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Elihu is identified as one of David's achei ('brothers') — possibly an older brother or half-brother not listed among Jesse's sons elsewhere. David does not place himself as tribal chief of Judah but delegates to a kinsman. Omri of Issachar shares the name of the later king of Israel (1 Kings 16:16) but is a different person.

1 Chronicles 27:19

לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן יִשְׁמַעְיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־עֹבַדְיָ֑הוּ לְנַפְתָּלִ֕י יְרִימ֖וֹת בֶּן־עַזְרִיאֵֽל׃

for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel;

KJV Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The northern tribes — Zebulun and Naphtali — have their own designated chiefs under David's system. These were Galilean territories, the region Jesus would later make his primary base of ministry (Matthew 4:13-16, citing Isaiah 9:1-2).

1 Chronicles 27:20

לִבְנֵ֣י אֶפְרַ֔יִם הוֹשֵׁ֖עַ בֶּן־עֲזַזְיָ֑הוּ לַחֲצִ֥י שֵׁ֙בֶט֙ מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה יוֹאֵ֖ל בֶּן־פְּדָיָֽהוּ׃

for the sons of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah;

KJV Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Hoshea ('salvation') shares the name of both the last king of Israel (2 Kings 17:1) and the prophet Hosea. The half-tribe of Manasseh refers to the western portion; the eastern half is listed separately in verse 21.

1 Chronicles 27:21

לַחֲצִ֤י הַֽמְנַשֶּׁה֙ גִּלְעָ֔דָה יִדּ֖וֹ בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֑הוּ לְבִנְיָמִ֔ן יַעֲשִׂיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־אַבְנֵֽר׃

for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner.

KJV Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The eastern half of Manasseh, settled in Gilead across the Jordan, has its own chief. Jaasiel son of Abner heads Benjamin — if this Abner is the famous general of Saul, then the Benjaminite chieftain descends from Saul's own military commander, maintaining Saulide prestige within David's administrative system.

1 Chronicles 27:22

לְדָ֕ן עֲזַרְאֵ֖ל בֶּן־יְרֹחָ֑ם אֵ֚לֶּה שָׂרֵ֔י שִׁבְטֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

for Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the chiefs of the tribes of Israel.

KJV Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Dan closes the tribal list. The concluding formula elleh sarei shivtei Yisra'el ('these were the chiefs of the tribes of Israel') wraps the section. Gad and Asher are notably absent from the list — whether through textual loss or the source document's incompleteness is uncertain.

1 Chronicles 27:23

וְלֹא־נָשָׂ֤א דָוִיד֙ מִסְפָּרָ֔ם לְמִבֶּ֛ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וּלְמָ֑טָּה כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה לְהַרְבּ֥וֹת אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥י הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

David did not count those twenty years of age and under, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

David's restraint — not counting the youngest — is grounded in theology: ki amar YHWH le-harbot et Yisra'el ke-kokhvei ha-shamayim ('because the LORD had said he would multiply Israel like the stars of heaven'). The allusion to the Abrahamic promise (Genesis 15:5, 22:17) implies that counting God's promised multitude is an act of distrust — you do not number what God has promised to make innumerable.

1 Chronicles 27:24

יוֹאָ֤ב בֶּן־צְרוּיָה֙ הֵחֵ֣ל לִמְנ֔וֹת וְלֹ֣א כִלָּ֔ה וַיְהִ֥י בָזֹ֛את קֶ֖צֶף עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹ֤א עָלָה֙ הַמִּסְפָּ֔ר בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר דִּבְרֵי־הַיָּמִ֖ים לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ דָּוִֽד׃

Joab son of Zeruiah began the count but did not finish, because wrath fell on Israel because of it. The number was never entered into the official chronicles of King David.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

This verse references the catastrophic census of 1 Chronicles 21 / 2 Samuel 24. Joab hechel limnot ve-lo killah ('began to count but did not finish') — the census was aborted because of the plague. The phrase lo alah ha-mispar ('the number did not go up/was not recorded') means the incomplete count was deliberately excluded from David's official records. It remains a permanent gap in the archive — the number that was never allowed to exist.

1 Chronicles 27:25

וְעַל֙ אֹצְר֣וֹת הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַזְמָ֖וֶת בֶּן־עֲדִיאֵ֑ל וְעַ֣ל הָאֹצָר֡וֹת בַּשָּׂדֶ֞ה בֶּעָרִ֣ים וּבַכְּפָרִ֗ים וּבַמִּגְדָּלוֹת֙ יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן בֶּן־עֻזִּיָּֽהוּ׃

Over the king's treasuries: Azmaveth son of Adiel. Over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, the villages, and the towers: Jonathan son of Uzziah.

KJV 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The royal estate system begins. Azmaveth manages the central treasury; Jonathan oversees the distributed storehouses across the kingdom's landscape — fields, cities, villages, and migdalot ('towers,' fortified storage points). This network of storehouses reveals a kingdom-wide supply chain.

1 Chronicles 27:26

וְעַ֗ל עֹשֵׂ֛י מְלֶ֥אכֶת הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה לַעֲבֹדַ֣ת הָאֲדָמָ֑ה עֶזְרִ֖י בֶּן־כְלֽוּב׃

Over those who worked the field for tillage of the soil: Ezri son of Chelub.

KJV And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Ezri manages the avodat ha-adamah ('tillage of the ground') — the agricultural workforce of the crown lands. The term adamah ('soil, ground') connects farming to the fundamental human vocation assigned in Genesis 2:15.

1 Chronicles 27:27

וְעַ֨ל הַכְּרָמִ֔ים שִׁמְעִ֖י הָרָמָתִ֑י וְעַ֤ל שֶׁבַּכְּרָמִים֙ לְאֹצְר֣וֹת הַיַּ֔יִן זַבְדִּ֖י הַשִּׁפְמִֽי׃

Over the vineyards: Shimei the Ramathite. Over the vineyard produce for the wine cellars: Zabdi the Shiphmite.

KJV And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Viticulture has two managers: Shimei for the growing operation and Zabdi for the wine production and storage. This dual-manager structure separates cultivation from processing — an indication of specialized estate management.

1 Chronicles 27:28

וְעַ֨ל הַזֵּיתִ֤ים וְהַשִּׁקְמִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּשְּׁפֵלָ֔ה בַּ֖עַל חָנָ֣ן הַגְּדֵרִ֑י וְעַ֥ל אֹצְר֖וֹת הַשֶּׁ֥מֶן יוֹאָֽשׁ׃

Over the olive trees and sycamore trees in the Shephelah: Baal-hanan the Gederite. Over the olive oil stores: Joash.

KJV And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The Shephelah (the lowland foothills between the Judean highlands and the coastal plain) is ideal terrain for olives and sycamores. Baal-hanan manages the orchards; Joash manages the pressed oil. The sycamore (shiqmah) provided both fruit and timber — a versatile crop. Amos later identifies himself as a tender of sycamores (Amos 7:14).

1 Chronicles 27:29

וְעַ֨ל הַבָּקָ֜ר הָרֹעִ֣ים בַּשָּׁר֗וֹן שִׁטְרַ֣י הַשָּׁרוֹנִ֔י וְעַ֨ל הַבָּקָ֖ר בָּעֲמָקִ֑ים שָׁפָ֖ט בֶּן־עַדְלָֽי׃

Over the cattle grazing in Sharon: Shitrai the Sharonite. Over the cattle in the valleys: Shaphat son of Adlai.

KJV 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Sharon (the fertile coastal plain) and the interior valleys provide distinct pastoral zones. The crown's cattle are divided geographically, with separate managers for each region — reflecting the different grazing conditions of the coastal plain versus the inland valleys.

1 Chronicles 27:30

וְעַ֨ל הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים אוֹבִ֖יל הַיִּשְׁמְעֵלִ֑י וְעַ֨ל הָאֲתֹנ֔וֹת יֶחְדְּיָ֖הוּ הַמֵּרֹנֹתִֽי׃

Over the camels: Obil the Ishmaelite. Over the donkeys: Jehdeiah the Meronothite.

KJV Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

An Ishmaelite manages the camels — a fitting assignment since Ishmael's descendants were the preeminent camel herders of the ancient Near East. This is a pragmatic decision: you hire the expert regardless of ethnicity. Jehdeiah manages the donkeys, the primary transport and work animal of the Israelite economy.

1 Chronicles 27:31

וְעַל־הַצֹּ֕אן יָזִ֖יז הַֽהַגְרִ֑י כׇּל־אֵ֣לֶּה שָׂרֵ֥י הָרְכ֖וּשׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ דָּוִֽיד׃

Over the flocks: Jaziz the Hagrite. All these were overseers of the property belonging to King David.

KJV And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Jaziz the Hagrite (from a semi-nomadic people east of Gilead) manages the sheep flocks — again, an ethnic outsider employed for expertise. The concluding formula kol elleh sarei ha-rekhush asher la-melekh David ('all these were overseers of the property of King David') wraps the estate section. The crown's economic portfolio spans agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, and animal husbandry across multiple ecological zones.

1 Chronicles 27:32

וִיהוֹנָתָ֤ן דּוֹד־דָּוִיד֙ יוֹעֵ֔ץ אִ֥ישׁ מֵבִ֛ין וְסוֹפֵ֖ר ה֑וּא וִיחִיאֵ֥ל בֶּן־חַכְמוֹנִ֖י עִם־בְּנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor — a man of understanding and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Jonathan serves dual roles: yo'ets ('counselor') and sofer ('scribe'). He is also ish mevin ('a man of understanding/discernment'). Jehiel im benei ha-melekh ('with the king's sons') is a tutor or guardian to the royal princes — a position of enormous influence over the next generation of rulers.

1 Chronicles 27:33

וַאֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל יוֹעֵ֣ץ לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְחוּשַׁ֥י הָאַרְכִּ֖י רֵ֥עַ הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

Ahithophel was the king's counselor; Hushai the Archite was the king's companion..

KJV And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Ahithophel's counsel was 'like the word of God' (2 Samuel 16:23), but he defected to Absalom and hanged himself when his advice was rejected. Hushai, re'a ha-melekh ('the king's friend/companion') — a formal court title — was the loyal agent who defeated Ahithophel's strategy during the rebellion (2 Samuel 15:32-37). The Chronicler lists them without comment on the Absalom episode, but every reader would know the story.

1 Chronicles 27:34

וְאַחֲרֵ֣י אֲחִיתֹ֗פֶל יְהוֹיָדָ֤ע בֶּן־בְּנָיָ֙הוּ֙ וְאֶבְיָתָ֔ר וְשַׂר־צָבָ֥א לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יוֹאָֽב׃

After Ahithophel came Jehoiada son of Benaiah and Abiathar. The commander of the king's army was Joab.

KJV And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Jehoiada son of Benaiah replaces Ahithophel as counselor after the latter's defection and death — the father-son order is reversed from the usual Benaiah son of Jehoiada, suggesting this may be a grandson or a different family line. Abiathar the priest serves as advisor until Solomon banishes him (1 Kings 2:26-27). Joab closes the list as sar tsava la-melekh ('commander of the king's army') — the supreme military position, held until Solomon replaces him with Benaiah (1 Kings 2:34-35).

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