1 Chronicles 27:23

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.

But David {H1732} took {H5375} not the number {H4557} of them from twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} and under {H4295}: because the LORD {H3068} had said {H559} he would increase {H7235} Israel {H3478} like to the stars {H3556} of the heavens {H8064}.

But David did not include in the registration those twenty years old or less, because ADONAI had said he would increase Isra'el's numbers like the stars in the sky.

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.

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.

1 Chronicles 27:23 (KJV) provides a brief but significant detail about King David's administrative practices, specifically concerning the population count of Israel. It states, "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." This verse highlights David's reverence for a divine promise and offers insight into the king's understanding of God's sovereignty over the nation's growth.

Context

This verse appears within a chapter that meticulously lists David's military and civil officers and their monthly turns of service. It's a snapshot of David's organized kingdom. The mention of "not taking the number" of a certain age group serves as an important aside, distinguishing this administrative detail from the well-known and disastrous census recounted in 1 Chronicles 21. In that earlier instance, David's prideful act of numbering the fighting men without God's explicit command resulted in a severe plague upon Israel. Here, in 1 Chronicles 27:23, David's restraint from numbering the younger generation demonstrates a lesson learned and a conscious decision to defer to God's promise rather than relying on human statistics.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Faithfulness and Promise: The core reason for David's action is God's ancient promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the heavens. This promise, reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, underscored God's commitment to multiply Israel. David's refusal to number those under twenty was an act of faith, acknowledging that Israel's true strength and growth came from God's blessing, not from human enumeration or military might.
  • Trust Over Human Calculation: The verse emphasizes a crucial spiritual principle: reliance on God's word over human efforts or statistics. David understood that God's plan for Israel's increase transcended any earthly census. This stands in stark contrast to the earlier census, where David seemed to put his trust in numbers.
  • Learning from Past Mistakes: David's previous experience with the census (1 Chronicles 21) likely informed his decision here. It shows a king who grew in wisdom and reverence, understanding the dangers of presuming upon God's sovereignty or seeking glory through human strength.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "like to the stars of the heavens" is a powerful simile used throughout the Old Testament to convey immense, uncountable multitude. It directly references the covenant promises made by God to the patriarchs, particularly to Abraham. While the Hebrew text doesn't present complex linguistic nuances here, the imagery itself is potent, signifying an abundance that defies human accounting, reinforcing the divine origin of Israel's growth.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to place their ultimate trust in God's promises and sovereignty rather than in human systems, statistics, or perceived strengths. It reminds us that God's plans often transcend our ability to quantify or control them. Just as David learned to rely on God for the growth and protection of Israel, we are called to have faith that God will fulfill His word in our lives and in the world, even when circumstances seem to defy human logic or measurement. It's a call to humility and a recognition that true blessing comes from divine favor, not human achievement.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 15:5

    And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

  • Hebrews 11:12

    Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

  • Numbers 1:18

    And they assembled all the congregation together on the first [day] of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:2

    And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know [it].

  • 1 Chronicles 21:5

    And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all [they of] Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah [was] four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword.
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