Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

1 CHRONICLES 27:1KJV
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1 Chronicles 27:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 27:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 27:1 describes how the people of Israel were organized for service to the king, listing the leaders, commanders, and officers responsible for overseeing groups of thousands and hundreds. The verse explains that each group, made up of 24,000 men, took turns serving the king each month throughout the year.

This verse is part of a record showing how King David set up a rotating system for military and administrative duties among the Israelites. The focus is on order and structure, highlighting the chief fathers, captains, and officers who managed these divisions, ensuring that the king always had a ready force without burdening the whole nation at once.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 27:1

  • "courses" (מַחֲלֹקֶת, maḥăloqet): This word refers to organized divisions or shifts. Here, it means the rotating groups of men who served each month, showing a planned and systematic approach to leadership and service.
  • "officers" (שָׁטַר, shāṭar): This term means officials or administrators. Their mention points to an administrative layer in addition to military leadership, emphasizing thorough organization.
  • "served" (שָׁרַת, shārat): This word means to minister or serve. It highlights that the work was not just military but also service to the king, covering a range of responsibilities.

Why 1 Chronicles 27:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s leadership under David was highly organized, with a clear system for sharing responsibilities and avoiding burnout or neglect.
  • The mention of specific numbers and roles shows the seriousness with which the king’s service was managed, reflecting both military readiness and administrative care.
  • Understanding this structure helps make sense of the following verses, which list the leaders of each division, and shows how David’s reign was marked by order and planning.

Where else these words appear

“officers” Hebrew H7860 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 5:6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
  • Joshua 23:2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:

“courses” Hebrew H4256 · used in 36 verses

  • Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:6 This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
  • 1 Chronicles 28:21 And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

“served” Hebrew H8334 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • Esther 1:10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

“number” Hebrew H4557 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;