Military and Civil Organization

1This is the list of the Israelite heads of families and clan leaders and their officials who administered the work of the kingdom. Each month of the year a different group of 24,000 men was on duty under the commander for that month.

2-15The following were the commanders for each month:

First month: Jashobeam son of Zabdiel (he was a member of the clan of Perez, a part of the tribe of Judah)

Second month: Dodai, a descendant of Ahohi (Mikloth was his second in command)27.2–15 Probable text Mikloth… command; Hebrew unclear.

Third month: Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest; he was the leader of “The Thirty” (his son Ammizabad succeeded him as commander of this group)

Fourth month: Asahel, brother of Joab (his son Zebadiah succeeded him)

Fifth month: Shamhuth, a descendant of Izhar

Sixth month: Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa

Seventh month: Helez, an Ephraimite from Pelon

Eighth month: Sibbecai from Hushah (he was a member of the clan of Zerah, a part of the tribe of Judah)

Ninth month: Abiezer from Anathoth in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin

Tenth month: Maharai from Netophah (he was a member of the clan of Zerah)

Eleventh month: Benaiah from Pirathon in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim

Twelfth month: Heldai from Netophah (he was a descendant of Othniel).

Administration of the Tribes of Israel

16-22This is the list of the administrators of the tribes of Israel:

2327.23: Gen 15.5; 22.17; 26.4King David did not take a census of the people who were under the age of twenty, because of the LORD's promise to make the people of Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky. 2427.24: 2 Sam 24.1–15; 1 Chr 21.1–14Joab, whose mother was Zeruiah, began to take a census, but he did not complete it. God punished Israel because of this census, so the final figures were never recorded in King David's official records.

Administrators of the Royal Property

25-31This is the list of those who administered the royal property:

Royal storerooms: Azmaveth son of Adiel

Local storerooms: Jonathan son of Uzziah

Farm labour: Ezri son of Chelub

Vineyards: Shimei from Ramah

Wine cellars: Zabdi from Shepham

Olives and sycomore trees (in the western foothills): Baal Hanan from Geder

Olive oil storage: Joash

Cattle in the Plain of Sharon: Shirtai from Sharon

Cattle in the valleys: Shaphat son of Adlai

Camels: Obil, an Ishmaelite

Donkeys: Jehdeiah from Meronoth

Sheep and goats: Jaziz, a Hagrite.

David's Personal Advisers

32Jonathan, King David's uncle, was a skilful adviser and a scholar. He and Jehiel son of Hachmoni were in charge of the education of the king's sons. 33Ahithophel was adviser to the king, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend and counsellor. 34After Ahithophel died, Abiathar and Jehoiada son of Benaiah became advisers. Joab was commander of the royal army.