Bible Strands
2 Samuel 18:1
Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of thousands and of hundreds.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David organizes his army prior to the campaign against Absalom, establishing a chain of command before the battle begins.
The words — The verb וַיִּפְקֹד (va.yifkod) means he mustered or reviewed the people, while וַיָּשֶׂם (va.yasem) denotes the formal appointment of leaders over them.
The thread — This administrative mobilization mirrors Joshua 8:10 where Joshua gathers his men before Ai and Exodus 17:9 where Moses directs Joshua to select fighters.
Why it lands — The text records David’s structural preparation of the army before the narrative introduces the divided command in the next verse. It requires the reader to recognize how royal authority is exercised through deliberate organization rather than ad hoc action.
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 David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
Cross-references
- Joshua 8:10 Joshua got up early the next morning and mobilized his men, and he and the elders of Israel marched before them up to Ai.
- Exodus 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.”
- 1 Samuel 8:12 He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.