Leaders and Friends

 

 

1 Chronicles 27:16-34

 

April 23,2023

 

Leaders of Tribes

 Over the tribes of Israel, for the Reubenites, Eliezer the son of Zichri was chief officer; for the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maacah; for Levi, Hashabiah the son of Lemuel; for Aaron, Zadok;  for Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers; for Issachar, Omri the son of Michael;  for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah; for Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel;  for the Ephraimites, Hoshea the son of Azaziah; for the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah;  for the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; for Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;  for Dan, Azarel the son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.  David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven.  Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count but did not finish. Yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David.

Joab loved David and did all that was in his power to keep the king from bringing God’s wrath down on Israel.  But David would not listen.

Over the king's treasuries was Azmaveth the son of Adiel; and over the treasuries in the country, in the cities, in the villages, and in the towers, was Jonathan the son of Uzziah; and over those who did the work of the field for tilling the soil was Ezri the son of Chelub; and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite.  Over the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah was Baal-hanan the Gederite; and over the stores of oil was Joash.  Over the herds that pastured in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite; over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai.  Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.  All these were stewards of King David's property.

Jonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding, and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king's sons.  Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend.  Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army.

Each tribe had a leader, many reasons we need leadership, but the main reason is structure.  You will also see that leadership in all the aspects of commerce, each gift to do that job.  It is interesting though that David but someone over his sons, David was a terrible dad, but a great king.  He dropped the ball in this area, and not only did he pay a price so did the nation.

Did you notice that even a king needs a friend, and the Scripture tells us David had two, Hushai and Archite.  In today's darkness many of you do Facebook and you friend or remove people you refer to as friends, but have you ever needed a call them at 3 in the morning to see if they would help you?  I believe that it is rare for anyone at any time to have more than three close friends.  Those you would call in need at 3 in the morning.  But I also pity the man who has none.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice