1 Chronicles 27:1-15

LESSON THIRTEEN 27-29

DAVID'S MILITARY ORGANIZATION. HIS COUNSELLORS, HIS CHARGE TO SOLOMON. HIS PRAYER FOR THE TEMPLE. HIS DEATH. (27-29)

20. THE CAPTAINS OF THE ARMY (1 Chronicles 27:1-15)

INTRODUCTION

David's consuming interest late in his life was the Temple. Having furnished Solomon with the pattern, David prayed for his people and set Solomon on the throne.

TEXT

1 Chronicles 27:1. Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the heads of fathers-' houses and the captains of thousands and of 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 yearof every course were twenty and four thousand. 2. Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 3. He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month. 4. And over the course of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his course; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 5. The third chief: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 6. This is that Benaiah, who was the mighty man of the thirty, and over the thirty: and of his course was Ammizabad his Song of Song of Solomon 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. 8. The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 9. The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 10. 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. 11. The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 12. The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 13. The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand. 14. 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. 15. The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

PARAPHRASE

1 Chronicles 27:1. The Israeli army was divided into twelve regiments, each with 24,000 troops, including officers and administrative staff. These units were called up for active duty one month each year. Here is the list of the units and their regimental commanders: 2, 3. The commander of the First Division was Jashobeam. He had charge of 24,000 troops who were on duty the first month of each year. 4. The commander of the Second Division was Dodai (a descendant of Ahohi). He had charge of 24,000 troops who were on duty the second month of each year. Mikloth was his executive officer. 5, 6. The commander of the Third Division was Benaiah. His 24,000 men were on duty the third month of each year. (He was the son of Jehoiada the High Priest, and was the chief of the thirty highest-ranking officers in David's army.) His son Ammizabad succeeded him as division commander. 7. The commander of the Fourth Division was Asahel (brother of Joab), who was later replaced by his son Zebadiah. He had 24,000 men on duty the fourth month of each year. 8. The commander of the Fifth Division was Shamuth from Izrah, with 24,000 men on duty the fifth month of each year. 9. The commander of the Sixth Division was Ira, the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa; he had 24,000 men on duty the sixth month of each year. 10. The commander of the Seventh Division was Helez from Pelona in Ephraim, with 24,000 men on duty the seventh month of each year. 11. The commander of the Eighth Division was Sibbecai of the Hushite subclan from Zerah, who had 24,000 men on duty the eighth month of each year. 12. The commander of the Ninth Division was Abi-ezer (from Anathoth in the tribe of Benjamin), who commanded 24,000 troops during the ninth month of each year. 13. The commander of the Tenth Division was Maharai from Netophah in Zerah, with 24,000 men on duty the tenth month of each year. 14. The commander of the Eleventh Division was Benaiah from Pirathon in Ephraim, with 24,000 men on duty during the eleventh month of each year. 15. The commander of the Twelfth Division was Heldai from Netophah in the area of Othni-el, who commanded 24,000 men on duty during the twelfth month of each year.

COMMENTARY

David was concerned to set every department of his government in order before he died and before Solomon ascended the throne. The religious considerations were of primary importance; however he did not neglect the civil or military provisions. He established a standing army of two hundred eighty eight thousand men. These men were organized into twelve sections of twenty four thousand each. Each section was under the direction of a captain who by sheer strength and courage had won the coveted position as chief of his course. 1 Chronicles 27:1-15 recorded the detail of this military provision and the names of the twelve captains. Jashobeam, one of David's mighty warriors, was from the tribe of Judah. Benaiah, though a Levite, held the high office of captain for the third month. Asahel, Joab's brother, had been slain by Abner. His name is memorialized in this assignment as chief captain for the third month. Asahel, Joab's brother, had been slain by Abner. His name is memorialized in this assignment as chief captain for the fourth month. His son, Zebadiah, most likely stood in his heroic father's place. Since Ira was the son of a Tekoite, he was from the tribe of Judah. The great tribe of Ephraim was represented among these warriors by Helez, captain for the seventh month. Sibbecai was of the tribe of Judah. The tribe of Benjamin had its champion in Abiezer from the village of Anathoth. Maharai represented Judah. Benaiah's charge was the eleventh month and he represented Ephraim. Heldai (or Heled) had charge of the militia over which he was captain. He was descended from Othniel, the judge and Caleb's nephew, and he represented Judah. The twelfth month was his time of special service as appointed by the king. The tribe of Judah furnished seven of the twelve captains. Benjamin and Ephraim each provided two leaders. Levi was represented by one.