King David and His Scribes
David was a remarkable leader and skilled organizer. In particular,
1 Chronicles details how he administered his government. Under his rule
professional recorders and scribes were engaged and educated in the royal
court. These men were greatly respected, and their successors in later
reigns recorded court histories of the kings of Israel and Judah. One
such record, for instance, was "the account of the chronicles of
King David" (1 Chronicles 27:24). Shemaiah was one scribe in David's
royal court whose name is recorded (1 Chronicles 24:6).
An earlier passage in 2 Samuel sums up David's regal administration. "So
David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice
to all his people. Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat
the son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech
the son of Abiathar were the priests; Seraiah was the scribe" (2
Samuel 8:15-17). The chronicler later mentions that "Jehonathan,
David's uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe" (1 Chronicles
27:32). This highly educated relative was apparently a trusted royal
adviser.
The Bible indicates that King David created a climate in which recording
and writing about royal affairs were important governmental functions,
ranked with priestly and military duties. Solomon, his son and successor,
grew up in an atmosphere that nourished his own considerable writing
talents, which were strengthened by his father and others of the royal
court. Among the king's final words to his young son Solomon were these: "All
this ... the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me,
all the works of these plans [for the first temple]" (1 Chronicles
28:19).
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