1 Chronicles 27:25

Translation
King James Version
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:
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
And over the king's H4428 treasures H214 was Azmaveth H5820 the son H1121 of Adiel H5717: and over the storehouses H214 in the fields H7704, in the cities H5892, and in the villages H3723, and in the castles H4026, was Jehonathan H3083 the son H1121 of Uzziah H5818:
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
In charge of the king's supplies was 'Azmavet the son of 'Adi'el. In charge of the supplies in the countryside, the cities, the villages and the fortresses was Y'honatan the son of 'Uziyahu.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.
Ask
American Standard Version
And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah:
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
Over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the treasures in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah:
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
And ouer the Kings treasures was Azmaueth the sonne of Adiel: and ouer the treasures in the fieldes, in the cities and in the villages and in the towers was Iehonathan the sonne of Vzziah:
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
And over the treasures of the king is Azmaveth son of Adiel; and over the treasures in the field, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the towers, is Jehonathan son of Uzziah;
Ask
See also
Genesis 41:482 Kings 18:15Jeremiah 41:8Exodus 1:112 Chronicles 26:102 Chronicles 16:2
In the KJVVerse 11,135 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

1 Chronicles 27:25 meticulously details two crucial administrative roles within King David's sophisticated governmental structure: Azmaveth, who oversaw the royal treasury of precious valuables, and Jehonathan, who managed the vast network of agricultural storehouses across the kingdom. This verse highlights David's foresight and commitment to the comprehensive economic and logistical stability of Israel, demonstrating a highly organized and specialized approach to national resource management essential for the kingdom's prosperity and security.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This verse is embedded within a larger section of 1 Chronicles (chapters 23-27) that meticulously outlines King David's extensive administrative and military organization in the latter part of his reign. Following detailed lists of military commanders, tribal leaders, and various officials, chapter 27 shifts focus to the financial and logistical infrastructure of the kingdom. This particular verse, 1 Chronicles 27:25, is part of a list of officials responsible for the king's property and resources (1 Chronicles 27:25-31), demonstrating David's meticulous planning not only for warfare and worship but also for the economic and logistical stability of the nation. This comprehensive approach underscores David's commitment to a well-ordered kingdom, a theme also evident in his detailed preparations for the temple, as seen in David's comprehensive plans for the temple.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: King David's reign marked a pivotal period in Israelite history, transitioning from a tribal confederacy to a centralized monarchy. This era saw significant territorial expansion and consolidation, necessitating a robust and efficient administrative system to manage the growing kingdom's resources. The appointment of specialized officials like Azmaveth and Jehonathan reflects a mature and sophisticated governmental structure, crucial for maintaining national security, provisioning the army, supporting the populace, and funding royal initiatives. In an agrarian society, the management of agricultural produce in storehouses was vital for food security, particularly in times of famine or war, while the royal treasury was essential for funding state operations, trade, and diplomatic endeavors. This level of organization was paramount for the long-term prosperity and resilience of the nation, especially as David prepared the kingdom for his successor, Solomon, ensuring a stable transition as detailed in 1 Kings 2.
  • Key Themes: 1 Chronicles 27:25 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes Divine Order and Human Responsibility, showcasing how David, as God's chosen king, diligently established order and managed the resources entrusted to him, reflecting a divine principle of stewardship. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of Wise Administration and Diligent Planning, demonstrating David's foresight in preparing the kingdom for future stability and prosperity, echoing the wisdom literature's emphasis on prudent management, as seen in Proverbs 21:5. Thirdly, it underscores the importance of Delegation of Authority, as David entrusted significant responsibilities to capable individuals, a practice vital for effective governance and a principle taught to Moses in Exodus 18:21-22. Finally, the meticulous accounting of resources points to the theme of National Stability and Provision, illustrating how sound economic and logistical management was foundational for the well-being and security of God's people, a concept vital for Israel's covenant relationship with God as outlined in Deuteronomy 28.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Treasures (Hebrew, ʼôwtsâr', H214): This word (H214) refers to a depository, a place for stored wealth, valuables, or precious commodities, often gold, silver, and other non-perishable assets. In the context of a king, it specifically denotes the royal treasury, the central repository of the kingdom's liquid assets and most valuable possessions. Azmaveth's role was to manage this crucial financial hub, akin to a chief financial officer, ensuring the kingdom's economic solvency and capacity for large-scale expenditures, trade, and royal initiatives.
  • Storehouses (Hebrew, ʼôwtsâr', H214): While the KJV uses "storehouses" for the second instance, the underlying Hebrew word (H214) is the same as "treasures" (ʼôwtsâr). The distinction in meaning comes from the context: "storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages" clearly indicates facilities for agricultural produce, such as grain, oil, and wine, rather than precious metals. This highlights the versatility of the term 'ôwtsâr, encompassing any form of depository. Jehonathan's responsibility was to oversee these physical provisions, which were essential for national food security, provisioning the army, and supporting the general populace, especially during times of shortage or military campaigns. The repeated use of 'ôwtsâr for both financial and agricultural reserves underscores David's comprehensive approach to resource management, viewing all stored assets as vital "treasures" of the kingdom.

Verse Breakdown

  • "And over the king's treasures [was] Azmaveth the son of Adiel:" This clause identifies Azmaveth, son of Adiel, as the chief administrator of the royal treasury. His position was one of immense trust and responsibility, involving the management of the kingdom's most valuable assets—gold, silver, and other precious goods. This role was critical for funding royal projects, supporting the military, engaging in trade, and maintaining the overall financial health of the kingdom. It implies a sophisticated system of accounting, security, and strategic deployment of wealth, reflecting David's commitment to sound economic governance.
  • "and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, [was] Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:" This clause details Jehonathan, son of Uzziah, as having extensive responsibility for the kingdom's agricultural and general provisions. The comprehensive list of locations ("fields, cities, villages, and castles") emphasizes the vast geographical scope of his oversight, indicating a kingdom-wide network of storage facilities. This role was vital for national food security, ensuring that the kingdom had sufficient reserves of grain, oil, wine, and other staples to feed its population, supply its army, and withstand periods of drought or conflict. It speaks to a highly developed logistical system for the collection, storage, and distribution of resources, underscoring the practical foresight of David's administration.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several effective literary devices to convey its message of meticulous organization and comprehensive oversight. Enumeration is prominently used in the listing of locations for the storehouses ("fields, cities, villages, and castles"), which vividly illustrates the vast and comprehensive reach of Jehonathan's administrative oversight. This detailed listing emphasizes the thoroughness of David's system and the widespread nature of the kingdom's resource management. Furthermore, there is a clear Parallelism in the structure, presenting two distinct administrative roles (treasurer and storehouse manager) with their respective officials, highlighting the specialized nature of David's administration. This structural balance underscores the dual importance of financial capital and physical provisions. The naming of specific individuals, Azmaveth and Jehonathan, also serves as a form of Metonymy, where the person stands for the office, underscoring the personal accountability and delegated authority within David's government.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

1 Chronicles 27:25, though seemingly a dry list of names and titles, offers profound theological insights into the nature of godly leadership and the importance of wise stewardship. It reveals that God cares not only for spiritual matters but also for the practical, economic, and logistical well-being of His people. David's meticulous organization reflects a divine principle of order and preparation, demonstrating that faithful governance involves diligent management of all resources entrusted by God. This verse underscores that earthly wealth and provisions, whether liquid assets or agricultural produce, are gifts from God to be managed with wisdom, integrity, and foresight for the common good and the stability of the kingdom. It sets a precedent for leaders, both secular and spiritual, to exercise responsible oversight and to delegate authority wisely, ensuring that the resources under their care are utilized effectively for the flourishing of the community and the glory of God.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

This historical snapshot from David's administration holds timeless principles for contemporary life. It reminds us that good stewardship is not merely about managing finances but encompasses all resources—time, talents, relationships, and material possessions. Just as David meticulously organized his kingdom's wealth for stability and future prosperity, we are called to exercise wisdom and discipline in managing the "treasures" and "storehouses" of our own lives, whether personal finances, household provisions, or community assets. The verse encourages us to be intentional planners, recognizing that diligence and foresight lead to security and fruitfulness. Furthermore, David's practice of delegating authority to capable individuals highlights the importance of trusting others, empowering them with responsibility, and fostering a spirit of teamwork and accountability in our families, workplaces, and ministries. By embracing these principles, we can cultivate order, reduce waste, and ensure that our resources are used effectively to honor God and bless those around us, contributing to the flourishing of both our immediate spheres and the broader community.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "treasures" (valuable assets, skills, time) has God entrusted to me, and how am I currently managing them with wisdom and integrity?
  • What "storehouses" (provisions, resources, relationships) do I have access to, and am I stewarding them wisely for both present needs and future contingencies within my household or community?
  • In what areas of my life or work could I benefit from more meticulous planning, organization, and a more comprehensive approach to resource management, similar to David's administration?
  • Am I effectively delegating tasks and empowering others, or am I trying to manage everything myself? How can I improve in fostering teamwork and accountability in my spheres of influence?

FAQ

Why is such a detailed list of officials included in Scripture?

Answer: The inclusion of such detailed administrative lists, like 1 Chronicles 27:25, serves several important purposes. Firstly, it underscores the divine inspiration of Scripture, showing that God's interest extends to the practical, governmental, and economic aspects of a nation's life, not just its spiritual or ceremonial practices. Secondly, it highlights David's wisdom and foresight as a king chosen by God. His meticulous organization and delegation demonstrate a model of good governance, essential for the stability and prosperity of the kingdom. These details provide historical accuracy and context, affirming the reality of David's reign and the sophistication of the Israelite monarchy. Finally, they provide enduring principles for leadership, stewardship, and the importance of order, demonstrating that faithfulness to God involves diligent management of all resources and responsibilities entrusted to us, whether in a household, business, or national context, echoing the call to be faithful in little things.

What's the practical difference between "treasures" and "storehouses" in this context, and why is it significant?

Answer: In 1 Chronicles 27:25, "treasures" (אֹצְרוֹת, 'otsarot') refers primarily to the royal treasury, containing valuable assets like gold, silver, precious stones, and other non-perishable wealth. This represents the kingdom's liquid assets and financial reserves, crucial for large-scale expenditures, trade, and funding royal initiatives. "Storehouses" (אֲסָמִים, 'asamim'), on the other hand, specifically denotes facilities for storing agricultural produce such as grain, oil, and wine, distributed widely across the kingdom. This distinction is highly significant because it reveals the comprehensive and specialized nature of David's administration. It shows that David understood the different types of wealth and the unique management required for each. Managing financial capital (treasures) required a different skill set and infrastructure than managing perishable provisions (storehouses). This dual focus ensured both the kingdom's economic solvency and its food security, demonstrating a sophisticated and well-rounded approach to national resource management that was vital for the long-term stability and resilience of Israel, much like Joseph's wise management of Egypt's grain during famine.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While 1 Chronicles 27:25 details the meticulous earthly administration of King David, it ultimately points to the infinitely greater and perfect administration of King Jesus. David, as an earthly king, was a steward of material wealth and physical provisions for a temporal kingdom; Christ, as the divine King, is the ultimate Steward and Administrator of all creation and the spiritual riches of His eternal kingdom. Just as Azmaveth oversaw the king's treasures and Jehonathan managed the storehouses, Christ manages all things, for "in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things have been created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16). He is the one who perfectly provides for His people, not merely with physical sustenance but with spiritual nourishment and eternal life, assuring us that if we seek His kingdom, all our needs will be met (Matthew 6:33). The Church, as His body, becomes His "storehouse" of spiritual gifts and resources, where believers are called to be faithful stewards of the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8) and the diverse graces of God (1 Peter 4:10). Ultimately, David's earthly kingdom, with its ordered administration, foreshadows the perfect, eternal reign of Christ, where all things will be brought into perfect order under His sovereign rule, and His kingdom will have no end (Revelation 11:15).

Copy as

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 27 verses 16–34

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.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying 1 Chronicles 27:25 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.