1 Kings 4

CHAPTER FOUR

SOLOMON’S GOVERNMENT 1 Kings 3:4 to 1 Kings 4:34

At the outset of his reign, Solomon received a special endowment from God that enabled him to wisely govern the vast empire which he had inherited from his father. The author of Kings focuses attention on the administrative structure of the empire because that structure was a manifestation and proof of the divine wisdom which God had granted to Solomon. In this section the main points of emphasis are: (1) the endowment of this king (1 Kings 3:4-28); (2) the management of his kingdom (1 Kings 4:1-19); and (3) the wonderment of this reign (1 Kings 4:21-34).

REVIEW OF CHAPTER FOUR

I. FACTS TO MASTER

A. Identify each of the following new characters who are introduced in this section:

1. Adoniram

2. Azariah ben Zadok

3. Ahiah

4. Azariah ben Nathan

5. Ahishar

6. Basmath

7. Chalcol

8. Heman

9. Darda

10. Jehoshaphat

11. Elihoreph

12. Taphath

13. Ethan

14. Zabud

B. Know how the following places fit into the history recorded in this chapter:

1. Azzah

2. Jerusalem

3. Beersheba

4. The River

5. Daniel 7. Tiphsah

6. Gibeon

C. Important Numbers 1.

The number of stalls for Solomon’s horses

The number of tax districts in Solomon’s kingdom

The number of Solomon’s Proverbs 4.

The number of Solomon’s songs

II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER

How old was Solomon when he became king?

Why did Solomon ask the Lord to give him wisdom in his dream experience at Gibeon? Why was the Lord pleased with his request?

What proof is offered in these Chapter s that God actually kept His promise to give Solomon wisdom?

How did the court of Solomon differ from that of his father David? What new offices were created under Solomon?

What system was used to supply provisions for Solomon’s court?

What evidence is there that the number of horse stalls in 1 Kings 4:26 should read four thousand instead of forty thousand?

Are the Ethan and Heman mentioned as wise men in 1 Kings 4:31 mentioned elsewhere in the Bible?

What was the nature of Solomon’s wisdom?

Why did God direct Solomon to Ask what I shall give you (1 Kings 3:5)? Would God have asked that question of just anyone?

How can a Christian obtain greater wisdom? James 1:5

Drawings by Horace Knowles from British and Foreign Bible Society

1 Kings 4:1-6

II. THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS KINGDOM 4:1-20

In this section of Kings in which the author has been discussing the commencement of Solomon’s reign, it is natural to find a description of his court and some intimation as to how he organized the government of the realm. The list of officials in 1 Kings 4:1-20 does not, however, necessarily represent the appointments of Solomon’s early years. The mention of the king’s two married daughters (1 Kings 4:11; 1 Kings 4:15) would seem to necessitate assigning this list to a later date in his reign.[141] The list is in two parts containing (1) Solomon’s ministers of state (1 Kings 4:1-6); and (2) his financial officers (1 Kings 4:7-20). These verses serve as an indication of the might and glory of Solomon’s reign as well as of his administrative genius.

[141] Keil assigns it to the middle portion of Solomon’s reign. It is possible, of course, that these girls may have been given to officers much older than themselves who had long been in office. In this case the officers might well have been appointed in Solomon’s early years.

A. THE MINISTERS OF STATE 4:1-6

**TRANSLATION

(1) So King Solomon became king over all Israel. (2) Now these were his princes: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; (3) Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; (4) and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host while Zadok and Abiathar were priests; (5) Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest, friend of the king; (6) Ahishar was over the house; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.

COMMENTS**

Through the actions mentioned in 1Kings 2, and because of the awe in which the people held him (1 Kings 3:28), Solomon was able to establish himself as king of all Israel (1 Kings 4:1). All subsequent kings ruled but a part of the land of Israel, as also did David for the first seven years of his reign. Naturally Solomon needed assistance in governing the land, and 1 Kings 4:2-6 list the princes who held the rank of cabinet officers during his reign. To select faithful and efficient servants is one of the most difficult tasks of rulers. The welfare of the whole state depends very largely on the choice. That the list furnishes further evidence of Solomon’s wisdom can be seen in the following observations concerning it: (1) Priority in this list is given to officers of peacescribes are listed before generals. (2) In several positions Solomon retained the faithful and experienced servants of his predecessor. (3) Positions of trust were filled by persons of piety. Many of Solomon’s appointees were sons of priests or prophets.

1. The prime minister: Azariah (1 Kings 4:2). Azariah, the first prince to be named, is designated in Hebrew as ha-kohen, the priest (1 Kings 4:2). Learned men have discussed at length the precise meaning of this term as applied to Azariah. Some think that this Azariah was the grandson of Zadok and that he occupied the office of high priest for the greater part of the reign of Solomon.[142] That the term kohen has a secular as well as a sacred meaning would seem to be indicated by 2 Samuel 8:18 where David’s sons, unqualified according to the law to occupy the priesthood, are designated as priests. The parallel passage in Chronicles refers simply to David’s sons as first men (1 Chronicles 18:17). Just as the sacred kohen represented the people before God, so the secular kohen represented the people before the king and vice versa. Therefore, Azariah should be regarded as the chief administrator or prime minister of the kingdom. He held first place among the confidential counselors of the king. It is impossible to determine whether Zadok his father is the famous high priest or another man of the same name.

[142] Hammond, PC, pp. 67-68.

2. The scribes: Elihoreph and Ahijah (1 Kings 4:3). Elihoreph and Ahijah were official court scribes. Apparently they had been trained in the scribal duties by their father Shisha who seems to have held the same office during the reign of David.[143] These scribes were secretaries of state: they wrote letters and proclama tions, drew up edicts and apparently had certain fiscal duties (2 Kings 12:10).

[143] Shisha is probably the same person mentioned in 2 Samuel 20:25 as Sheva; in 2 Samuel 8:17 as Seraiah; and in 1 Chronicles 18:16 as *Shaysha.

3. The recorder: Jehoshaphat* (1 Kings 4:3). Jehoshaphat was the recorder or remembrancer whose duty it was to bring to the king’s attention matters of importance affecting the state. In Egyptian literature an official bearing a similar title is men tioned. It was his duty to regulate the ceremonies of the palace, introduce people to royal audiences, serve as master of cere monies on an official tour, report affairs to the king, and explain royal commands to the people.[144] Jehoshaphat also held his office during the reign of David (2 Samuel 8:16).

[144] It would seem that the offices of scribe and chamberlain (over the house) were also modeled after the organization of the Egyptian court. See de Vaux, AI, pp. 129-132.

4. Over the host: Benaiah (1 Kings 4:4). The elevation of Benaiah to the position of commander of the host has already been noted in 1 Kings 2:35.

5. The priests: Zadok and Abiathar (1 Kings 4:4). The mention of Abiathar here after the mention of his deposition in chapter two is somewhat puzzling. It has been suggested that this is a different Abiathar; or that Abiathar was not completely expelled from the priesthood, only demoted to a lower grade; or that Abiathar was subsequently pardoned and restored to office. The simplest explanation is that Abiathar is listed here because he had been high priest under Solomon, albeit only for a brief period.

6. Over the officers: Azariah (1 Kings 4:5). Azariah was over the twelve officers or governors who are enumerated in 1 Kings 4:7-19. His father Nathan is thought by some to be the famous prophet of that name, and by others to be Nathan the son of David (2 Samuel 5:14). Which Nathan is meant, if either, cannot be determined.

7. Friend of the king: Zabud (1 Kings 4:5). Another son of Nathan, Zabud, was chief minister and the king’s friend (1 Kings 4:5). Again the problem of interpreting the Hebrew word kohen arises. Some think of Zabud as a priest who also occupied the office of king’s friend. It is again best to take the word kohen in the secular sense of chief minister. See comments on 1 Kings 4:2. The office of king’s friend also existed during the days of David (2 Samuel 15:37; 2 Samuel 16:16). While the exact duties of the king’s friend are uncertain, it would appear that he was a confidential adviser to the king who was responsible for carrying out instructions which were to be kept secret.

8. Over the house: Ahishar (1 Kings 4:6). Ahishar was the chamberlain, i.e., he was the steward and manager of the palace. That such an officer was needed indicates the growing size of the court. Ahishar is unique in this list in that his father’s name has been omitted. This has been taken to indicate his foreign, or humble origin.

9. Over the forced labor: Adoniram (1 Kings 4:6). Adoniram was over the tribute or levy. The Hebrew word mas denotes the forced labor which citizens were obligated to contribute towards the erection of royal buildings. Adoniram (or Adoram) had also held the office under David (2 Samuel 20:24).

SOLOMON’S COURT

Official

Title

Azariah ben Zadok

Prime Minister

Elihoreph Ahiah

Scribes

Jehoshaphat

Recorder

Benaiah

Over the Host

Zadok Abiathar

Priests

Azariah ben Nathan

Over the Officers

Zabud

Friend of the King

Ahishar

Over the House

Adoairam

Over the Forced Labor

1 Kings 4:7-20

B. THE FINANCIAL OFFICERS 4:7-20

**TRANSLATION

(7) And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, and they supplied provisions for the king and his household; a month in the year it fell upon one to make provision. (8) And these are their names: The son of Hur in Mt. Ephraim; (9) the son of Dekar, in Makaz, Shaalbin, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-bethhanan; (10) the son of Hesed, in Aruboth (he had charge of Sochoh and all the land of Hepher); (11) the son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor (Taphath the daughter of Solomon was his wife); (12) Baana the son of AhiludTaanach, Megiddo and all Beth-shean which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah unto beyond Jokneam; (13) the son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead who had charge of the towns of Jair, the son of Manasseh which are in Gilead and the region of Argob which is in Bashansixty great cities with walls and bronze bars: (14) Ahinadab the son of Iddo, Mahanaim; (15) Ahimaaz in Naphtali (also he married Basmath the daughter of Solomon); (16) Baanah the son of Hushai, in Asher and in Aloth; (17) Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar; (18) Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin; (19) Geber the son of Uri, in the hill country of Gilead, the country of Sihon, king of the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan, and he was the only officer who was in the land. (20) Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is beside the sea in multitude, eating, drinking and rejoicing.

COMMENTS**

Solomon is credited with originating the first scientific system of taxation. He divided his entire realm into twelve tax districts over which he set a governor or superintendent. Each governor was responsible during one month of the year to garner from his district the produce and meat necessary to sustain the king’s household during that month (1 Kings 4:7). Since the office of district governor was quite prestigious, those who were appointed over the several districts are accorded the honor of being listed in the inspired word. Rather than a verse by verse discussion, a few general comments regarding the list as a whole is more in order.

1. The boundaries of Solomon’s taxation districts correspond roughly to the old tribal boundaries which were devised in the days of Joshua. Such alterations in these borders as do exist were probably made in order to balance the economic resources of the districts.
2. Rather than being alphabetical or geographical, the list is chronological, i.e., the governors are listed in the order in which they were responsible for the royal provisions during the year.
3. No doubt the districts were mapped out and months assigned according to the capacity of the country to produce the monthly provisions of the king.
4. Of the twelve governors, five are only known by their patronymics (name of their fathers). No satisfactory explanation of this curious circumstance has yet been given.[145]

[145] Hammond (PC, p. 69) has proposed that part of the document from which the author copied this list had been destroyed.

5. Two of the governors are reported to have married daughters of Solomon (1 Kings 4:11; 1 Kings 4:15). While the appointments to these offices may have been made early in the reign of Solomon, the list could not have been compiled sooner than the middle of his reign when his daughters would have been old enough to marry. These men were officers in the districts farthest away from Solomon. This may have been part of Solomon’s strategy to assure the loyalty of these officers.

6. Nine of the administrative districts were on the west and three on the east of the Jordan.

7. Judah is omitted from the list of districts. Apparently Judah was exempt from providing supplies for the court and military. This favoritism no doubt engendered jealousy among the tribes.[146]

[146] It could be that Judah had already been organized by David on a separate basis and hence is omitted here from the list. See de Vaux, AI, pp. 133-35.

8. The success of these administrative measures is brought out in 1 Kings 4:20. The population of the nation was so numerous that it was easy for the people to pay and for the governors to collect the royal tribute. The expression numerous as the sand of the sea indicates that the promises made to the patriarchs (Genesis 22:17; Genesis 32:12) had been fulfilled. Apparently Solomon’s exactions did not deprive the people of necessary food; they had plenty to eat and drink.

1 Kings 4:21-28

II. THE WONDERMENT OF THIS REIGN 4:21-34

With 1 Kings 4:21 (1 Kings 5:1 in the Hebrew) the author takes up the thought introduced in 1 Kings 4:20, viz., that Solomon ruled over a vast and happy people. The disconnected details recorded in this section serve to underscore the fact that the age of Solomon was the golden age of Israel. Here the author discusses (1) the extent and power of Solomon’s kingdom (1 Kings 4:21-28); and (2) Solomon’s profound wisdom and fame (1 Kings 4:29-34).

A. THE EXTENT AND POWER OF SOLOMON’S KINGDOM 4:21-28

**TRANSLATION

(21) And Solomon became the ruler over all the kingdoms from the river to the land of the Philistines and the border of Egypt. They continued to bring presents and to serve Solomon all the days of his life. (22) Now the provision of Solomon for one day was thirty kors of fine flour and sixty kors of meal, (23) ten fat cattle, twenty cattle of the field, a hundred sheep besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and cribbed geese.[147] (24) For he ruled over all the land beyond the river from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings beyond the river; and he had peace on all sides round about him. (25) And Judah and Israel dwelt securely, each man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. (26) And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. (27) And these officers supplied provisions for Solomon and for all who came unto King Solomon’s table, each man in his month; they did not lack a thing. (28) Also barley and straw for the horses, and steeds, they brought unto the place where they were, each man according to his assessment.**

[147] The Hebrew word is of uncertain meaning. The translation proposed by Gray has been adapted here.

COMMENTS

Solomon’s empire was vast, extending from the river, i.e., the Euphrates in the north, to the land of the Philistines, i.e., the Mediterranean shore on the west, to the border of Egypt on the south. The border of Egypt is generally regarded as the Wadi al-Arish, or River of Egypt which lies in the desert between Philistia and Egypt. The promise of Gen 15:18 had now been fulfilled. This verse demonstrates that those millenialists who affirm that the land promise of Genesis 15 was never fulfilled are totally wrong. All these lands rendered tribute to Solomon and were under his domain all the days of his life (1 Kings 4:21).

The daily consumption of the royal household is next related so as to demonstrate the grandeur and luxury of Solomon’s court. Each day approximately 340 bushels of fine flour and 155 bushels of meal were consumed (1 Kings 4:23).[148] Thirty head of beef, a hundred sheep, as well as wild game, were required daily at the royal tables (1 Kings 4:24). The stall-fed oxen were probably for the palace table, while these from the pasture were for the palace guards and inferior servants. It has been estimated that such a quantity of bread and meat would feed at least fourteen thousand persons and some estimates run as high as thirty-five thousand. Because of what is known of the extravagances in the royal courts of antiquity, even liberal scholars are forced to admit that the figures presented here may be sober history and not wild exaggeration.[149]

[148] Authorities differ as to how many bushels were in the kor measure. Estimates range from a high of eleven bushels to a low of 5.16 bushels. This lower equivalency has been used in the computation here. See Sellers, IDB, RZ, p. 835. Scott (BAR, III, 345-58) gives the equivalency as 6.25 bushels to a *kor.

[149]* Montgomery cites examples from the Persian and Egyptian court, (ICC, p. 128). According to Gray (OTL, p. 137) these instances indicate that this is no exaggeration here and may be an excerpt from official records.

Solomon’s court provisions were commensurate with the size of his kingdom. He had control of the entire region of Beyond-the-River. This is a technical geographical designation for the region west of the Euphrates river. The northern most point in the empire was Tiphsah, a town on the west bank of the middle course of the Euphrates at its most important crossing-place. The southern most point was Azzah, i.e., Gaza, the last town in Palestine on the frontier of Egypt. All the kings in the Beyond-the-River region rendered tribute to Solomon. The author probably has in mind the kings of Syria conquered by David (2 Samuel 8:6) and of the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1). But despite the wide extent of his kingdom, there was peace everywhere (1 Kings 4:24).[150] From Dan, at the headwaters of the Jordan, to Beersheba, on the edge of the southern wilderness every man sat under his vine and under his fig tree (1 Kings 4:25). This proverbial expression denotes rest and the undisturbed enjoyment of the fruits of the earth.

[150] Gray (OTL, p. 136) contends that this statement contradicts 1 Kings 11:23 which speaks of the Arameans revolting after the death of David. The present passage, however, is only asserting that the reign of Solomon was predominately peaceful. It may mean no more then than Israel did not itself suffer from the ravages of war.

In the note about Solomon’s cavalry and chariotry, the author continues to paint the picture of the pomp and power of Israel’s greatest king. At the same time the allusion to this multiplication of horses is an indication that Solomon was beginning to violate the law of God with respect to kings (cf. Deuteronomy 17:16). That the figure forty thousand for the number of stalls is a scribal error is indicated by two considerations: (1) In the parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 9:25 the figure given is four thousand; and (2) this lower figure is more in line with the number of chariots (fourteen hundred) possessed by Solomon (1 Kings 10:26). It was customary in the Near East to yoke two horses to each chariot. A third horse was usually provided for each chariot in case of an accident. Thus four thousand horses for his chariot force would be more than ample. In addition the king kept twelve hundred cavalry horses. This great number of horses and horsemen threw an extra burden on each of the twelve district governors mentioned in 1 Kings 4:7-19 (1 Kings 4:27). These officers faithfully brought barley, the food of the horses, and straw to the various depots throughout the land where the animals were kept (1 Kings 4:28). The dromedaries of the KJV are really the swift horses used by the king’s messengers.

1 Kings 4:29-34

C. SOLOMON’S PROFOUND WISDOM AND FAME 4:29-34

**TRANSLATION

(29) And God gave wisdom to Solomon and understanding exceedingly much and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is upon the seashore. (30) The wisdom of Solomon was greater than the wisdom of all the sons of the east and greater than the wisdom of Egypt. (31) And he was wiser than all menthan Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman and Calcol, Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the nations round about. (32) And he spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were a thousand and five. (33) And he spoke concerning trees, from the cedar which is in Lebanon to the hyssop which springs out in the wall; and he spoke concerning beasts, birds, creeping things, and fish. (34) And some from all peoples came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

COMMENTS**

In fulfillment of the promise made in 1 Kings 3:12, God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding and largeness of heart. These three terms are interesting. Wisdom (Heb., chokmah) signifies practical wisdom, the ability to decide what is the best course of action; understanding (Heb., tebunah) is the ability to arrive at the solution to difficult problems; and largeness of heart indicates the power and breadth of the mind, comprehensive knowledge.

In order to impress the reader with the magnitude of Solomon’s wisdom, the author makes four comparisons. (1) Solomon’s wisdom was like the sand by the seashore (1 Kings 4:29), a proverbial expression for an innumerable multitude or great abundance. (2) His wisdom exceeded that of the children of the east[151]the various Arab tribes dwelling east of Canaan including the Edomites who were famous for their wisdom.[152] (3) Greater too was his wisdom than that of Egypt (1 Kings 4:30) which was famous for the knowledge of geometry, arithmetic, astronomy and medicine.[153] (4) Finally, Solomon was wiser than the wisest men of his own nation, Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Darda. These four persons may be the same as the sons of Zerah mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:6. Heman and Ethan apparently were the authors of Psalms 88-89, two of the wisdom or teaching psalms. The term Ezrahite which is applied to Ethan in Kings and to both Ethan and Heman in the psalm titles is probably a variation of the family name of Zerah.[154] Solomon’s reputation as a polymath spread throughout all the surrounding nations (1 Kings 4:31).

[151] Gray (OTL p. 140) has pointed out that the Hebrew term translated east sometimes denotes ancient time. The thought would then be that Solomon’s wisdom exceeded the proverbial wisdom of the ancients,

[152] Jeremiah 49:7; Obadiah 1:8.

[153] Biblical references to the wisdom of Egypt: Isaiah 19:11; Isaiah 31:2; Acts 7:22. Josephus (Ant. VIII, 2.5) and the Greek historian Herodotus (II, 160) and Diodorus Siculus (I, 73 and 81) refer to the wisdom of Egypt.

[154] 1 Chronicles 6:33; 1 Chronicles 6:44 mentions two Levites, Ethan and Heman, who were singers appointed by David. Are they the same Ethan and Heman mentioned in the present passage? At first appearance the epithet Ezrahite (descendant of Zerah of the tribe of Judah) would seem to preclude this identification. Keil, however, thinks that Ethan and Heman were Levites who by virtue of their place of residence were incorporated into the Judahite family of Zerah.

Only a comparatively small portion of the literary fruits of Solomon’s wisdom have been incorporated into the Bible. During his reign he spoke three thousand proverbs of which less than one third are preserved in the Book of Proverbs. The Hebrew word for proverb (mashal) denotes comparison, simile, parable. Of his thousand and five songs (1 Kings 4:32), only three have survived: the beautiful Song of Songs, and two of the psalms (72 and 127).[155] Solomon’s wisdom was not limited to the philosophical and poetical, he possessed scientific knowledge as well. He discoursed on treesfrom the greatest ones, the cedars of Lebanon, to the smallest, the moss-like hyssop, which might be found growing on a wall.[156] Solomon was also knowledgeable concerning the entire animal kingdomthe beasts (larger animals), fowl, creeping things (small animals and reptiles) and fish (1 Kings 4:33).

[155] Among the Dead Sea Scrolls a document was found containing a similar catalogue of the literary productions of David. He is credited with 3,600 psalms and 450 songs for specific occasions. Sanders, PEQ, pp. 91-93. [156] A moss grows in Palestine the leaves of which resemble the hyssop tree. This is probably what the author has in mind rather than the common hyssop which often attains a height of two feet.

Some disagreement exists as to the exact nature of these discourses on the vegetable and animal kingdoms. Some think that the verses refer only to Solomon’s ability to draw moral lessons from what he observed in nature, an ability which he certainly demonstrates in some of his proverbs (e.g., Proverbs 30:25 f); others think that the verse refers to parables or animal fables similar to the fable attributed to Jotham in Judges 9; still others have seen a parallel in the classified lists of natural phenomena found in Mesopotamia dating back to the third millennium B.C. It would seem, however, that this verse is affirming that Solomon made observations and research in natural science, or botanical and zoological studies. Hearing of this great wisdom, kings from all over the earth sent ambassadors and messengers to the court of Solomon to hear his learning (1 Kings 4:34).