The Groups of Fighting Men in the Army
27 Here is the list of the Israelites who served in the king’s army. They included leaders of families. They included commanders of thousands of men and commanders of hundreds. They also included other officers. All of them served the king in everything concerning the army’s fighting groups. These groups were on duty month by month all through the year. The total number of men in each group was 24,000.
2 Jashobeam was in charge of the first fighting group for the first month. He was the son of Zabdiel. The total number of men in Jashobeam’s group was 24,000. 3 He belonged to the family line of Perez. He was chief of all the army officers for the first month.
4 Dodai was in charge of the second fighting group for the second month. He belonged to the family line of Ahoah. Mikloth was the leader of Dodai’s group. The total number of men in Dodai’s group was 24,000.
5 The third army commander for the third month was Benaiah the priest, the son of Jehoiada. Benaiah was the chief. The total number of men in Benaiah’s fighting group was 24,000. 6 That same Benaiah was a mighty warrior among the 30 chiefs. In fact, he was leader over the 30 chiefs. His son Ammizabad was in charge of Benaiah’s group.
7 The fourth commander for the fourth month was Joab’s brother Asahel. Asahel’s son Zebadiah was the next commander after him. The total number of men in Asahel’s fighting group was 24,000.
8 The fifth commander for the fifth month was Shamhuth. He was an Izrahite. The total number of men in Shamhuth’s fighting group was 24,000.
9 The sixth commander for the sixth month was Ira. He was the son of Ikkesh from Tekoa. The total number of men in Ira’s fighting group was 24,000.
10 The seventh commander for the seventh month was Helez. He was a Pelonite from Ephraim. The total number of men in Helez’s fighting group was 24,000.
11 The eighth commander for the eighth month was Sibbekai. He was a Hushathite from Zerah. The total number of men in Sibbekai’s fighting group was 24,000.
12 The ninth commander for the ninth month was Abiezer. He was from Anathoth in Benjamin. The total number of men in Abiezer’s fighting group was 24,000.
13 The tenth commander for the tenth month was Maharai. He was a Netophathite from Zerah. The total number of men in Maharai’s fighting group was 24,000.
14 The 11th commander for the 11th month was Benaiah. He was from Pirathon in Ephraim. The total number of men in Benaiah’s fighting group was 24,000.
15 The 12th commander for the 12th month was Heldai. He was a Netophathite from the family line of Othniel. The total number of men in Heldai’s fighting group was 24,000.
The Leaders of the Tribes
16 Here are the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
Over the tribe of Reuben was Eliezer, the son of Zikri.
Over Simeon was Shephatiah, the son of Maakah.
17 Over Levi was Hashabiah, the son of Kemuel.
Over Aaron was Zadok.
18 Over Judah was Elihu. He was David’s brother.
Over Issachar was Omri, the son of Michael.
19 Over Zebulun was Ishmaiah, the son of Obadiah.
Over Naphtali was Jerimoth, the son of Azriel.
20 Over Ephraim was Hoshea, the son of Azaziah.
Over half of the tribe of Manasseh was Joel, the son of Pedaiah.
21 Over the half of the tribe of Manasseh in Gilead was Iddo, the son of Zechariah.
Over Benjamin was Jaasiel, the son of Abner.
22 Over Dan was Azarel, the son of Jeroham.
These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
23 David didn’t count the men who were 20 years old or less. That’s because the Lord had promised to make the people of Israel as many as the stars in the sky. 24 Joab, the son of Zeruiah, began to count the men. But he didn’t finish. The Lord was angry with Israel because David had begun to count the men. So the number wasn’t written down in the official records of King David.
Other Officials of the King
25 Azmaveth was in charge of the royal storerooms. He was the son of Adiel.
Jonathan was in charge of the storerooms in the fields, towns, villages and lookout towers. He was the son of Uzziah.
26 Ezri was in charge of the workers who farmed the land. He was the son of Kelub.
27 Shimei was in charge of the vineyards. He was from Ramah.
Zabdi was in charge of the grapes from the vineyards. He was also in charge of storing the wine. He was a Shiphmite.
28 Baal-Hanan was in charge of the olive trees and sycamore-fig trees in the western hills. He was from Geder.
Joash was in charge of storing the olive oil.
29 Shitrai was in charge of the herds that ate grass in Sharon. He was from Sharon.
Shaphat was in charge of the herds in the valleys. He was the son of Adlai.
30 Obil was in charge of the camels. He was from the family line of Ishmael.
Jehdeiah was in charge of the donkeys. He was from Meronoth.
31 Jaziz was in charge of the flocks. He was a Hagrite.
All these men were the officials in charge of King David’s property.
32 Jonathan was David’s uncle. He gave good advice. He was a man of understanding. He was also a secretary.
Jehiel took care of the king’s sons. He was the son of Hakmoni.
33 Ahithophel was the king’s adviser.
Hushai was the king’s trusted friend. He was an Arkite.
34 Jehoiada and Abiathar became the next advisers after Ahithophel. Jehoiada was the son of Benaiah.
Joab was the commander of the royal army.
