26.1 Korahites. Korah was from the clan of Kohath (6.22). Asaph. Read “Ebiasaph” cf. the Septuagint.
26.4–8 The materials about Obed-edom are intrusive since he is not linked by descent to the Levites and since the total number in his family, sixty-two, is out of proportion with the rest of the chapter. Meshelemiah has eighteen in his family, Hosah thirteen (vv. 9, 11). On Obed-edom, see 15.18, 24; 16.38 (where his number is given as sixty-eight). V. 9 continues the content of v. 3. If vv. 4–8 are a later addition, then vv. 12–18, which presuppose them, are also a later addition.
26.12–18 See note on 26.4–8.
26.13 Lots. Cf. 24.5, 31; 25.8. David is not mentioned in this chapter since gatekeepers presuppose the existence of the temple, which David did not live to see.
26.14 In order to come up with four names for the four gates, both Shelemiah (Meshelemiah of vv. 1–2) and his son Zechariah were assigned gates.
26.16 Shuppim, a mistaken repetition of the previous Hebrew word. Gate of Shallecheth, otherwise unknown.
26.18 Colonnade. The Temple Scroll from Qumran (11QTemple) describes an area full of pillars in the temple, used for offerings. The total of the number of watches in vv. 17–18 is twenty-four, corresponding to the twenty-four courses of the priests and the singers.
26.20–32 Other Levites.
26.20 Ahijah, emended by many to “their brothers,” with the Septuagint. These brothers, or Gershonites (absent from vv. 1–19), were in charge of the temple treasuries (vv. 21–22); they (v. 20) or the Kohathites of Amram’s line (v. 25) were in charge of the treasuries of dedicated gifts (vv. 25–28).
26.22 The treasuries of the house of the LORD contained things like temple vessels.
26.23 These four levitical families are descended from Kohath. The Uzzielites are not mentioned in the rest of the chapter.
26.24 Shebuel. Cf. 23.12–16. A descendant of Moses’ son Gershom, he is in charge of both treasuries (but cf. v. 20).
26.25–27 The treasuries of the dedicated gifts contained booty won in battles (v. 27; cf. 18.7–8, 11).
26.25 Shelomoth, a descendant of Moses’ son Eliezer.
26.28 Abner, Saul’s general (cf. 27.21); Joab, David’s general. Samuel too had won military victories (1 Sam 7.3–14). The favorable mention of Saul contrasts with 10.13–14 and may indicate it is a later addition.
26.29 Izharites were Kohathites (v. 23). Officers and judges. See 23.4; Deut 17.9.
26.30 Work of the LORD and…service of the king, religious and secular responsibilities, including taxes. Cf. v. 32. Hashabiah and seventeen hundred Hebronites have oversight of Cisjordan.
26.31 David’s fortieth is his last year (29.27; 1 Kings 2.11).
26.31–32 Jerijah (cf. 23.19; 24.23) and twenty-seven hundred Hebronites have oversight of the two and a half Transjordanian tribes.
1 CHRONICLES 27
The Military Divisions
1This is the list of the people of Israel, the heads of families, the commanders of the thousands and the hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering twenty-four thousand:
2Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division in the first month; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 3He was a descendant of Perez, and was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month. 4Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division of the second month; Mikloth was the chief officer of his division. In his division were twenty-four thousand. 5The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of the priest Jehoiada, as chief; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 6This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the Thirty and in command of the Thirty; his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.a 7Asahel brother of Joab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadiah after him; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 8The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth, the Izrahite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 9Sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 10Seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, of the Ephraimites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 11Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 12Ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 13Tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai of Netophah, of the Zerahites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 14Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah of Pirathon, of the Ephraimites; in his division were twenty-four thousand. 15Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
Leaders of Tribes
16Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah son of Maacah; 17for Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok; 18for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri son of Michael; 19for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel; 20for the Ephraimites, Hoshea son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah; 21for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner; 22for Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 23David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars of heaven. 24Joab son of Zeruiah began to count them, but did not finish; yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered into the account of the Annals of King David.
Other Civic Officials
25Over the king’s treasuries was Azmaveth son of Adiel. Over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages and in the towers, was Jonathan son of Uzziah. 26Over those who did the work of the field, tilling the soil, was Ezri son of Chelub. 27Over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. Over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite. 28Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite. Over the stores of oil was Joash. 29Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite. Over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat son of Adlai. 30Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite. Over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. 31All these were stewards of King David’s property.
32Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe; Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. 33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. 34After Ahithophel came Jehoiada son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s army.
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a Gk Vg: Heb Ammizabad was his division
27.1–15 Commanders of the monthly divisions. The twelve commanders in this list are similar to twelve of the first sixteen chiefs recorded in 11.10–47. Two hundred eighty-eight thousand men were at the king’s disposal, with twenty-four thousand on duty each month. Since the list does not concern the Levites or the final acts of David, it is a later addition in this context. There is no evidence that civilians at David’s time served the king for a month each year. The model for this chapter may lie in the officials who provided food for Solomon’s household each month (1 Kings 4.7–19) and the priestly courses and other groups of twelve and twenty-four in the immediate context. The Davidic era is portrayed as a time of perfect order.
27.1 Commanders of the thousands and the hundreds, words denoting the military character of the following list.
27.4 Mikloth was the chief officer of his division, perhaps a marginal comment about the difference between this verse and 11.12, where Eleazar son of Dodo is called the Ahohite, or a corrupt doublet of v. 6b.
27.7 Asahel is killed by Abner early in David’s reign (2 Sam 2.18–23), when his kingdom included only Judah; Asahel could not have commanded troops for a united Israel one m
onth a year. The mention of his son Zebadiah is an effort to correct this error.
27.16–24 The aim of this list of tribal leaders, a later addition to the text, is to lessen the criticism of David for the census described in ch. 21. The number of tribes is kept at twelve by omitting Gad and Asher (the last of the twelve tribes in 2.2), although the tribe of Joseph is represented by three names: the Ephraimites and the two halves of Manasseh.
27.17 Aaron is never considered a tribe, and no father’s name is provided for Zadok.
27.18 Elihu. David has a brother Eliab, perhaps here misspelled, or Elihu might be an eighth son of Jesse mentioned, but not named, in 1 Sam 16.10–11; 17.12.
27.23 David’s census is compared to the one taken by Moses in the wilderness, which also numbers only those who are over twenty years of age (Num 1.1–19). This verse is an attempt to remove the guilt of David that permeates the account in ch. 21. Stars of heaven. Cf. Gen 15.5; 22.17.
27.24 Did not finish. In ch. 21 Joab is the one who objects to the census. The author explains why the census numbers for individual tribes did not appear in the Annals of King David, a source document known to him (but see 21.5, where numbers are given for Israel and Judah).
27.25–31 David’s twelve administrators, who manage his treasuries (or storehouses), agricultural endeavors, and livestock. This list indicates the probable sources of the king’s income. Cf. also the list of officials in 18.14–17.
27.32–34 David’s seven advisers.
27.32 Jonathan, not to be confused with Saul’s son and David’s friend of the same name.
27.33 Ahithophel. See 2 Sam 16.23; 17.23. He sides with Absalom and commits suicide. Hushai. See 2 Sam 15.32–37.
27.34 Abiathar, one of two high priests under David. Joab. Cf. 18.15.
1 CHRONICLES 28
Solomon Instructed to Build the Temple
1David assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the officials of the tribes, the officers of the divisions that served the king, the commanders of the thousands, the commanders of the hundreds, the stewards of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty warriors, and all the warriors. 2Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had planned to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God; and I made preparations for building. 3But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for my name, for you are a warrior and have shed blood.’ 4Yet the LORD God of Israel chose me from all my ancestral house to be king over Israel forever; for he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s house, and among my father’s sons he took delight in making me king over all Israel. 5And of all my sons, for the LORD has given me many, he has chosen my son Solomon to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6He said to me, ‘It is your son Solomon who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be a son to me, and I will be a father to him. 7I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues resolute in keeping my commandments and my ordinances, as he is today.’ 8Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and search out all the commandments of the LORD your God; that you may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever.
9“And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with single mind and willing heart; for the LORD searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will abandon you forever. 10Take heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary; be strong, and act.”
11Then David gave his son Solomon the plan of the vestibule of the temple, and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the mercy seat;a 12and the plan of all that he had in mind: for the courts of the house of the LORD, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts; 13for the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, and all the work of the service in the house of the LORD; for all the vessels for the service in the house of the LORD, 14the weight of gold for all golden vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service, 15the weight of the golden lampstands and their lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand and its lamps, the weight of silver for a lampstand and its lamps, according to the use of each in the service, 16the weight of gold for each table for the rows of bread, the silver for the silver tables, 17and pure gold for the forks, the basins, and the cups; for the golden bowls and the weight of each; for the silver bowls and the weight of each; 18for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
19“All this, in writing at the LORD’s direction, he made clear to me—the plan of all the works.”
20David said further to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 21Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be every volunteer who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.”
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a Or the cover
28.1–10 David’s public charge to Solomon echoes his private admonition (22.6–16).
28.1 The substance of 23.2 repeated. The groups listed include many that were discussed in chs. 23–27.
28.2 Footstool. Cf. Ps 132.7. Rest in this verse and in Ps 132 refers to the ark’s or to God’s rest, not the rest God gives to Israel. Cf. note on 22.9.
28.3 David the warrior is contrasted with Solomon, the man of peace. Cf. 22.8–9.
28.4 The choice of David is made through a series of eliminations, much as in earlier lot-casting ceremonies (cf. Josh 7.16–18; 1 Sam 10.20–21).
28.5 The oracle of Nathan (17.1–15) is fulfilled first of all in Solomon.
28.6 Only in Chronicles is Solomon designated as chosen. Cf. vv. 5, 10; 29.1.
28.7 The promise to Solomon is made conditionally, but his current obedience indicates that compliance is attainable.
28.8 This verse is addressed to the leaders of Israel and makes presence in the land conditional upon carrying out the commandments (Deut 5.33–6.3). Possess and leave, a challenge addressed to every generation.
28.9–10 Direct address to Solomon.
28.9 Plan and thought, vocabulary drawn from Gen 6.5; 8.21. Seek and abandon, typical words for obedience and disobedience in Chronicles (10.13–14; 2 Chr 15.2). The Chronicler has David articulate clearly the positive and negative consequences of the doctrine of retribution.
28.11–21 David’s provision of the plan for the temple and related items (vv. 11–13, 18b) and his gift of gold and silver for the furnishings of the temple (vv. 14–18a).
28.11 Plan, a technical term also used when God gives Moses instructions about the tabernacle (Ex 25.9, 40). David’s written plan comes from divine inspiration according to v. 19 (cf. “the hand of the LORD,” Ezek 1.3; 3.14). Detailed plans for the Second Temple are also given in Ezek 40–48. Room for the mercy seat, a reference to the innermost room, or holy of holies.
28.12 On the treasuries, see 26.22–28.
28.13a On the divisions of the priests and Levites, see chs. 23–24.
28.13b–18 The details about the temple vessels indicate that they serve as a source of continuity between the First and the Second Temples. Cf. 2 Chr 4.1–22; 36.18; Ezra 1.7–11; 7.19; 8.25, 33. The silver vessels are not mentioned elsewhere, but are presupposed in 2 Kings 25.15.
28.18 The ark is given emphasis by a repetition of the word plan. The reference to the golden chariot of t
he cherubim evokes the visions of Ezek 1; 10.
28.20–21 A final admonition to Solomon indicates the difficulties he faces.
28.20 He will not fail you or forsake you. Cf. Josh 1.5.
28.21 Skill. Cf. Ex 35.10. The reference to those who will assist Solomon sets the stage for ch. 29.
1 CHRONICLES 29
Offerings for Building the Temple
1King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced, and the work is great; for the templea will not be for mortals but for the LORD God. 2So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able, the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, besides great quantities of onyx and stones for setting, antimony, colored stones, all sorts of precious stones, and marble in abundance. 3Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: 4three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for overlaying the walls of the house, 5and for all the work to be done by artisans, gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver. Who then will offer willingly, consecrating themselves today to the LORD?”
6Then the leaders of ancestral houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the thousands and of the hundreds, and the officers over the king’s work. 7They gave for the service of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. 8Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, into the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with single mind they had offered freely to the LORD; King David also rejoiced greatly.
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