1 chronicles 27:5 - The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief: and in his division were twenty-four thousand.

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 27:5

What does "1 chronicles 27:5" mean?


This verse is part of a section in 1 Chronicles (chapter 27) that describes the organization of King David's army. It outlines a system of monthly rotations of army divisions. Let's break down the verse:

"The third captain of the army for the third month was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, chief:" This means that Benaiah was the commander ("captain") of the division of the army that was responsible for military duties during the third month of the year. It identifies him as "Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest." This information serves to identify him precisely, likely distinguishing him from others with the same name and emphasizing his prestigious lineage. The term "chief" likely means he was the most important or primary leader of that month's division.

"and in his division were twenty-four thousand." This indicates that the military division under Benaiah's command consisted of 24,000 soldiers.

In summary, the verse signifies:

King David's army was organized into 12 divisions.
Each division was responsible for military service for one month of the year.
Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, was the commander of the division that served in the third month.
His division consisted of 24,000 soldiers.

Why is this information important?

Organization and Efficiency: This demonstrates the structured and organized nature of David's military, contributing to its effectiveness. A rotating system ensures a constant state of readiness without over-burdening any particular group of soldiers year-round.
Resource Management: The size of each division (24,000) implies a substantial military force, allowing for effective defense and expansion of the kingdom.
Historical Context: The verse provides historical context, allowing for insight into the military and administrative structures of ancient Israel.

The list that follows in this chapter details all the other captains for the other months. This organizational system allowed for efficient resource management and ensured a continuous military presence throughout the year.

What categories does "1 chronicles 27:5" have?