1 Chronicles 27

1 Chronicles 27:1

G. Military and Governmental Leaders (Chap. 27)27:1-15 The army, like the Levites, served in divisions. Twenty-four thousand men were on duty each month. All the commanders are listed among David’s mighty men (chap. 11 and 2 Sam. 23). 27:16-22 The tribes are listed in a designed order. First listed are the sons of Leah, in their proper order: the Reubenites, the Simeonites, the Levites, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Then the sons of Rachel: Joseph (represented by his sons Ephraim and Manasseh) and Benjamin. The children of Bilhah are given (but not in chronological order): Naphtali and Dan. The sons of Zilpah (Gad and Asher) are not named here. 27:23, 24 Those twenty years old and under were not recorded in the census that David had ordered. The census was never completed because the wrath of the Lord fell before Joab finished. David, perhaps ashamed of his sin, ordered that the result of the ill-fated census should not be put in the public records. 27:25-34 David had twelve officials who had charge of his domestic affairs. He also had counselors and close friends who advised him. Ahithophel’s sad story is given in 2 Samuel 15 and 17. He was, like Joab, a man of high privilege but low character. How much nobler was Hushai, the king’s companion. Ahithophel was a self-seeking opportunist, but Hushai was a self-effacing servant. Each one reaped what he had sown (see 2 Sam. 1517). Both served the king, but each had different motives. The opportunist works for his own glory, but the servant for that of his master.