1 Chronicles 27

The leaders of Israel's army

1 This is a list of the men from Israel's families who served as soldiers in the army. Some were leaders of their families. Some were officers who led 1,000 soldiers or officers who led 100 soldiers. Other men were officers who served the king in different ways. Each month of the year, a group of 24,000 men served the king as soldiers.

2 Zabdiel's son Jashobeam was the leader of the first group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the first month of each year. 3 Jashobeam was a descendant of Perez. He was leader of all the army officers for the first month.

4 Dodai was the leader of the second group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the second month. Dodai belonged to Ahoah's clan. Mikloth was the leader who helped him.

5 Benaiah was the leader of the third group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the third month. Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the priest. 6 Benaiah was the leader of the 30 great soldiers and his whole group. His son was Ammizabad.

7 Asahel was the leader of the fourth group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the fourth month. Asahel was Joab's brother. His son Zebadiah was the leader of the group after him.

8 Shamhuth, from Izrah's clan, was the leader of the fifth group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the fifth month.

9 Ira was the leader of the sixth group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the sixth month. Ira was the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa.

10 Helez was the leader of the seventh group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the seventh month. He belonged to Pelon's clan, in the tribe of Ephraim.

11 Sibbecai was the leader of the eighth group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the eighth month. Sibbecai was a descendant of Zerah, who came from Hushah.

12 Abiezer was the leader of the ninth group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the ninth month. Abiezer came from Anathoth, in the tribe of Benjamin.

13 Maharai was the leader of the tenth group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the tenth month. Maharai was a descendant of Zerah, who came from Netophah.

14 Benaiah was the leader of the 11th group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the 11th month. Benaiah came from Pirathon, in the tribe of Ephraim.

15 Heldai was the leader of the 12th group of 24,000 soldiers. They worked in the 12th month. He was a descendant of Othniel, who came from Netophah.

Officers with authority over Israel's tribes

16 This is a list of the officers who had authority over Israel's tribes:

  • For Reuben: Zikri's son, Eliezer.
  • For Simeon: Maakah's son, Shephatiah.
  • 17 For Levi: Kemuel's son, Hashabiah. Zadok had authority over the descendants of Aaron.
  • 27:17Aaron was a Levite, but his descendants were Israel's priests.
  • 18 For Judah: Elihu, a brother of David.
  • For Issachar: Michael's son, Omri.
  • 19 For Zebulun: Obadiah's son, Ishmaiah.
  • For Naphtali: Azriel's son, Jerimoth.
  • 20 For Ephraim Hoshea's son, Azaziah.
  • For the half tribe of Manasseh in the west: Pedaiah's son, Joel.
  • 21 For the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead: Zechariah's son, Iddo.
  • For Benjamin: Abner's son, Jaasiel.
  • 22 For Dan: Jeroham's son, Azarel.
  • Those were the officers who led the tribes of Israel.

    23 The Lord had promised to make Israel a nation with as many people as there are stars in the sky. So King David did not count the men who were less than 20 years old. 24 Zeruiah's son Joab had begun to count the men. He did not finish counting them because the Lord started to punish Israel. So nobody wrote the number in the history book about King David's life.

    Other officers who served the king

    25 Adiel's son Azmaveth had authority over the places in the palace where the king stored his valuable things.

    Uzziah's son Jonathan had authority over the places in the different regions of Israel where the king stored his things. Those places were in towns, in villages and in strong towers.

    26 Kelub's son Ezri had authority over the men who worked in the king's fields.

    27 Shimei from Ramah had authority over the men who worked in the king's vineyards.

    Zabdi from Shepham had authority over the men who stored wine in the vineyards.

    28 Baal-Hanan from Geder had authority over the trees in the low hills in the west. They were olive trees and fig trees.

    Joash had authority over the places where they stored the olive oil.

    29 Shitrai from Sharon had authority to take care of the king's cows that were in Sharon.

    Adlai's son Shaphat had authority to take care of the king's cows that were in the valleys.

    30 Obil, a descendant of Ishmael, had authority for the king's camels.

    Jehdeiah from Meronoth had authority for the donkeys.

    31 Jaziz, a descendant of Hagar, had authority to take care of the king's sheep and goats.

    These were the officers who had authority to take care of King David's things.

    32 David's uncle, Jonathan, was a wise man who gave good advice. He wrote down records.

    Hakmoni's son Jehiel taught the king's sons.

    33 Ahithophel was the king's advisor, and Hushai, from Arki, was also the king's friend. 34 After Ahithophel died, Benaiah's son Jehoiada became the king's advisor. After him, Abiathar became his advisor.

    Joab was the captain who led the king's army.