Abiezer

December 6, 2014

The twelve monthly military leaders (1 Chr 27:2-27:15)

“Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division in the first month. In his division were twenty-four thousand. He was a descendant of Perez. He was chief of all the commanders of the army for the first month.

Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division of the second month. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest, as chief. In his division were twenty-four thousand. This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the Thirty and in command of the Thirty. His son Ammizabad was in charge of his division.

Asahel brother of Joab was fourth, for the fourth month, and his son Zebadiah after him. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhuth, the Izrahite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

Sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

Seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, of the Ephraimites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

Eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

Ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer of Anathoth, a Benjaminite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

Tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai of Netophah, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

Eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah of Pirathon, of the Ephraimites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.

Twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel. In his division were twenty-four thousand.”

Each monthly group had 24,000 troops. (1) Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was actually one of the first to help David. He was in charge for the first month. He was from the family of Judah via Perez. (2) Dodai the Ahohite had a son who was among mighty Three of King David. (3) Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the leader of the Thirty and the personal body guard of King David. Thus his son Ammizabad was the leader here. (4) Asahel the brother of Joab was the nephew of King David that died. Thus he was succeeded by his son Zebadiah. This is the only mention of (5) Shamhuth, the Izrahite. This (6) Ikkesh the Tekoite had at least 2 sons Ira and (7) Helez the Pelonite, who is mentioned here. (8) Sibbecai the Hushathite, (9) Abiezer of Anathoth, and (10) Maharai of Netophah were mentioned in chapter 11 of this book and 2 Samuel, chapter 23. (11) Benaiah of Pirathon was an Ephraimite. (12) Heldai the Netophathite was somehow related to Othniel.

November 19, 2014

The listing of David’s warriors (1 Chr 11:26-11:47)

“The warriors of the armies were: Asahel the brother of Joab; Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem; Shammah of Harod; Helez the Pelonite; Ira son of Ikkesh of Tekoa; Abiezer of Anathoth; Sibbecai the Hushathite; Ilai the Ahohite; Maharai of Netophah; Heled son of Baanah of Netophah; Ittai son of Ribai of Gibeah of the Benjaminites; Benaiah of Pirathon; Hurai of the Wadi of Gaash; Abiel the Arbathite; Azmaveth of Bahurim; Eliahba of Shaalbon; Hashem the Gizonite; Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite; Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite; Eliphal son of Ur; Hepher the Mecherathite; Ahijah the Pelonite; Hezro of Carmel; Naarai son of Ezbai; Joel the brother of Nathan; Mibhar son of Hagri; Zelek the Ammonite; Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah; Ira the Ithrite; Gareb the Ithrite; Uriah the Hittite; Zabad the son of Ahlai; Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, a leader of the Reubenites, and thirty with him; Hanan the son of Maacah; Joshaphat the Mithnite; Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel sons of Hotham the Aroerite; Jediael son of Shimri; Joha his brother, the Tizite; Eliel the Mahavite; Jeribai and Joshaviah sons of Elnaam; Ithmah the Moabite; Eliel; Obed; and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.”

This list is much like the list in 2 Samuel, chapter 23. However there are 7 omissions and 22 additions as well as 8 name changes. For more information about these men see the notes in 2 Samuel. Of those 7 mentioned in 2 Samuel, that appeared there but did not make this list, they include: Elika of Harod, Eliphelet son of Ahasbai of Maacah, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, Paarai the Arbite, Igal son of Nathan of Zobah, and Bani the Gadite. The following 22 names were added and not in 2 Samuel: Eliphal the son of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Naarai the son of Ezbai, Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri, Zabad the son of Ahlai, Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel sons of Hotham the Aroerite, Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite. The following 8 names have been changed. Helez the Paltite has become Helez the Pelonite. Mebunnai the Hushathite has become Sibbecai the Hushathite. Zalmon the Ahohite has become Ilai the Ahohite. Heleb son of Baanah of Netophah, had become Heled. Abi-albon the Arbathite has become Abiel. Hiddai of Gaash has become Hurai. Jashen has become Hashem the Gizonite. Jonathan the son of Shammah has become the son of Shagee.

November 10, 2014

The sons of Machir (1 Chr 7:16-7:17)

“Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son. She named him Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh. His sons were Ulam and Rakem. The son of Ulam was Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead son of Machir, son of Manasseh. His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.”

This is the only mention of Peresh and Sheresh, who would be brothers of Gilead. The sons of Sheresh were Ulam and Rakem, who also are only mentioned here, although there is another person with the name of Ulam. Bedan was the son of Ulam. This is the only mention of Hammolecheth, the sister of Gilead, and her son (1) Ishhod. This may be loosely based on Joshua, chapter 7. (2) Abiezer is here a son of Hammolecheth, while in Joshua he was the son of Gilead. (2) Mahlah was the daughter of Zelophehad, not Hammolecheth. This biblical author was not in step with Joshua. Shemida was the son of Gilead, as was Shechem, who is here the son of Shemida instead of his brother. On the other hand Shechem’s 3 brothers Ahiam, Likhi, and Aniam are only mentioned here.