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Texts -- 1 Kings 4:1-8 (NET)

Context
Solomon’s Royal Court and Administrators
4:1 King Solomon ruled over all Israel . 4:2 These were his officials : Azariah son of Zadok was the priest . 4:3 Elihoreph and Ahijah , the sons of Shisha , wrote down what happened. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was in charge of the records. 4:4 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was commander of the army . Zadok and Abiathar were priests . 4:5 Azariah son of Nathan was supervisor of the district governors. Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king . 4:6 Ahishar was supervisor of the palace . Adoniram son of Abda was supervisor of the work crews . 4:7 Solomon had twelve district governors appointed throughout Israel who acquired supplies for the king and his palace . Each was responsible for one month in the year . 4:8 These were their names : Ben-Hur was in charge of the hill country of Ephraim .

Pericope

NET
  • 1Ki 4:1-19 -- Solomon's Royal Court and Administrators

Bible Dictionary

  • Solomon

    [ebd] peaceful, (Heb. Shelomoh), David's second son by Bathsheba, i.e., the first after their legal marriage (2 Sam. 12). He was probably born about B.C. 1035 (1 Chr. 22:5; 29:1). He succeeded his father on the throne in early man...
    [isbe] SOLOMON - sol'-o-mun (shelomoh; New Testament Solomon): I. EARLY LIFE 1. Name and Meaning 2. Sources 3. Birth and Upbringing 4. His Accession 5. Closing Days of David II. REIGN OF SOLOMON 1. His Vision 2. His Policy 3. Its R...
    [nave] SOLOMON Son of David by Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 12:24; 1 Kin. 1:13, 17, 21. Named Jedidiah, by Nathan the prophet, 2 Sam. 12:24, 25. Ancestor of Joseph, Matt. 1:6. Succeeds David to the throne of Israel, 1 Kin. 1:11-48; 2:12; 1...

  • King

    [ebd] is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:...
    [nave] KING Called King of kings, Ezra 7:12; Ezek. 26:7; Dan. 2:37. Divinely authorized, Deut. 17:15; 1 Sam. 9:16, 17; 16:12; 1 Chr. 22:10; 2 Chr. 2:11, 12; Prov. 8:15; Dan. 2:21, 37; 4:17; 5:20; Hos. 8:4; 13:11. How chosen: By d...

  • Micah, Book of

    [ebd] the sixth in order of the so-called minor prophets. The superscription to this book states that the prophet exercised his office in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. If we reckon from the beginning of Jotham's reign ...

  • GENEALOGY, 1-7

    [isbe] GENEALOGY, 1-7 - je-na-al'-o-ji, jen-a-al'-o-ji: 1. Definition 2. Biblical References 3. Importance of Genealogies 4. Their Historical Value 5. Principles of Interpretation 6. Principles of Compilation 7. Sources 8. Principa...

  • HORSE

    [isbe] HORSE - hors: 1. Names: The common names are (1) cuc, and (2) hippos. (3) The word parash, "horseman," occurs often, and in several cases is translated "horse" or "warhorse" (Isa 28:28; Ezek 27:14; Joel 2:4 the Revised Versi...

  • Officer

    [nave] OFFICER. Civil Chosen by the people, Deut. 1:13-16; appointed by kings, 2 Sam. 8:16-18; 20:23-26; 1 Kin. 4:1-19; 9:22; Ezra 7:25. See: Government; Judge; Ruler; Serjeant. Ecclesiastical See: Priest; Levite; Apostle; Eld...

  • RAMOTH-GILEAD

    [isbe] RAMOTH-GILEAD - ra'-moth-gil'-e-ad (ramoth gil'adh; Codex Vaticanus Rhemmath Galadd; Codex Alexandrinus Rhammoth, and other forms): A great and strong city East of the Jordan in the territory of Gad, which played an importan...

  • DEER

    [isbe] DEER - der ('ayyal, feminine 'ayyalah, and 'ayyeleth (compare Arabic, 'ayyal and 'iyal, "deer" and 'ayil, "ram," and Latin caper and capra, "goat," caprea, capreolus, "wild goat," "chamois," or "roe deer"); yachmur (compare ...

  • Azariah

    [ebd] whom Jehovah helps. (1.) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah (1 Chr. 2:8). (2.) Son of Ahimaaz, who succeeded his grandfather Zadok as high priest (1 Chr. 6:9; 1 Kings 4:2) in the days of Solomon. He officiated at the consec...
    [isbe] AZARIAH - az-a-ri'-a `azaryahu and `azaryah, "Yahweh has helped"): (1) King of Judah. See UZZIAH. (2) A Judahite of the house of Ethan the Wise (1 Ch 2:8). (3) The son of Jehu, descended from an Egyptian through the daughter...
    [smith] (whom the Lord helps) a common name in Hebrew, and especially in the families of the priests of the line of Eleazar, whose name has precisely the same meaning as Azariah. It is nearly identical, and is often confounded, with ...
    [nave] AZARIAH 1. Son of Ethan, 1 Chr. 2:8. 2. Son of Jehu, 1 Chr. 2:38, 39. 3. Son of Zadok, 1 Kin. 4:2; perhaps identical with No. 6, below. 4. Captain of Solomon's guards, 1 Kin. 4:5. 5. A prophet, called Oded, 2 Chr. 15:1; ...

  • Cabinet

    [nave] CABINET, heads of departments in government. David's, 2 Sam. 8:15-18; 15:12; 20:23-26; 1 Chr. 27:32-34; Solomon's, 1 Kin. 4:1-7; Hezekiah's, Isa. 36:3; Artaxerxes', Ezra 7:14. See: Counselor; Minister, Prime.

  • Abda

    [ebd] servant. (1.) The father of Adoniram, whom Solomon set over the tribute (1 Kings 4:6); i.e., the forced labour (R.V., "levy"). (2.) A Levite of the family of Jeduthun (Neh. 11:17), also called Obadiah (1 Chr. 9:16).
    [isbe] ABDA - ab'-da (`abhda', perhaps, by abbreviation, "servant of Yahweh"): (1) The father of Adoniram, King Solomon's superintendent of forced labor (1 Ki 4:6). (2) A Levite mentioned in the statistical note in Neh (11:17). Thi...
    [smith] Father of Adoniram. (1 Kings 4:6) Son of Shammua, (Nehemiah 11:17) called Obadiah in (1 Chronicles 9:16)
    [nave] ABDA, father of Adoniram, 1 Kin. 4:6.

  • Zabud

    [ebd] gift, the son of Nathan, who was "king's friend" in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:5).
    [isbe] ZABUD - za'-bud (zabhudh, "bestowed"): (1) A son of Nathan (the prophet, probably) said in Kings to be chief minister to Solomon and also the king's friend (1 Ki 4:5; 1 Ch 2:36). The American Revised Version margin has "prie...
    [smith] (given), son of Nathan, (1 Kings 4:5) is described as a priest (Authorized Version "principal officer"), and as holding at the court of Solomon the confidential post of "king?s friend," which had been occupied by Hushai th...
    [nave] ZABUD, a chief officer of Solomon, 1 Kin. 4:5.

  • Ahishar

    [ebd] brother of song = singer, the officer who was "over the household" of Solomon (1 Kings 4:6).
    [isbe] AHISHAR - a-hish'-ar ('achishar, "my brother has sung"): Mentioned in Solomon's list of heads of departments as "over the household" (1 Ki 4:6).
    [smith] the controller of Solomon?s household. (1 Kings 4:6)
    [nave] AHISHAR, son of Solomon's household officers, 1 Kin. 4:6.

  • Adoniram

    [ebd] (Adoram, 1 Kings 12:18), the son of Abda, was "over the tribute," i.e., the levy or forced labour. He was stoned to death by the people of Israel (1 Kings 4:6; 5:14)
    [isbe] ADONIRAM - ad-o-ni'-ram ('adhoniram, "my lord is exalted"): An official of Solomon (1 Ki 4:6; 5:14). Near the close of the reign of David, and at the opening of the reign of Rehoboam, the same office was held by Adoram (2 Sa...
    [smith] (lord of heights), (1 Kings 4:6) by an unusual contraction ADORAM, (2 Samuel 20:24) and 1Kin 12:18 Also HADORAM, (2 Chronicles 10:18) chief receiver of the tribute during the reigns of David, (2 Samuel 20:24) Solo...
    [nave] ADONIRAM, called also Adoram, a tax collector, 2 Sam. 20:24; 1 Kin. 4:6; 5:14; 12:18.

  • Abiathar

    [ebd] father of abundance, or my father excels, the son of Ahimelech the high priest. He was the tenth high priest, and the fourth in descent from Eli. When his father was slain with the priests of Nob, he escaped, and bearing wit...
    [isbe] ABIATHAR - a-bi'-a-thar, ab-i-a'-thar ('ebhyathar, "father of super-excellence," or, "the super-excellent one is father." With changed phraseology these are the explanations commonly given, though "a father remains" would be...
    [nave] ABIATHAR 1. High priest. Called Ahimelech in 2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Chr. 24:3, 6, 31, and Abimelech, 1 Chr. 18:16. Son of Ahimelech, 1 Sam. 22:20. Escapes to David from the vengeance of Saul, who killed the priests in the city of ...

  • KING; KINGDOM

    [isbe] KING; KINGDOM - king'-dum: I. KING 1. Etymology and Definition 2. Earliest Kings 3. Biblical Signification of the Title II. KINGDOM 1. Israel's Theocracy 2. Period of Judges 3. Establishment of the Monarchy 4. Appointment of...

  • GOVERNMENT

    [isbe] GOVERNMENT - guv'-ern-ment: The government of the Hebrews varied at different periods, of which we may distinguish seven: (1) the nomadic period, from the Exodus to the entrance into Palestine; (2) the period of transition f...

  • Benaiah

    [ebd] built up by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest (1 Chr. 27:5). He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites (2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Kings 1:32; 1 Chr. 18:17). His exploits are enumerated in 2 Sam...
    [isbe] BENAIAH - be-na'-ya, be-ni'-a (benayah, benayahu, "Yahweh has built." Compare HPN, 182, 265, 268): (1) Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada of Kabzeel (compare Josh 15:21), was a man of "mighty deeds" and was more honorable than any...
    [smith] (made by the Lord). The son of Jehoiada the chief priest, (1 Chronicles 27:5) of the tribe of Levi, though a native of Kabzeel, (2 Samuel 23:20) set by David, (1 Chronicles 11:25) over his body-guard. (2 Samuel 8...
    [nave] BENAIAH 1. Son of Jehoiada, commander of the Cherethites and Pelethites, 2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Kin. 1:38. A distinguished warrior, 2 Sam. 23:20-23; 1 Chr. 11:22-25; 27:5, 6. Loyal to Solomon, 1 Kin. 1:2; 4:4. 2. An Ephraimite, a...

  • Ahijah

    [ebd] brother (i.e., "friend") of Jehovah. (1.) One of the sons of Bela (1 Chr. 8:7, R.V.). In A.V. called "Ahiah." (2.) One of the five sons of Jerahmeel, who was great-grandson of Judah (1 Chr. 2:25). (3.) Son of Ahitub (1 Sam. ...
    [isbe] AHIJAH - a-hi'-ja ('achiyah or 'achiyahu, "brother of Yahweh," "my brother is Yahweh," "Yah is brother." In the King James Version the name sometimes appears as Ahiah): (1) One of the sons of Jerahmeel the great-grandson of ...
    [nave] AHIJAH, called also Ahiah. 1. Son of Bela, 1 Chr. 8:7. 2. Son of Jerahmeel, 1 Chr. 2:25. 3. A priest in Shiloh, probably identical with Ahimelech, mentioned in 1 Sam. 22:11. Was priest in Saul's reign, 1 Sam. 14:3, 18. S...

  • Elihoreph

    [isbe] ELIHOREPH - el-i-ho'-ref ('elichoreph, "God of autumn"?): A scribe of Solomon and son of Shisha (1 Ki 4:3).
    [smith] (God is his reward), one of Solomon?s scribes. (1 Kings 4:3)
    [nave] ELIHOREPH, son of Shisha, 1 Kin. 4:3.
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Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
  • I. The reign of Solomon chs. 1-11A. Solomon's succession to David's throne 1:1-2:121. David's declining health 1:1-42. Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne 1:5-533. David's charge to Solomon 2:1-94. David's death 2:10-12B. ...
  • The Holy Spirit led the writer of Kings to give an interpretation of history, not just a chronologically sequential record of events. This is true of all the writers of the Old Testament historical books. Some of the events i...
  • The flowing narrative of chapters 1-2 now gives way to reports and lists that catalogue facts about Solomon's reign.The writer constructed the Solomon narrative (chs. 3-11), like so many others in the Old Testament, to draw a...
  • Delegation of authority is a mark of wisdom. Azariah (v. 2) was apparently Zadok's grandson (1 Chron. 6:8-9). "The priest"is a common designation for the high priest. Secretaries (v. 3) prepared official documents and records...
  • The writer of Kings referred to other ancient records (v. 41; cf. 14:19, 29). The Acts of Solomon was the first of these.120It is no longer extant.Solomon's long reign of 40 years (971-931 B.C.) ended with the king in decline...
  • Aharoni, Yohanan. "The Building Activities of David and Solomon."Israel Exploration Journal24:1(1974):13-16.Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonahl. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Revised ed., New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.,...
  • The Chronicler's main interest in David's reign, as we have seen, focused on the Davidic Covenant with its promises to David and his descendants. In recounting the events of Solomon's reign he proceeded to emphasize the templ...
  • It seemed to Isaiah's audience that the promises in chapter 60 could hardly come to pass since the Babylonian exile was still ahead of them. The Lord assured them that He would surely fulfill these promises."Much of this chap...
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