And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.

1 CHRONICLES 28:1KJV
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1 Chronicles 28:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 28:1 mean?

1 Chronicles 28:1 describes King David gathering all the leaders of Israel—including tribal princes, military commanders, stewards of royal property, and other important officials and warriors—to Jerusalem. The verse sets the stage for an important announcement David is about to make to the nation’s leadership.

David himself is speaking as king, calling together every significant leader and official from across Israel. The setting is Jerusalem, and the occasion is a formal assembly where David will address the future of Israel, especially concerning the building of the temple. The verse emphasizes the wide range of leadership present, showing the importance and seriousness of what is about to happen.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 28:1

  • נָשִׂיא (nasí’, transliterated as "princes"): This word refers to leaders or chiefs, not just in a royal sense but also as heads of tribes and groups. The use of this word highlights the gathering of all levels of authority, not just military or royal officials.
  • מַחֲלֹקֶת (machălōqeth, transliterated as "companies" or "courses"): This term often means divisions or groups, especially in an organized or rotating service. Here, it refers to the organized structure of those who served the king, showing the administrative complexity of David’s kingdom.
  • חַיִל (chayil, transliterated as "valiant men" or "mighty men"): This word can mean strength, ability, or valor, and it often refers to warriors of proven courage or capability. Including these men shows that both civil and military strength were present at this assembly.

Why 1 Chronicles 28:1 matters

  • The verse shows how David involved every level of leadership in matters of national importance, underlining the unity and seriousness of what was to follow.
  • By listing so many types of leaders and officials, the verse highlights the organized and structured nature of Israel’s society at this time.
  • This gathering sets the stage for David’s instructions about the temple, making clear that the coming message is not just for Solomon but for all of Israel’s leadership.

Where else these words appear

“substance” Hebrew H7399 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
  • Genesis 36:7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

“companies” 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 27:5 The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
  • 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.

“assembled” Hebrew H6950 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

“officers” Hebrew H5631 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
  • Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.