1 Chronicles 27:13

KJV

The tenth [captain] for the tenth month [was] Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course [were] twenty and four thousand.

KJV (with Strong's)

The tenth {H6224} captain for the tenth {H6224} month {H2320} was Maharai {H4121} the Netophathite {H5200}, of the Zarhites {H2227}: and in his course {H4256} were twenty {H6242} and four {H702} thousand {H505}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Mahrai, the N'tofati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.

Berean Standard Bible

The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

American Standard Version

The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 27:13 meticulously records Maharai the Netophathite, a leader from the clan of the Zarhites, as the military captain appointed over the tenth monthly division of King David's standing army. This verse is part of a larger administrative roster detailing David's highly organized system of governance, specifically highlighting the rotational military service of twenty-four thousand men under a designated commander, ensuring constant readiness and efficient management of the kingdom's defense.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a significant administrative section of 1 Chronicles, spanning chapters 23-27, which meticulously details King David's establishment of orderly structures for the kingdom's governance, priesthood, and military. Following the detailed organization of the Levites and priests into twenty-four courses for temple service, as outlined in [1 Chronicles 23-26](/1_chronicles/23 "1 Chronicles 23-26 - Divisions of Levites and Priests"), chapter 27 shifts focus to the military. Specifically, [1 Chronicles 27:1-15](/1_chronicles/27 "1 Chronicles 27 - David's Military and Civil Officers") presents a comprehensive list of twelve monthly military divisions, each comprising 24,000 men under a specific captain. Maharai's entry for the tenth month is one such specific detail within this larger, highly structured enumeration, emphasizing the systematic nature of David's kingdom administration and its commitment to year-round military preparedness. The preceding verses introduce the overall system, and the subsequent verses continue the pattern for the remaining months, creating a complete picture of David's administrative genius.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King David's reign marked a period of significant consolidation and expansion for Israel, transforming it from a loose tribal confederation into a more centralized kingdom. To manage this growing nation and its military, David implemented sophisticated administrative reforms. The concept of rotational service, as seen here for the military and earlier for the priests, was a practical and efficient method for managing large populations and ensuring continuous service without over-burdening any single group. Such detailed administrative records were common in the ancient Near East, reflecting a high degree of governmental organization and the importance placed on order and accountability in both civil and military spheres. The mention of "Netophathite" and "Zarhites" grounds Maharai within specific geographical and tribal identities, underscoring the historical authenticity and the integration of various Israelite clans into David's unified system. Netophah was a town in Judah, known for its skilled warriors, further highlighting the quality of David's appointed leaders.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous record in [1 Chronicles 27](/1_chronicles/27 "1 Chronicles 27 - David's Officers and Divisions"), including the specific mention of Maharai, powerfully underscores several key themes. First, it highlights **Order and Organization**, showcasing David's commitment to systematic governance and strategic planning, which was crucial for the stability and strength of the nascent kingdom. This administrative precision reflects a wise and effective approach to leadership. Second, it emphasizes **Effective Leadership and Delegation**, as David wisely distributed authority and established clear roles, not only for the military but also for the Levites and other officials, as seen in [1 Chronicles 26](/1_chronicles/26 "1 Chronicles 26 - Divisions of Gatekeepers and Treasurers"). Third, the rotational system speaks to **Accountability and Consistent Service**, ensuring that military strength was consistently maintained and that all able-bodied men had a defined role in the kingdom's defense, preventing burnout and promoting equitable participation. Finally, while a military roster, it implicitly points to the broader theme of **Faithful Service within a Divine Plan**, where individuals fulfill their appointed roles, contributing to the well-being of the nation that God had chosen and blessed, echoing the principles of dedicated service found throughout the biblical narrative, such as the call to serve God with all one's heart, as encouraged in [Deuteronomy 10:12](/deuteronomy/10-12 "Deuteronomy 10:12 - What the Lord Requires").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Maharai (Hebrew, _Maḥăray_):** While the name itself means "hasty" or "swift," its significance here lies not in its etymology but in its representation. Maharai is one of twelve named captains, each overseeing a significant division of David's army. His inclusion by name underscores the personal nature of David's administration and the importance of individual accountability within the larger structure. He is not merely an anonymous figure but a specific, trusted leader chosen for a vital role, embodying the principle that even in large organizations, individual leadership is paramount.
* **Course (Hebrew, _maḥălāqāh_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to divide" or "to apportion," refers specifically to a "division," "class," or "rotation" of duty. In this context, it denotes the specific period of service (a month) during which Maharai's contingent of 24,000 men was actively on duty. The use of "course" here, as well as for the priestly and Levitical divisions, highlights a fundamental principle of Israelite administration: the systematic, orderly, and rotational assignment of responsibilities to ensure continuous and efficient operation without undue burden on any single group.
* **Twenty and four thousand (Hebrew, _‘eśrîm wə’arba‘āh ’elep_):** This precise number signifies the immense scale of David's military organization. It represents a formidable fighting force, demonstrating the king's capacity to mobilize and maintain a large standing army through a rotational system. The consistent recurrence of this number across all twelve monthly divisions (as seen in [1 Chronicles 27:1-15](/1_chronicles/27 "1 Chronicles 27 - David's Officers and Divisions")) emphasizes the uniformity and robustness of David's military structure, designed for both defense and potential offensive campaigns. It speaks to the kingdom's strength and the meticulous planning required to sustain such a force.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The tenth [captain] for the tenth month [was] Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites:"** This clause precisely identifies the individual responsible for the military contingent serving in the tenth month of David's annual cycle. "Tenth [captain]" signifies his place in the chronological roster of commanders. "Tenth month" specifies his period of active duty. "Maharai" is his personal name, indicating a specific, known individual. "The Netophathite" identifies his town of origin, Netophah, a settlement in Judah, which often implies a certain tribal or regional loyalty and perhaps military prowess, as Netophathites were known as skilled warriors. "Of the Zarhites" further specifies his clan lineage, tracing him back to Zerah, a son of Judah ([Genesis 38:30](/genesis/38-30 "Genesis 38:30 - Zerah's Birth")). This level of detail underscores the administrative precision and the genealogical importance within Israelite society, ensuring proper identification and accountability.
* **"and in his course [were] twenty and four thousand."** This second clause quantifies the size of the military division under Maharai's command. "In his course" reiterates the rotational nature of the service, meaning during his designated month of duty. "Twenty and four thousand" specifies the number of soldiers under his direct command for that month. This consistent number across all twelve divisions (as seen throughout [1 Chronicles 27:1-15](/1_chronicles/27 "1 Chronicles 27 - David's Officers and Divisions")) highlights the standardized and massive scale of David's military organization, ensuring a formidable and continuously active force for the kingdom's security. It speaks to the logistical genius required to manage such a large and complex system.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Chronicles 27:13, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Enumeration** or **Listing**. The text meticulously lists each captain, their month of service, their origin, and the number of men under their command. This systematic presentation serves to emphasize the comprehensive and highly organized nature of King David's administration. The **Repetition** of the phrase "twenty and four thousand" for each monthly division reinforces the uniformity and scale of the military structure. The inclusion of specific names and geographical/clan affiliations (e.g., "Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites") lends an air of **Historical Record** and authenticity, transforming what could be a dry list into a testament to the detailed and intentional governance of David's kingdom. This administrative style, characteristic of Chronicles, aims to demonstrate the order and stability established under David, presenting a model of effective leadership and national organization.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 27:13, though seemingly a mere administrative detail, contributes significantly to the overarching biblical themes of divine order, responsible leadership, and the value of every individual's contribution within God's larger plan. David's meticulous organization of his kingdom, from military to temple service, reflects a wisdom that ultimately flows from God, who is Himself a God of order and not of confusion ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order")). This administrative foresight ensured the stability and security of Israel, allowing for the flourishing of the kingdom and the preparation for the temple's construction. It illustrates that even secular-seeming organizational principles can be imbued with spiritual significance when applied for the good of God's people and the advancement of His purposes. The verse underscores that effective governance and diligent service are vital components of a thriving society, whether ancient Israel or the modern church.

* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")
* [Titus 1:5](/titus/1-5 "Titus 1:5 - Appointing Elders in Every Town")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane details of 1 Chronicles 27:13 offer profound insights for contemporary life and faith. David's commitment to meticulous organization, even in the military, speaks to the value of intentionality, planning, and delegating responsibility. For believers today, this translates into a call for order in our personal lives, our families, our churches, and our work. Just as David ensured every part of his kingdom was prepared and accounted for, we are encouraged to be good stewards of the gifts, resources, and time God has entrusted to us, using them purposefully for His glory. The verse also reminds us that every individual, like Maharai and the 24,000 men, has a vital role to play within the larger body—whether a family, a community, or the church. Our faithful service, even in seemingly small or organizational tasks, contributes to the overall strength and effectiveness of the whole, enabling God's purposes to be realized.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on order and organization in David's kingdom challenge my own approach to personal responsibilities and community involvement?**
* **In what ways can I, like Maharai, faithfully fulfill my specific "course" or role within my family, church, or workplace, recognizing its contribution to a larger purpose?**
* **What areas of my life might benefit from more intentional planning and delegation, inspired by David's administrative wisdom?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of names and numbers, like in 1 Chronicles 27?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed lists, names, and numbers in biblical texts like [1 Chronicles 27](/1_chronicles/27 "1 Chronicles 27 - David's Officers and Divisions") serves several important purposes. Firstly, it provides historical authenticity and verifiable detail, grounding the narrative in real people, places, and administrative structures of the ancient world. These records were vital for ancient societies for taxation, military conscription, and establishing lineage. Secondly, from a theological perspective, these details demonstrate God's meticulous involvement in the affairs of His people and the importance of order and accountability in governance. For the Chronicler, these lists underscored David's administrative genius and the stability he brought to the kingdom, preparing the way for the temple and a unified nation. They show that God cares about the details, and that effective human organization can be a means through which divine purposes are achieved, leading to a well-ordered society that reflects God's own character as a God of order ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 27:13 details the earthly military organization of King David, it subtly points forward to the perfect and eternal reign of Jesus Christ. David's meticulous administration, with its appointed captains and structured divisions, foreshadows Christ's ultimate headship over His spiritual kingdom, the Church. Just as David ensured a prepared and orderly army, Christ, as the [Head of the Church](/ephesians/5-23 "Ephesians 5:23 - Christ is Head of the Church"), perfectly organizes and empowers His people for spiritual warfare and the advancement of His gospel. Maharai, the Netophathite captain, represents a delegated authority within a temporal kingdom; however, in Christ, we see the supreme authority, who "has been given all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). The "twenty and four thousand" men serving in their course prefigure the countless believers, each uniquely gifted and called, serving in their respective "courses" within the body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Gifts of the Spirit")). Ultimately, David's ordered kingdom, though a testament to human wisdom, was imperfect and temporary. Christ's kingdom, however, is eternal, perfectly ordered, and sustained by His divine power, ensuring that His people are always ready for His purposes, culminating in the glorious future reign where [every knee will bow](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow") to Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 11:30

Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,

2 Samuel 23:28

Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,