I Chronicles 27:8 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 27:8 Commentary: Ordered Service in David's Kingdom
Hebrew · 4 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore 1 Chronicles 27:8: Shamhuth leads the fifth month's 24,000-man division.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A monthly rotation of 24,000 troops under named commanders kept David's army ready and equitable. Shamhuth led the fifth month.
- Key words: Sar (leader/ruler), machaloqet (division/course, term also used for priestly rotations), eleph (thousand).
- Main debate: Whether the lists are literal history or a theological ideal of order; and whether Shamhuth is identical to Shammoth of 1 Chronicles 11:27.
- Theological theme: God's kingdom is marked by order, shared service, and faithful stewardship of time and people.
- Best use: To teach the value of structure in God's work, the dignity of every role, and the Chronicler's post-exile vision of a restored, organized people.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
WEB World English Bible 2000
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
KJV King James Version 1769
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
The fifth, for the fifth month, is the prince Shamhuth the Izrahite, and on his course are twenty and four thousand.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
The fifth for the fifth month was the captain Shamhuth the Jizrahite; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
The fifth captain for the fifth month, was Samaoth a Jezerite: and his company were four and twenty thousand.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
El quinto jefe para el quinto mes era Sambuth Izrita: y en su división había veinte y cuatro mil.
O quinto chefe para o quinto mês era Samute izraíta: e em sua divisão havia vinte e quatro mil.
Le cinquième, pour le cinquième mois, était le chef Schamehuth, le Jizrachite; et il avait une division de vingt-quatre mille hommes.
Der fünfte im fünften Monat war Samehuth, der Jishariter; und unter seine Ordnung waren vierundzwanzigtausend.
De vijfde, in de vijfde maand, was Samhuth, de Jizrahiet, de overste; in zijn verdeling waren er ook vier en twintig duizend.
Il quinto, per il quinto mese, era il capo Shamehuth, lo Jzrahita, e aveva una divisione di ventiquattromila uomini.
Piąty miesiąca piątego był przełożonym Samut Jezrahytczyk, a w podziale jego dwadzieścia i cztery tysiące.
Пятый, для пятого месяца, князь Шамгуф Израхитянин, и в его отделении двадцать четыре тысячи.
五 月 第五 班的班長 是伊斯拉人 珊合； 他班 內有二 萬四 千人。
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite; and in his division were twenty-four thousand.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 27:8
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse forms part of a structured list of twelve monthly military divisions, each of 24,000 men, serving in rotation under David. The Cambridge Bible notes a possible identification of Shamhuth with 'Shammoth the Harorite' from 1 Chronicles 11:27, linking the roster to David's mighty men. Matthew Henry views the entire passage as demonstrating the orderly arrangement of David's kingdom, a theme central to the Chronicler's purpose. The repeated number 24,000 (used for every month) suggests not a literal standing army at all times but a rotating national guard, as Ellicott's Commentary describes. The consistent structure underscores God's blessing on a well-ordered realm, where each tribe and leader had a designated season of service.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: David organized a monthly rotation of military divisions, each of 24,000 men, with named leaders including Shamhuth, reflecting an orderly kingdom under God.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Historical accuracy vs. theological ideal | The list reflects a real organizational system in David's reign. | Some interpreters read it as exact history; others see it as the Chronicler's idealized portrait of an ordered kingdom, shaped for post-exile readers. |
| Identification of Shamhuth | Shamhuth was a leader in David's fifth-month division. | The Cambridge Bible suggests he may be the same person as Shammoth the Harorite (1 Chronicles 11:27), but others treat him as a distinct individual not mentioned elsewhere. |
| Meaning of 24,000 | The number indicates a large, organized military unit serving monthly. | Some take it as a literal count of soldiers ready each month; others propose it represents a total rotational force of 288,000, or a symbolic number of completeness (12 x 2,000). |
Historical & Cultural Context
David's reign, after securing Jerusalem and subduing surrounding enemies, required a stable military system. 1 Chronicles 27 presents a schedule of twelve monthly divisions, each led by a named commander. Verse 8 names Shamhuth the Izrahite for the fifth month. The term sar (leader) marks him as a high-ranking officer, likely a tribal prince. The divisions of 24,000 men each (totalling 288,000) rotated monthly, providing continuous readiness without exhausting the entire army or disrupting local economies, a system Ellicott likens to a national guard.
The name 'Izrahite' links Shamhuth to Zerah, son of Judah (cf. Numbers 26:20), placing him within Judah's prominent clan. This continues the Chronicler's pattern of highlighting Judahite leadership in David's administration. The Hebrew word for 'division' (machaloqet) appears elsewhere for priestly courses (1 Chronicles 24), blending temple and military terminology. The Chronicler, writing after the exile, uses such lists to recall Israel's golden age under a king who obeyed God, a model for a restored community seeking identity and order.
The rotation by months also reflects Israel's agricultural and liturgical calendar, grounding national defense in the rhythms of God-ordained time. Each captain served his month, then returned home, ensuring that no tribe bore unequal burden. This system combined efficiency with equity, a mark of wise governance that the Chronicler holds up for emulation.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, and the name Shamhuth appears consistently. Some Greek manuscripts (LXX) may render the name differently, but no variants affect the meaning or theology of the passage.
Reception History
This verse has received little attention outside commentaries on Chronicles. In Jewish tradition, it is part of the broader discussion of David's military organization and may be referenced in treatises on just governance. Christian interpreters from the Reformation onward (Matthew Henry, Geneva Notes) used the passage to illustrate the importance of order in church and state. Modern readers often struggle with such lists, but the Chronicler's original audience would have valued them as proof that God's promises to David produced a stable, well-run kingdom, a source of hope for a scattered people.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- God values order in his kingdom. The twelve divisions show that structure is not bureaucratic but biblical. Every leader and soldier had a place and a time.
- Faithful service has a season. Each month belonged to a different captain. Serving well in your appointed time, whether long or short, matters to God.
- The whole is greater than any part. One captain and his 24,000 were essential, but the full rotation of 288,000 reveals the strength of a united nation under God's king.
Five-Point Outline
- God appoints leaders. Shamhuth is named personally. His lineage is recorded. God sees and remembers those who serve.
- Shared responsibility prevents burnout. Monthly rotation kept the army ready without exhausting any single group.
- Numbers represent real people. Each 24,000 was a company of fathers, brothers, sons. The Chronicler never reduces them to statistics.
- The calendar is sacred. Each month had its captain, just as each season of life has its duties. Time itself belongs to God.
- David's kingdom foreshadows a greater kingdom. This ordered service points toward the perfect order of Christ's reign, where every member has a role (1 Corinthians 12).
Illustration Hooks
- Hospital shift rotations. Nurses and doctors work in teams that change every few weeks. Each team is vital; the schedule ensures 24/7 coverage without chaos.
- School year schedules. Teachers plan lessons in quarters; students learn in graded classes. Structure enables growth, not confinement.
- Church volunteer teams. Ushers, greeters, nursery workers often serve monthly. The principle of shared service keeps ministry sustainable.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Why does the Bible list so many names and numbers? What is the point?
- Does God care about my specific role in church or family, or am I just one of many?
- How does this ancient military roster apply to my life today?
Leading a Discussion
This list of monthly captains may seem dry, but it reveals something deep about God: He is a God of order, not confusion. Each man, each month, each 24,000 was part of a plan that sustained David's kingdom. As you discuss, think about how your own community, family, church, workplace, reflects or could reflect this same kind of faithful organization.
Discussion Questions
- What stands out to you in this verse? Why do you think the Chronicler included such specific details?
- Shamhuth is known only from this verse. What does that say about how God values even obscure servants?
- Why 24,000? What does the repeated number suggest about the Chronicler's purpose, historical record, symbolic completeness, or both?
- How does this rotation system model wise leadership for a community? What are the risks of having one leader serve all the time?
- In what areas of your life do you need more structure? Where might healthy order bring freedom rather than restriction?
- How does this passage help you trust that God oversees the details of your life, even the parts that seem routine or unnoticed?
- What one change could your small group make to practice orderly, shared service this month?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Samuel 23:25 | Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, |
| I Chronicles 11:27 | Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, |
| I Chronicles 26:29 | Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were appointed to the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
3 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that Shamhuth the Izrahite may be the same person as Shammoth the Harorite mentioned in 1 Chronicles. This identification is suggested as a possibility, linking the two names across the biblical accounts.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note records that Shamhuth the Izrahite served as prince over the fifth month's course, leading twenty-four thousand men. This detail is part of the orderly arrangement of David's military divisions, showing each tribe's scheduled service rotation.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that the fourth division's commander is listed as Asahel, who had died years earlier, while his son Zebadiah actually led the unit. This shows the Chronicler honored fallen heroes by naming the course after them. He also connects these military lists to David's census, seeing them as part of the king's final organizational reforms.