1 Chronicles 27:16

1 Chronicles 27:16 says, Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:  These next few verses give us a listing of the princes or rulers listed by the houses or tribes of Israel.  Verse seventeen adds, Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:  Verse eighteen continues, Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:  We do have the added fact that Elihu, one of David's brothers was in charge in Judah.  I have to assume he was put in charge by God's direction and not just because he was David's brother.  We should not allow nepotism to determine who is in charge of God's work today but must rely on the calling of God.  Verse nineteen states, Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:  Verse twenty adds, Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:  Verse twenty-one continues, Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:  Verse twenty-two concludes, Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.  Verse twenty-three declares, But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the Lord had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.  David numbered the people once more, but not those under twenty, Matthew Henry says in an attempt to still know the number out of pride while still trying to placate God.  We cannot attempt to get our own way by trying to compromise God's word, and we should never allow pride to cause us to attempt to do so.  Verse twenty-four adds, Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.  Joab began the count but stopped because the wrath of God against the people of Israel was being felt.  If we start doing something as Christians that God doesn't want us to do, I believe that He will let us know that we need to stop.  The number of the people of Israel was not included in the chronicles of the kings.  Things that we do against God's will won't ever be remembered by God if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ.  They will not be remembered as good works nor will they be remembered as sins against God, since through faith in Jesus Christ, all our sins are washed clean.  Verse twenty-five continues, And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:  We are told who was over the storehouses in the fields and also who was over the storehouses in the villages and castles.  This would include all his valuables.  Matthew Henry said it was usable things and not just things for show.  Verse twenty-six says, And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:  There was also one put in charge of those who worked the fields.  Verse twenty-seven adds, And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:  Then, a different person was put in charge of the vineyards.  We need different people called by God to do the work of the church today.  Verse twenty-eight continues, And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:  Verse twenty-nine states, And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:  Verse thirty adds, Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:  Verse thirty-one continues, And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.  Verse thirty-two says, Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:  Then, we have the fact that Jonathan, David's uncle and not Jonathan his son, was a counselor and wise man and scribe.  We need wise men as counselors in the church today to make sure that we know God's word and are following it.  Verse thirty-three adds, And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:  David had more than one counselor and we are also told that Hushai the Archite was his companion.  I assume this would be a close personal friend that David could rely on.  I do know that we need Christian friends that we can rely on, and we need to be a friend that others can rely on.  Verse thirty-four continues, And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.  We are given the names of two others who were part of David's close circle, but not their specific role, and are told that Joab was the general of David's army.  David's reign was carried out in an orderly manner, and he delegated authority and responsibility to others.  The church today needs to be organized by followers of Christ acting under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and faithfully doing what God call them to do individually.