1 Chronicles 27:6 kjv
This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.
1 Chronicles 27:6 nkjv
This was the Benaiah who was mighty among the thirty, and was over the thirty; in his division was Ammizabad his son.
1 Chronicles 27:6 niv
This was the Benaiah who was a mighty warrior among the Thirty and was over the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.
1 Chronicles 27:6 esv
This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammizabad his son was in charge of his division.
1 Chronicles 27:6 nlt
This was the Benaiah who commanded David's elite military group known as the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was his chief officer.
1 Chronicles 27 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 27:1 | The list of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers’ households, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds… King David… | David's comprehensive organization |
| 1 Chr 27:5 | The third commander… for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada… who was the head of his division. | Context: Benaiah's role in the third month |
| 2 Sam 23:20-23 | Benaiah the son of Jehoiada… a mighty man… who had performed great exploits. He was chief of the thirty. | Benaiah's prowess and high rank |
| 1 Kgs 2:34-35 | Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and put him to death… And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in his place. | Benaiah as Solomon's trusted military leader |
| Exod 18:13-26 | Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good… You will surely wear out… for the task is too heavy for you.” | Wisdom of delegation in leadership |
| Num 11:16-17 | Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for Me seventy men… and bring them to the tent of meeting… so that they may bear the burden of the people with you.” | Shared leadership and burden |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. | Principle of divine order and administration |
| Tit 1:5 | For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what was undone and appoint elders in every city as I directed you. | Appointment of leaders and order |
| Acts 6:1-7 | The twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not pleasing for us to neglect the word of God to serve tables." | Delegation for efficient service |
| Deut 1:15 | So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and appointed them as heads over you, leaders of thousands and of hundreds, of fifties and of tens… | Structured leadership in ancient Israel |
| Josh 1:16-18 | They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go." | Loyalty and submission to appointed leaders |
| 1 Chr 24:1-19 | The divisions of the sons of Aaron… their order by their service when they came into the house of the Lord. | Pattern of ordered "divisions" for service |
| 1 Chr 25:8 | They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil. | Organized service through lot/delegation |
| 1 Chr 26:1-19 | Divisions of the gatekeepers: Of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore… His sons were Zechariah… | Family succession in structured roles |
| 1 Chr 28:10-12 | Now see, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and act. Then David gave to his son Solomon… the plans for all… the temple service. | David's foresight and detailed planning for future |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no guidance, the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. | Value of structured guidance and counsel |
| Prov 24:27 | Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, build your house. | Emphasizes preparation and order |
| Rom 13:1 | Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. | God's institution of governing authority |
| Heb 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. | Respect for leadership and structure |
| Isa 3:2-3 | The mighty man and the man of war… The judge and the prophet, and the diviner and the elder… | Recognition of specific leadership roles |
| 2 Sam 8:15 | So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people. | David's administrative diligence |
1 Chronicles 27 verses
1 Chronicles 27 6 Meaning
This verse specifies that Ammizabad, the son of Benaiah (who was a principal commander in David's army), was given direct oversight and leadership responsibility for the military division assigned to Benaiah himself. It highlights the delegation of authority and the organized structure of King David's administration and army.
1 Chronicles 27 6 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 27 details the administrative and military organization that King David established during his reign. Specifically, it lists the twelve divisions of 24,000 men each, intended for a monthly rotation of service in the royal army. This intricate system ensured that a large standing army was available for the kingdom's defense and operations throughout the year without overly burdening the entire population permanently. The chapter also outlines the commanders of these divisions, along with other high-ranking officials and royal counselors. Verse 6 specifically refers to the third of these monthly divisions. Benaiah, a celebrated warrior and a very trusted figure in David's court, was responsible for this third division (as per verse 5). However, this verse clarifies that Benaiah's son, Ammizabad, directly supervised or commanded "his division," likely indicating that Ammizabad was the active commander of that specific contingent for its month of service, operating under his father's overall authority, or in his father's stead due to Benaiah's many other significant duties. This reflects David's meticulous planning and delegation, establishing a robust and efficient system of governance.
1 Chronicles 27 6 Word analysis
This (זֶה - zeh): A demonstrative pronoun, referring directly back to the immediately preceding subject, which is the military division and its assigned commander mentioned in verse 5, Benaiah. It connects Ammizabad's role directly to the "third division" context.
Ammizabad (עַמִּיזָבָד - Ammizavad): This is a Hebrew proper noun, meaning "my kinsman is abundance" or "people of the gift." As a person's name, its significance here lies in his familial connection to Benaiah and his appointment to a leadership role within David's structured army. He is not elsewhere prominent in Scripture.
his son (בֶּן - ben): Denotes a direct male descendant. This indicates a strong family link, suggesting continuity and inherited, or at least delegated, authority within the household's military responsibilities. In ancient Israelite society, "son" could also refer to a close apprentice or one operating under a senior figure's authority. In this case, a biological son fits the direct delegation of duty.
was over (עַל - al): This Hebrew preposition implies direct authority, oversight, or being in charge of something. It signifies active leadership and control over the specific military contingent.
his division (מַחְלַקְתּוֹ - machlaqto): The Hebrew word "machlaqah" (from the root "chalaq," to divide) refers to a division, class, or apportionment. In this context, it is a military unit or contingent. The possessive suffix "-to" ("his") emphasizes that this was Benaiah's assigned unit, and Ammizabad was specifically in charge of that particular segment. It is the same term used for the priestly and Levitical divisions established by David for Temple service, highlighting a consistent administrative principle throughout the kingdom.
Ammizabad his son: This phrase group highlights the familial succession or delegation within key roles. It shows how responsibilities in David's structured system could be managed and maintained, potentially even across generations, under the overarching authority. Benaiah was a prominent figure, and having his son oversee his designated monthly command suggests either Benaiah's extensive responsibilities required delegation or David’s recognition of competence within Benaiah’s family line.
was over his division: This phrase explicitly states Ammizabad's direct role and the object of his authority. It confirms a specific, assigned task within David's highly organized military structure, emphasizing precise responsibilities rather than general duties. The system's robustness meant that even highly placed commanders like Benaiah had deputies to ensure the daily functioning of their assignments.
1 Chronicles 27 6 Bonus section
The chronicler's detailed emphasis on the organization of David's kingdom, particularly in military and cultic spheres, serves several purposes:
- Legitimacy and continuity: It underscores the stability and divine blessing upon David's rule, providing a foundation for subsequent kings.
- Order for God's purposes: It highlights the theological principle that God is a God of order, and orderly human institutions facilitate righteous governance and worship.
- Preparation for the Temple: The military organization ensured peace and stability, creating the conditions necessary for the vast project of Temple construction that Solomon would undertake. It showed how every aspect of the kingdom was systematically managed under David's leadership as a steward for God's larger plans. This emphasis on structure and careful planning serves as a testament to the comprehensive wisdom that God granted David for His people.
1 Chronicles 27 6 Commentary
1 Chronicles 27:6, though brief, provides valuable insight into the comprehensive and well-organized nature of King David's reign. It underscores David's remarkable administrative foresight and commitment to order, which was crucial for establishing a stable kingdom and preparing for the future building of the Temple. The meticulous details about military divisions, their monthly rotations, and the specific commanders, reflect a systematic approach to governance rooted in divine principles of order and preparation (1 Cor 14:40).
The mention of Ammizabad, Benaiah's son, overseeing "his" (Benaiah's) division is particularly significant. Benaiah was not only a chief of a division but also one of David's mighty men and later became commander of the army under Solomon. His many responsibilities likely necessitated capable delegation. This verse shows that leadership and administrative roles extended beyond David himself to a network of trustworthy individuals, even involving familial succession or trusted delegation. It demonstrates a wisdom in spreading the burden of leadership (Exod 18:13-26), ensuring continuity and efficiency within the governmental framework. This setup provided regular training, readiness, and equitable service for the people, preventing a perpetual standing army that could deplete resources or lead to unrest.
The precise organizational model presented here mirrors the systematic ordering of the priesthood and Levites (1 Chron 24-26), indicating a holistic approach to managing the kingdom's affairs—military, religious, and civic—all for the glory of God and the stability of His people.