Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 27:16
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:
16 24. The Princes of the Tribes of Israel
Cp. Num 1:2-15 where Moses is enjoined to have with him a representative of each tribe at the numbering of the people; cp. 1Ch 27:23-24 below. In the present list the tribes of Gad and Asher are omitted, probably accidentally.
17. Of the Levites ] R.V. of Levi.
Hashabiah ] Perhaps the person mentioned in 1Ch 26:30. The name is common among Levites.
of the Aaronites, Zadok ] R.V. of Aaron, Zadok. Cp. 1Ch 12:27-28, whence we may conclude that Zadok succeeded Jehoiada as ruler.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gad and Asher are omitted from this list of the tribes. Similarly, Dan and Zebulon are omitted from the genealogical survey of the tribes 1 Chr. 48. We can only suppose that the lists, as they came down to the writer of Chronicles, were incomplete. The rulers or princes of the tribes appear to have been the oldest lineal descendants of the patriarchs according to the law of primogeniture.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. Over the tribes of Israel] In this enumeration there is no mention of the tribes of Asher and Gad. Probably the account of these has been lost from this register. These rulers appear to have been all honorary men, without pay, like the lords lieutenants of our counties.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Over the children of Israel, i.e. these were the princes of the tribes as they are called below, 1Ch 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 named before them, 1Ch 28:1, being probably the kings chief counsellors and assistants in the great affairs of his kingdom.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. over the tribes of Israel: therulerThis is a list of the hereditary chiefs or rulers oftribes at the time of David’s numbering the people. Gad and Asher arenot included; for what reason is unknown. The tribe of Levi had aprince (1Ch 27:17), as well asthe other tribes; and although it was ecclesiastically subject to thehigh priest, yet in all civil matters it had a chief or head,possessed of the same authority and power as in the other tribes,only his jurisdiction did not extend to the priests.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Ver. 16-22. Furthermore, over the cities of Israel,…. Were the following rulers or princes; the captains over the militia before named were of David’s appointment; but these ruled over their respective tribes in their own right, or by the choice of their tribes: the ruler of the tribe of Reuben was Eliezer, the son of Zichri: of the tribe of Simeon, Shephatiah the son of Maachah; whether this was his father’s or mother’s name is not certain, it being the name both of a man and woman: of the tribe of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, who were of the same tribe, but, being priests, are thus distinguished from the Levites, Zadok, who was made high priest in the times of Solomon: of the tribe of Judah, Elihu, a brother of David’s, the same with Eliab, 1Sa 16:6, of the tribe of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: of the tribe of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of the tribe of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, on this side Jordan westward, Joel the son of Pedaiah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, in Gilead, on the other side Jordan eastward, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of the tribe of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner, the famous general on the side of Ishbosheth; of the tribe of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham:
these were the princes of the tribes of Israel; of all excepting Gad and Asher, who are omitted; perhaps he that was prince of the tribe of Reuben, or else of the half tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordan, was ruler of Gad and Asher; these lying between Zebulun and Naphtali, might be under the prince of one of them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The princes of the twelve tribes. – The enumeration of the tribal princes, commencing with the words, “and over the tribes of Israel,” immediately follows the catalogue of the divisions of the army with their commanders, because the subjects are in so far connected as the chief management of the internal business of the people, divided as they were into tribes, was deposited in their hands. In the catalogue the tribes Gad and Asher are omitted for reasons unknown to us, just as in 1 Chron 4-7, in the genealogies of the tribes, Dan and Zebulun are. In reference to Levi, on the contrary, the Nagid of Aaron, i.e., the head of the priesthood, is named, viz., Zadok, the high priest of the family of Eleazar.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| The Military Force. | B. C. 1015. |
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: 17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok: 18 Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: 20 Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: 21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 22 Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel. 23 But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David. 25 And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah: 26 And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: 27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: 28 And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash: 29 And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: 30 Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: 31 And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s. 32 Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons: 33 And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion: 34 And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army was Joab.
We have here an account,
I. Of the princes of the tribes. Something of the ancient order instituted by Moses in the wilderness was still kept up, that every tribe should have its prince or chief. It is probable that it was kept up all along, either by election or by succession, in the same family; and those are here named who were found in that office when this account was taken. Elihu, or Eliab, who was prince of Judah, was the eldest son of Jesse, and descended in a right line from Nahshon and Salmon, the princes of this tribe in Moses’s time. Whether these princes were of the nature of lord-lieutenants that guided them in their military affairs, or chief-justices that presided in their courts of judgment, does not appear. Their power, we may suppose, was much less now that all the tribes were united under one king than it had been when, for the most part, they acted separately. Our religion obliges us to be subject, not only to the king as supreme, but unto governors under him (1Pe 2:13; 1Pe 2:14), the princes that decree justice. Of Benjamin was Jaaziel the son of Abner, v. 21. Though Abner was David’s enemy, and opposed his coming to the throne, yet David would not oppose the preferment of his son, but perhaps nominated him to this post of honour, which teaches us to render good for evil.
II. Of the numbering of the people, 1Ch 27:23; 1Ch 27:24. It is here said, 1. That when David ordered the people to be numbered he forbade the numbering of those under twenty years old, thinking thereby to save the reflection which what he did might otherwise cast upon the promise that they should be innumerable; yet it was but a poor salvo, for it had never been customary to number those under twenty, and the promise of their numbers chiefly respected the effective men. 2. That the account which David took of the people, in the pride of his heart, turned to no good account; for it was never perfected, nor done with exactness, nor was it ever recorded as an authentic account. Joab was disgusted with it, and did it by halves; David was ashamed of it, and willing it should be forgotten, because there fell wrath for it against Israel. A good man cannot, in the reflection, please himself with that which he knows God is displeased with, cannot make use of that, nor take comfort in that, which is obtained by sin.
III. Of the officers of the court. 1. The rulers of the king’s substance (as they are called, v. 31), such as had the oversight and charge of the king’s tillage, his vineyards, his olive-yards, his herds, his camels, his asses, his flocks. Here are no officers for state, none for sport, no master of the wardrobe, no master of the ceremonies, no master of the horse, no master of the hounds, but all for service, agreeable to the simplicity and plainness of those times. David was a great soldier, a great scholar, and a great prince, and yet a great husband of his estate, kept a great deal of ground in his own hand, and stocked it, not for pleasure, but for profit; for the king himself is served of the field, Eccles. v. 9. Those magistrates that would have their subjects industrious must themselves be examples of industry and application to business. We find, however, that afterwards the poor of the land were thought good enough to be vine-dressers and husbandmen, 2 Kings xxv. 12. Now David put his great men to preside in these employments. 2. The attendants on the king’s person. They were such as were eminent for wisdom, being designed for conversation. His uncle, who was a wise man and a scribe, not only well skilled in politics, but well read in the scriptures, was his counsellor, v. 32. Another, who no doubt excelled in learning and prudence, was tutor to his children. Ahithophel, a very cunning man, was his counsellor: but Hushai, an honest man, was his companion and confidant. It does not appear that he had many counsellors; but those he had were men of great abilities. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry. But David, though he had all these trusty and well-beloved cousins and counsellors about him, preferred his Bible before them all. Ps. cxix. 24, Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Tribal Princes, Verses 16-24
From the postscript to the listing of the tribal princes, verses 23, 24, it seems that these men served with Joab in the numbering of the people at the order of David (1 Chronicles 2-1; 2Samuel chapter 24). There are thirteen of these, though only twelve tribes, and two of the tribes, Gad and Asher are not named, for some unknown reason. There are two princes for Manasseh, one for those east of the Jordan and one for those in Canaan. In addition to the prince of Levi, Zadok the high priest is named as the prince of the Aaronites, the priest family.
Most of these princes are not otherwise known in the Scriptures. It is interesting to note that the prince of Judah was Elihu, one of David’s non-warrior brothers (who were Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah). the prince of Benjamin was Jaasiel, the son of Abner, the captain of the host under King Saul.
This passage might shed further light on the difficulty of the numbers in David’s census, as recorded in 2Sa 24:9 (800,000 Israel; 500,000 Judah) and 1Ch 21:5 (1,100,000 Israel; 470,000 Judah.) Chronicles having been written several centuries later may have had access to records not available in the time Samuel was written. It would also appear there is a rounding of figures in the Samuel account more sharply than in Chronicles.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
21. THE PRINCES OF THE TRIBES (1Ch. 27:16-24)
TEXT
1Ch. 27:16. Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah: 17. of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Aaron, Zadok: 18. of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19. of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel: 20. of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son on Pedaiah: 21. of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: 22. of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. 23. But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven. 24. Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but finished not; and there came wrath for this upon Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.
PARAPHRASE
1Ch. 27:16-22. The top political officers of the tribes of Israel were as follows: Over Reuben, Eliezer (son of Zichri); Over Simeon, Shephatiah (son of Maacah); Over Levi, Hashabiah (son of Kemuel); Over the descendants of Aaron, Zadok; Over Judah, Elihu (a brother of King David); Over Issachar, Omri (son of Michael); Over Zebulun, Ishmaiah (son of Obadiah); Over Naphtali, Jeremoth (son of Azriel); over Ephraim, Hoshea (son of Azaziah); Over the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel (son of of Pedaiah); Over the other half of Manasseh, in Gilead, Iddo (son of Zechariah); Over Benjamin, Ja-asiel (son of Abner); Over Dan, Azarel (son of Jeroham). 23. When David took his census he didnt include the twenty-year-olds, or those younger, for the Lord had promised a population explosion for his people. 24. Joab began the census, but he never finished it, for the anger of God broke out upon Israel; the final total was never put into the annals of King David.
COMMENTARY
Before David passed he was concerned about the political organization of each of the tribes of Israel. Among the other matters in his check list and in the sacred record of the chronicler would be the detail of the naming of the ruler or prince of each tribe. The tribes of Gad and Asher are not listed here. For this there is no satisfactory explanation. The tribe of Levi is listed and receives special attention in that Hashabiah is the ruler over the Levites while Zadok is the ruler over the priests (those of Aarons house). When the historian turns to Joseph he names three rulers or princes for this tribe. Hoshea is prince of Ephraim. Joel rules over Manasseh in Canaan. Iddo is prince over Manasseh beyond the Jordan eastward. Elihu (1Ch. 27:18) most likely was Eliah, Davids brother, who is prince of Judah. Thirteen men were named here in spite of the omission of the tribes of Gad and Asher. David had taken a military census of the tribes of Israel (2Sa. 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21) contrary to Jehovahs will. That it was a military accounting is evident in this record (1Ch. 27:23) which says that he would not number those under twenty years of age.[43] The military age was twenty years old and upwards (Num. 1:3). Jehovah had made this wonderful promise about multiplying Israel (Gen. 15:5), but David was not considering that promise when he ordered Joab to take the census. Joab saw no need for the numbering and went about the task half-heartedly. Joab made no attempt to number the people of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin (1 Chronicles 21; 1 Chronicles 6), so the census was never actually completed. Jehovahs wrath came in the form of an awful pestilence (1Ch. 21:1-7) which killed seventy thousand Israelites. While David made remarkable provisions for all of the tribes of Israel at this time in the record, the historian called to remembrance Davids sin which had disastrously reduced Israels population.
[43] Cook, F. C., The Bible Commentary, I SamuelEsther, p. 363
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
II. THE PRINCES OR EMIRS OF THE TWELVE TRIBES (1Ch. 27:16-24).
(16) Furthermore over the tribes of Israel. Literally, and over the tribes of Israel . . . the Reubenites had as prince (ngd) Eliezer, etc.
Eliezer the son of Zichri.Originally the emir of the tribe was its leader in war, as well as its chief authority in times of peace. David, as appears by the list (1Ch. 27:1-15) made the important change of nominating the chief commanders himself. The emirs would still manage the internal affairs of their tribes.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE PRINCES OF THE TRIBES, 16-22.
These princes or rulers were probably the oldest representatives of their several tribes; “the eldest lineal descendants of the patriarchs according to the law of primogeniture.” Rawlinson. For some reason now unknown the tribes of Gad and Asher are not here mentioned.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
All the heads of the tribes have honorable testimony given of them by way of perpetuating the memory of Israel.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ch 27:16 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:
Ver. 16. Furthermore over the several tribes. ] Here followeth a list of the rulers of the several tribes. Only Gad and Asher are left out, for reasons unknown.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the tribes of Israel. Each tribe had a ruler, called (1Ch 27:22) “the princes of the tribes”:
1. The first four sons of Leah, in order of their birth.
2. Issachar and Zebulun, fifth and sixth (Gen 30:18, Gen 30:20).
Thus the first six are Leah’s sons. Her maid Zilpah’s (Gad and Asher) not mentioned. Then Naphtali (Bilhah, Rachel’s maid). Then Ephraim and Manasseh (Rachel’s, through Joseph). Then Benjamin (Rachel’s other son). Dan comes last! See note on Gen 49:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
1Ch 27:16-24
1Ch 27:16-24
THE TRIBAL HEADS IN DAVID’S REIGN
“Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri the ruler: of the Simeronites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah: of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel: of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: of Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the captains of the tribes of Israel. But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heaven. Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but finished not; and there came wrath for this upon Israel; neither was the number put into the account in the chronicles of king David.”
It is strange that neither Gad nor Asher of the Twelve Tribes is mentioned. Curtis supposed that this was because, “The list of twelve was complete without them”!
“David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under” (1Ch 27:22). There is a hint here as to the reason why God was displeased with David’s numbering Israel. Curtis (Madsen) believed that, “David refrained from counting them, because such an act would have implied a doubt on David’s part of God’s promise in Gen 22:17.” Evidently, his efforts to find out exactly how many able-bodied soldiers Israel had likewise exhibited a sinful doubt on David’s part. He was apparently tempted to trust in the number of his troops, instead of relying upon the promise of God.
E.M. Zerr:
1Ch 27:16-22. In this paragraph the service is divided according to tribes. Out of each tribe the king selected princes, which means men of influence or prestige.
1Ch 27:23. David’s not taking the enumeration of those from twenty and under, and the reason stated, shows his motive for the numbering; it was his concern for the strength that lay in great numbers. Were they somewhat limited or uncertain, he would have enlisted every male who was physically able to do any kind of manual labor. The motive he had was what led him into the oversight concerning the ransom money. See Exo 30:12; 1Ch 21:1-3.
1Ch 27:24. At first thought this verse might seem to contradict Ch. 21:5. But the sum there mentioned means only that when Joab saw the wrath of God coming, he ceased the numbering. He then gave over to David the report of the work done thus far.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Furthermore: These persons, called “princes of the tribes,” in 1Ch 27:22, and 1Ch 28:1, appear to have been civil rulers over their several tribes, and honorary men, without pay, not unlike the lords lieutenants of our counties. In this enumeration there is no mention of the tribes of Gad and Asher, probably because they were joined to the neighbouring tribes; or perhaps, the account of these has been lost from the register.
Reciprocal: Gen 35:22 – Now the sons Exo 1:1 – General Num 1:16 – the renowned
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 27:16. Over the tribes of Israel: the ruler, &c. These were the princes of the tribes, the constant rulers of the tribes; who seem to have had a superior power to these twenty-four captains, and therefore are named before them, being probably the kings chief counsellors and assistants in the great affairs of his kingdom.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
27:16 Furthermore {c} over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites [was] Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:
(c) Meaning besides those twelve captains.