1 Kings 4:1-9

Solomon's Officials

1 Now King Solomon was king over all Israel.

2 These were his officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was ¹the priest;

3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha were secretaries; ²Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;

4 and ³Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and ⁴Abiathar were priests;

5 and Azariah the son of Nathan was over ⁵the deputies; and Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest, was the king's friend;

6 and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced labor.

7 Solomon had twelve * deputies over all Israel, who provided for the king and his household; each man had to provide for a month in the year.

8 These are their names: Ben-hur, in the ⁶hill country of Ephraim;

9 Ben-deker in Makaz and ⁷Shaalbim and ⁸Beth-shemesh and Elonbeth-hanan;

1 Kings 4:1-9 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.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Chronicles 6:10
• 2. 2 Samuel 8:16
• 3. 1 Kings 2:35
• 4. 1 Kings 2:27
• 5. 1 Kings 4:7
• 6. Joshua 24:33
• 7. Judges 1:35
• 8. Joshua 21:16

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "nourished"
• [b] Lit "nourish"