1 Chronicles 27 34

1 Chronicles 27:34 kjv

And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.

1 Chronicles 27:34 nkjv

After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king's army was Joab.

1 Chronicles 27:34 niv

Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the royal army.

1 Chronicles 27:34 esv

Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army.

1 Chronicles 27:34 nlt

Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army.

1 Chronicles 27 verses

1 Chronicles 27 34 Meaning

This verse details the crucial advisory and military leadership structure within King David's administration. It explicitly names Ahithophel and Hushai as primary royal counsellors, noting their significant but distinct roles. The inclusion of Jehoiada and Abiathar as advisors "after Ahithophel" subtly alludes to transitions within the royal court, likely in the aftermath of Ahithophel's later betrayal. Conclusively, the verse affirms Joab's indispensable and overarching authority as the chief commander of David's entire army. It completes the picture of David's organized and supported reign.

1 Chronicles 27 34 Context

This verse functions as the culmination of 1 Chronicles chapter 27, which comprehensively lists the diverse military, tribal, and administrative officials appointed by King David. After detailing monthly military commanders, tribal leaders, and officers managing the royal estates and treasuries, the chapter concludes by specifying David's inner circle of royal advisors and the top military commander. The Chronicler emphasizes the structured and extensive organization of David's kingdom, presenting a stable and well-governed nation. While David's administrative lists might differ slightly from Samuel, they consistently underscore his dedication to order. The specific mention of Ahithophel and Hushai recalls their crucial roles during the Absalom rebellion (2 Samuel 15-17), a context understood by the original audience. The phrase "after Ahithophel" points to the continuation of the advisory function despite challenges or changes in personnel, ensuring governmental stability. This chapter portrays a powerful, well-managed kingdom established by divine providence and human organization, providing a template for future leadership and societal order for the returning exiles.

1 Chronicles 27 34 Word analysis

• And: The Hebrew conjunction "waw" (וְ) serves as a simple connective, linking this final part of the chapter to the preceding lists of officials, maintaining a flow of administrative detailing.
• Ahithophel: From Hebrew ’Ăḥîtōpel (אֲחִיתֹפֶל), literally meaning "my brother is folly" or "brother of folly." This is deeply ironic given his renowned wisdom as David's chief counselor, often equated to receiving a divine oracle (2 Sam 16:23). His name becomes powerfully symbolic of his ultimate betrayal and self-inflicted demise.
• was the king's counsellor: This signifies a position of immense power, trust, and influence. A counsellor directly advised the king on state affairs, policy, and strategy.
• Hushai: From Hebrew Ḥûshay (חוּשַׁי), meaning "hasty" or "speedy." He was "the Archite," identifying his geographical or tribal origin.
• the Archite: Indicates his lineage or tribal association from the Archites of Ephraim (Josh 16:2). This detail distinguishes him.
• was the king's companion: Hebrew rēaʿ ha-melekh (רֵעַ הַמֶּלֶךְ). This role goes beyond merely a counsellor; a "companion" (rēaʿ) typically implies a close, trusted friend, a confidant, or an intimate advisor. It denotes personal favor and deep loyalty, which Hushai notably demonstrated during the rebellion.
• and after Ahithophel: Hebrew wə’aḥărê ’Ăḥîtōfel (וְאַחֲרֵי אֲחִיתֹפֶל). This pivotal phrase indicates succession or subsequent prominent individuals in the advisory role, specifically following Ahithophel's time. Given the broader biblical narrative, it most likely refers to the period after Ahithophel's defection to Absalom and subsequent suicide, showcasing the continuity of David’s government.
• Jehoiada the son of Benaiah: This Jehoiada is distinct from the more well-known Benaiah the son of Jehoiada (who led the Cherethites and Pelethites, and became Joab's successor). This indicates a different individual within a prominent family, serving in an advisory capacity.
• and Abiathar: One of the two chief priests during David's reign (alongside Zadok). His inclusion highlights the integrated spiritual and political aspects of David's administration, as priests often served as royal advisors, drawing divine guidance.
• and the chief of the king's army was Joab: Hebrew śar ṣābā’ la-melekh Yôʾāb (שַׂר צָבָא לַמֶּלֶךְ יוֹאָב). Joab, son of Zeruiah (David's sister), was David's fiercely loyal, albeit often controversial, commander-in-chief, whose military prowess was foundational to the kingdom's expansion and security. This reconfirms his unwavering, supreme authority over David's military forces throughout the majority of the reign.

• Ahithophel was the king's counsellor; and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion: This pair signifies the dual nature of royal counsel: formal, sagacious advice (Ahithophel) and intimate, loyal friendship/intelligence (Hushai). The juxtaposition subtly sets up the tension that will play out during the rebellion, where the personal "companion" ultimately outwits the official "counsellor."
• and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: This grouping illustrates the resilience and continuity of David's administration. Even after a crisis involving a key counsellor, the advisory roles remained filled by competent and respected individuals, signifying divine faithfulness and administrative stability. It implicitly points to a transition of power after Ahithophel's removal.
• and the chief of the king's army was Joab: Placed as the concluding statement, this underscores the bedrock of David's kingdom – its formidable military strength, under the consistent leadership of Joab, a figure critical to the practical security and expansion of the monarchy.

1 Chronicles 27 34 Bonus section

The Chronicler’s focus on the orderly administration and spiritual oversight of David's reign is evident throughout chapters 23-27. The lists are not just historical records but serve a theological purpose: to remind the returned exiles of the ideal, divinely ordained structure of leadership under the Davidic covenant, offering a blueprint for their own community rebuilding. The slight variations in titles or names compared to the books of Samuel (e.g., the distinct mention of Jehoiada son of Benaiah here, as opposed to the more prominent Benaiah son of Jehoiada elsewhere) suggest the Chronicler’s thoroughness or his reliance on different administrative records, aiming for a complete, yet ideologically shaped, picture for his audience. The presence of both political advisors and a high priest among the counselors highlights the theocratic nature of Israelite governance, where civil rule and spiritual leadership were inextricably linked under God's chosen king.

1 Chronicles 27 34 Commentary

1 Chronicles 27:34 acts as a concise summary of the highest echelons of David's government: the royal advisors and the army commander. The Chronicler, compiling these lists for a post-exilic audience, emphasizes the order, strategic depth, and divine enablement of David’s kingdom. The mention of Ahithophel and Hushai, both known from the detailed narrative of Absalom's rebellion, serves to remind the reader of their significance to David's court, whether through their famed wisdom or their critical loyalty. The phrase "after Ahithophel" implicitly refers to the sequence of events where Ahithophel's role concluded, allowing for others like Jehoiada and Abiathar to hold influential advisory positions. This demonstrates the seamless functioning and continuity of David's administration, even through periods of crisis. Joab’s consistent presence as the military chief reinforces the stability of David’s command structure, vital for maintaining peace and achieving conquests. Collectively, these individuals represent the various pillars of Davidic rule—wise counsel, spiritual guidance, and military might—all operating under a unified kingship, testifying to the Lord's blessing on Israel's golden age.