TRV
Translation
King James Version
And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
Complete Jewish Bible
In charge of the vineyards was Shim'i the Ramati, while Zavdi the Shifmi was responsible for the produce from the vineyards for the wine-cellars.
Berean Standard Bible
Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.
American Standard Version
and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
World English Bible Messianic
and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:
Geneva Bible (1599)
And ouer them that dressed the vines, was Shimei the Ramathite: and ouer that which apperteined to the vines, and ouer the store of the wine was Sabdi the Shiphmite:
Young's Literal Translation
and over the vineyards is Shimei the Ramathite; and over what is in the vineyards for the treasures of wine is Zabdi the Shiphmite;
In the KJVVerse 11,137 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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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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.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 27:27 provides a precise administrative snapshot of King David's meticulously organized kingdom, specifically detailing the officials responsible for the management of the royal vineyards. This verse highlights the distinct roles of Shimei the Ramathite, who oversaw the cultivation and maintenance of the vineyards themselves, and Zabdi the Shiphmite, who was charged with processing and storing the harvested produce in wine cellars. It underscores David's comprehensive approach to economic stewardship, ensuring the efficient production and preservation of one of ancient Israel's most vital agricultural resources, thereby contributing significantly to the kingdom's stability and prosperity.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler effectively employs several literary devices in this verse. Metonymy is evident as "vineyards" stands not merely for the land itself but for the entire viticultural enterprise, encompassing the cultivation process, the produce, and the associated labor. The text also utilizes Synecdoche by specifying "wine cellars," a part that represents the larger system of royal storage, resource management, and economic infrastructure. The meticulous listing of officials and their specific duties throughout 1 Chronicles 27 is a prime example of Cataloging, a common literary technique in historical narratives. This detailed enumeration serves to emphasize the thoroughness of David's administration, the vastness of his kingdom's operations, and the king's comprehensive control. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of two distinct, yet related, administrative roles within a single verse subtly highlights the practical administrative principle of Division of Labor, showcasing an organized and efficient approach to managing complex royal assets.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 27:27, though seemingly a mere administrative detail, contributes significantly to a broader biblical theology of stewardship, order, and the value of diligent labor. It illustrates King David's commitment to managing the resources entrusted to him by God with remarkable foresight and diligence, reflecting the profound principle that all earthly possessions are ultimately God's, and humanity serves as His appointed managers. This meticulous organization of agricultural assets underscores the importance of practical wisdom, responsible governance, and disciplined labor in ensuring the well-being and prosperity of a nation. It implicitly teaches that effective leadership involves not only grand vision but also meticulous attention to detail, strategic delegation, and valuing the diverse skills of individuals for the common good, mirroring God's own orderly creation and providential care over His creation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly mundane verse from David's administrative records offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary life, particularly concerning leadership, stewardship, and the inherent value of every role within a community or organization. David's meticulous organization of his kingdom's resources, extending even to the specific management of vineyards and their produce, serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership encompasses not only strategic vision but also diligent attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to the efficient, responsible management of all that has been entrusted to our care. Whether in our personal finances, our professional responsibilities, our church ministries, or our community engagements, we are all called to be faithful stewards of our time, talents, and resources. This verse encourages us to recognize the indispensable importance of specialized skills and the manifold benefits of delegating tasks to those best suited for them, thereby fostering a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared purpose. It profoundly highlights that even seemingly "minor" or "behind-the-scenes" roles are absolutely vital for the overall health, flourishing, and sustained prosperity of any endeavor, contributing significantly to collective well-being and stability.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible include such detailed lists of administrators and their roles, like the one in 1 Chronicles 27?
Answer: The inclusion of detailed administrative lists, such as the comprehensive one found in 1 Chronicles 27, serves several crucial purposes within the biblical narrative. Historically, these lists provide authenticating details, offering a verifiable record of King David's reign and showcasing the sophisticated administrative capabilities of his kingdom, demonstrating a highly organized and functional monarchy. Theologically, the Chronicler emphasizes order, structure, and faithful stewardship as hallmarks of a kingdom blessed by God. These detailed enumerations illustrate David's wisdom in establishing a stable and prosperous nation not merely through military might, but through meticulous economic and administrative management, thereby reflecting the foundational biblical principle that God is a God of order, not chaos (1 Corinthians 14:33). Spiritually, these passages offer a timeless model for responsible leadership, highlighting the importance of every individual's contribution, no matter how specialized or seemingly mundane, to the overall health and flourishing of a community or nation. They underscore that effective governance, whether in a kingdom or a church, requires diligent planning and execution.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 27:27 meticulously details the earthly administration of King David's temporal kingdom, it subtly but profoundly points to the ultimate and perfect administration of God's eternal kingdom under the Lord Jesus Christ. David, as an earthly king, diligently managed the resources entrusted to him for the temporal well-being and prosperity of his people; Jesus, the true King and Son of David, manages all of creation, all of history, and all the spiritual resources of His kingdom for the eternal well-being and ultimate glory of His redeemed people. Just as David wisely appointed specialized roles for the meticulous care of his vineyards and their produce, Christ, as the Head of the Church, has sovereignly appointed diverse gifts, ministries, and roles to His body, the church, ensuring its spiritual growth, health, and fruitfulness (Ephesians 4:11-13). He is the ultimate and perfect Steward, who perfectly cultivates and oversees the "vineyard" of God's people, ensuring its spiritual fruitfulness and the preservation of its eternal produce for His glory (John 15:1-5). The order, efficiency, and comprehensive oversight evident in David's administration serve as a foreshadowing of the divine order, perfect governance, and sovereign control of Christ, who is actively bringing all things into subjection under His righteous rule, ultimately leading to the new heavens and new earth where perfect righteousness dwells and His people will enjoy eternal life in His presence (2 Peter 3:13).