1The twelve captains for every several month. 16The princes of the twelve tribes. 23The numbering of the people is hindered. 25David's several officers.
1NOW 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 1of the courses, which came in and went out 2month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.
1 That is, of the orders, into which David had divided the army.
2 Understand, that according to the division made by David, the twelve chieftains with their men to keep their guards and their marching forth for a month together, changing their courses every month. And whatever businesses or difficulties occurred, whereunto military strength was required, for that they were to be in readiness, whose month and turn it was; so that they were as legions, or, troops of ordinance, which were to be always in readiness for the service of king and country.
2Over the first course for the first month was 3Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
3 See of this captain 2 Sam. 23:8, where he is mentioned as The Tachmonite. Or, Joshebbassebet the Tachmonite, head of the three.
34Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.
4 Other, He was of the children of Perez, and he was the chief over all the captains of the hosts, etc.
4And over the course of the second month was 5Dodai an Ahohite, and 6of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.
5 Other, Dodo, 2 Sam. 23:9.
6 Other, after that Mikloth became chief over his course. After that, namely, when Dodai had died; but others understand this as such, that Mikloth was the lieutenant-colonel of Dodai.
5The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, 7a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
7 Hebr. cohen; which signifies a person who executes an honorable office, either in church or state.
6This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among 8the thirty, and above the thirty: 9and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
8 These thirty mighty men were expressed by name 2 Sam. 23:24, etc.; 1 Chron. 11:26.
9 Some understand this as such, that this Ammizabad was chief lieutenant of his father’s regiment, who was also chief over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, 2 Sam. 8:18.
710The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son 11after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
10 Namely, chief; and so in the sequel.
11 Namely, after his death, after he was slain by Abner, 2 Sam. 2:23.
8The fifth captain for the fifth month was 12Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
12 He is called Shammah in 2 Sam. 23:25, and Shammoth in 1 Chron. 11:27.
9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez 13the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
13 Other, the Paltite, 2 Sam. 23:26.
11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, 14of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
14 These were the descendants of Zerah, the son of Judah, Gen. 46:12.
12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abi-ezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was 15Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
15 Otherwise called, Heled, 1 Chron. 11:30, and Heleb, 2 Sam. 23:29.
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:
17Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: 16of the Aaronites, Zadok:
16 Hebr. over Aaron; that is, over the high priest’s house, which ought to continue in Aaron’s family.
18Of Judah, 17Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
17 Called Eliab, 1 Sam. 16:6.
19Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:
20Of the 18children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
18 That is, descendants.
21Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
22Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. 19These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.
19 Namely, who are later expressly named. Asher and Gad, with their chieftains, are not named in this register. Why they are passed by or concealed is uncertain.
23¶But David took not the number of them 20from twenty years old and under: 21because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.
20 Hebr. from the son of twenty years.
21 Understand this also, that David would not number these, in order that it might not appear that he doubted the promise of God made to Abraham, Gen. 22:17; 26:4. Some understand this thus, that David would not take the number of the people after the time that he was chastised and punished of God for causing the people to be numbered by Joab.
24Joab the son of Zeruiah 22began to number, but 23he finished not, because there fell 24wrath for it against Israel; neither was 25the number put 26in the account of the chronicles of king David.
22 Namely, all the Israelites who were above twenty years old, 2 Samuel 24.
23 For, he did not count Benjamin or Levi, because he did this work of numbering the people grudgingly, and against his will. See 1 Chron. 21:6.
24 Understand the burning wrath of God, that is, the hot fiery pestilence, 2 Sam. 24:13.
25 Namely, the full number was not brought in, for Joab did not take the number of Levi and Benjamin, 1 Chron. 21:6. Others understand it thus, that David, being grieved for what he had done, would not have this to be set down in the public records, but God would have it to be recorded in the books of Holy Scripture.
26 Hebr. into the number.
25¶And over the 27king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in 28the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
27 Understand those treasures that were in the king’s house or within Jerusalem; as Jonathan was over the king’s treasures and revenues that were received and gathered outside the said city.
28 That is, towers, strongholds, fenced houses.
26And over them 29that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:
29 Understand here those who did the king’s husbandry, and tilled his ground.
27And 30over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: 31over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
30 That is, over the vinedressers, who were to look to and dress the king’s vineyards. And so was this man’s office distinct from that of Zabdi.
31 That is, over the wine cellars.
28And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and 32over the cellars of oil was Joash:
32 That is, over the oil which was stored up in cellars.
29And over the herds that fed in 33Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
33 See Cant. 2:1.
30Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:
31And over 34the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.
34 Such as rams, sheep, he- and she-goats.
32Also 35Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a 36scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was 37with the king's sons:
35 Some think that this Jonathan was David’s nephew, the son of Shimea, David’s brother, of whom we read 2 Sam. 21:21, and so David would have been his uncle.
36 Or, secretary.
37 Namely, to instruct and fashion them as their tutor in all good manners and learning.
33And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:
34And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.