SERIES K --- ISRAEL’S GOLDEN AGE --- LESSON 21
A STANDING ARMY
THE NATION’S LEADERS
From 1 Chronicles 27
King David reorganized the army, dividing it into twelve divisions, each one serving a month of active duty each year. There were twenty-four thousand men in each division, including the officers. The twelve divisions are listed here, with the commander for each and the month in which that division had active duty:
1 -- First month; Jashobeam, son of Zabdiel, descendant of Perez.
2 -- Second month; Dodai, a descendant of Ahohi. His chief officer was Mikloth.
3 -- Third month; Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, a high priest. He was leader of The Thirty, the greatest of David’s warriors. His son Ammizabad succeeded him.
4 -- Fourth month; Asahel, Joab’s brother. His son Zebadiah succeeded him.
5 -- Fifth month; Shamhuth from Izrah.
6 -- Sixth month; Ira, son of Ikkesh from Tekoa.
7 -- Seventh month; Helez from Pelona in the territory of Ephraim.
8 -- Eighth month; Sibbecai from the Hushite family, which was part of the larger family of Zerah.
9 -- Ninth month; Abiezer from Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.
10 -- Tenth month; Maharai from Netophah in Zerah.
11 -- Eleventh month; Benaiah from Pirathon in the territory of Ephraim.
12 -- Twelfth month; Heldai from Netophah in the region of Othniel.
Here is a list of the tribal leaders at this time:
1 -- Tribe of Reuben; Eliezer the son of Zichri.
2 -- Tribe of Simeon; Shephatiah the son of Maachah.
3 -- Tribe of Levi; Hashabiah the son of Kemuel. Aaron’s descendants within this tribe; Zadok.
4 -- Tribe of Judah; Elihu, King David’s brother.
5 -- Tribe of Issachar; Omri the son of Michael.
6 -- Tribe of Zebulun; Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah.
7 -- Tribe of Naphtali; Jerimoth the son of Azriel.
8 -- Tribe of Ephraim; Hoshea the son of Azaziah.
9 -- Half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead; Iddo the son of Zechariah.
10 -- The other half tribe of Manasseh; Joel the son of Pedaiah.
11 -- Tribe of Benjamin; Jaasiel the son of Abner.
12. Tribe of Dan; Azareel the son of Jeroham.
In his census, King David did not include anyone under twenty years of age, for Adonai had said He would multiply Israel like the stars of heaven. Joab did not finish the census he started, for YHVH in His anger sent a plague against Israel and the census totals were never entered in King David’s records.
Here is a list of some other leaders in Israel at that time and their responsibilities:
1 -- Azmaveth the son of Adiel; in charge of the king’s treasures.
2 -- Jonathan the son of Uzziah; in charge of the storehouses in the villages, cities and fortresses.
3 -- Ezri the son of Chelub; in charge of the farm labourers on the king’s land.
4 -- Shimei from Ramath; in charge of the king’s vineyards.
5 -- Zabdi from Shiphma; in charge of the king’s wine making and storage.
6 -- Baal-hanan from Gedera; in charge of the king’s olive groves and sycamore fig trees which were in the low plains area.
7 -- Joash; in charge of the olive oil.
8 -- Shitrai from Sharon; in charge of the herds in the Plain of Sharon.
9 -- Shaphat the son of Adlai; in charge of the herds in the valleys.
10 -- Obil from the territory of Ishmael; in charge of the camels.
11 -- Jehdeiah from Meronoth; in charge of the donkeys.
12 -- Jaziz the Hagrite; in charge of the sheep.
13 -- Jonathan, King David’s uncle; a wise counsellor and a scribe. He was the personal attendant of King David’s sons.
14 -- Ahithophel; the king’s counsellor.
15 -- Hushai the Archite; the king’s personal adviser.
16 -- Jehoiada the son of Benaiah; Ahithophel’s helper.
17 -- Abiathar; Ahithophel’s helper.
18 -- Joab; commander-in-chief of the army.
COMMENTARY
HOW DAVID’S ARMY WAS ORGANIZED
During peacetime, rotating divisions of twenty-four thousand men would be on military duty each month. In all of David’s kingdom, duties were carefully defined and strong leaders chosen. David’s army, headed by Joab, numbered two hundred eighty-eight thousand, and was divided into twelve regiments of twenty-four thousand. Each regiment was on duty one month of each year. The highest-ranking officers were divided into two groups, serving directly under Joab: The Top Three, and The Thirty. This second group eventually became fifty-three, but it kept its original name of The Thirty. In addition to military leaders, David also appointed twelve tribal officers to oversee political affairs, palace treasures and supplies, and other royal business.
More than any building, we are supposed to be the house that is called by God's name, yet we insist on filling our minds, hearts, and bodies with detestable things that drive away his presence. At least child sacrifice had a noble(ish) purpose in mind. The ancients killed their children to buy rain or military victory. Today we kill our children for convenience and comfort. Frequently "civilization" is just the veneer we put on to hide our barbarism.
Jeremiah 7:30-31
Good morning and happy Thursday! Here's some encouragement for your day. https://archive.aweber.com/awlist6425868/IT9AU
Cleanliness is next to Godliness…. something many parents tell their children when it’s time to clean something. Many children grow up believing this is from the Bible but it is not. The truth is that our Creator does bring order to chaos and we should maintain an organized life because we are made in His image. But there is no direct quote in the Bible to indicate that being clean brings us closer to our Creator. All too often it is when our heart is in a broken mixed up mess that we turn to seek His face.
"If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Ro 8
http://www.campephraim.org/jerusalem-camp/
Thought for Today: Thursday March 30:
We all have heard one time or another of the expression [Forgive and Forget]. But, is that really possible?? Perhaps someone has hurt you very deeply – and the emotional scars still ache in your memory. The last thing you think you could ever do is to forgive and forget. And yet, Yeshua goes even farther; He not only tells us to forgive and to forget, but to love the one who hurt us and that we must pray for their welfare. We must not erase them from our memories – we must make a point to pray earnestly for them. Again, the question: is it impossible?? Yes, if you are without YHVH Elohiym!
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