1 Chronicles 27:10
The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division.
The seventh, for the seventh month,
In the context of 1 Chronicles 27, King David organized the military into divisions, each serving for one month of the year. The seventh division corresponds to the seventh month, which in the Hebrew calendar is Tishrei. This month is significant for several Jewish festivals, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, indicating a time of spiritual renewal and reflection. The organization of the army in this manner reflects the structured and orderly nature of David's reign, emphasizing preparedness and discipline.

was Helez the Pelonite,
Helez is identified as a Pelonite, which is a term that may refer to a clan or family group. The specific identification of Helez as a Pelonite suggests a distinct lineage or regional affiliation, though the exact location of Pelon is not definitively known. This highlights the diverse backgrounds of those who served in David's army, reflecting the unity of Israel under his leadership.

an Ephraimite.
Helez being an Ephraimite indicates his tribal affiliation with the tribe of Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes of Israel. Ephraim was a son of Joseph, and the tribe held significant influence in the northern part of the kingdom. This connection underscores the importance of tribal identity in ancient Israel and the role of Ephraimites in the nation's military and political affairs. The inclusion of an Ephraimite in David's army demonstrates the integration of various tribes into a unified national force.

There were 24,000 men in his division.
The mention of 24,000 men in Helez's division reflects the substantial size and strength of the military forces organized by David. This number signifies a well-prepared and formidable army, capable of defending the nation and maintaining peace. The structure of having 24,000 men per division for each month of the year illustrates the strategic planning and resource management during David's reign, ensuring that the kingdom was always protected without overburdening any single group of soldiers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Helez the Pelonite
Helez is identified as a leader of a division of twenty-four thousand men. He is noted as being from the Pelonites, a group or family within the tribe of Ephraim.

2. Ephraimites
This refers to the descendants of Ephraim, one of the tribes of Israel. Ephraim was the second son of Joseph, and his tribe was known for its strength and influence in Israel.

3. The Seventh Month
In the Hebrew calendar, the seventh month is Tishrei, which includes significant Jewish festivals such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This month is a time of reflection and renewal.

4. Division of Twenty-Four Thousand Men
This indicates a well-organized military structure under King David, with each division serving for a month throughout the year.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Responsibility
Helez's role as a leader of a large division highlights the importance of responsible and capable leadership in God's work. We are called to lead with integrity and diligence in our own spheres of influence.

Organized Service
The structured military divisions under David's reign remind us of the value of organization and planning in ministry and service. God is a God of order, and our service should reflect that.

Tribal Identity and Unity
Helez's identity as an Ephraimite underscores the importance of understanding our spiritual heritage and working together in unity for God's purposes. Each tribe had a role, just as each believer has a unique contribution to the body of Christ.

Faithfulness in Assigned Roles
Just as Helez faithfully led his division, we are called to be faithful in the roles and responsibilities God has assigned to us, whether they seem large or small.
Bible Study Questions
1. What qualities do you think Helez possessed to be chosen as a leader of such a large division, and how can we cultivate similar qualities in our own lives?

2. How does the organization of David's military divisions reflect God's character, and how can we apply this principle of order in our personal and church life?

3. In what ways can understanding our spiritual heritage, like Helez's connection to the Ephraimites, enhance our service and commitment to God's work?

4. How can we ensure that we are faithful in the roles God has assigned to us, and what steps can we take to grow in our responsibilities?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to lead or organize a group. What challenges did you face, and how did your faith influence your leadership? How can you apply lessons from Helez's example to future leadership opportunities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Chronicles 12:1-2
This passage describes the mighty men who joined David at Ziklag, highlighting the military prowess and loyalty of those who supported David, similar to Helez's role.

Numbers 1:33
This verse lists the census of the tribe of Ephraim, showing the tribe's significant numbers and strength, which is reflected in Helez's leadership of a large division.

Judges 7:1-7
Gideon's selection of a small, faithful army from the tribe of Manasseh (related to Ephraim) demonstrates God's ability to work through a faithful remnant, paralleling the organized divisions under David.
The Army, Tribal Princes, Royal PossessionsF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 27:1-34
Wisdom, Kindness, and FollyW. Clarkson, B. A.1 Chronicles 27:1-34
Wisdom, Kindness, and FollyW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 27:1-34
People
Aaron, Aaronites, Abiathar, Abiezer, Abner, Adiel, Adlai, Ahithophel, Ammizabad, Arkite, Asahel, Azareel, Azaziah, Azmaveth, Azriel, Baalhanan, Benaiah, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Benjamites, Chelub, Dan, David, Dodai, Eleazar, Eliezer, Elihu, Ezri, Hachmoni, Hanan, Hashabiah, Heldai, Helez, Hosea, Hoshea, Hushai, Iddo, Ikkesh, Ira, Ishmaiah, Israelites, Issachar, Jaasiel, Jashobeam, Jaziz, Jehdeiah, Jehiel, Jehoiada, Jehonathan, Jeremoth, Jerimoth, Jeroham, Joab, Joash, Joel, Jonathan, Kemuel, Levi, Levites, Maacah, Maachah, Maharai, Manasseh, Michael, Mikloth, Naphtali, Obadiah, Obil, Omri, Othniel, Pedaiah, Perez, Reubenites, Shamhuth, Shaphat, Shephatiah, Shimei, Shitrai, Sibbecai, Sibbechai, Simeonites, Uzziah, Zabdi, Zabdiel, Zadok, Zarhites, Zebadiah, Zebulun, Zechariah, Zerahites, Zeruiah, Zichri
Places
Anathoth, Gilead, Jerusalem, Netophah, Pirathon, Sharon, Shephelah
Topics
24000, Course, Division, Ephraim, E'phraim, Ephraimite, Helez, Month, Pelonite, Pel'onite, Seventh, Sons, Thousand, Twenty, Twenty-four
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 27:1-15

     4978   year
     5266   conscription

1 Chronicles 27:1-22

     5544   soldiers

Library
Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Chronicles 27:10 NIV
1 Chronicles 27:10 NLT
1 Chronicles 27:10 ESV
1 Chronicles 27:10 NASB
1 Chronicles 27:10 KJV

1 Chronicles 27:10 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 27:9
Top of Page
Top of Page