1 Kings 4:3-13

3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha - secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud - historian;

4 Benaiah son of Jehoiada - commander of the army; Zadok and Abiathar - priests;

5 Azariah son of Nathan - in charge of the regional managers; Zabud son of Nathan - priest and friend to the king;

6 Ahishar - manager of the palace; Adoniram son of Abda - manager of the slave labor.

7 Solomon had twelve regional managers distributed throughout Israel. They were responsible for supplying provisions for the king and his administration. Each was in charge of bringing supplies for one month of the year.

8 These are the names: Ben-Hur in the Ephraim hills;

9 Ben-Deker in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Bethhanan;

10 Ben-Hesed in Arubboth - this included Socoh and all of Hepher;

11 Ben-Abinadab in Naphoth Dor (he was married to Solomon's daughter Taphath);

12 Baana son of Ahilud in Taanach and Megiddo, all of Beth Shan next to Zarethan below Jezreel, and from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah over to Jokmeam;

13 Ben-Geber in Ramoth Gilead - this included the villages of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead and the region of Argob in Bashan with its sixty large walled cities with bronze-studded gates;

1 Kings 4:3-13 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.