Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 27:24
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, etc.] By the order of David, but entirely against his own will, (see <132102>1 Chronicles 21:2-4,6), but he finished not; the two tribes of Benjamin and Levi not being counted by him, (<132106>1 Chronicles 21:6) because there fell wrath for it against Israel; the plague being broke forth before he had done numbering, which put a stop to it, (<132114>1 Chronicles 21:14) neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of David; that which was brought in by Joab, though imperfect, was not entered into the diary, journal, or annals which David ordered to be written of all memorable events and transactions in his reign; and which were afterwards carried on by the kings of Judah, often referred to in the preceding books; and this was done, not because of the imperfection of the account, but because David did not choose this sin of his should be transmitted to posterity, though it has been, notwithstanding this precaution of his. Ver. 25-32. And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel, etc.] The historian here proceeds to relate who were employed in the economical and civil affairs of David; and the first mentioned is the lord of his treasury, who had the care of his gold and silver brought into his exchequer, either by a levy on his own people, or by the tribute of others: Jehonathan the son of Uzziah had the care of the storehouses, in which were laid up what the fields, cities, villages, and castles that belonged to the king produced, whether by fruits gathered in, or by rents collected: Ezri the son of Chelub looked after his workmen in the fields, employed in the tillage of the ground: Shimei of Ramath, in the tribe of Benjamin, had the care of the vineyards, to see that they were dressed and pruned, and kept in good order: Zabdi of Shepham, (<043410>Numbers 34:10,11) had the charge of the wine squeezed out of the grapes, both in the presses and in the cellars: Baalhanan of Gedor, in the tribe of Judah, (<061536>Joshua 15:36,58) was over the olive and sycamore trees, to see that they were well taken care of: and Joash was entrusted with the cellars where the oil was deposited: Shitrai the Sharonite had the herds of cattle fed in Sharon committed to his trust; whether in Sharon beyond Jordan, or that about Lydda and Joppa, near the Mediterranean sea, both affording fruitful pastures for herds; and this man, being of Sharon, was a fit man to be employed in such service: and Shaphat the son of Adlai was over those herds that were in the valleys, where were good pastures for them; such officers Pharaoh king of Egypt had, (<014706>Genesis 47:6) and as early as the times of Ninus king of Assyria, one named Simma was master of the king’s cattle f126, as Faustulus was to Amulius king of the Latines f127; and so Tyrrhus in Virgil f128 had the command of all the king’s cattle; and Cicero mentions another in the same office f129: Obil the Ishmaelite (an Arab, as the Targum) had the care of the camels; and a very proper person he was, who must know the nature of them, and how to manage them, Arabia, or the land of the Ishmaelites, abounding with them. This man was so called, either because he was an Ishmaelite by birth, and was proselyted to the Jewish religion; or he was an Israelite that had dwelt some time in the land of Ishmael, and therefore so called. Bochart f130 thinks he had his name of Obil from his office, the word in the Arabic language signifying a keeper of camels.…
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