Twelve Commanders for the Twelve Months
The kingdom's civil order: twenty-four thousand men serving one month each, tribal officers, and stewards over vineyards, olive groves, herds and camels. Even the counsellors are named — and the census that angered our Father is quietly noted as unfinished.
27 1 This is the count of Israel's people — heads of families, commanders of thousands and hundreds, and officers serving the king in every matter of the divisions that rotated monthly through the year, each division 24,000.
2 Over the first division, for the first month, was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel; his division numbered 24,000. 3 He was a descendant of Perez, chief of all army commanders for the first month. 4 Dodai the Ahohite led the second month's division; Mikloth was its chief officer—24,000 men. 5 Third army commander, for the third month: Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest, chief; his division: 24,000. 6 This Benaiah was the mighty man of the thirty and their leader; his son Ammizabad led his division. 7 Fourth, for the fourth month: Asahel, Joab's brother, then his son Zebadiah; his division: 24,000. 8 The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; his division numbered 24,000. 9 The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; his division numbered 24,000. 10 Seventh, for month seven: Helez the Pelonite, of Ephraim's descendants; his division: 24,000. 11 The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; his division numbered 24,000. 12 The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, of the Benjamites; his division numbered 24,000. 13 The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zerahites; his division numbered 24,000. 14 Eleventh, for month eleven: Benaiah the Pirathonite, from Ephraim's descendants; his division: 24,000. 15 Twelfth, for the twelfth month: Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel's clan; 24,000 in his division.
Officers Over the Tribes of Israel
16 Over Israel's tribes: Reubenites' leader was Eliezer son of Zichri; Simeonites' leader, Shephatiah son of Maacah. 17 for Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok; 18 for Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers; for Issachar, Omri son of Michael; 19 for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel; 20 For Ephraim's descendants, Hoshea son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah. 21 for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner; 22 for Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 23 David did not count those twenty years old and under, since our Father promised to make Israel as many as heaven's stars. 24 Joab son of Zeruiah started counting but didn't finish; anger came on Israel over it, so the total never appeared in King David's record.
Officials Over the King's Properties
25 Azmaveth son of Adiel oversaw the king's treasuries, and Jonathan son of Uzziah oversaw the storehouses in the fields, towns, villages, and towers. 26 Over the field workers who tilled the soil was Ezri son of Chelub. 27 Shimei the Ramathite oversaw the vineyards; Zabdi the Shiphmite oversaw their produce for the wine cellars. 28 Baal-hanan the Gederite oversaw the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the foothills; Joash oversaw the olive oil stores. 29 Shitrai the Sharonite oversaw herds grazing in Sharon; Shaphat son of Adlai oversaw herds in the valleys. 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. 31 Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite; all these were officials over King David's property.
32 Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a discerning scribe; and Jehiel son of Hachmoni cared for the king's sons. 33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend. 34 After Ahithophel: Jehoiada son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab commanded the king's army.
