How organized should leadership be among God’s people? Who ought to be the leaders of local churches? Let’s begin in 1 Chronicles 27.
How many soldiers did David organize to be on active duty each month? Who are today’s soldiers of the cross?
This is the number of the people of Israel, the heads of fathers' houses, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and their officers who served the king in all matters concerning the divisions that came and went, month after month throughout the year, each division numbering 24,000: (1 Chr 27:1 ESV)
Who were the military leaders of the first six monthly rotations? Do we rotate duties in our churches?
Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, for the first month; 24,000 were in his division. He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army commanders for the first month. Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader; 24,000 were in his division. The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest; 24,000 were in his division. This Benaiah was a mighty man among the Thirty and over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him; 24,000 were in his division. The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite; 24,000 were in his division. The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; 24,000 were in his division. (1 Chr 27:2-9 HCSB)
Who were the military leaders of the final six monthly rotations?
Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite, was seventh for the seventh month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite, was eighth for the eighth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Abiezer from Anathoth, a descendant of Benjamin, was ninth for the ninth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Mahari from Netophah, a Zerahite, was tenth for the tenth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Benaiah from Pirathon, an Ephraimite, was eleventh for the eleventh month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. Heldai the Netophathite, from Othniel, was twelfth for the twelfth month; 24,000 soldiers served in his division. (1 Chr 27:10-15 ISV)
Who were the princes who ruled over each tribe in Israel?
Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah: Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok: Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel: Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah: Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner: Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel. (1 Chr 27:16-22 KJV)
Why was the census of adult males abandoned and not recorded?
But David did not take up a count of those twenty years of age and under, because Yahweh had said He would multiply Israel as the stars of heaven. Joab the son of Zeruiah had begun to number them, but did not finish; and because of this, wrath came upon Israel, and this count was not included in the total count of the chronicles of King David. (1 Chr 27:23-24 LSB)
Who were heads of various government departments under David? Do our churches have departments?
Now Azmaveth the son of Adiel was responsible for the king’s storehouses. And Jonathan the son of Uzziah was responsible for the storehouses in the country, the cities, the villages, and the towers. Ezri the son of Chelub was responsible for the agricultural workers who tilled the soil. Shimei the Ramathite was responsible for the vineyards; and Zabdi the Shiphmite was responsible for the produce of the vineyards stored in the wine cellars. Baal-hanan the Gederite was responsible for the olive and sycamore trees in the Shephelah; and Joash was responsible for the stores of oil. Shitrai the Sharonite was responsible for the cattle which were grazing in Sharon; and Shaphat the son of Adlai was responsible for the cattle in the valleys. Obil the Ishmaelite was responsible for the camels; and Jehdeiah the Meronothite was responsible for the donkeys. Jaziz the Hagrite was responsible for the flocks. All these were overseers of the property which belonged to King David. (1 Chr 27:25-31 NASB)
Who were the various advisors to David in the royal palace? Who advises our elders?
Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the royal army. (1 Chr 27:32-34 NIV)
Once established, who led local churches? Were elders men? Was celibacy mandated? Was this a one pastor model or a pastoral team? Are local church elders also called overseers or bishops?
… appoint elders [presbyters - mature men] in every city as I commanded you … the husband of one wife … For a bishop [overseer, guardian] must be blameless … (Titus 1:5-9 NKJV)
How organized should leadership be among God’s people? Who ought to be the leaders of local churches? You decide!
