1 Kings 4

1 Kings 4:1

C. Solomon’s Administrators (4:1-19)4:1-6 These verses list Solomon’s high officials, or cabinet: Azariah, a grandson of Zadok, who seems to have succeeded him as high priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah, secretaries of state; Jehoshaphat, recorder or chronicler; Benaiah, commander of the army; Zadok and Abiathar, the priests; Azariahover the officers; Zabudthe friend of Solomon; Ahishar, in charge of the palace; Adoniram, in charge of the labor force (tribute). The name “Abiathar” in verse 4 presents a difficulty if it is the same one Solomon dismissed in 1Kki_2:27. Perhaps he was dismissed after this period. Or perhaps he still retained the title of priest though no longer exercising priestly functions. It may, however, have been another Abiathar (see 2Sa_8:15-18). Matthew Poole comments: Some say that here is mention made of all Solomon’s chief officers, both such as now were, and such as had been, and such as were afterwards, as they gather from verses 11 and 15, where two persons are named who married two of Solomon’s daughters, which could not be till many years after this time. 4:7-19 Solomon divided the land of Israel into twelve sections and put a governor in charge of each area to collect food from the people. Each division of the land with its officer in charge was responsible for supplying the royal board one month out of the year. Judah is not mentioned.

1 Kings 4:20

D. Solomon in All His Splendor (4:20-34)4:20, 21 The kingdom under Solomon reached out to the River Euphrates, to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt (vv.21, 24). Much of this territory consisted of kingdoms that paid tribute to Solomon but were not considered part of Israel. Therefore Solomon’s kingdom was not the complete fulfillment of the Palestinian covenant (Gen_15:18-21). 4:22-28 The magnificence of Solomon’s reign is described: his vast food supply, his thousands of horses, etc. But we must remember that in order to support such lavishness, it was necessary to tax the people very heavily. Also, we need to remember that Solomon’s accumulation of horses was a violation of God’s order (Deu_17:16). (On the apparent contradiction between verse 26 and 2Ch_9:25, see the notes on that chapter.) 4:29-34 The king’s wisdom is again referred to. He was wiser than any other. The sages mentioned in verse 31 were the sons of Zerah (1Ch_2:6), Mahol (dancer) being simply an appellation. Ethan was the author of Psalm 89; Heman wrote Psalms 88. We know nothing about the other men. Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs, only a portion of which are preserved in the book of Proverbs. His songs numbered one thousand and five, the best being the Song of Songs. Verse 33 means that his wide knowledge of many sciences enabled him to use object lessons from nature in expounding his wisdom. People traveled from afar to hear him.