1 Chronicles 27 Explained - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Chronicles 27 Short Summary:

1 Chronicles 27 documents various officers, military and civil, who were appointed to lead the people of Israel. The first section documents the 12 military divisions, 1 for each month. The second section of the chapter lists the heads of the tribes of Israel. The third and final section is a list of David’s civil officers and the men who managed his property.

What is 1 Chronicles 27 About?

WHEN:

• The Book of 1 Chronicles was written several hundred years after King David’s reign.  

• David became king of Judah in approximately 1055 B.C, the year Saul died. David’s reign spanned approximately 40 years (1055-1015 B.C.). He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

• The final chapters of 1 Chronicles document events that occurred at the end of David’s life.

CHARACTERS:

• This chapter documents various officers, military and civil, who were appointed to lead the people.

• The chapter also includes a list of the heads of the tribes of Israel.

WHERE:

• No specific location within Israel is highlighted in 1 Chronicles 27. The text focuses on the national leaders, whose jurisdictions would have spanned the entire country.

OUTLINE:

• MILITARY OFFICERS AND THEIR MONTHS OF SERVICE (27:1-15):

  • There were 12 military divisions in Israel, each with 24,000 men, and each led by a commanding officer.

  • Each division was assigned to be on duty during a specific month of the year.

  • The commanding officers and their months are recorded in verses 2-15.

  • Jashobeam (1st month), Dodai (2nd month), Benaiah (3rd month), Asahel (4th month), Shamhuth (5th month), Ira (6th month), Helez (7th month), Sibbecai (8th month), Abiezer (9th month), Maharai (10th month), Benaiah of Pirathon (11th month), Heldai (12th month).

• HEADS OF THE TRIBES (27:16-22):

  • The head man of the tribes of Israel is recorded here.

  • Eliezer (Tribe of Reuben), Shephatiah (Simeon), Hashabiah (Levi), Elihu (Judah), Omri (Issachar), Ishmaiah (Zebulun), Jeremoth (Naphtali), Hoshea (Ephraim), Joel (half-tribe of Manasseh west of Jordan), Iddo (half-tribe of Manasseh east of Jordan), Jaasiel (Benjamin), Azarel (Dan).

• CIVIL OFFICERS IN ISRAEL (27:23-34):

  • The author briefly mentions David’s sinful census, which is documented in more detail in 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24.

  • The remainder of the chapter documents the names of David’s civil officers.

  • Azmaveth was over the king’s treasury. Jonathan was over the treasuries in in the country.

  • Ezri managed the field workers, Shimei managed the vineyards, and Zabdi managed the wine cellars.

  • Baal-hanan was over the olive and sycamore trees, while Joash managed the olive stores.

  • Shitrai and Shaphat were over the pasture herds.

  • Obil was over the camels, Jehdeiah was over the donkeys, and Jaziz was over the flocks.

  • Jonathan, David’s uncle, was David’s counselor. He and Jehiel attended to the king’s sons.

  • Ahithophel was also a counselor, but he was replaced by Jehoiada and Abiathar.

  • Hushai was David’s friend (2 Samuel 15-17).

  • Joab was the commander of David’s army.

EXPLANATION:

• Jesus’ Kingdom doesn’t rely on earthly military strength to advance its cause, but the work of the followers of Jesus is compared to the work of soldiers.

  We fight against a very real enemy, although our enemy is spiritual.

• Ephesians 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

• We are to protect ourselves with armor.

• Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

• We fight and suffer for great cause, to bring everything into subjection to our King.  

• 2 Timothy 2:3 - Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

• 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God. And take every thought captive to obey Christ.