Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 27:34
Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler records a leadership transition during David’s reign, updating the reader on the replacement of royal counselors and the standing head of the military.
The words — שַׂר צָבָא (sar tza'va) translates literally as “commander of the army,” marking the permanent office held by Joab.
The thread — This military structure is anchored in 1 Chronicles 27:5, where Benaiah leads a monthly division, and 1 Chronicles 11:6, which traces Joab’s appointment. His political alignment is later noted in 1 Kings 1:7.
Why it lands — The passage documents how royal authority is sustained through institutional succession and appointed commanders, requiring the reader to track administrative continuity across David’s court.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army was Joab.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 1:7 So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.
- 1 Chronicles 11:6 Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.
- 1 Chronicles 27:5 The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division.