1 Chronicles 27:7

The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Chronicler records David’s organized military structure, listing commanders who each led a 24,000-man division on a rotating monthly schedule. This verse identifies the leader appointed for the fourth month.

The words — הָרְבִיעִי (ha-revi'i) and לַחֹדֶשׁ (la-chodesh) literally mean "the fourth" and "for the month," marking the chronological slot in the rotation. עֲשָׂהאֵל אָחִי יוֹאָב (Asahel achi Yoav) translates directly to "Asahel, brother of Joab," identifying the commander by family relation.

The thread — Asahel is named as a mighty warrior in 1 Chronicles 11:26 and 2 Samuel 23:24, and his speed is noted in 2 Samuel 2:18. The Chronicler shifts his identity from battlefield exploits to administrative duty within a fixed command roster.

Why it lands — The text records a leadership appointment without commentary, showing how David’s kingdom institutionalized military service through established families. The reader must observe how administrative structure replaces personal reputation in the Chronicler’s account of national order.

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

הָֽרְבִיעִ֞יha./re.vi.'I[was] the/ fourth לַחֹ֣דֶשׁla./Cho.deshfor the/ month הָרְבִיעִ֗יha./re.vi.'I<the>/ fourth עֲשָׂה־'a.sah-Asah-אֵל֙'el-el אֲחִ֣י'a.Chi[the] brother of יוֹאָ֔בyo.'AvJoab וּזְבַדְיָ֥הu./ze.vad.Yahand/ Zebadiah בְנ֖וֹve.N/oson/ his אַחֲרָ֑יו'a.cha.Ra/v[was] after/ him וְעַל֙ve./'Aland/ [were] with מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔וֹma.cha.luk.T/odivision/ his עֶשְׂרִ֥ים'es.Rimtwenty וְאַרְבָּעָ֖הve./'ar.ba.'Ahand/ four אָֽלֶף׃ ס'A.lefthousand

King James Version

The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

Cross-references

1 Chronicles 11:26 Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
2 Samuel 23:24 Now these were members of the Thirty: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,

People named

JoabAsahelZebadiah