1 Chron. 27 The twelve captains for every several month, 1 Chron. 27:1–15. The princes of the twelve tribes, 1 Chron. 27:16–22. The numbering of the people is hindered, 1 Chron. 27:23–24. The chief keepers of David’s treasures, 1 Chron. 27:25–31. His counsellors and friends, 1 Chron. 27:32–34.

Their officers; the standing force or militia of Israel as it was settled under their several officers, as it here follows. In any matter of the courses, i.e. in all the business wherein the king had occasion for these persons, who were to attend upon him or his commands by courses or by turns.

Jashobeam; of whom see 2 Sam. 23:8, 1 Chron. 11:11.

Of Perez; or, of Pharez, of the posterity of Judah, Gen. 46:12. This seems to be understood of Jashobeam, and to be mentioned as a reason why he was the chief, &c.

Of his course was Mikloth the ruler; who was either, 1. The captain of this course after the death of this Dodai, as Zebadiah was after Asahel, 1 Chron. 27:7. But the differing phrase there and here sufficiently intimates that the same thing is not meant in both places. Or, 2.

A chief priest; or, the chief priest; or rather, a chief prince, as this Hebrew word is oft used, as Gen. 41:45, Gen. 47:22, 2 Sam. 8:18, 2 Sam. 20:26, 1 Kings 4:5, 2 Kings 10:11, and elsewhere. Probably he was not only a captain of this course, but a great officer in the court and state.

Who seems to have been his father’s lieutenant, because his father was captain of the king’s guard, 2 Sam. 8:18, and therefore needed a deputy in the one or in the other place.

The fourth captain was Asahel the brother of Joab; by which, it seems, the foundation of this project was laid whilst David was in Hebron, during which time Asahel was slain, and David’s forces were then divided into twenty-four courses, under twenty-four chief commanders, whereof Asahel was one;…

Shamhuth; supposed to be the same called Shammah, 2 Sam. 23:11, and Shammoth, 1 Chron. 11:27.

The Pelonite; so called also 1 Chron. 11:27, and the Paltite, 2 Sam. 23:26.

Of the Zarhites; of the family of the Zarhites.

Over the children of Israel, i.e. these were the princes of the tribes as they are called below, 1 Chron. 27:22, who were the most ancient and constant rulers of the tribes at all times, whether of war or peace; who seem to have had a superior power to these twenty-four captains, and therefore are…

Elihu, called also Eliab, 1 Sam. 16:6.

Of the most of the tribes, not of all; for Gad is omitted, probably because that tribe was joined with the Reubenites under one prince; and Asher, for some such reason, or for some other causes now unknown, and not worth our inquiry.

The meaning is, David, when he desired to number the people, he designed to number only those who were from twenty years old and upward, or (which is the same thing) those that drew sword, 1 Chron. 21:5, and not those who were from twenty years old and under.

Began to number, to wit, all from twenty years old and upward, as David commanded him. He finished not; for Levi and Benjamin he counted not, 1 Chron. 21:6. Because there fell wrath for it against Israel, whilst he was doing the work; which was one reason which made him to cease. Heb.

Over the king’s treasures; of gold or silver, or other things of great price, which for greater security were kept in Jerusalem, and in the king’s palace; and thither the tribute money also was sent and committed to his care.

Over the king’s husbandry.

Over the vineyards, i.e. over the workmen and labourers in the vineyards; as the next officer is over the fruit of the vineyards. In like manner, one man was over the labourers in the fields, 1 Chron. 27:26, and another over the fruits of the fields put into stores after the manner, 1 Chron. 27:25.

Sharon; a place famous for its fruitfulness. See Isa. 33:9, Isa. 35:2.

The Ishmaelite; so called, either because he was born of that people, or had lived among them; or from some notable exploit which he did against them.

A counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe; either one learned in the laws of God, which were also the laws of the land, by which all their counsels were to be ruled; or, the king’s secretary. With the king’s sons, as their tutor or governor.

The king’s counsellor; the person whose counsel in matters of state the king most prized and followed. The king’s companion, or his friend, as he is called, 2 Sam. 15:37; the person whom he most trusted with all his secrets, and whose conversation was most pleasant and acceptable to him.

After Ahithophel, i.e. after his death, these were his chief counsellors.