Cinematic Bible Songs
Listen NowSupport
ENESBRPH
ENESBRPH
SearchSupportListen Now

1 Chronicles 27

1 Chronicles 27

The big picture

1 Chronicles 27 opens in verse 1 with “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 17 with “Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:”, and closes in verse 34 with “And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of…” Repeated or prominent terms include course, month, twenty, captain, children. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

1 Chronicles · King James Version · 34

1 Chronicles 27:1-7

1–7: The children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and…

1 Chronicles 27:1–7 opens with “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of…” and reaches “The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children, with particular weight carried by course, month, twenty.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth…” It lands on “The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as course, month, twenty, chief, first, Benaiah tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Benaiah, Ahohite, Ammizabad, Asahel, Dodai, Israel. Its number language includes twenty, four, thousand, thirty. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 1: “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: course, month, twenty, chief, first, Benaiah

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Chronicles 27:1

    “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  2. 1 Chronicles 27:2

    “Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  3. 1 Chronicles 27:3

    “Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.” Naming Perez keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. 1 Chronicles 27:4

    “And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  5. 1 Chronicles 27:5

    “The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  6. 1 Chronicles 27:6

    “This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  7. 1 Chronicles 27:7

    “The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

1 Chronicles 27:1-7

King James Version

1Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand.

2Over the first course for the first month was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

3Of the children of Perez was the chief of all the captains of the host for the first month.

4And over the course of the second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course likewise were twenty and four thousand.

5The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

6This is that Benaiah, who was mighty among the thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course was Ammizabad his son.

7The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:8-14

8–14: The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in…

1 Chronicles 27:8–14 opens with “The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty…” and reaches “The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children, with particular weight carried by captain, course, month.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were…” By verse 11, the text has turned to “The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in…” It lands on “The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as captain, course, month, twenty, children, eighth tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Ephraim, Zarhites, Abi, Anetothite, Benaiah, Benjamites. Its number language includes twenty, four, thousand. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 11: “The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: captain, course, month, twenty, children, eighth

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Chronicles 27:8

    “The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  2. 1 Chronicles 27:9

    “The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  3. 1 Chronicles 27:10

    “The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  4. 1 Chronicles 27:11

    “The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  5. 1 Chronicles 27:12

    “The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abi-ezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  6. 1 Chronicles 27:13

    “The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  7. 1 Chronicles 27:14

    “The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

1 Chronicles 27:8-14

King James Version

8The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

9The sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

10The seventh captain for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

11The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

12The ninth captain for the ninth month was Abi-ezer the Anetothite, of the Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

13The tenth captain for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

14The eleventh captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

1 Chronicles 27:15-21

15–21: The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite…

1 Chronicles 27:15–21 opens with “The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his…” and reaches “Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children, with particular weight carried by half, Manasseh, tribe.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in…” By verse 18, the text has turned to “Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:” It lands on “Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as half, Manasseh, tribe, twelfth, Aaronites, Abner tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Manasseh, Aaronites, Abner, Azaziah, Azriel, Benjamin. Its number language includes twenty, four, thousand, one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 18: “Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: half, Manasseh, tribe, twelfth, Aaronites, Abner

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Chronicles 27:15

    “The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  2. 1 Chronicles 27:16

    “Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites…” Naming Eliezer and Furthermore keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. 1 Chronicles 27:17

    “Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:” Naming Aaronites and Hashabiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. 1 Chronicles 27:18

    “Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  5. 1 Chronicles 27:19

    “Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:” Naming Azriel and Ishmaiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. 1 Chronicles 27:20

    “Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:” Naming Azaziah and Ephraim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. 1 Chronicles 27:21

    “Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:” Naming Abner and Benjamin keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

1 Chronicles 27:15-21

King James Version

15The twelfth captain for the twelfth month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

16Furthermore over the tribes of Israel: the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of Maachah:

17Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:

18Of Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:

19Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:

20Of the children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:

21Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:

1 Chronicles 27:22-28

22–28: Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes…

1 Chronicles 27:22–28 opens with “Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.” and reaches “And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children, with particular weight carried by Israel, number, cellars.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.” By verse 25, the text has turned to “And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the…” It lands on “And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 2 stated contrasts, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as Israel, number, cellars, David, increase, trees tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Israel, David, Adiel, Azareel, Azmaveth, Baal. Its number language includes twenty. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 23: “But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: Israel, number, cellars, David, increase, trees

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Chronicles 27:22

    “Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.” Naming Azareel and Dan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. 1 Chronicles 27:23

    “But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase…” The number twenty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  3. 1 Chronicles 27:24

    “Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither…” Naming David and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. 1 Chronicles 27:25

    “And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities…” Naming Adiel and Azmaveth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. 1 Chronicles 27:26

    “And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:” Naming Chelub and Ezri keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. 1 Chronicles 27:27

    “And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the…” Naming Ramathite and Shimei keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  7. 1 Chronicles 27:28

    “And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the…” Naming Baal and Gederite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

1 Chronicles 27:22-28

King James Version

22Of Dan, Azareel the son of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes of Israel.

23But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens.

24Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

25And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:

26And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub:

27And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:

28And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-hanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:

1 Chronicles 27:29-34

29–34: Over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over…

1 Chronicles 27:29–34 opens with “And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in…” and reaches “And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children, with particular weight carried by king’s, Ahithophel, counsellor.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that…” By verse 31, the text has turned to “And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which…” It lands on “And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. Its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and consequences reveal how the thought develops before any interpretation is added.

The narrator makes meaning through who acts first, who responds, what changes, and which consequences remain. A reported action is not automatically an approved action. Words such as king’s, Ahithophel, counsellor, David’s, herds, Abiathar tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Ahithophel, David, Abiathar, Adlai, All, Also. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 31: “And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: king’s, Ahithophel, counsellor, David’s, herds, Abiathar

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Chronicles 27:29

    “And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was…” Naming Adlai and Shaphat keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. 1 Chronicles 27:30

    “Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:” Naming Ishmaelite and Jehdeiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  3. 1 Chronicles 27:31

    “And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.” Naming All and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  4. 1 Chronicles 27:32

    “Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the…” Naming Also and David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. 1 Chronicles 27:33

    “And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:” Naming Ahithophel and Archite keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. 1 Chronicles 27:34

    “And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army was Joab.” Naming Abiathar and Ahithophel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

1 Chronicles 27:29-34

King James Version

29And 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:

30Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:

31And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s.

32Also Jonathan David’s uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king’s sons:

33And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:

34And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army was Joab.

Questions to keep in mind while reading

  1. Track who acts, who speaks, who is affected, and what changes.
  2. Notice repeated promises, failures, rescues, and consequences.
  3. Do not assume the narrator approves every action that is reported.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Questions beneath the surface

  1. What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from 1 Chronicles 27?
  2. Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
  3. What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
  4. Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?

Questions for serious personal contemplation

These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.

Observe without rushing

  1. What part of 1 Chronicles 27 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?

  2. Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?

  3. Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: 1 Chronicles 27 develops its own movement around course, month, twenty, captain, children?

  4. What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?

Examine your inner life honestly

  1. Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?

  2. What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?

  3. Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?

  4. If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?

Respond with wisdom and courage

  1. What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?

  2. How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?

  3. What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?

  4. What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?