American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
1 Chronicles 27
1
Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and 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 year, of 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.
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People
3
Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
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Parallel theme
Numbers 26:20
4
And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.
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People
5
The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
6
This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
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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.
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People
8
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
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People
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.
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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.
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11
The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
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12
The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
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13
The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
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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.
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Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 11:31
15
The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
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People
16
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
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17
Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:
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People
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 26:30
20
Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
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21
Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
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23
But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
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24
Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.
25
And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
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26
And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
People
27
And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
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28
And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:
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People
29
And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
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📍 Sharon 1
People
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 5:16
30
Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
People
31
And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
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People
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 5:10
32
Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:
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33
And Ahithophel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:
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Summary of 1 Chronicles 27
This chapter describes the military, tribal, agricultural, financial, and royal administration established under David. The chapter provides a detailed picture of how the kingdom functioned near the end of David's reign. Rather than focusing on battles, it shows the administrative structure that allowed the united kingdom to operate effectively.
The chapter begins with the organization of the military forces. Israel was divided into twelve divisions of 24,000 men each, with one division serving during each month of the year. This created a total force of 288,000 men in the annual rotation. Important commanders such as Jashobeam, Benaiah, Asahel, and others were placed over the divisions. The system allowed David to maintain military readiness while rotating soldiers through service rather than keeping the entire army active continuously.
The chapter then lists the leaders of the tribes of Israel. Tribal administration remained important even though David had created a centralized monarchy. Leaders represented Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, and Dan. Both halves of Manasseh are separately represented because one portion lived west of the Jordan while the other occupied territory in Gilead.
The chapter also explains that David did not include people younger than twenty in the census. The incomplete census recalls the earlier episode in which Joab began numbering Israel but stopped after God's judgment. This provides an important reminder that David's administrative ambitions were still subject to God's authority.
A large section describes officials responsible for the king's resources. There were administrators for storehouses, agricultural workers, vineyards, wine production, olive trees, olive oil, cattle, camels, donkeys, and sheep. These details reveal how much of the kingdom's wealth depended on agriculture and livestock. David's government had developed specialized officials to manage these resources.
The final verses identify members of David's royal advisory circle. Jonathan served as a counselor, Ahithophel was a counselor, Hushai was a trusted companion, and Joab remained commander of the army. These men formed part of the leadership structure surrounding the king.
Historically, the chapter is valuable because it provides a picture of the administrative sophistication of David's kingdom. The monarchy was no longer simply a king and an army. It included rotating military divisions, tribal governors, agricultural managers, livestock supervisors, storehouse officials, counselors, and senior commanders.
The chapter also prepares the reader for the transition to Solomon. David is approaching the end of his reign, and the structures he has established will provide the foundation for the next generation.
Overall, 1 Chronicles 27 portrays David as an organizer and administrator as much as a warrior. His reign created systems for defense, agriculture, taxation and resources, tribal leadership, royal counsel, and national administration. These structures helped transform Israel from a collection of tribes into a more centralized and organized kingdom ready for Solomon's reign and the construction of the Temple.
The chapter begins with the organization of the military forces. Israel was divided into twelve divisions of 24,000 men each, with one division serving during each month of the year. This created a total force of 288,000 men in the annual rotation. Important commanders such as Jashobeam, Benaiah, Asahel, and others were placed over the divisions. The system allowed David to maintain military readiness while rotating soldiers through service rather than keeping the entire army active continuously.
The chapter then lists the leaders of the tribes of Israel. Tribal administration remained important even though David had created a centralized monarchy. Leaders represented Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, and Dan. Both halves of Manasseh are separately represented because one portion lived west of the Jordan while the other occupied territory in Gilead.
The chapter also explains that David did not include people younger than twenty in the census. The incomplete census recalls the earlier episode in which Joab began numbering Israel but stopped after God's judgment. This provides an important reminder that David's administrative ambitions were still subject to God's authority.
A large section describes officials responsible for the king's resources. There were administrators for storehouses, agricultural workers, vineyards, wine production, olive trees, olive oil, cattle, camels, donkeys, and sheep. These details reveal how much of the kingdom's wealth depended on agriculture and livestock. David's government had developed specialized officials to manage these resources.
The final verses identify members of David's royal advisory circle. Jonathan served as a counselor, Ahithophel was a counselor, Hushai was a trusted companion, and Joab remained commander of the army. These men formed part of the leadership structure surrounding the king.
Historically, the chapter is valuable because it provides a picture of the administrative sophistication of David's kingdom. The monarchy was no longer simply a king and an army. It included rotating military divisions, tribal governors, agricultural managers, livestock supervisors, storehouse officials, counselors, and senior commanders.
The chapter also prepares the reader for the transition to Solomon. David is approaching the end of his reign, and the structures he has established will provide the foundation for the next generation.
Overall, 1 Chronicles 27 portrays David as an organizer and administrator as much as a warrior. His reign created systems for defense, agriculture, taxation and resources, tribal leadership, royal counsel, and national administration. These structures helped transform Israel from a collection of tribes into a more centralized and organized kingdom ready for Solomon's reign and the construction of the Temple.