Psalms 68:27

There is little Benjamin with their ruler— There is no need of this supplemental preposition with; for as Benjamin is styled little, because he was the least of the tribes, so he is called their ruler or commander, because Saul, their first king, was of that tribe; and I apprehend that David particularly mentions the tribe of Benjamin not only to do honour to them, but to shew their affection to him, and attachment to his interest, by attending him, as he now made his public entry as king of Israel into Jerusalem, established himself in the throne in that capital, and thereby cut off all hopes of the kingdom's ever returning to the former tribe and family. It is no wonder he should mention the princes of Judah and their council; because he was of that tribe, and elected by them to be their king. This tribe was certainly the council or chief support of the Israelitish constitution, both in the cabinet and in the field; in the former it had the lead: the founder of this tribe was in a peculiar manner worthy of the title of counsellor; he being the person who prevailed over his brethren, not to kill, but sell their brother to the Midianites: he acted as a counsellor to Jacob himself; in persuading him to consent to their going into Egypt; nay, he was a counsellor to Joseph too, whose policy he baffled in the most pathetic speech that can be conceived. The dignity of counsel belonged to his descendants, as they partook of the honours of David, elected from among them; whom all the tribes acknowledged as their lawful sovereign, and from whom descended a very long race of kings; as they had in their tribe the throne, the temple, and the metropolis; and as all the tribes were enjoined to go thither at all solemn festivals to worship. We need not mention that our Blessed Lord, styled the Mighty Counsellor by the prophet Isaiah, was descended from, and crowned the dignities which always belonged to this tribe. See Durrell's Parallel Prophesies, p. 52. The princes of Zabulun and Naphtali are added, as the most remote, to shew the unanimity of the whole nation, and of all the tribes far and near, in attending this solemnity; to testify their willing acknowledgment of David for their king, and their consent that henceforward Jerusalem, the city of David, should be declared and esteemed as the capital of the whole nation.