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16. Over the tribes. Verses 16-24 list the princes of the 12 tribes. This listing may have to do with the taking of the national census (vs. 23, 24). When the census was taken in the wilderness, the Lord commanded that a representative of each tribe was to work with Aaron in the taking of the census, every one to be a “head of the house of his fathers” (Num. 1:4). David also employed princes from the tribes. However, the number of princes here is 13. Although Gad and Asher are not listed here, there were two princes for the separate half tribes of Manasseh, one for Levi, together with Zadok for the house of Aaron (v. 17).

The tribes are here listed in an order not in accord with any previous listing (see 1 Chron. 2:1, 2; Gen. 35:23-26; 46:8-27; 49:3-27; first are named the six tribes descended from sons of Leah, in order of age (Gen. 29:31-35; 30:17-20; 35:23); then six tribes (counting Manasseh as two half tribes) descended from Rachel (Gen. 30:22-24; 35:16-18; cf. 46:20 and 48:5), including two sons of her maid Bilhah (see Gen. 30:6-8), who were legally reckoned as hers. This makes up twelve tribes, aside from the representative of the Aaronites. The reason for omitting Gad and Asher is not given.

Ruler. Each tribe had its own chief officer.