Melachim Alef 4

1 So HaMelech Sh’lomo was Melech over kol Yisroel.

2 And these were the sarim which he had; Azaryah Ben Tzadok HaKohen,

3 Elichoreph and Achiyah, the Bnei Shisha, Sofrim (scribes); Yehoshaphat Ben Achilud, the Mazkir (secretary).

4 And Benayah Ben Yehoyada was over the Tzava (army); and Tzadok and Evyatar (Abiathar) were the Kohanim;

5 And Azaryah Ben Natan was over the Nitzavim (commissioners) and Zavud Ben Natan kohen re’eh HaMelech;

6 And Achishar was over the Bais (palace); and Adoniram Ben Avda was over the forced labor.

7 And Sh’lomo had twelve Nitzavim (commissioners) over kol Yisroel, which provided provision for HaMelech and his Bais (palace); each man his month in a shanah (year) made provision.

8 And these are their shemot; Ben Hur, in har Ephrayim;

9 The Ben Deker, in Makatz, and in Sha’alvim, and Beit Shemesh, and Elon Beit Chanan;

10 Ben Chesed, in Arubot; to him pertained Sochoh, and kol Eretz Chepher;

11 Ben Avinadav, in kol Naphat Dor; which had Taphat Bat Sh’lomo as his isha;

12 Ba’ana Ben Achilud; Ta’nach and Megiddo, and kol Beit She’an, which is near Zartanah below Yizre’el (Jezreel), from Beit She’an to Avel Mecholah, even unto beyond Yokme’am;

13 Ben Gever, in Ramot Gil‘ad; to him pertained the towns of Yair Ben Menasheh, which are in Gil‘ad; to him also pertained the region of Argov, which is in Bashan, threescore arim gedolim with chomah and gate bars of nechoshet;

14 Achinadav Ben Iddo had Machanayim;

15 Achima’atz was in Naphtali; he also took Ba’smat Bat Sh’lomo as his isha;

16 Ba’anah Ben Chushai was in Asher and in Alot;

17 Yehoshaphat Ben Paruach, in Yissakhar;

18 Shimei Ben Elah, in Binyamin;

19 Gever Ben Uri was in Eretz Gil‘ad, in Eretz Sichon Melech Emori, and of Og Melech HaBashan; and he was the only Netziv (commissioner) which was in the land.

20 Yehudah and Yisroel were many, as the chol (sand) which is by the yam in multitude, eating and drinking, and rejoicing.

Melachim Alef 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

Solomon's court. (1-19) Solomon's dominions, His daily provision. (20-28) The wisdom of Solomon. (29-34)

Verses 1-19 In the choice of the great officers of Solomon's court, no doubt, his wisdom appeared. Several are the same that were in his father's time. A plan was settled by which no part of the country was exhausted to supply his court, though each sent its portion.

Verses 20-28 Never did the crown of Israel shine so bright, as when Solomon wore it. He had peace on all sides. Herein, his kingdom was a type of the Messiah's; for to Him it is promised that he shall have the heathen for his inheritance, and that princes shall worship him. The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus, were typified by that of Israel. The kingdom of God is not, as Solomon's was, meat and drink, but, what is infinitely better, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The vast number of his attendants, and the great resort to him, are shown by the provision daily made. Herein Christ far outdoes Solomon, that he feeds all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but with that which endures to eternal life.

Verses 29-34 Solomon's wisdom was more his glory than his wealth. He had what is here called largeness of heart, for the heart is often put for the powers of the mind. He had the gift of utterance, as well as wisdom. It is very desirable, that those who have large gifts of any kind, should have large hearts to use them for the good of others. What treasures of wisdom and knowledge are lost! But every sort of knowledge that is needful for salvation is to be found in the holy Scriptures. There came persons from all parts, who were more eager after knowledge than their neighbours, to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Solomon was herein a type of Christ, in whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and hid for us, for he is made of God to us, wisdom. Christ's fame shall spread through all the earth, and men of all nations shall come to him, learn of him, and take upon them his easy yoke, and find rest for their souls.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 4

As in the preceding chapter we have a proof of the wisdom and understanding which the Lord gave to Solomon, as promised, so in this an account is given of the riches and honour he was possessed of; of him, as king over all Israel, and of his princes, 1Ki 4:1-6; of the providers of food for his household in the several parts of the land, 1Ki 4:7-19; of the largeness and extent of his dominions, and of the peace and prosperity thereof, 1Ki 4:20,21,24,25; of his daily provisions for his household and for his cattle, 1Ki 4:22,23,26-28; and of his superior wisdom and knowledge to all others in all nations, which brought some out of all to hear it, 1Ki 4:29-34.