1 Chronicles Chapter 27
Tribal Leaders and Officials of State
A. Captains over the army of Israel
1. The military divisions of Israel
1 Chronicles 27:1
“And the children of Israel, according to their number, the heads of fathers houses, the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers, served the king in every matter of the military divisions. These divisions came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division having twenty four thousand.”
The Chronicler opens this chapter by describing the structure of Israel’s military under David. The children of Israel, led by the heads of fathers houses, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, and their subordinate officers, served the king in all matters related to warfare. Israel did not rely on mercenaries or foreign fighters. The nation’s armies were composed of Israelites themselves, men who were committed to their king and their land. Their service reflected loyalty, unity, and national identity.
David organized the army into twelve divisions, each consisting of twenty four thousand men. These divisions rotated on a monthly schedule, coming in and going out throughout the year. This ensured that Israel always had a fully trained and active military unit ready for mobilization while the remaining divisions rotated through periods of rest, training, and civilian life. Clarke points out that this structure provided Israel with a prepared and disciplined militia without burdening the state with excessive cost. This system allowed Israel to maintain a powerful military force while upholding fairness and efficiency.
David’s military organization reflects wisdom and foresight. With twelve divisions corresponding to the twelve months, Israel always had one division on active duty. This structure ensured perpetual readiness and strategic stability, strengthening the kingdom’s security and projecting its power throughout the region.
2. Captains over David’s army
1 Chronicles 27:2-15
“Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division were twenty four thousand, he was of the children of Perez, and the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month. Over the division of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader, in his division were twenty four thousand. The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, who was chief, in his division were twenty four thousand. This was the Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty, and was over the thirty, in his division was Ammizabad his son. The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him, in his division were twenty four thousand. The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite, in his division were twenty four thousand. The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, in his division were twenty four thousand. The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim, in his division were twenty four thousand. The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbechai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites, in his division were twenty four thousand. The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites, in his division were twenty four thousand. The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites, in his division were twenty four thousand. The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim, in his division were twenty four thousand. The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel, in his division were twenty four thousand.”
This section details the commanders who led each of the twelve military divisions. Every division had twenty four thousand men, and each had a distinguished military officer appointed to lead them. Over the first division was Jashobeam, a renowned warrior from the children of Perez, who served as the chief captain for the first rotation. Dodai, an Ahohite, commanded the second division, with Mikloth serving under him.
The third division was commanded by Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest. This Benaiah is the same mighty warrior described in 2 Samuel 23:20-21, known for slaying two powerful Moabites, killing a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and defeating a formidable Egyptian warrior. Benaiah held high honor among David’s mighty men and was chief over the elite group known as “the thirty.” His son Ammizabad served under him in this rotation.
The fourth division was commanded by Asahel, the brother of Joab. Asahel’s life and death are recorded in 2 Samuel 2:18-23, where he was tragically killed by Abner during the war between the house of Saul and the house of David. After Asahel’s death, his son Zebadiah assumed command. This transfer of leadership from father to son demonstrates continuity in military tradition and honor within Israel’s fighting forces.
The remaining captains include Shamhuth for the fifth month, Ira the Tekoite for the sixth, Helez the Pelonite for the seventh, Sibbechai the Hushathite for the eighth, Abiezer the Anathothite for the ninth, Maharai the Netophathite for the tenth, Benaiah the Pirathonite for the eleventh, and Heldai the Netophathite for the twelfth. These men represented the strength, courage, and discipline of Israel’s army. Each was entrusted with leading twenty four thousand soldiers, ensuring that the military machine David built functioned with precision and excellence.
This system allowed Israel to maintain national defense, enforce order, project strength, and act swiftly in crisis. David’s organization reflects a sophisticated understanding of military administration. The rotation kept the army fresh, disciplined, and ready without exhausting the nation’s resources. In every month of the year, a full division stood ready to serve the king.
B. Tribal Leaders over Israel and Officials in King David’s Government
1. Tribal leaders
1 Chronicles 27:16-22
“Furthermore, over the tribes of Israel, the officer over the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri, over the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah, over the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel, over the Aaronites, Zadok, over Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers, over Issachar, Omri the son of Michael, over Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah, over Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel, over the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah, over the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah, over the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah, over Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner, over Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.”
The Chronicler lists the officials who served as tribal administrators throughout the land. These men were not priests or military officers, but civil leaders who oversaw the internal affairs of each tribe. Each tribe had an appointed officer who handled matters of governance, justice, taxation, land issues, and general administration. Eliezer governed the Reubenites, Shephatiah the Simeonites, Hashabiah the Levites, and Zadok the Aaronites. Judah was overseen by Elihu, one of David’s own brothers. This indicates that the king placed trusted family members in positions of great responsibility. Other tribes were likewise represented by capable men such as Omri of Issachar, Ishmaiah of Zebulun, Jerimoth of Naphtali, Hoshea of Ephraim, and several others who served the northern and Transjordan tribes.
For reasons unknown, the tribes of Asher and Gad are not mentioned in this list. Clarke suggests that the records for these tribes may have been lost, and that these officers functioned much like the traditional lord lieutenants who represented the crown in local administration. Whatever the reason for the omission, the list shows that David maintained a well structured and distributed civil administration throughout the kingdom. Each tribe had a leader, appointed for competency, loyalty, and the ability to preserve order and unity among the people.
2. Officials in King David’s government
1 Chronicles 27:23-34
“But David did not take the number of those twenty years old and under, because the Lord had said He would multiply Israel like the stars of the heavens. Joab the son of Zeruiah began a census, but he did not finish, for wrath came upon Israel because of this census, nor was the number recorded in the account of the chronicles of King David. And Azmaveth the son of Adiel was over the king’s treasuries, and Jehonathan the son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the field, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses. Ezri the son of Chelub was over those who did the work of the field for tilling the ground. And Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine. Baal Hanan the Gederite was over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands, and Joash was over the store of oil. And Shitrai the Sharonite was over the herds that fed in Sharon, and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over the herds that were in the valleys. Obil the Ishmaelite was over the camels, Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the donkeys, and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over King David’s property. Also Jehonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe, and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion. After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king’s army was Joab.”
David refused to number those who were twenty years old and under because God had promised that Israel would multiply like the stars of heaven. This shows David’s repentance and wisdom after the earlier census that brought divine judgment. Joab began that census, but God’s wrath interrupted the process, and the number was not recorded in the official chronicles of David’s reign.
The Chronicler then lists the officials who managed every aspect of David’s kingdom. Azmaveth oversaw the king’s treasuries, while Jehonathan managed storehouses throughout the rural and fortified regions of Israel. Ezri supervised agricultural laborers who tilled the fields. Shimei oversaw the vineyards, and Zabdi was responsible for processing the vineyard produce into wine. Baal Hanan oversaw olive trees and sycamores in the lowlands, while Joash managed the storehouses of oil.
Animal management was also carefully organized. Shitrai oversaw the herds that fed in the region of Sharon, Shaphat supervised herds in the valleys, Obil the Ishmaelite was responsible for the camels, Jehdeiah managed the donkeys, and Jaziz the Hagrite oversaw the flocks. The Chronicler emphasizes that all these men controlled David’s property and resources. Morgan points out that David’s greatness was not only shown on the battlefield but also in his peaceful administration. He ensured that the essential needs of the kingdom were met through structured oversight and competent leadership. Meyer observes that each official had a distinct sphere of responsibility and was expected to be faithful in his duties without jealousy or comparison.
Jehonathan, David’s uncle, served as a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe, providing insight and guidance to the king. Jehiel ministered to the king’s sons. Ahithophel served as the king’s counselor until his fall during Absalom’s rebellion, after which Jehoiada and Abiathar assumed advisory roles. Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion, a trusted confidant who assisted David both personally and politically. Payne notes that Hushai’s position, though personal in origin, eventually became an official office of state. Joab remained the general of the army, a fierce and complex figure whose loyalty to David was unquestioned but whose obedience was often inconsistent and self serving.
This organizational snapshot reveals the administrative strength of David’s kingdom. Through trusted leaders, careful oversight, and wise delegation, David ensured that governance, agriculture, livestock, economy, and royal counsel were all managed with excellence. It reflects a kingdom built not only on military power but on disciplined order, godly principles, and capable men functioning in their appointed spheres.
