Twelve Captains for Twelve Months

1This is the list of the Israelites (God prevails)—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division:

2Jashobeam (the people will return) son of Zabdiel (God is my endowment) was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. There were 24,000 men in his division. 3He was a descendant of Perez (breaking out) and chief of all the army commanders for the first month.

4Dodai (Dodo)a the Ahohite (brother of rest) was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth (staves) was the leader. There were 24,000 men in his division.

5The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah (YHWH has built up) son of Jehoiada (YHWH knows) the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division. 6This Benaiah (YHWH has built up) was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad (my people have bestowed) was in charge of his division.

7The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s (YHWH is father) brother Asahel (God-made), and his son Zebadiah (endowment of YHWH) was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.

8The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth (Shammah)b the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

9The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira (watchful of a city) son of Ikkesh (twisted) the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

10The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez (he has saved) the Pelonite (a certain one), an Ephraimite (doubly fruitful). There were 24,000 men in his division.

11The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai (weaver) the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

12The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer (my father is help) the Anathothite, a Benjamite (son of the right hand). There were 24,000 men in his division.

13The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai (impetuous) the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.

14The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah (YHWH has built up) the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite (doubly fruitful). There were 24,000 men in his division.

15The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai (Heled)c the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel (lion of God). There were 24,000 men in his division.

The Leaders of the Twelve Tribes

16These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel (he wrestles with God):

Over the Reubenites was Eliezer (God is my helper) son of Zichri (memorable);

over the Simeonites was Shephatiah (YHWH has judged) son of Maacah (oppression);

17over Levi (joined to) was Hashabiah (YHWH has considered) son of Kemuel (raised of God);

over Aaron (light bringer) was Zadok (righteous);

18over Judah (praised) was Elihu (He is my God), one of David’s (beloved) brothers;

over Issachar (there is recompense) was Omri (pupil of YHWH) son of Michael (who is like God);

19over Zebulun (exalted) was Ishmaiah (YHWH will hear) son of Obadiah (servant of YHWH);

over Naphtali (wrestling) was Jerimoth (He is Most High) son of Azriel (my help is God);

20over the Ephraimites (doubly fruitful) was Hoshea (salvation) son of Azaziah (YHWH is mighty);

over one of the half-tribes of Manasseh (causing to forget) was Joel (YHWH is God) son of Pedaiah (YHWH has ransomed);

21over the half-tribe of Manasseh (causing to forget) in Gilead (rocky region) was Iddo (timely / lovely) son of Zechariah (YHWH remembers);

over Benjamin (son of the right hand) was Jaasiel (God is maker) son of Abner (my father is a lamp);

22and over Dan (He has judged) was Azarel (God has helped) son of Jeroham (showing pity).

These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel (he wrestles with God).

23David (beloved) did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD {YHWH} had said that He would make Israel (he wrestles with God) as numerous as the stars of the sky. 24Joab (YHWH is father) son of Zeruiah (balsam) began to count the men but did not finish. For because of this census wrath came upon Israel (he wrestles with God), and the number was not entered in the Book of the Chronicles of King David (beloved).

David’s Various Overseers

25Azmaveth (strong unto death) son of Adiel (ornament of God) was in charge of the royal storehouses.

Jonathan (YHWH has given) son of Uzziah (my strength is YHWH) was in charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the fortresses.

26Ezri (help of YHWH) son of Chelub (caged) was in charge of the workers in the fields who tilled the soil.

27Shimei (renowned) the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards.

Zabdi (endowment) the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats.

28Baal-hanan (Baal is gracious) the Gederite (a wall) was in charge of the olive and sycamore trees in the foothills {Shephelah}.d

Joash (YHWH hastens) was in charge of the stores of olive oil.

29Shitrai (my officers) the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon (a plain).

Shaphat (He has judged) son of Adlai (justice of YHWH) was in charge of the herds in the valleys.

30Obil (camel driver) the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels.

Jehdeiah (YHWH is unity) the Meronothite (joyful shouter) was in charge of the donkeys.

31Jaziz (He makes prominent) the Hagrite (wanderer) was in charge of the flocks.

All these officials were in charge of King David’s (beloved) property.

The Counselors

32David’s (beloved) uncle Jonathan (YHWH has given) was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe.

Jehiel (God lives) son of Hachmoni (wise) attended to the sons of the king.

33Ahithophel (my brother is folly) was the king’s counselor.

Hushai (hastening) the Archite (lengthy) was the king’s friend.

34Ahithophel (my brother is folly) was succeeded by Jehoiada (YHWH knows) son of Benaiah (YHWH has built up), then by Abiathar (my father is great).

Joab (YHWH is father) was the commander of the king’s army.