MPV Commentary

16. The rulers over the tribes of Israel: These were hereditary chiefs or leaders who oversaw their respective tribes during David's census. Gad and Asher are missing from this list, but the reason for their exclusion is unknown.

The tribe of Levi had its own prince (1Ch 27:17), just like the other tribes. Although it was under the authority of the high priest in ecclesiastical matters, it still had a chief or head who held the same level of power and authority as the leaders of the other tribes. However, this leader's jurisdiction did not extend to the priests.

18. Elihu is likely the same person as Eliab (1Sa 16:6).

23. David did not take a census of those under twenty years old. The census he ordered was limited in scope because it would have been impractical and even presumptuous to attempt an enumeration of all Israelites. This limitation may have alleviated some of David's concerns about the lawfulness of the census, while its practical benefits were emphasized by the military arrangements he had in mind.

24. The number of those counted was not recorded in the official chronicles of King David's reign. This might be because the census was incomplete, as Levi and Benjamin were not included (1Ch 21:6), or because the details collected by the enumerators were not fully reported to David and thus not documented in the public archives.

The chronicles referred to here are the daily records or annals of the king's reign. This census is not mentioned in these historical records, likely due to its association with a public calamity that resulted from God's judgment against the king and the nation.

25. Overseeing the king's treasures: These included gold, silver, precious stones, cedar wood, and other valuable items stored in Jerusalem, distinct from those kept outside the city.

The storehouses in the fields were used to preserve grain covered with layers of straw under earthen mounds, similar to our modern-day potato pits.

27. The vineyards were located in Judah's wine-growing regions and were managed by two men from that area.

Wine-cellars: Wine was stored in jars sunk into the court of a house.

28. Olive trees and sycamore trees in the low-lying plains, specifically the Shephela region between the Mediterranean and the mountains of Judah.

29. Herds grazing in Sharon, a fertile plain between Cæsarea and Joppa.

30. Camels: These were likely kept in areas east of the Jordan River, so an Ishmaelite and a Nazarite were appointed to oversee them.

31. Rulers of the king's private possessions: The management of David's personal property was divided into twelve parts, similar to his public affairs and revenue sources.