Commentaria in I Paralipomenon
Chapter 27
Synopsis of the Chapter.
The 12 princes are enumerated, who in turn through the 12 months of the year presided over 24 thousand soldiers. Besides these, the princes of the several tribes, and the officers of David, both those who at home presided over domestic affairs and those who abroad presided over his vineyards, fields, oxen, camels and sheep.
1. And the children of Israel according to their number, the chiefs of families, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers who served the king according to their companies, coming in and going out every month of the year, were each over twenty-four thousand. 2. Over the first company in the first month was Jesboam the son of Zabdiel, and under him twenty-four thousand. 3. Of the sons of Phares, he was chief of all the captains of the army in the first month. 4. The company of the second month had Dudia the Ahohite, and after him another named Macelloth, who ruled a part of the army of twenty-four thousand. 5. The leader also of the third company in the third month was Banaias the son of Joiada the priest: and in his division twenty-four thousand. 6. This is that Banaias, most valiant among the thirty, and above the thirty, and over his company was Amizabad his son. 7. The fourth, in the fourth month, was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zabadias his son after him: and in his company twenty-four thousand. 8. The fifth, in the fifth month, was the captain Samaoth the Jezerite: and in his company twenty-four thousand. 9. The sixth, in the sixth month, was Hira the son of Acces the Thecuite; and in his company twenty-four thousand. 10. The seventh, in the seventh month, was Helles the Phallonite of the children of Ephraim; and in his company twenty-four thousand. 11. The eighth, in the eighth month, was Sobochai the Husathite of the race of Zarahi: and in his company twenty-four thousand. 12. The ninth, in the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite of the children of Jemini: and in his company twenty-four thousand. 13. The tenth, in the tenth month, was Marai, he also a Netophathite of the race of Zarai: and in his company twenty-four thousand. 14. The eleventh, in the eleventh month, was Banaias the Pharathonite of the children of Ephraim: and in his company twenty-four thousand. 15. The twelfth, in the twelfth month, was Holdai the Netophathite, of the race of Gothoniel: and in his company twenty-four thousand. 16. And over the tribes of Israel were: of the Rubenites, the captain Eliezer the son of Zechri; of the Simeonites, the captain Saphatias the son of Maacha: 17. of the Levites, Hasabias the son of Camuel: of the Aaronites, Sadoc: 18. of Juda, Eliu the brother of David: of Issachar, Amri the son of Michael: 19. of the Zabulonites, Jesmaias the son of Abdias: of the Nephthalites, Jerimoth the son of Ozriel: 20. of the children of Ephraim, Osee the son of Ozazias; of the half tribe of Manasses, Joel the son of Phadaia: 21. and of the half tribe of Manasses in Galaad, Jaddo the son of Zacharias; and of Benjamin, Jasiel the son of Abner. 22. And of Dan, Ezrihel the son of Jeroham: these were the princes of the children of Israel. 23. But David would not number them from twenty years old and under: because the Lord had said that he would multiply Israel like the stars of heaven. 24. Joab the son of Sarvia began to number, but finished not: because wrath fell upon Israel for it: and therefore the number of those that had been reckoned was not put into the chronicles of king David. 25. And over the king’s treasures was Azmoth the son of Adiel. And over those treasures that were in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Ozias. 26. And over the work of the husbandmen, and the tillers of the ground, was Ezri the son of Chelub: 27. and over the dressers of the vineyards, Semeias the Romathite: and over the wine cellars, Zabdias the Aphonite. 28. And over the olive yards and the fig groves, which were in the plains, Balanan the Gederite: and over the oil storehouses, Joas. 29. And over the herds that fed in Saron, Setrai the Saronite: and over the oxen in the valleys, Saphat the son of Adli: 30. and over the camels, Ubil the Ismahelite: and over the asses, Jadias the Meronathite. 31. And over the sheep, Jaziz the Agarite. All these were rulers of the substance of king David. 32. And Jonathan David’s uncle, a counsellor, a wise and learned man: he and Jahiel the son of Hachamoni were with the king’s sons. 33. Achitophel also was the king’s counsellor, and Chusai the Arachite the king’s friend. 34. After Achitophel was Joiada the son of Banaias, and Abiathar. And the general of the king’s army was Joab,
Note: As David in the two preceding chapters distributed the Priests and Levites alike into 24 classes, which in turn should serve God in the temple week by week; so here he distributes the rest of the people, namely the Israelites fit for war, into 12 classes, and sets over each class its own prince, so that the several classes in turn, once a year for a month, should serve the King and the Republic for war, so that in turn 24 thousand armed men with their leader should be ready to hand for every warlike expedition. This was a political and prudent ordinance of David; both that in this way he might exercise all his subjects in arms, that they might learn to make war; and for the protection of himself and the kingdom. For since the Israelites, few as they were, were surrounded on all sides by enemies, namely the Philistines, Idumeans, Ammonites, Arabs, Egyptians, it was necessary for them always to be ready for war. Lest, therefore, they should be overwhelmed by a sudden inroad of the enemy, David decreed that 24 thousand should always keep watch in arms for the guard of the king and kingdom, and meet the enemy rushing in. This was not burdensome to the subjects, because each man had to come forth in arms to the line only one month in the year, and in the other months he looked after his own affairs at home. Again, in this way heavy exactions of money were spared, such as are wont to be levied for raising and maintaining an army. For each man in his own month, in which he had to appear armed in the army, supported himself. In this way he brought it about that he always had at hand a numerous soldiery, both fresh and veteran, so that he could resist any enemies whatsoever and however many: because according to the number of the enemy he could call out as many thousands from the several classes as were needed. Finally, the whole people of Israel, distributed into twelve classes of fighting men, made up as it were as many strong armies: for each class consisted of 24 thousand armed men, and had its own leader or prince, each of whom is here enumerated in his order. And each leader had his own deputy, who might succeed him when sick or occupied with other things, and lead and rule his class in the field, as is clear from verses 4 and 7. So the Romans, once masters of the world, always kept many legions in arms, and distributed them through the provinces, to keep them in duty and obedience, and maintained them at the cost of the provinces. So the Chinese always keep in arms a hundred thousand soldiers, who keep watch against the Tartars, lest they invade China.
To Dudia, who was leader of the second company, when absent or hindered, Macelloth was given as deputy, who in his place should lead the company, as I have already said.
7. And Zabadias his son after him,—as if to say: To Asahel the prince of the fourth company his son Zabadias was given as his deputy.
16. And over the tribes were.—Here are enumerated the princes of the several twelve tribes, who were their firstborn. But the princes of the army were not these firstborn, but men excelling in courage, strength and military knowledge, and therefore selected by David.
24. Because wrath (of God) fell upon Israel for it.— For God, on account of the people being numbered by David, sent a pestilence which carried off 70 thousand. See what I said on 2 Kings, last chapter.
34. After Achitophel was Joiada the son of Banaias,— he who had ended his life by a halter was succeeded by Joiada and the High Priest Abiathar, who were of David’s inmost council.