Joab the son of Zeruiah was commander over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was secretary.
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;
- BSB Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
- NKJV Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
- 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, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder;
- 1 Chr 11:6David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.
- 2 Sam 19:13Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the army before me continually instead of Joab.’”
- 2 Sam 20:23–24Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites,
- 1 Chr 18:15–17Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.