What do we learn from "l'Misparam Roshei ha'Avos"?
Malbim: This is a source to resolve the contradiction about the number of Yisrael 1 . Sefer Shmuel did not count the 288,000 who served David, nor the 12,000 Nesi'im. Refer to 21:5:3:3.
It says above (21:5) that there were 1,100,000 in Yisrael. In Shmuel II, 24:9 it says 800,000!
When were the coming divisions of Yisrael made?
'Rashi': They were at the start of David's kingship. Since it taught the number of Leviyim, it teaches the Sarim of Yisrael. Radak - it says above "Roshei ha'Giborim? ha'Mischazkim Imo b'Malchuso? Lehamlicho" (11:10). There it lists the same Giborim as here (below). Asah'el was fourth for the fourth month (27:7), and he did not live past the start of David's kingship. Avner killed him [in the days of Ish Boshes]!
What is the meaning of "ha'Ba'ah veha'Yotzeis Chodesh b'Chodesh l'Chol Chadshei ha'Shanah"?
'Rashi': Yisrael were divided into 12 parts. Each part served the king for one month, and he paid their expenses, like it says in Melachim I, 4:5 "veli'Shlomo Shneim Asar Netzivim? v'Kilkelu Es ha'Melech v'Es Beiso." They were prepared to fight his wars and do all his work in that month.
Was all of Yisrael only 12 times 24,000? Above (21:5) it says that there were 1,100,000 Yisraelim!
'Rashi': David chose only valiant, rich men who can abandon their affairs and engage in the king's affairs. He did not take Aniyim, who need to engage in their own affairs.
