TRV
Translation
Geneva Bible (1599)
Ouer the Leuites, Hashabiah the sonne of Remuel: ouer them of Aharon, and Zadok:
In the KJVVerse 11,127 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 27 verses 16–34
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 sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan 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 (Pe1 2:13, Pe1 2:14), the princes that decree justice. Of Benjamin was Jaaziel the son of Abner, Ch1 27:21. 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, Ch1 27:23, Ch1 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, Ch1 27:31), 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, Ecc 5:9. 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, Kg2 25:12. 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, Ch1 27:32. 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. Psa 119:24, Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 16–34. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 27:17 is a concise yet significant verse within David's meticulous administrative roster, specifically identifying Hashabiah as the overseer of the Levites and Zadok as the overseer of the Aaronites. This detail underscores King David's commitment to a divinely ordered governance that integrated spiritual leadership and priestly functions directly into the national administration, ensuring the proper functioning of Israel's religious life alongside its military and tribal structures.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler's presentation in 1 Chronicles 27:17, within the broader chapter, employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is List/Register, as the entire chapter is a detailed enumeration of officials and their roles. This meticulous cataloging emphasizes the theme of divine order and the comprehensive nature of David's administrative foresight. The very act of listing creates a sense of completeness and intentionality. Another device at play is Metonymy or Synecdoche, where "Levites" and "Aaronites" stand in not just for the individuals but for the entire tribal or priestly groups and their divinely ordained functions within Israel's religious system. The names Hashabiah and Zadok, therefore, represent the leadership and oversight of these crucial institutions. Finally, the Juxtaposition of spiritual leaders (Levites, Aaronites) alongside military commanders and tribal chiefs highlights the integral and foundational role of spiritual matters within the overall governance of the kingdom, underscoring the theocratic nature of Israel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous organization of David's kingdom, particularly the integration of spiritual leadership through the Levites and Aaronites, profoundly illustrates God's character of order and His desire for His people to live in well-structured communities. This Old Testament administrative detail foreshadows the New Testament understanding of the church as the body of Christ, where diverse gifts and roles are essential for the common good and effective ministry. Just as Hashabiah and Zadok were appointed to oversee distinct but complementary functions, the early church recognized the need for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry, ensuring the body's healthy growth and functioning. The emphasis on specialized service underscores that every part has a vital role, contributing to the whole, reflecting God's design for both ancient Israel and the church today.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed administrative lists in 1 Chronicles, including the specific mention of Hashabiah and Zadok, might initially seem mundane, yet they offer profound insights for contemporary believers. They remind us that God is a God of order, not chaos, and that effective organization and clear roles are vital for any healthy community, including the church. Just as David meticulously structured his kingdom to serve God's purposes, we are called to bring intentionality and order to our spiritual lives, our families, and our ministries. This verse also celebrates the value of specialized service and diverse gifts; not everyone is called to the same role, but every divinely appointed function, from the most visible to the seemingly mundane, contributes to the flourishing of the whole. Recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of each member within the body of Christ fosters unity and effectiveness. Furthermore, the integration of spiritual leadership into the national administration challenges us to consider how our faith informs and shapes every sphere of our lives, not just our private devotion. It calls us to seek God's wisdom in all our endeavors, whether in leadership, service, or daily tasks, understanding that all aspects of life can be offered as worship.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are the Levites and Aaronites listed separately from the other tribes in David's administration?
Answer: The Levites and Aaronites are listed separately because of their unique, divinely appointed roles and status within ancient Israel. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites did not receive a territorial land inheritance; instead, they were set apart for service to God in the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Numbers 1:47-53). Their duties were comprehensive, encompassing everything from carrying the Tabernacle, maintaining its sacred items, serving as musicians, gatekeepers, and treasurers, to teaching the Law. The Aaronites were a specific lineage within the Levites, descended from Aaron, who held the exclusive right to the priesthood. Their sacred duties included offering sacrifices, burning incense, ministering in the Holy Place, and interceding for the people. David's meticulous administration recognized these distinct, divinely mandated functions, ensuring that the spiritual and religious life of the nation was properly overseen and integrated into the broader governance structure.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous organization of David's kingdom, particularly the appointment of overseers for the Levites and Aaronites, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Hashabiah and Zadok managed the earthly administration of God's chosen people and their worship, Christ Himself embodies and perfects all such roles. He is the Great High Priest of a new and better covenant, whose single, perfect sacrifice on the cross superseded all the Aaronite offerings, accomplishing eternal redemption for His people (Hebrews 9:11-14). Furthermore, Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14), the supreme Administrator and Head of His church, the new Israel (Ephesians 1:22-23). The specialized services of the Levites and Aaronites, designed to facilitate access to God, are now fulfilled in Christ, who is the direct and living way to the Father (John 14:6). In Him, all believers are made a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service, participating in a spiritual administration far grander than any earthly kingdom, all under the perfect and eternal oversight of our Lord Jesus Christ.