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And after Ahithophel - The Targum is curious: "When they went to war, they asked counsel of Ahithophel; and, after the counsel of Ahithophel, they inquired by Urim and Thummim of Jehoiada, the son of Benaiah, prince of the Sanhedrin, and chief of the priesthood; and from Abiathar, the high priest. And after they had inquired by Urim and Thummim, they went out to battle, well armed with bows and slings; and Joab, the general of the king's troops, led them on." It is worthy of remark, that Obil, an Ishmaelite or Arab, was put over the camels, which is a creature of Arabia; and that Jaziz, a Hagarene, (the Hagarenes were shepherds by profession), was put over the flocks: nothing went by favor; each was appointed to the office for which he was best qualified; and thus men of worth were encouraged, and the public service effectually promoted.

Verses 32-34

A list - supplemental in character - of some chief officers of David, not mentioned before. The list cannot belong to a very late part of David‘s reign, since it contains the name of Ahithophel, who killed himself during Absalom‘s rebellion 2 Samuel 17:23.

1 Chronicles 27:33

Was the king‘s companion - or, “king‘s friend,” as in 1 Kings 4:5. Compare also 2 Samuel 16:17.

1 Chronicles 27:34

After Ahithophel - i. e., next in counsel to Ahithophel: inferior to him, but superior to all others.

The officers of the court, or the rulers of the king's substance, had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his herds, his flocks, which formed the wealth of eastern kings. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry, and common persons show it in the choice of their advisers. David, though he had all these about him, preferred the word of God before them all. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.