Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
Parallel translations
- WEB Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder,
- KJV And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
- NKJV Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
- NASB Joab the son of Zeruiah was commander over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was secretary.
- NLT Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joab commanded the army and Jehoshaphat served as recorder. David's well-ordered administration is listed to show a stable, functioning kingdom.
Overview
The roster of officials demonstrates that David's kingdom was organized and well-governed, not merely militarily strong. Joab over the army and Jehoshaphat as recorder represent key offices of state. Such administrative order reflects the wisdom and stability God granted David's reign.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 1 Kgs 4:3Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
- 1 Chr 11:6Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief.
- 2 Sam 19:13And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from this time you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”
- 2 Sam 20:23–24Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;
- 1 Chr 18:15–17Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 8:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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