Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Civil and Military officers of

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David, the second king of Israel, reigned approximately from 1010 to 970 BC. His leadership was marked by significant military conquests and the establishment of a centralized government. Under David's rule, Israel transformed from a loose confederation of tribes into a unified nation. This transformation required a structured administration, both civil and military, to manage the growing kingdom effectively.

Civil Officers:

1. Joab, Son of Zeruiah · Joab served as the commander of David's army. He was a key military leader and played a crucial role in many of David's campaigns, including the capture of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 8:16). Joab's loyalty to David was steadfast, though his methods were often ruthless.

2. Jehoshaphat, Son of Ahilud · Jehoshaphat was the recorder or chronicler, responsible for maintaining the official records of the kingdom (2 Samuel 8:16). His role was crucial in documenting the events and decrees of David's reign.

3. Zadok, Son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, Son of Abiathar · These two priests served during David's reign, with Zadok eventually becoming the primary priest. They were responsible for religious duties and maintaining the spiritual life of the nation (2 Samuel 8:17).

4. Seraiah · Seraiah served as the scribe, a position that involved managing correspondence and official documents (2 Samuel 8:17).

5. Benaiah, Son of Jehoiada · Benaiah was in charge of the Cherethites and Pelethites, David's personal bodyguard. His loyalty and bravery were well noted, and he later became a prominent figure under Solomon (2 Samuel 8:18).

6. David's Sons · David's sons were also involved in the administration, serving as chief officials or priests, depending on the translation and interpretation of the text (2 Samuel 8:18).

Military Officers:

1. Joab, Son of Zeruiah · As the commander of the army, Joab was instrumental in securing victories for Israel. His military prowess was evident in battles against the Ammonites, Edomites, and other neighboring nations.

2. Abishai, Son of Zeruiah · Abishai, Joab's brother, was a prominent military leader who supported David in various campaigns. He played a significant role in battles against the Philistines and other adversaries (2 Samuel 21:17).

3. Benaiah, Son of Jehoiada · In addition to his role with the Cherethites and Pelethites, Benaiah was a valiant warrior known for his exploits, including killing two Moabite heroes and a lion in a pit on a snowy day (2 Samuel 23:20).

4. The Thirty and The Three · David's elite warriors, known as "The Thirty," included notable figures like Asahel, Elhanan, and Shammah. Among them, "The Three" were the most distinguished: Josheb-Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah, who performed extraordinary feats of bravery (2 Samuel 23:8-12).

David's administration was marked by a balance of civil and military leadership, ensuring the stability and expansion of Israel. His officers were chosen for their loyalty, skill, and dedication to the kingdom, contributing to the enduring legacy of David's reign.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Samuel 8:16-18
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of Civil Government.
... When Samuel declared to the people of Israel what they would suffer from their kings,
he said, "This will be the ... Thus David, when already king elect by ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The First Kings.
... and that, and no other, was the true place for the human king of Israel to fill.
In thus limiting the description of David as "a man after God's own heart ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... It is added that, for the king's highway, and for ... among them the royal scion of David,
is thoroughly ... But the Roman taxation, which bore upon Israel with such ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Carey's Family and Friends
... David Brown had not been long in Aldeen when he secured the ... value in the sight of
God as the King of Great ... of a mission to the Ten Tribes of Israel, I mean the ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter viii careys family and.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... pillar, and without ephod or teraphim; afterward shall the children of Israel return,
and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... Israel Holly's "An Appeal to the Impartial, or the Censured ... [a] As a petition "To
the King's Most Excellent ... David Humphreys, b. 1752, d. in New Haven, 1818. ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... Three of these were offered to David in 1 Chronicles 21:12. ... marg.) you (in the person
of the king. ... 24:31 we have the gathering of the elect of Israel, and in ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... This was the period when David established his empire ... in his attributes, and, like
Yahveh of Israel or Chemosh of ... commanded the army in the absence of the king. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... God's vengeance for the many evils they had inflicted on Israel. ... Achish, for example,
King of Gath ... pillaging tribes, owing to the intervention of David and his ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Letter Xl. St. Ambrose Begs Theodosius to Listen to Him, as He ...
... set Thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, in order ... remember what He said by the
prophet Nathan to holy David? ... I set before you Josiah as a king approved of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xl st ambrose begs.htm