1 Chronicles 27:14

KJV

The eleventh [captain] for the eleventh month [was] Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course [were] twenty and four thousand.

KJV (with Strong's)

The eleventh {H6249}{H6240} captain for the eleventh {H6249}{H6240} month {H2320} was Benaiah {H1141} the Pirathonite {H6553}, of the children {H1121} of Ephraim {H669}: and in his course {H4256} were twenty {H6242} and four {H702} thousand {H505}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was B'nayah from Pir'aton, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.

Berean Standard Bible

The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

American Standard Version

The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse, 1 Chronicles 27:14, meticulously details the administrative structure of King David's kingdom, specifically identifying Benaiah the Pirathonite as the eleventh captain in charge of a division of twenty-four thousand men for the eleventh month of the year. It is part of a larger catalog in 1 Chronicles 27 that highlights David's sophisticated system for national defense and governance, underscoring the importance of order, delegation, and preparedness in the flourishing of God's people under wise leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 27:14 is situated within a comprehensive record of King David's administrative and military organization, following chapters that recount his reign, conquests, and preparations for the temple. Chapter 27 itself is an extraordinary register, detailing the twelve monthly divisions of 24,000 men each, along with their respective commanders, tribal affiliations, and the month of their service. This meticulous listing, which continues with other civil and military officials, serves to emphasize the highly structured and efficient nature of David's kingdom, showcasing his foresight in establishing a robust infrastructure for national security and stability, a theme consistent with the Chronicler's broader aim of presenting David as an ideal king who established a well-ordered kingdom under God's covenant. This detailed administrative record parallels the Chronicler's emphasis on the organized worship and service of the Levites and priests, as seen in passages like [1 Chronicles 23](/1_chronicles/23 "1 Chronicles 23 - Organization of the Levites").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During David's reign, Israel transitioned from a loose tribal confederacy to a centralized monarchy. This required sophisticated administrative structures to manage a growing population, maintain peace, and defend against external threats. The unique system described in 1 Chronicles 27, where twelve divisions of 24,000 men each served one month out of the year, was a brilliant innovation. It ensured a large, well-trained standing army was always available, while simultaneously allowing the majority of able-bodied men to return to their agricultural and pastoral livelihoods for most of the year, preventing economic disruption. This rotating system provided both military readiness and economic stability, a crucial balance for a nascent kingdom. Benaiah the Pirathonite, hailing from Pirathon in the territory of Ephraim, represents the integration of various tribes into this unified national service, reflecting David's success in consolidating the kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of 1 Chronicles 27, contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Order and Organization**, demonstrating David's remarkable ability to establish and maintain a highly structured and efficient kingdom, reflecting divine wisdom in governance. Secondly, it highlights **Leadership and Delegation**, as David entrusted significant responsibility to capable commanders like Benaiah, ensuring the smooth operation of his vast military machine. This illustrates the importance of empowering others in positions of authority for effective administration, a principle echoed in the selection of leaders for the early church in [Acts 6:3](/acts/6-3 "Acts 6:3 - Selection of Deacons"). Thirdly, the system speaks to **Preparedness and Security**, ensuring that Israel always had a substantial, well-trained force ready for defense or offense, reflecting a proactive approach to national well-being. Finally, the detailed listing of each captain and their division signifies the **Recognition of Service** and the importance of every individual's contribution to the nation's well-being, even those serving in a rotating capacity, affirming that each role contributes to the overall success of the community, much like the diverse gifts within the body of Christ described in [1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Benaiah (Hebrew, _Bĕnāyāhū'_):** This name, meaning "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has established," is common in the Old Testament, though this Benaiah is distinct from Benaiah son of Jehoiada, one of David's mighty men and Solomon's chief commander. The name itself subtly points to the divine hand in the establishment and stability of the kingdom, aligning with the Chronicler's theological emphasis that God is actively involved in the affairs of Israel and the success of its leaders.
* **Pirathonite (Hebrew, _Pir'āthōnî'_):** This designation identifies Benaiah's hometown, Pirathon, located in the hill country of Ephraim. This detail roots the individual within his tribal and geographical context, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of David's administration that drew leaders from across the tribes of Israel, uniting them in service to the kingdom.
* **Twenty and four thousand (Hebrew, _'esrîm wᵉ'arba'āh 'elep_):** This precise number signifies the immense scale and meticulous organization of David's military. Each division of 24,000 men was a substantial force, demonstrating David's capacity for large-scale planning and resource management. The consistent number across all twelve divisions highlights the uniformity and efficiency of the system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The eleventh [captain] for the eleventh month [was] Benaiah the Pirathonite":** This clause precisely identifies the individual responsible for the military division serving in the eleventh month of the year. The specificity of "eleventh" for both captain and month underscores the systematic and orderly nature of David's administration, where each leader had a defined role and period of service.
* **"of the children of Ephraim":** This phrase specifies Benaiah's tribal affiliation, indicating that leaders were drawn from across the Israelite tribes, reinforcing the unity of the kingdom under David's rule. It also provides geographical context for his origin.
* **"and in his course [were] twenty and four thousand":** This final clause details the size of the military division under Benaiah's command during his month of service. The consistent number of 24,000 men for each monthly division highlights the robust and standardized nature of David's military preparedness, ensuring a substantial and well-regulated force was always available.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler's presentation of 1 Chronicles 27, including verse 14, prominently employs several literary devices. The most obvious is **Catalog** or **List**, as the entire chapter is a detailed enumeration of military and civil officials. This meticulous listing serves to emphasize the comprehensive and organized nature of David's administration, leaving no doubt about the king's foresight and capacity for governance. Coupled with this is **Precision** and **Detail**, evident in the exact numbers (twenty-four thousand) and specific identifiers (Pirathonite, eleventh month). This precision lends an air of historical accuracy and administrative thoroughness to the account. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the structural pattern for each monthly division (captain, month, tribal affiliation, number of men) creates a sense of order and reinforces the systematic nature of David's kingdom, highlighting its stability and efficiency.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 27:14, though seemingly a mere administrative detail, profoundly illustrates the biblical value of order, wisdom in governance, and the diligent stewardship of resources. David's meticulous organization of his kingdom, including its military, reflects a principle that God Himself is a God of order, not of chaos ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")). The establishment of such a robust and efficient system speaks to the importance of human responsibility in exercising dominion and leadership, echoing the divine mandate given at creation ([Genesis 1:28](/genesis/1-28 "Genesis 1:28 - The Cultural Mandate")). The Chronicler's inclusion of these details elevates human administration to a realm where it can be seen as an act of faithful stewardship under God's overarching sovereignty, contributing to the well-being and security of His people.

* [Proverbs 24:27](/proverbs/24-27 "Proverbs 24:27 - Plan Your Work") - "Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house."
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities") - "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."
* [Exodus 18:21](/exodus/18-21 "Exodus 18:21 - Moses' Delegation of Authority") - "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 1 Chronicles 27:14 describes an ancient military structure, its underlying principles offer timeless wisdom for contemporary life. David's commitment to systematic planning, effective delegation, and valuing the contributions of diverse individuals provides a powerful model for leadership in any context—be it a family, a business, a church, or a personal endeavor. This verse encourages us to cultivate intentionality and order in our own spheres of influence, recognizing that good stewardship of our time, talents, and resources leads to greater stability and fruitfulness. Just as David ensured every part of his kingdom was well-managed for the security and prosperity of Israel, we are called to bring order and excellence to our responsibilities, understanding that even seemingly mundane administrative details contribute to the larger picture of God's work in the world. Furthermore, the recognition of individuals like Benaiah reminds us to appreciate and affirm the unique contributions of every member within a team or community, fostering a sense of value and shared purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I apply the principles of order and systematic planning from David's administration to my own life, family, or work?**
* **In what ways can I better delegate responsibilities and empower others, recognizing their unique contributions?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to be more prepared and proactive in addressing challenges or responsibilities?**
* **How can I better recognize and affirm the contributions of those around me, even in roles that might seem less prominent?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list, like the one in 1 Chronicles 27:14, included in the Bible?**

Answer: The inclusion of such detailed administrative lists in the Bible, particularly in books like 1 Chronicles, serves several important purposes. Firstly, it provides historical authenticity and demonstrates the meticulous record-keeping prevalent in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, affirming the historicity of the biblical narrative. Secondly, from a theological perspective, it highlights the importance of order, organization, and faithful stewardship in the life of God's people. It shows that God is concerned not only with spiritual matters but also with the practical administration and well-being of His kingdom on earth. For the Chronicler, these details underscored David's exemplary leadership and his role in establishing a stable kingdom that could facilitate the worship of God. It also served to remind the post-exilic community, for whom the book was primarily written, of their rich heritage and the divine blueprint for a well-ordered society under God's covenant.

**What was the purpose of this rotating military system described in 1 Chronicles 27?**

Answer: King David's rotating military system, where twelve divisions of 24,000 men each served for one month of the year, was a highly innovative and effective strategy. Its primary purpose was to ensure that Israel always had a large, well-trained, and ready standing army without placing an undue economic burden on the population. By having men serve for only one month, the majority of the year could be spent on their agricultural and pastoral livelihoods, preventing widespread economic disruption that a permanent, full-time army would cause. This system provided both national security and economic stability. It allowed for continuous training, maintained military readiness, and fostered a sense of national unity and shared responsibility among the tribes, as leaders and soldiers from across Israel participated in the defense of the kingdom. This foresight in leadership contributed significantly to the strength and prosperity of David's reign.

**Is Benaiah the Pirathonite the same Benaiah mentioned elsewhere, such as one of David's mighty men?**

Answer: No, Benaiah the Pirathonite mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:14 is distinct from the more famous Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, who was one of David's mighty men ([2 Samuel 23:20-23](/2_samuel/23-20 "2 Samuel 23:20-23 - Benaiah son of Jehoiada")) and later became commander of Solomon's army ([1 Kings 2:35](/1_kings/2-35 "1 Kings 2:35 - Benaiah as Army Commander")). While both served King David, Benaiah son of Jehoiada was from Kabzeel in Judah, whereas Benaiah the Pirathonite was from Pirathon in the territory of Ephraim. The name "Benaiah" was relatively common in ancient Israel, meaning "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has established," which explains the presence of multiple individuals bearing the same name in the biblical record. This specific Benaiah was a key figure in David's monthly military rotation, demonstrating the breadth of leadership talent David employed from across the tribes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 27:14 details the meticulous organization of an earthly kingdom under King David, it subtly points forward to the ultimate, perfect order and administration of God's eternal kingdom under Christ. David's efforts to establish a secure and well-governed nation foreshadow the comprehensive peace and security found in the reign of Jesus, the true King of kings. Just as David meticulously organized his forces for the well-being of Israel, Christ, as the head of His church, orchestrates all things for the good of His body, the church, and the advancement of His spiritual kingdom ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church")). The detailed listing of captains and their divisions in David's time speaks to the divine value of every individual's contribution within God's purposes; in Christ, every believer is a vital member of His spiritual army, equipped and called to serve within the perfect order of His design ([1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You are the Body of Christ")). The temporary, rotating service under David gives way to an eternal, unwavering allegiance to Christ, who provides everlasting security and peace, transcending any earthly administrative structure ([Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Jesus' Unchanging Priesthood")). Thus, the order and preparedness of David's kingdom serve as a tangible, albeit imperfect, illustration of the divine order and ultimate fulfillment found in the redemptive work and ongoing reign of Jesus Christ.

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 11:31

Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, [that pertained] to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

2 Samuel 23:30

Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,