And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

2 SAMUEL 8:16KJV
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2 Samuel 8:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 8:16 mean?

2 Samuel 8:16 names two officials who served under King David. Joab was in charge of the army, while Jehoshaphat held a court office called “recorder.” The verse gives a glimpse of how responsibilities were divided among people serving the king.

The sentence begins a list of David’s officials, following the description of his rule in verse 15. Each man is identified by a parent’s name: Joab by his mother, Zeruiah, and Jehoshaphat by his father, Ahilud.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 8:16

  • “host” — צָבָא (tsava): This word can mean an army or an organized body of fighting men. Here it identifies the force over which Joab had command.
  • “recorder” — זָכַר (zakhar): This word is connected with remembering or bringing something to mind. The title is often understood to describe a court official concerned with records or matters brought before the king.

Where else these words appear

“Ahilud” Hebrew H286 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Samuel 20:24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
  • 1 Kings 4:3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
  • 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:

“Zeruiah” Hebrew H6870 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 18:2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
  • 1 Kings 2:22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 20:24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
  • 2 Kings 3:7 And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
  • 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.