Benaiah, typically portrayed as David's elite warrior and executioner, appears here uniquely embedded within a systematic rotation of service that emphasizes collective duty over individual heroism.
1 Chronicles 27
The Army Divisions
1Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand.
2Over the first division for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
3He was of the children of Perez, the chief of all the captains of the army for the first month.
4Over the division of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite and his division, and Mikloth the ruler; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
5The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
6This is that Benaiah who was the mighty man of the thirty and over the thirty. Of his division was Ammizabad his son.
7The 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.
8The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
Leaders of the Tribes
16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was the ruler; of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah;
17of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;
18of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David; of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;
19of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;
20of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;
21of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;
22of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel.
23But David didn’t take the number of them from twenty years old and under, because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like the stars of the sky.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to take a census, but didn’t finish; and wrath came on Israel for this. The number wasn’t put into the account in the chronicles of King David.
The King's Overseers and Counselors
25Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel. Over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers was Jonathan the son of Uzziah;
26Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub.
27Over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. Over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite.
28Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite. Over the cellars of oil was Joash.
29Over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite. Over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai.
30Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. Over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
31All these were the rulers of the property which was King David’s.
32Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe. Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.
33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
34After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was the captain of the king’s army.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
This chapter details the sophisticated administrative structure of David's kingdom, organizing Israel's military and civil leadership into systematic divisions. The military was arranged in twelve monthly divisions of 24,000 men each, led by renowned warriors from David's mighty men. Additionally, tribal leaders and royal officials were appointed to oversee various aspects of the kingdom, demonstrating the organized governance that characterized David's reign.
Context
Following the detailed organization of temple personnel in chapter 26, this chapter completes the picture of David's comprehensive administrative preparations before transferring power to Solomon.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-15 The Twelve Monthly Military Divisions Lists the commanders and their 24,000-man divisions serving in rotation throughout the year
- 16-22 Tribal Leaders and Captains Names the appointed leaders over each of the twelve tribes of Israel
- 23-24 Census Limitations and Joab's Role Explains David's decision not to count those under twenty and references the incomplete census
- 25-31 Royal Treasury and Property Overseers Details the officials responsible for the king's storehouses, lands, and livestock
- 32-34 The King's Personal Counselors Lists David's closest advisors, including Jonathan, Ahithophel, and Joab
The Army Divisions
27:1–27:15 narrative narration solemn
David organizes Israel's army into twelve monthly divisions of 24,000 men each, with specific captains appointed over each month's service. This system provides organized military service while allowing soldiers to return to their regular occupations.
person_contrast
Benaiah, typically portrayed as David's elite warrior and executioner, appears here uniquely embedded within a systematic rotation of service that emphasizes collective duty over individual heroism.
Leaders of the Tribes
27:16–27:24 narrative narration solemn
Lists the tribal leaders appointed over the twelve tribes of Israel during David's reign. References an incomplete census that brought God's wrath upon Israel.
person_contrast
David's brother Elihu appears as Judah's tribal leader, marking one of only two biblical references to David having brothers beyond those named in Samuel's genealogies.
The King's Overseers and Counselors
27:25–27:34 narrative narration solemn
Details the officials responsible for managing King David's various properties, treasures, and agricultural holdings. Also lists David's key counselors and military commanders.
person_contrast
David's administrative apparatus mirrors Solomon's temple organization, with twelve specialized overseers managing royal assets from vineyards to camels, foreshadowing the kingdom's eventual bureaucratic complexity.
Insights
David's brother Elihu appears as Judah's tribal leader, marking one of only two biblical references to David having brothers beyond those named in Samuel's genealogies.
David's administrative apparatus mirrors Solomon's temple organization, with twelve specialized overseers managing royal assets from vineyards to camels, foreshadowing the kingdom's eventual bureaucratic complexity.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Chronicles 27:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 28:1 Lexical
David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king…
1 Chronicles 23:4 Lexical
David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the LORD’s house, six thousand were officers and…
Numbers 3:43 Lexical
All the firstborn males according to the number of names from a month old and upward, of those who were counted of them,…
2 Chronicles 26:11 Lexical
Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning mad…
Deuteronomy 1:15 Lexical
So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captain…
1 Chronicles 27:2 2 references
1 Chronicles 27:4 1 reference
1 Chronicles 27:5 3 references
Lexicals 3
Esther 8:9 Lexical
Then the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the twenty-third day…
Ezekiel 11:1 Lexical
Moreover the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the east gate of the LORD’s house, which looks eastward. Behold, twen…
1 Chronicles 28:1 Lexical
David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, the captains of the companies who served the king…
1 Chronicles 27:7 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Kings 6:1 Lexical
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth yea…
2 Chronicles 17:8 Lexical
and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobad…
Ezekiel 48:20 Lexical
All the offering shall be a square of twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand. You shall offer it as a holy offerin…
1 Chronicles 27:8 1 reference
1 Chronicles 27:9 3 references
1 Chronicles 27:10 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Chronicles 11:27 Lexical
Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
Haggai 2:1 Lexical
In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
2 Chronicles 7:10 Lexical
On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the g…
1 Chronicles 27:11 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Chronicles 20:4 Lexical
After this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the gian…
1 Chronicles 11:29 Lexical
Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
2 Samuel 21:18 Lexical
After this, there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the so…
1 Chronicles 27:12 5 references
Lexicals 5
Zechariah 7:1 Lexical
In the fourth year of King Darius, the LORD’s word came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of…
Ezra 10:9 Lexical
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth…
2 Samuel 23:27 Lexical
Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
1 Chronicles 11:28 Lexical
Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,
Haggai 2:18 Lexical
‘Consider, please, from this day and backward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, since the day that the fou…
1 Chronicles 27:13 2 references
1 Chronicles 27:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Zechariah 1:7 Lexical
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the LORD’s word…
Exodus 12:18 Lexical
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty firs…
Ezekiel 40:1 Lexical
In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteent…
Ezekiel 26:1 Lexical
In the eleventh year, in the first of the month, the LORD’s word came to me, saying,
Jeremiah 39:2 Lexical
In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.
1 Chronicles 27:15 3 references
Lexicals 3
Zechariah 1:7 Lexical
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the LORD’s word…
Ezekiel 40:1 Lexical
In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteent…
Exodus 12:18 Lexical
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty firs…
1 Chronicles 27:16 1 reference
1 Chronicles 27:20 5 references
Lexicals 5
Joshua 21:5 Lexical
The rest of the children of Kohath had ten cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, out of the tribe o…
Joshua 13:29 Lexical
Moses gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was for the half-tribe of the children of Manasseh according…
Deuteronomy 3:13 Lexical
and the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh—all the region of Argob,…
Joshua 18:7 Lexical
However, the Levites have no portion among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance. Gad, Reuben, and th…
Joshua 12:6 Lexical
Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel struck them. Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a posses…
1 Chronicles 27:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Joshua 22:9 Lexical
The children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children o…
Joshua 13:31 Lexical
Half Gilead, Ashtaroth, and Edrei, the cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were for the children of Machir the son of…
Joshua 22:13 Lexical
The children of Israel sent to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, in…
Joshua 22:15 Lexical
They came to the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, to the land of Gilea…
Deuteronomy 3:13 Lexical
and the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh—all the region of Argob,…
1 Chronicles 27:22 1 reference
1 Chronicles 27:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
Exodus 32:13 Lexical
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multip…
Nehemiah 9:23 Lexical
You also multiplied their children as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land concerning which you said to…
Genesis 22:17 Lexical
that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sa…
Genesis 26:4 Lexical
I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and will give all these lands to your offspring. In your offspri…
Deuteronomy 1:10 Lexical
The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the sky for multitude.
1 Chronicles 27:28 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Kings 10:27 Lexical
The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem, and cedars as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowlan…
2 Chronicles 9:27 Lexical
The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars to be as abundant as the sycamore trees that a…
2 Chronicles 1:15 Lexical
The king made silver and gold to be as common as stones in Jerusalem, and he made cedars to be as common as the sycamore…
1 Chronicles 27:29 1 reference
1 Chronicles 27:33 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 17:14 Lexical
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” Fo…
2 Samuel 17:7 Lexical
Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”
2 Samuel 17:15 Lexical
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way;…
2 Samuel 15:32 Lexical
When David had come to the top, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his tunic torn…
2 Samuel 17:5 Lexical
Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”
1 Chronicles 27:34 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Kings 4:4 Lexical
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
1 Kings 2:35 Lexical
The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his place over the army; and the king put Zadok the priest in the place of A…
1 Kings 2:29 Lexical
King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to the LORD’s Tent; and behold, he is by the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the…
2 Samuel 20:23 Lexical
Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites,
1 Kings 1:19 Lexical
He has slain cattle and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and has called all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, a…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
v. 24
v. 25
v. 26
v. 27
v. 28
v. 29
v. 30
v. 31
v. 32
v. 33
v. 34
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
Loading map...