1 Chronicles 27:1 – 34
“This is the list of the Israelites, the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions that were on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division:
The Twelve Captains for Twelve Months
Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. There were 24,000 men in his division. He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army commanders for the first month. Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader. There were 24,000 men in his division. The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division. This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division. The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhut the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division.
The Leaders of the Twelve Tribes
These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri; over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah; over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron was Zadok; over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar was Omri son of Michael; over Zebulun was Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; over Naphtali was Jerimoth son of Azriel; over the Ephraimites was Hoshea son of Azaziah; over half the tribe of Manasseh was Joel son of Pedaiah; over half the tribe of Manasseh in Gilead was Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin was Jaasiel son of Abner; and over Dan was Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky. Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David.
David’s Various Overseers
Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses. Ezri son of Chelub was in charge of the workers in the fields who tilled the soil. Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats. Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the foothills. Joash was in charge of the stores of olive oil. Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys. Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys. Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were officials in charge of King David’s property.
The Counselors
David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.“
Forget all the names, but just look at all these divisions! Remember that David began as the disregarded youngest son, the runt of the litter, the kid they sent out to risk his life herding sheep while his big strong older brothers stayed home. This is the same David who had to hide in caves and even had to go live with the Philistines for a while, just to escape King Saul. Now that God has made David king, God has given David an army, plus untold riches and all kinds of resources.
Many times, we fail to realize that God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace and order. Here we can see the framework of David’s administration, and it is truly admirable. Fighting men are on rotating duties throughout the year. Able men are appointed over the storehouses at all levels, including “the country, the cities, the villages, and the fortresses. There are overseers for vineyards and olive groves as well as separate overseers for the production of olive oil and wine. Different men have charge of herds in various places and certain men are assigned to particular groups of animals such as flocks, camels, and donkeys. Presumably, each of these men has already proven his worth and his skill in these various areas.
Separate mention is made of the king’s counselors and the tutor for the king’s sons. David’s uncle Jonathan is given special notice as a wise counselor and scribe. Ahithophel was regarded as the wisest man in David’s kingdom; however, when David’s son Absalom rebelled against David, Ahithophel joined Absalom’s conspiracy. Ahithophel counseled that Absalom should attack David as quickly as possible so that the Israelites would join Absalom. But Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, succeeded in convincing Absalom that they should wait until morning and then swoop down on David; meanwhile, Hushai sent urgent word to David to cross the Jordan as quickly as possible. When Absalom heeded Hushai’s advice and not Ahithophel’s, Ahithophel belatedly realized that he had backed the wrong man and went home and hanged himself.
APPLICATION: While Hushai the Archite functioned as a counselor, his special role was as the king’s friend. Hushai must have been one of those rare men who could function as a confidante as well as a counselor. Once David came to power, he undoubtedly had plenty of people who wanted to ingratiate themselves with him; however, David needed someone in whom he could confide, someone to whom he could vent without fear that his remarks would echo throughout all of Israel. Hushai was that man. Not only was Hushai loyal, but he was self – effacing. We never hear any mention of Hushai accumulating wealth for himself or throwing his weight around because he had the ear of the king. Given the wealth of details that Ezra found to record, had Hushai misconducted himself, there would certainly have been a record to that effect. No, Hushai was content to share friendship with David without any other considerations. Given David’s history of loyalty, he may well have quietly blessed Hushai with enough wealth for Hushai to be comfortable without drawing undue attention.
Hushai was a friend to an earthly king, but are we friends of the heavenly King? How much time do we spend with God? How much time do we devote to simply reading God’s Word? When we are friends with someone, we want to do those things that will please them, we pay attention to their likes and dislikes, and we enjoy being with them. How does one become a friend of God? First, tell God you want to become friends with Him and then ask Him to help. Second, spend time being quiet and asking God to tell you whatever He wants. Third, read God’s Word.
Start with the Gospel of John or the Book of Psalms and read a few verses. Before you begin, ask God to stop you when you have read what He wants you to read for that day. When God stops you, ask Him to show you what He wants you to learn. Don’t worry if God stops you after only a few verses; what’s important is learning to listen to the promptings He gives you. You will know when you have read too far because the verses stop making sense. Go back to the place where the verses still made sense and re – read them. Eventually, something good will settle in your spirit, and you will know that you have gotten what God wants you to have for that time. May God lead you and guide you as you become His friend!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us would like to be friends with You but we have no idea how to go about it. Help all who read these devotionals to become Your friends. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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