Study Desk

Of the Yitz'hari: K'nanyahu and his sons were assigned to be over Isra'el in regard to outside business as officers and judges.

Of the Hevroni: Hashavyah and his kinsmen, 1,700 valiant men, had the oversight of Isra'el west of the Yarden in regard to all the business of Adonai and the service of the king.

King David appointed 2,700 of his kinsmen, valiant men and clan leaders, as overseers over the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of the M'nashi for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

Over the first division, for the first month, was Yashov‘am the son of Zavdi'el; there were 24,000 in his division.

Over the division for the second month was Dodai the Achochi; Miklot was the chief officer of his division; there were 24,000 in his division.

The third army commander, for the third month, was B'nayah the son of Y'hoyada the chief cohen; there were 24,000 in his division.

This is the same B'nayah who was one of the thirty heroes and was over the thirty; his son ‘Ammizavad was in his division.

The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was ‘Asah'el the brother of Yo'av, with Z'vadyah his son after him; there were 24,000 in his division.

The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhut from Yizrach; there were 24,000 in his division.

The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was ‘Ira the son of ‘Ikesh from T'koa; there were 24,000 in his division.

The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Heletz the P'loni, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.

The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibkhai the Hushati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.

The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Avi‘ezer from ‘Anatot, from the Ben-Y'mini; there were 24,000 in his division.

The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Mahrai, the N'tofati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.

The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was B'nayah from Pir‘aton, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.

The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the N'tofati, from ‘Otni'el; there were 24,000 in his division.

David assembled in Yerushalayim all the leaders of Isra'el — the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the divisions serving the king, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and the supervisors over the property and livestock of the king, along with his sons, the officials, the warrior-heroes, and anyone else who was a leader.

Then David the king rose to his feet and said: "My kinsmen and my people! Listen to me! I set my heart on building a house where the ark for the covenant of Adonai could remain at rest. It would have been God's footstool, and I prepared to build it.

However, Adonai the God of Isra'el chose me out of my father's whole family to be king over Isra'el forever; for he chose Y'hudah to be the leader; and in the house of Y'hudah, in the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, it was his pleasure to make me king over all Isra'el;

I will establish his kingdom forever, if he uses his strength to obey my mitzvot and abide by my rulings, as [he is doing] currently.'