Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 13:1

"And David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader." — 1 Chronicles 13:1 (ASV)

And David consulted. — This consultation took place some time after the coronation at Hebron (compare 2 Samuel 6:1). And David gathered together again every chosen man in Israel, thirty thousand. This is all that Samuel has corresponding to our 1 Chronicles 13:1–5. It is by no means necessary to assume that, "according to the context, we are still at Hebron in the assemblage of 350,000 warriors" (Reuss). Samuel implies the contrary.

Captains of thousands. — The thousands (compare 1 Chronicles 12:20).

And the hundreds. — Compare Numbers 31:14. The hundreds were the smaller military divisions of the tribe, representing, perhaps, the warlike strength of the houses, as the thousands represented that of the clans or sub-tribes.

And with every leader. — Rather, namely, with every prince (nagîd) or chief. These chiefs constituted the Great Council of the nation.