1 Kings 4:2-12

2 These were the princes whom he had: `Azaryah the son of Tzadok, the Kohen;

3 Elichoref and Achiyah, the sons of Shisha, Sofrim; Yehoshafat the son of Achilud, the recorder;

4 and Benayah the son of Yehoiada was over the host; and Tzadok and Avyatar were Kohanim;

5 and `Azaryah the son of Natan was over the officers; and Zavud the son of Natan was chief minister, [and] the king's friend;

6 and Achishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of `Avda was over the men subject to forced labor.

7 Shlomo had twelve officers over all Yisra'el, who provided victuals for the king and his household: each man had to make provision for a month in the year.

8 These are their names: Ben-Hur, in the hill-country of Efrayim;

9 Ben-Deker, in Makatz, and in Sha`alvim, and Beit-Shemesh, and Elon-Beit-Hanan;

10 Ben-Hesed, in Arubbot (to him [pertained] Sokho, and all the land of Hefer);

11 Ben-Avinadav, in all the height of Dor (he had Tafat the daughter of Shlomo as wife);

12 Ba`anah the son of Achilud, in Ta`nakh and Megiddo, and all Beit-She'an which is beside Tzaretan, beneath Yizre`el, from Beit-She'an to Avel-Mecholah, as far as beyond Yokme`am;

1 Kings 4:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

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.