Twelve Captains for Twelve Months
This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division: 1Ch 13:11Ch 28:11Ki 4:271Ki 4:71Ki 5:141Sa 8:122Ch 17:12-192Ch 26:11-13
Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:112Sa 23:8 He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army commanders for the first month. Num 26:20Gen 38:29Gen 49:8-10Num 10:14Num 7:12
Dodai 1the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader. There were 24,000 men in his division. 2Sa 23:91Ch 11:12
The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 18:171Ki 4:4-5 This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. 2Sa 23:20-231Ch 11:22-252Sa 22:20-23
The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:262Sa 23:242Sa 2:18-23
The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth 2the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:272Sa 23:251Ch 26:29
The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:282Sa 23:26
The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:272Sa 23:26
The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. 2Sa 21:181Ch 11:29Num 26:20
The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:282Sa 23:27
The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:302Sa 23:28
The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. 1Ch 11:312Sa 23:30
The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai 3the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division. 2Sa 23:291Ch 4:13Jdg 3:91Ch 11:30
The Leaders of the Twelve Tribes
These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel:
Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri;
over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah;
over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; 1Ch 26:301Ch 12:27-281Ch 24:311Ch 24:4
over Aaron was Zadok;
over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; 1Sa 16:61Sa 17:131Sa 17:29
over Issachar was Omri son of Michael;
over Zebulun was Ishmaiah son of Obadiah;
over Naphtali was Jerimoth son of Azriel;
over the Ephraimites was Hoshea son of Azaziah;
over one of the half-tribes of Manasseh was Joel son of Pedaiah;
over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead was Iddo son of Zechariah; 1Ki 4:141Sa 14:50-512Sa 3:272Sa 3:37
over Benjamin was Jaasiel son of Abner;
and over Dan was Azarel son of Jeroham. 1Ch 28:1
These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky. Gen 15:51Ch 21:2-5Heb 11:12Num 1:18 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel, and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David. 1Ch 21:1-172Sa 24:1-15
David’s Various Overseers
Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. 2Ch 16:22Ch 26:102Ki 18:15Exo 1:11Gen 41:48Jer 41:8
Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.
Ezri son of Chelub was in charge of the workers in the fields who tilled the soil.
Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.
Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.
Baal-hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the foothills. 4 1Ki 10:272Ch 1:151Ki 20:271Ki 4:7
Joash was in charge of the stores of olive oil.
Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. 1Ch 5:16Isa 65:10
Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys.
Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Gen 47:6Job 1:3
Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys.
Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. 1Ch 5:10
All these officials were in charge of King David’s property.
The Counselors
David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. 1Ch 11:112Sa 13:32Sa 21:21
Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king.
Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. 2Sa 15:122Sa 15:372Sa 15:322Sa 16:16-172Sa 16:232Sa 17:23Psa 55:13Zec 13:7
Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. 1Ch 11:61Ki 1:71Ch 27:5
Joab was the commander of the king’s army.