1 Chronicles 28:1

And David assembled all the princes of Israel. — As he had called the National Assembly before removing the Ark (1 Chronicles 13:1; 1 Chronicles 15:3). Who the princes (sârîm) were is defined in the following clauses.

The princes of the tribes. — See the list of them in 1 Chronicles 27:16.

Captains of the companies. — Rather, princes of the courses, who served the king: viz., those enumerated in 1 Chronicles 27:1.

Stewards. — See 1 Chronicles 27:25. Both “captains” and “stewards” are sârîm in the Hebrew.

Possession (miqnèh). — A word generally used, like the Greek κτῆμα (κτῆνος), of possessions in cattle — live stock.

And of his sons. — Perhaps considered as his heirs, or rather, from the old tribal view of property, as sharing the royal domains with him.

With the officers. — Heb., sarîsîm, eunuchs. The word appears to be used in a generalised sense, and to denote simply courtiers or palace officials. (Comp. Genesis 37:36; 1 Samuel 8:15; 1 Kings 22:9; Jeremiah 38:7; Jeremiah 41:16.)

The mighty men. — “The heroes” (ha-gibbórîm) or “warriors” of 1 Chronicles 11:31; 1 Chronicles 11:12. But the LXX. and Vulg. interpret men of rank and wealth, magnates (τοὺς δυνάστας, Luke 1:52).

And with all the valiant men. — Literally, and every mighty man (“gibbôr”) of valour, a phrase meant to include all other persons of importance. It is noticeable that in this meeting of the estates of the realm all the dignitaries of 1 Chronicles 27 are present (contrast 1 Chronicles 15:25; 1 Chronicles 23:2; 1 Chronicles 13:1), except the priests and Levites. (But comp. 1 Chronicles 28:21.)