📖WEB · 1 Chronicles 27:29
What does 1 Chronicles 27:29 mean?
"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;"
— 1 Chronicles 27:29 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Over those who did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub;
and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite; and over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite;
and over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowland was Baal Hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash;
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;
and over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite; and over the donkeys was Jehdeiah the Meronothite; and over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite.
All these were the rulers of the property which was king David’s.
Also Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of understanding, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons.
Explanation
1 Chronicles 27:29 is part of a longer administrative list detailing the officials who managed King David's personal property and royal estates. In plain language, this verse simply names two men and their specific jobs: Shitrai the Sharonite was responsible for overseeing the herds of cattle that grazed on the plain of Sharon (the fertile coastal region along the Mediterranean), while Shaphat son of Adlai managed the herds kept in the valleys, likely referring to lowland or inland grazing areas elsewhere in the kingdom.
The book of 1 Chronicles was likely written after the Babylonian exile, compiled by a writer (traditionally associated with Ezra or a similar priestly figure) for a Jewish community returning to the land. The Chronicler's purpose was to remind the people of their history, particularly the glory of David's kingdom and its God-ordained order, as a way of encouraging hope and identity after the devastation of exile. Chapter 27 as a whole catalogs the military divisions, tribal leaders, and royal overseers who helped David administer his kingdom efficiently — essentially a snapshot of a well-organized, prosperous nation under God's chosen king. This particular list of livestock supervisors (verses 25-31) shows that David's wealth included extensive agricultural and pastoral holdings, requiring careful management by trusted stewards.
Theologically, this verse doesn't carry dramatic doctr
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