UNROLL
Early morning on the ridge road north of David's Jerusalem: far off, a long column of David's men, small as ants, marches up the winding road toward the small walled city on its narrow ridge, terraced olive slopes in front, under a calm pale sky.

The Book of

1 Chronicles 27

Twelve captains for twelve months, a leader for every tribe, and a steward for every vineyard and herd: the kingdom David will hand on.

34 verses≈ 6 min6 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–9GenealogiesAll Israel, from Adam
  2. 10Saul fallsThe kingdom turned to David
  3. 11–12David kingAll Israel gathers
  4. 13–16The arkBrought home with songs
  5. 17The covenantA house forever
  6. 18–20David's warsThe LORD gave victory
  7. 21The siteOrnan's threshing floor
  8. 22–27Preparing the templePriests, Levites and singersChapter 27
  9. 28–29David's farewellBe strong, and do the work

Twelve Captains for Twelve Months

Bright morning at the plain stone gate of David's Jerusalem: one month's division of David's men files in through the open wooden gate while the last month's men walk out and down the road toward home with bedrolls on their shoulders, a few raising a hand to each other.

This 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:

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Monthly divisions

Twelve captains, twelve months

  1. Month 1 · Perez

    Jashobeam son of Zabdiel

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

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

  2. Month 2

    Dodai the Ahohite

    Dodai 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.

  3. Month 3 · the Thirty

    Benaiah son of Jehoiada

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

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

  4. Month 4

    Asahel, Joab’s brother

    The 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.

  5. Month 5

    Shamhuth the Izrahite

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

  6. Month 6 · Tekoa

    Ira son of Ikkesh

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

  7. Month 7 · Ephraim

    Helez the Pelonite

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

  8. Month 8 · Zerah

    Sibbecai the Hushathite

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

  9. Month 9 · Benjamin

    Abiezer the Anathothite

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

  10. Month 10 · Zerah

    Maharai the Netophathite

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

  11. Month 11 · Ephraim

    Benaiah the Pirathonite

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

  12. Month 12 · Othniel

    Heldai the Netophathite

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

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JudahBenjaminEphraimJerusalemTekoaNetophahHushah (site uncertain)AnathothPirathon

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Where the captains came from

The twelve who kept the months came from all over the land: Ira from Tekoa, Maharai and Heldai from Netophah near Bethlehem, Sibbecai from Hushah, Abiezer from Anathoth in Benjamin, and Benaiah from Pirathon and Helez of Ephraim, in the hill country to the north. Each month one division came up to Jerusalem to serve the king. (Hushah’s site is uncertain; Netophah and Pirathon are probable sites.)

Question

Quick question

Almost every one of the twelve captains is named among David’s mighty men in chapter 11.

Which of David’s mighty men commanded the division for the third month?

The Leaders of the Twelve Tribes

Tribal leaders

Over the tribes of Israel

  1. Reuben and Simeon

    These 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;

  2. Priests

    Levi, and Aaron under Zadok

    over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel;

    over Aaron was Zadok;

  3. David’s brother

    Judah and Issachar

    over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers;

    over Issachar was Omri son of Michael;

  4. Zebulun and Naphtali

    over Zebulun was Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;

    over Naphtali was Jerimoth son of Azriel;

  5. Ephraim and half of Manasseh

    over the Ephraimites was Hoshea son of Azaziah;

    over one of the half-tribes of Manasseh was Joel son of Pedaiah;

  6. Abner’s son

    Manasseh in Gilead; Benjamin

    over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead was Iddo son of Zechariah;

    over Benjamin was Jaasiel son of Abner;

  7. Dan, and the list ends

    and over Dan was Azarel son of Jeroham.

    These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.

A clear night over the hill country of Judah: David's Jerusalem small and dark on its ridge with a few warm lamps in its windows, a lone sentry on the plain stone wall seen from behind, leaning on his spear and looking up at a sky crowded with countless stars.

David 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.

1 Chronicles 27:23

Joab 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.

Reflect

Counting or trusting

David left the young men uncounted, “because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.” Joab’s count was never finished, and its number was never entered in the king’s records. Where are you tempted to count what you have so that you feel safe, instead of resting on what God has promised? Write it down, and one promise of His to hold instead.

David’s Various Overseers

Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon.

Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.

Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks.

All these officials were in charge of King David’s property.

The Counselors

David’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.

Ahithophel was the king’s counselor.

Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar.

Joab was the commander of the king’s army.

Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

1 Chronicles 27:33

Pray

Faithful in our turn

Thank the Lord for faithful people who serve in their turn and in small places, the storehouse and the field as much as the army. Thank Him for wise counselors and true friends. Ask Him to help you trust His promise rather than your numbers, and to keep well whatever He has put in your care. Amen.

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1 Chronicles 27

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A verse to carry with you

David 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.

1 Chronicles 27:23

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