Definition: And his brethren, men of valour, [were] two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 26:32. It’s a really important passage about David’s leadership and his focus on God. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes two powerful leaders who were given significant authority over a specific group of people. Here's a breakdown of the key parts: “And his brethren, men of valour…” – This refers to David’s close advisors and trusted companions. “Men of valour” means they were brave and reliable. “[were] two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers…” - This is the most important part. "Chief fathers" means they held a very high position of responsibility and influence. They were the key people responsible for making decisions about God’s will and the kingdom of Israel. It’s like being the top leaders in a community. “…whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh…” – This tells us who these men were. They were given responsibility to govern a specific group of people: the Reubenites, the Gadites, and a part of Manasseh. These groups were important for David's kingdom, and he trusted them to handle things related to God’s laws and his own rule. “…for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king.” – This is crucially important. “Affairs of the king” means they were responsible for everything that happened in the kingdom, including religious matters, laws, and how David ruled. So, putting it all together: David appointed two powerful men – his most trusted advisors – to be in charge of a specific group of people, and they had authority over them to help him follow God's will and rule justly as king. What’s the significance? This verse shows how David was deeply committed to following God’s instructions and making decisions that were right for his people. It highlights his dedication to a godly leadership. Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail (e.g., why this group of people was important)? Compare it to another biblical passage?