Chancellor

King David’s court had its officers, and the Bible lists them plainly. After he became king over all Israel, “David executed judgment and justice unto all his people” (2 Samuel 8:15). Around him stood Joab over the army, Jehoshaphat as recorder, Seraiah as scribe, two priests, and Benaiah over the king’s guard. The list is repeated near the end of David’s reign in 2 Samuel 20:23-26, with Adoram over the tribute added. This topic gathers those verses about the people who kept records and carried out the king’s orders. Start at 2 Samuel 8:15-18 for the first and clearest list.

9 verses

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 8:15

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

2 Samuel 8:16

And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

2 Samuel 8:17

And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

2 Samuel 8:18

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

2 Samuel 15:12

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

2 Samuel 20:23

Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:

2 Samuel 20:24

And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:

2 Samuel 20:25

And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

2 Samuel 20:26

And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew George Easton, 1897

One who has judicial authority, literally, a “lord of judgement;” a title given to the Persian governor of Samaria (Ezra 4:8, 9, 17).