Topical Bible: the Tribe of Judah: Officer Placed Over by David

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The Tribe of Judah holds a significant place in biblical history, being one of the twelve tribes of Israel and the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended. The tribe's prominence is evident throughout the Old Testament, particularly during the reign of King David, who was himself from the tribe of Judah.

David's Administration and the Tribe of Judah

During King David's reign, the organization and administration of the kingdom were of paramount importance. David, known for his military prowess and leadership, established a structured government to manage the affairs of the nation. This included appointing officers over the various tribes of Israel, ensuring that each tribe was represented and its needs addressed.

In 1 Chronicles 27, we find a detailed account of the officers appointed by David over the tribes of Israel. This chapter provides insight into the administrative structure of David's kingdom and highlights the importance of each tribe in the governance of Israel. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 27:16 states:

"Over the tribes of Israel: for the Reubenites, Eliezer son of Zichri was the officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah son of Maacah; for Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel; for Aaron, Zadok; for Judah, Elihu, one of David’s brothers; for Issachar, Omri son of Michael; for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth son of Azriel; for the Ephraimites, Hoshea son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner; for Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham."

Elihu: Officer Over Judah

Elihu, identified as one of David's brothers, was appointed as the officer over the tribe of Judah. This appointment underscores the close relationship between David and the tribe of Judah, as well as the trust and responsibility placed upon Elihu. The choice of a family member for this role reflects the importance of the tribe and the need for a reliable and loyal leader to oversee its affairs.

The role of an officer over a tribe was crucial, as it involved managing the tribe's internal matters, representing the tribe in the king's court, and ensuring the tribe's contributions to the kingdom's military and economic efforts. Elihu's position would have required wisdom, leadership, and a deep understanding of the tribe's needs and dynamics.

Significance of Judah in David's Reign

The tribe of Judah was not only significant due to its size and strength but also because it was the tribe from which David himself hailed. This connection provided a strong foundation for David's rule and helped solidify his legitimacy as king. The tribe's loyalty to David was instrumental in his rise to power and the establishment of his dynasty.

Judah's prominence continued throughout the history of Israel, eventually leading to the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah after Solomon's reign. The tribe's legacy is further cemented by its association with the Davidic line, from which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was prophesied to come.

In summary, the appointment of Elihu as the officer over the tribe of Judah during David's reign highlights the tribe's importance and the trust placed in David's family to lead and manage its affairs. The tribe of Judah's role in biblical history is foundational, with its influence extending far beyond the time of David.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 27:18
Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brothers of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Kings.
... Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, an officer of Canaanitish ... Judah, which had absorbed
the small tribe of Benjamin ... of Solomon, was made king over Judah, and Jereboam ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... down to us, was no more than a tribe of wandering ... he was soon made overseer of the
officer's household. ... force to complete the desolation of Judah and Jerusalem ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... and Zebul his officer? ... they combined, however, now and again to act against a common
foe, for we know that the people of Judah aided the tribe of Simeon ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Horns of the Altar
... Amasa, the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah. ... from the fetish worship of
the most deluded African tribe. ... not though you are a church-officer, a deacon ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the horns of the altar.htm

Turning Back in the Day of Battle
... is made to the whole history of the tribe of Ephraim ... doing this in time of peace;
but the officer rises when ... God transferred the custody of it to Judah, and it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/turning back in the day.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... at the dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8, 12, 13, placed by the LXX. ... BC, perhaps
in the time of Jehoshaphat, a member of the tribe of Judah undertook to ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... the way, 'Lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer,
and the officer cast thee ... 3. The Saviour must be of the tribe of Judah. ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Hymns of Praise and Worship.
... DD, was an Irishman, son of an officer in the ... in medieval times, it is said, by Daniel
Ben Judah. ... Let every kindred, every tribe On this terrestrial ball To ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter i hymns of praise.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... dwelt a man, His name Manoah, of the tribe of Dan ... Then there went up Three thousand
men of Judah to the ... by the judge thou be Unto the officer forthwith resign'd ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... The Publican, I told you before, was an officer: an officer that served ... the lot of
Israel's inheritance), and the emperor Tiberius Caesar placed over that land ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm