1 Chronicles 27:4

And over the course of the second month [was] Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course [was] Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise [were] twenty and four thousand.

And over the course {H4256} of the second {H8145} month {H2320} was Dodai {H1737} an Ahohite {H266}, and of his course {H4256} was Mikloth {H4732} also the ruler {H5057}: in his course {H4256} likewise were twenty {H6242} and four {H702} thousand {H505}.

Over the division for the second month was Dodai the Achochi; Miklot was the chief officer of his division; there were 24,000 in his division.

Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader. There were 24,000 men in his division.

And over the course of the second month was Dodai the Ahohite, and his course; and Mikloth the ruler: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:4 is part of a detailed record of King David's administrative and military organization for his kingdom. This specific verse focuses on the second of twelve rotating monthly divisions of the army, highlighting a specific commander and his contingent.

Context

This chapter in 1 Chronicles provides an intricate look into King David's foresight and meticulous planning for the governance and defense of Israel. David established a system of twelve military divisions, each comprising 24,000 men, who served for one month out of the year in a rotating fashion. This ensured that a large, well-trained standing army was always available for national defense or other royal duties, while also allowing the vast majority of the fighting men to return to their homes and livelihoods for the rest of the year. This verse specifically names Dodai an Ahohite and Mikloth as the leaders responsible for the second month's course, overseeing their 24,000 men. This level of organization reflects David's wisdom in leadership, much like his organization of the Levites for temple service and his appointment of officials and princes, as recorded elsewhere in Chronicles.

Key Themes

  • Order and Organization: The primary theme is David's systematic approach to governing his kingdom. This rotating military service ensured efficiency and readiness, preventing chaos and ensuring national security.
  • Leadership and Delegation: The verse highlights the specific individuals, Dodai and Mikloth, responsible for this division, underscoring the importance of capable leaders and effective delegation in large-scale operations.
  • Preparedness: The system ensured that Israel always had a significant, trained force ready for any eventuality, demonstrating a strategic understanding of defense.
  • Accountability: Each leader was responsible for a specific number of men and a defined period, illustrating a clear chain of command and accountability within David's administration.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "course" (Hebrew: מַחֲלֹקֶת, machaloqeth) refers to a division, class, or rotation. It emphasizes the structured, systematic arrangement of these military units. This term is also used in the Bible to describe the divisions of priests and Levites, indicating a common organizational principle throughout David's kingdom for various services.

Practical Application

The meticulous organization seen in 1 Chronicles 27:4 offers valuable lessons for today. Just as David understood the importance of structure and delegation for the stability of his kingdom, we can apply these principles to our personal lives, families, and communities. Good planning, clear roles, and accountability are essential for achieving goals and maintaining order. This verse reminds us that effective leadership involves not just vision, but also the practical implementation of systems to achieve that vision. It underscores the biblical principle that God is a God of order, not of confusion, and encourages us to pursue order in our own endeavors.

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.

  • 2 Samuel 23:9

    And after him [was] Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, [one] of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines [that] were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

  • 1 Chronicles 11:12

    And after him [was] Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who [was one] of the three mighties.
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