1 Chronicles 27:25

III.—THE TWELVE OVERSEERS OF THE ROYAL ESTATES AND PROPERTY (1Ch_27:25-31).

The number of these officers is noticeable, twelve being a normal number in Israelite institutions.

(25) And over the king’s treasures.—That is, those of the palace on Zion.

And over the storehouses.—The Hebrew has the same word “treasures.” The treasures “in the fields” (sâdèh), or the country, in the cities, the villages and the “castles” (migdâlîm), or towers (2Ch_26:10; Mic_4:8), include all that belonged to David outside the walls of Jerusalem.

Jehonathan was comptroller-general of the revenues from these sources.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Ch 27:25 And over the king’s treasures [was] Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, [was] Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:

Ver. 25. And over the king’s treasures.] Rich men are but God’s treasurers; and to him they must be accountable.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

This section is important as showing that David, the younger son of a not very opulent family 1Sa 16:11, 1Sa 16:20, had now become a large landed proprietor, as well as a capitalist, possessed of much moveable wealth. We may perhaps see the sources of both these kinds of property, in the successful wars which he had waged 1Sa 27:8-9; 1Sa 30:20; 2Sa 8:4, 2Sa 8:7-8, 2Sa 8:12; in the revenue derived from subject kings 1Sa 8:2, 1Sa 8:14; 1Sa 10:19; and in the purchase and occupation of lands in different places. Further, he enjoyed, of course, the usual rights of a Jewish king over the landed property of his subjects, and was thus entitled to receive a tithe of the produce in tithes (1Sa 8:15, 1Sa 8:17) and in “benevolences.” Compare 1Sa 10:27; 1Sa 16:20, etc.

1Ch 27:25

The castles - Probably the watchtowers in the border districts, exposed to raids from the plundering tribes of the desert 2Ch 26:10; 2Ch 27:4.

1Ch 27:28

In the low plains - Rather, “in the Shephelah,” the proper name of the low tract between the hill country of Judaea and the Mediterranean.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

1Ch 27:25. Over the king’s treasures — Of gold, or silver, or other things of great price, which, for greater security, were kept in Jerusalem, and in the king’s palace; and thither the tribute-money also was sent, and committed to Azmaveth’s care. Over the store-houses in the fields — Of the fruits of the earth, or that share of them which belonged to the king, which were laid up in the fields, or cities, or villages, or castles, as there was convenience and occasion.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

27:25-31 Ancient kings, including David, acquired large amounts of property for themselves. This list records various aspects of David’s estate, including storehouses in Jerusalem and the provinces, property used for agricultural purposes, and various types of livestock.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

over the king's treasures--Those treasures consisted of gold, silver, precious stones, cedar-wood, &c.; those which he had in Jerusalem as distinguished from others without the city.

the storehouses in the fields--Grain covered over with layers of straw is frequently preserved in the fields under little earthen mounds, like our potato pits.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 25. - 31. Over the king's treasures] We see from these verses in what the personal property of David consisted: -

1. Treasures, gold, silver, &c.

2. Goods and grain in castles, cities villages, and in the fields.

3. Vineyards and their produce.

4. Olive-trees and their produce.

5. Neat cattle, in different districts.

6. Camels and asses: they had no horses.

7. Flocks, sheep, goats, &c.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

25–31. Various Officers of the King

Twelve different officers are named here who acted as stewards of king David’s property.

25. treasures … storehouses] R.V. treasuries … treasuries (the same Heb. word is repeated).

castles] Lit. towers; cp. 2Ch_26:10; 2Ch_27:4.

Jehonathan] R.V. Jonathan.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel,.... The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury, who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer, either by a levy on his own people, or by the tribute of others: Jehonathan the son of Uzziah had the care of the storehouses, in which were laid up what the fields, cities, villages, and castles that belonged to the king produced, whether by fruits gathered in, or by rents collected: Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields, employed in the tillage of the ground: Shimei of Ramath, in the tribe of Benjamin, had the care of the vineyards, to see that they were dressed and pruned, and kept in good order: Zabdi of Shepham, Num 34:10 had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes, both in the presses and in the cellars: Baalhanan of Gedor, in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:36 was over the olive and sycamore trees, to see that they were well taken care of: and Joash was entrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited: Shitrai the Sharonite had the herds of cattle fed in Sharon committed to his trust; whether in Sharon beyond Jordan, or that about Lydda and Joppa, near the Mediterranean sea, both affording fruitful pastures for herds; and this man, being of Sharon, was a fit man to be employed in such service: and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over those herds that were in the valleys, where were good pastures for them; such officers Pharaoh king of Egypt had, Gen 47:6 and as early as the times of Ninus king of Assyria, one named Simma was master of the king's cattle (l), as Faustulus was to Amulius king of the Latines (m); and so Tyrrhus in Virgil (n) had the command of all the king's cattle; and Cicero mentions another in the same office (o): Obil the Ishmaelite (an Arab, as the Targum) had the care of the camels; and a very proper person he was, who must know the nature of them, and how to manage them, Arabia, or the land of the Ishmaelites, abounding with them. This man was so called, either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and was proselyted to the Jewish religion; or he was an Israelite that had dwelt some time in the land of Ishmael, and therefore so called. Bochart (p) thinks he had his name of Obil from his office, the word in the Arabic language signifying a keeper of camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the asses, which were employed in ploughing and carrying burdens; and Jaziz the Hagarite was over the flocks of sheep, the chief shepherd, who had the command of all the under shepherds, and a very proper person, being an Hagarite, or Arab; for such dwelt in tents for the sake of pasturage for their flocks, as Jarchi notes: these were the principal men that had the care of David's personal substance; so, in later times, the Roman Caesars (q) had such sort of servants to take care of their farms, fields, fruit, cattle, &c. the rest that follow were David's courtiers. Jonathan, or to whom David was uncle, the son of Shimea, his brother being a wise and learned man, was his counsellor, see Sa2 21:21 and Jehiel the Hachmonite was preceptor, or tutor to the king's sons, that brought them up, and took care of their education; Ahithophel was his counsellor until the conspiracy and rebellion of Absalom; and Hushai the Archite was his companion, friend, and favourite, with whom he conversed at leisure hours. After the death of Ahithophel, Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar, were his counsellors, and Joab the general of his army.

(l) Diodor. Sicul. l. 2. p. 93. (m) Liv. Hist. Decad. 1. l. 1. p. 5. (n) Aeneid. l. 7. Tyrrhusque pater, &c. ver. 485. (o) Apud Servium, in ib. (p) Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. col. 77. (q) Vid. Pignorium de Servis, p. 548.

Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 28

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Treasures of gold, &c., as those of provisions had other officers. (Calmet) --- Were in. Hebrew and Septuagint add, "the fields, in the cities," &c. (Haydock) --- This must be understood of corn; wine is mentioned afterwards. Nothing could give us a higher opinion of David’s wisdom than these details.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Over the king’s treasures; of gold or silver, or other things of great price, which for greater security were kept in Jerusalem, and in the king’s palace; and thither the tribute money also was sent and committed to his care.

Over the storehouses of the fruits of the earth, or that share of them which belonged to the king, which were laid up in the fields, or cities, or villages, or castles, as there was conveniency and occasion.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

OFFICERS OF THE KING’S REVENUE, 25-31.

This section is interesting as showing the various kinds and sources of David’s royal revenue. Precious metals, grains, fruits, wine, oil, flocks, and herds, furnished each their measure “of the substance which was King David’s.” A stone tablet containing the amount of information here given of any heathen king of David’s time would be gladly bought by the payment of thousands of dollars; and many a sceptic, who treats the Bible with comparative scorn, would be ready to extol the heathen tablet to the skies.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 25-31. These verses have for their primary object, not to give an exhaustive summary of the wealth of David and the sources thereof, but to give the names of those persons who were charged with the care, or the management and care, of" it. The classification, however, is interesting, and may be naturally expected to be tolerably complete. We do not find any distinction made between such property as might have belonged to David as private property, and such as belonged to him as king probably because there was none worth making.

For storehouses, read, as in former clause, treasures. The suggestion of the second half of this verse in comparison with the first is that Azmaveth"s charge was over treasures in Jerusalem. For the castles, 2Ch_17:12 2Ch_27:4. The word rx; wOa, though the same in both clauses, may probably enough cover precious treasure, as of gold, silver, costly raiment, etc., (1Ki_14:26 1Ki_15:18) more particularly in the first clause, and grain, fruit, etc., (2Ch_11:11) in the latter, for the word has distinctly this double application. (See for some illustration of this verse also, Sallust., "De Belle Jugurth.," 12.)

Vers. 25-31.

Earth"s produce.

David was a man of war, and it is not surprising that these historical books are largely occupied with an enumeration of his armies, catalogues of his mighty men of valour, and records of his military exploits. But it is interesting and instructive to observe that the chronicler does not pass unnoticed matters which give an aspect of peace and prosperity to David"s reign. The king was not only a commander and a judge, but also an administrator and an economist. The chronicler, in referring as he does in this place to the accumulation of wealth and to material prosperity generally, indicates that in his judgment a nation"s greatness does not consist simply in the number of its warriors or the brilliance of its feats of arms.

I THE PRODUCE OF THE EARTH IS FROM THE LORD. There are here enumerated the stores of corn, the vineyards and the oliveyards, the flocks, the camels, and the herds which largely constituted David"s wealth. "The earth is the Lord"s, and the fulness thereof.

II THE GIFTS OF GOD"S BOUNTY ARE TO BE RECEIVED WITH GRATITUDE. The Creator has made all things for man"s use and comfort.

hath put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, all beasts of the field." To him daily thanks are due.

III THE GIFTS OF GOD ARE TO BE ENJOYED WITH TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY. When the creature is abused, the Creator is dishonoured; but a just and temperate use of material wealth is improving to man and honourable to God.

IV THE POSSESSOR OF MATERIAL WEALTH SHOULD CONSECRATE ALL TO THE GIVER. Christians especially, who are "not their own," are bound to regard and to use all their property as God"s. So used, it will not minister to pride, but will become a means of grace. In this certainly David has set us an example worthy of imitation. T.

Vers. 25-31.

The trust of riches,

In these verses some of David"s wealth is enumerated, especially that portion which consisted in estates, herds, and flocks. Accepting life on the earth as the sphere of our "probation," or "moral training," we need to see that all things which bear their influence upon us may be, and indeed are, used by God as agencies in this gracious work over which he presides. Riches, therefore, may be a Divine trust committed to some men with a distinct view to their culture through this trust; and it is precise]y this view of riches which needs to be more generally taught and apprehended, so that it may become a most solemn thing for any man to have this trust, and all who have it may be much more impressed with the responsibility of it than with the advantage and privilege of it. We easily take up with two imperfect notions.

1. We say that riches are tokens of Divine favour. But this may not be assumed as a universal fact. Riches may be a token of Divine wrath and judgment, and the very agency of a man"s punishment. And riches may be a sign of God"s anxiety about our moral state, and the need for subjecting us to some severe moral testing. To some natures no more searching test could be found than the trust of prosperity and wealth.

2. Or we say that riches are the rewards of virtue, and assume that men must be acceptable to God because they are rich, and that others must be out of acceptance, seeing that they are poor. But then we must face the difficulty which the Psalmist Asaph felt so bitterly (Ps 73) the wicked are often the rich, and the righteous are among the down-trodden poor. It is evident that no general rule will fit all cases, and that, in wise Divine orderings, wealth and poverty are arranged for the highest good of the individual and the permanent good of the whole. Did we know all, we should never envy those to whom God entrusts the riches. Neither of these conceptions is sufficiently true to be accepted without due consideration of certain other and important representations, such as

(1) that riches may be Divine judgments;

(2) that riches may be Divine trials;

(3) that riches always are Divine trusts, of which due account will presently be required.

Then attention needs to be directed to three things in relation to our riches:

(1) The wise care of them, as not ours, but God"s;

(2) the faithful use of them, as not given to us for our sake, but for the sake of others, whom we may bless by means of them; and

(3) the watchful culture of the souls life while in the enjoyment of them, seeing that the precise peril of them is that they tend to nourish a self-confidence which is fatally injurious to the soul"s health and life.

Illustrate from the parable of the farmer who was getting over-rich, and had no storehouses large enough for his harvests, but who was not rich toward God. And see the counsels given to the rich by the Apostle James.

R.T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel,.... The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury, who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer, either by a levy on his own people, or by the tribute of others: Jehonathan the son of Uzziah had the care of the storehouses, in which were laid up what the fields, cities, villages, and castles that belonged to the king produced, whether by fruits gathered in, or by rents collected: Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields, employed in the tillage of the ground: Shimei of Ramath, in the tribe of Benjamin, had the care of the vineyards, to see that they were dressed and pruned, and kept in good order: Zabdi of Shepham, Num 34:10 had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes, both in the presses and in the cellars: Baalhanan of Gedor, in the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:36 was over the olive and sycamore trees, to see that they were well taken care of: and Joash was entrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited: Shitrai the Sharonite had the herds of cattle fed in Sharon committed to his trust; whether in Sharon beyond Jordan, or that about Lydda and Joppa, near the Mediterranean sea, both affording fruitful pastures for herds; and this man, being of Sharon, was a fit man to be employed in such service: and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over those herds that were in the valleys, where were good pastures for them; such officers Pharaoh king of Egypt had, Gen 47:6 and as early as the times of Ninus king of Assyria, one named Simma was master of the king's cattle (l), as Faustulus was to Amulius king of the Latines (m); and so Tyrrhus in Virgil (n) had the command of all the king's cattle; and Cicero mentions another in the same office (o): Obil the Ishmaelite (an Arab, as the Targum) had the care of the camels; and a very proper person he was, who must know the nature of them, and how to manage them, Arabia, or the land of the Ishmaelites, abounding with them. This man was so called, either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and was proselyted to the Jewish religion; or he was an Israelite that had dwelt some time in the land of Ishmael, and therefore so called. Bochart (p) thinks he had his name of Obil from his office, the word in the Arabic language signifying a keeper of camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was over the asses, which were employed in ploughing and carrying burdens; and Jaziz the Hagarite was over the flocks of sheep, the chief shepherd, who had the command of all the under shepherds, and a very proper person, being an Hagarite, or Arab; for such dwelt in tents for the sake of pasturage for their flocks, as Jarchi notes: these were the principal men that had the care of David's personal substance; so, in later times, the Roman Caesars (q) had such sort of servants to take care of their farms, fields, fruit, cattle, &c. the rest that follow were David's courtiers. Jonathan, or to whom David was uncle, the son of Shimea, his brother being a wise and learned man, was his counsellor, see Sa2 21:21 and Jehiel the Hachmonite was preceptor, or tutor to the king's sons, that brought them up, and took care of their education; Ahithophel was his counsellor until the conspiracy and rebellion of Absalom; and Hushai the Archite was his companion, friend, and favourite, with whom he conversed at leisure hours. After the death of Ahithophel, Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar, were his counsellors, and Joab the general of his army.

(l) Diodor. Sicul. l. 2. p. 93. (m) Liv. Hist. Decad. 1. l. 1. p. 5. (n) Aeneid. l. 7. Tyrrhusque pater, &c. ver. 485. (o) Apud Servium, in ib. (p) Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. col. 77. (q) Vid. Pignorium de Servis, p. 548.

Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 28

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Azmaveth ... Adiel ... Jonathan ... Uzziah ... Ezri ... Kelub ... Zabdi

These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

in charge of

"responsible for guarding"

was over

This is an idiom. AT: "was in charge of"

fortified towers

"strong towers"

plowed the land

This means to dig into or break up the dirt before planting.

Ramathite

This is the name of a person from the city of Ramah. (See: How to Translate Names)

Shiphmite

This is the name of a person from the city of Shepham. (See: How to Translate Names)

wine cellars

These are the parts of a building that are below the ground and used to store wine.

translationWords

storehouse

watchtower

Shimei

Ramah

vineyard

wine

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

And over the treasuries of the king the treasuries of silver and gold. All this he proceeds to relate for David’s greatness, and even the one who was appointed over his she-donkeys.

and over the storehouses in the field and over what grew in the field: grains, wine, and oil, and all kinds of foods and drinks.

in the cities to supply the cities and to supply the cities of the king and his towers.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.