1 Chronicles 27:32
David's uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king.
David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor;

Jonathan combined family loyalty with public responsibility, serving David in a trusted advisory role within the royal administration. Wise counselors helped kings govern justly, discern threats, and preserve order, as seen in the contrasting counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai during Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:12, 32–37).

2Sa 15:12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, …
2Sa 16:23 Now in those days, the advice of Ahithophel was…
Pro 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel.…

he was a man of insight and a scribe.

Jonathan possessed the discernment needed for counsel and the administrative skill needed to preserve royal records, correspondence, and decrees. His service joined wisdom with faithful stewardship, anticipating the later ministry of Ezra, a skilled scribe devoted to the Law of the Lord (Ezra 7:6, 10).

1Ch 12:32 From Issachar, men who understood the times…
2Sa 8:17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar…
Ezr 7:6 Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe…

Jehiel son of Hachmoni attended to the sons of the king.

Jehiel supervised the care and instruction of David’s sons, a task requiring discretion and loyalty. The future of the kingdom depended not only on military strength and political order but also on the formation of those raised to lead.

1Ch 18:17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites…
2Sa 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jonathan
David's uncle, who served as a counselor. The Hebrew term for "counselor" (yo'etz) implies someone who provides guidance and wisdom, indicating Jonathan's role in advising King David.

2. David
The King of Israel, known for his leadership and heart for God. This verse highlights the support system around him, including family members like Jonathan.

3. Jehiel son of Hachmoni
He was responsible for attending to the king's sons, indicating a role of mentorship or guardianship. The name Jehiel means "God lives," reflecting a common practice of naming that acknowledges God's presence.

4. Scribe
The role of a scribe (sofer) involved recording events, maintaining records, and possibly teaching. This indicates Jonathan's intellectual and administrative contributions to David's reign.

5. King’s Sons
The sons of David, who were under the care and instruction of trusted individuals like Jehiel, ensuring they were prepared for future leadership roles.
Teaching Points
The Value of Wise Counsel
Just as David had Jonathan, we should seek wise and godly counsel in our lives. Surrounding ourselves with people who have insight and wisdom can guide us in making sound decisions.

The Role of Family in Leadership
Jonathan, being David's uncle, shows the importance of family support in leadership. Family can provide a unique perspective and loyalty that is invaluable in leadership roles.

The Importance of Mentorship
Jehiel's role with the king's sons underscores the need for mentorship. Investing in the next generation is crucial for sustaining leadership and ensuring continuity of values and vision.

The Significance of Record Keeping
As a scribe, Jonathan's role was vital in maintaining the history and laws of the kingdom. This highlights the importance of documentation and record-keeping in preserving truth and accountability.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of a counselor in David's time compare to the role of mentors or advisors in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are receiving godly counsel in our decision-making processes?

3. How can we apply the principle of mentorship seen in Jehiel's role to our own lives, particularly in our families or communities?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that we are effectively documenting and preserving important aspects of our personal or spiritual lives?

5. How does the support system around David, as seen in this verse, reflect the importance of community in achieving God's purposes for our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 11:14
This verse emphasizes the importance of having many counselors for success, which connects to Jonathan's role as a counselor to David.

2 Samuel 8:16-18
Provides a broader context of David's administration, listing other key figures in his government, showing the importance of a well-structured leadership team.

1 Kings 4:5
Mentions other counselors in Solomon's reign, highlighting the continuity of wise counsel in Israel's leadership.
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
Attended, Brother, Care, Counsellor, Counselor, David, David's, Discussion, Expert, Father's, Hachmoni, Hach'moni, Hacmoni, Insight, Jehiel, Jehi'el, Jonathan, King's, Scribe, Sense, Sons, Tutored, Uncle, Understanding, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 27:32

     5514   scribes
     8281   insight

1 Chronicles 27:32-33

     5780   advisers
     8365   wisdom, human

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 27:32 NIV
1 Chronicles 27:32 NLT
1 Chronicles 27:32 ESV
1 Chronicles 27:32 NASB
1 Chronicles 27:32 KJV

1 Chronicles 27:32 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 27:31
Top of Page
Top of Page