The Levites were never excluded from military duties despite their duties in the tabernacle/temple, and could even be described as warriors (2 Chronicles 26:17). Normally, however, Levites were not included in the armies of Israel. Of interest, though, is the naming of individuals only here in 1 Chronicles 12:27–28. Jehoiada was leader
of the Aaronite warriors and not the high priest, who was Abiathar (1 Samuel 23:9). He may be the same person as the father of Benaiah (1 Chronicles 11:22).1 Zadok (1 Chronicles 12:28; 1 Chronicles 6:12, 1 Chronicles 6:50–53), who in his youth was a mighty warrior, later replaced Abiathar because of the latter’s involvement in the Adonijah incident (1 Kings 1:7) and became Solomon’s high priest (1 Kings 2:35).2
26 Of the Levites 4,600.