ADMINISTRATION

Spoils of war,

Tributes of nations,

Tokens of affection - all

Safe under the hand of

Azmaveth the son of Adiel.

Store, where it was needed -

Not only in country cities or valleys

But in towers, was garnered

Under Jonathan, son of Uzziah.

Garnering needs tillage,

Ground working, skill and patience:

Over those who work this

Ezri the son of Chelub.

If Shimei cared for the vineyards,

The live trees and their culture,

Zabdi the Shiphmite applied

His knowledge to the preservation

Of the wine stores in the vineyards.

From the lowland’s fertility

Sprung sycamores and olive trees;

Baal-hanan the Gederite

Had charge of them.

Joash had a large responsibility

The fulness of the olive,

Cellars of oil.

For the herds in the plains by the sea -

Shitrai the Shilonite;

For the flocks in the valleys -

Shaphat the son of Adlai:

That the house of God and the house of the king

Might have rich supply.

Unclean beasts, the camels,

Unclean the Ishmaelite herder, Obil,

But mercy and need

Brought all into service.

Redeemed beasts, the asses,

Redeemed Jehdiah their carer

Since their lord had need of them.

And over the flocks, another

Subject of the sovereign fiat,

Was Jaziz the Hagarite.

“All these were comptrollers

Of the substance which was king David’s.

(1 Chronicles 27: 25-31)