1 Kings 4:1-10

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. ¹ 

Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was in charge of the records.

4:4 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was commander of ²  the army.

Zadok and Abiathar were priests.

4:5 Azariah son of Nathan was supervisor of ³  the district governors.

Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to ⁴  the king.

4:6 Ahishar was supervisor of the palace. ⁵ 

Adoniram son of Abda was supervisor of ⁶  the work crews. ⁷ 

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.

4:9 Ben-Deker was in charge of Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan.

4:10 Ben-Hesed was in charge of Arubboth; he controlled Socoh and all the territory of Hepher.

[4:3]  ¹ tn Heb “were scribes”; NASB, NIV, NRSV “secretaries”; TEV, NLT “court secretaries.”

[4:4]  ² tn Heb “was over.”

[4:5]  ³ tn Heb “was over.”

[4:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “close associate of”; KJV, ASV, NASB “the king’s friend” (a title for an adviser, not just an acquaintance).

[4:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “over the house.”

[4:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “was over.”

[4:6]  ⁷ sn The work crews. This Hebrew word (מַס, mas) refers to a group of laborers conscripted for royal or public service.