1 Chronicles 27:4 kjv
And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:4 nkjv
Over the division of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand.
1 Chronicles 27:4 niv
In charge of the division for the second month was Dodai the Ahohite; Mikloth was the leader of his division. There were 24,000 men in his division.
1 Chronicles 27:4 esv
Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division of the second month; in his division were 24,000.
1 Chronicles 27:4 nlt
Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah, was commander of the second division of 24,000 troops, which was on duty during the second month. Mikloth was his chief officer.
1 Chronicles 27 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 27:1 | Now these are the chief men of the children of Israel... who served the king in all matters of the courses… | Introduction to David's military courses |
| 1 Chr 27:2-15 | Details of all twelve monthly commanders and their divisions | The comprehensive structure of David's military organization |
| 1 Chr 11:12 | Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. | Dodai (or his son) is associated with David's elite warriors. |
| 2 Sam 23:9 | ...Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite... he was with David when they defied the Philistines... | Parallel account confirming the Ahohite's martial prowess and connection to David. |
| 1 Chr 12:8 | From the Gadites there were brave men... their faces like faces of lions, and swift as gazelles... | Description of David's elite warriors who joined him, showing martial excellence. |
| 1 Chr 23:6 | And David divided them into courses... for the priests and Levites. | Parallel administrative division (temple service), highlighting David's organizational genius. |
| 1 Chr 24:1-19 | Further detail on priestly courses established by David. | Extensive organization by lots, reflecting divine order in service. |
| 1 Chr 25:1-31 | Organization of temple musicians into courses. | Order and structure applied to various aspects of kingdom service. |
| 1 Chr 26:1-19 | Division of doorkeepers and treasurers into courses. | Administrative excellence extended to all governmental roles. |
| Exod 18:21 | Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God... and place such over them... | Principles of delegated authority and choosing capable leaders (Moses/Jethro). |
| Deut 17:15 | ...you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses... | God's instruction for Israel to have divinely appointed leaders. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. | The wisdom of well-organized leadership and strategic planning. |
| Prov 20:18 | Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. | Emphasis on planning and counsel in military and governmental affairs. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | Authority and order established by God, applying to governmental structures. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. | Principle of order and peace guiding divine arrangements, applicable to all God-ordained structures. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | Call for proper organization and decorum in all matters, including service. |
| Eph 6:10-17 | Finally, be strong in the Lord... Put on the whole armor of God... | Spiritual application of preparedness and readiness for battle, echoing military organization. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword... | The strength of God's word, related to the power of God's appointed people/armies. |
| Rev 7:4 | ...there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. | Symbolic military organization (12 tribes * 12,000) for God's purposes in the future. |
| Ezra 8:16-17 | ...and sent them forth unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia... | Recruitment and organized travel of returnees, showing administrative care in a different context. |
| Neh 1:3-4 | ...the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire... | Lack of military readiness leads to vulnerability and destruction, highlighting the importance of this. |
| Neh 11:1-24 | Details the re-population and organization of Jerusalem's residents, including priests, Levites, and guards. | Restoring order and establishing functional roles after the exile. |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 4 Meaning
1 Chronicles 27:4 details the structure of King David's organized military divisions. It specifically names Dodai the Ahohite as the commander of the second monthly course, responsible for leading a contingent of twenty-four thousand soldiers. This verse underscores the administrative wisdom and elaborate military preparedness maintained during David's reign, ensuring a strong and readily available force for the kingdom's security.
1 Chronicles 27 4 Context
1 Chronicles 27 is a significant chapter that elaborates on King David's extensive administrative and military organization. Prior to this chapter, David has solidified his kingdom, secured his reign, and made preparations for the building of the temple. Chapter 27 specifically outlines the leadership structure for David's permanent army, composed of twelve monthly rotating divisions, each numbering 24,000 men. This innovative system ensured a standing army of considerable size (288,000 total personnel) while allowing the majority of the fighting men to remain at their homes for eleven months of the year, attending to agriculture and family life.
Verse 4 specifically identifies Dodai the Ahohite as the commander for the second month, underscoring the methodical and orderly nature of this grand scheme. This systematic arrangement highlights David's wisdom as a ruler, guided by God, in maintaining a strong defense for Israel without unduly burdening the population or the treasury with a permanently deployed force of such magnitude. It showcases a highly advanced form of governance, reflecting a proactive approach to national security and internal stability.
Historically, this system represents a step beyond simple militia calls typical of tribal societies, towards a more sophisticated national army structure. It reveals a level of foresight and administrative detail rarely matched in ancient near Eastern kingdoms of the time, emphasizing David's effectiveness as "a man after God's own heart" in both military and civil matters.
1 Chronicles 27 4 Word analysis
- And next after him: Signifies sequence and continuation in the roster of commanders. This phrasing highlights the systematic nature of David's appointments, suggesting a well-ordered list.
- was Dodai: Dōḍay (דּוֹדַי). The name Dodai is possibly related to "Dodo" and means "beloved" or "lovesome." He is a key individual appointed by David to a high military office. This name links to Eleazar son of Dodo, who was one of David's "three mightiest" warriors (2 Sam 23:9, 1 Chr 11:12). While the verse could refer to Dodai himself being one of the mighty men, or perhaps the father/ancestor of a mighty man, the association underlines his family's military lineage and likely the reason for his appointment to this significant role. David typically selected trusted and proven men for leadership positions.
- the Ahohite: Hă’ăḥōḥı̄ (הָאֲחֹוחִי). This ethnic or familial designation indicates that Dodai belonged to the clan of Ahoah, who was a descendant of Benjamin (1 Chr 8:4). This tribe was known for its warriors and skilled slingers (Jdg 20:16; 1 Chr 8:40), linking Dodai to a lineage with military aptitude and historical significance within Israel.
- and his division: u-maḥaluqâthô (וּמַחֲלֻקָתֹו). This term, machalukah (מַחֲלֻקָה), means "division," "course," "class," or "allotment." It refers to the specific military contingent or rotating shift of soldiers. This precisely conveys the administrative structuring by David, not just a casual group, but a formally organized and appointed unit. It emphasizes order and rotating duty.
- was twenty and four thousand: (עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע אֶלֶף - ʿeśriym wᵉ ʾarbaʿ ʾelep̄). The number 24,000 signifies a massive and highly formidable force. This specific figure (24 x 1,000) for each monthly division points to David's ability to muster and manage an immense military force for national defense, security, and potential offense. This scale highlights the extensive resources and power of the United Kingdom of Israel under David's leadership.
1 Chronicles 27 4 Bonus section
- The military system outlined in 1 Chronicles 27 parallels David's organization of the Levites and priests into "courses" for temple service (1 Chr 23-26). This reflects a consistent administrative mindset from David, applying principles of order, rotation, and specialized leadership across various governmental and religious spheres. Both systems ensured continuous, efficient service with minimal permanent overhead.
- The commander "Dodai the Ahohite" being responsible for the second month of service places him strategically at the beginning of the annual cycle, indicating high confidence in his leadership. This particular roster of commanders, though detailed, omits a few known prominent military figures from David's time, possibly because they held different non-monthly specific roles (like Joab, the supreme commander) or were responsible for different units not covered by this monthly system.
- The detailed numbering (24,000) for each course emphasizes the reality and tangibility of David's kingdom. It counters any perception of Israel being a loosely connected group of tribes; instead, it reveals a highly structured and powerful ancient nation, capable of sustained military mobilization.
1 Chronicles 27 4 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:4 is a snapshot of King David's extraordinary foresight and organizational prowess, divinely inspired. By detailing Dodai the Ahohite as commander of the second of twelve rotating military courses, each with 24,000 men, the verse illuminates a crucial aspect of David's successful reign: meticulous planning and delegated leadership. This system was not merely about maintaining a large army but about ensuring constant readiness while integrating the military into the social and economic fabric of the nation, minimizing the burden on the populace. Dodai's appointment speaks to David's trust in proven leaders, often drawn from distinguished military families like the Ahohites. The scale of 24,000 men per month underscores the vast strength and capability of the unified Israelite kingdom under God's blessing, enabling them to protect borders, maintain internal order, and execute God's purposes in the land. This administrative masterstroke ensured peace through preparedness, demonstrating that good governance, discipline, and order are vital components of a flourishing kingdom guided by divine wisdom.