1 Kings 4:5

Christian Standard Bible ®

Azariah son of Nathan, in charge of the deputies; Zabud son of Nathan, a priest and adviser to the king;

Parallel Translations

Legacy Standard Bible
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the deputies; and Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest, was the king's friend;

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the deputies; and Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest, was the king's friend;

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Azariahu the sonne of Nathan was ouer the officers: And Zabud the sonne of Nathan was a priest, ye kinges companion.

Literal Translation
And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers. And Zabud the son of Nathan was the minister and friend of the king.

Easy-to-Read Version
Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the district governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and an advisor to King Solomon;

Revised Standard Version
Azari'ah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king's friend;

World English Bible
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, [and] the king's friend;

King James Version (1611)
And Azariah the sonne of Nathan was ouer the officers: and Zabud the sonne of Nathan was principall officer, and the kings friend.

King James Version
And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend:

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Asaria the sonne of Nathan was ouer the officers: Sabud the sonne of Nathan the prest was the kynges frende:

THE MESSAGE
King Solomon was off to a good start ruling Israel. These were the leaders in his government: Azariah son of Zadok—the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha—secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud—historian; Benaiah son of Jehoiada—commander of the army; Zadok and Abiathar—priests; Azariah son of Nathan—in charge of the regional managers; Zabud son of Nathan—priest and friend to the king; Ahishar—manager of the palace; Adoniram son of Abda—manager of the slave labor. 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. These are the names: Ben-Hur in the Ephraim hills; Ben-Deker in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Bethhanan; Ben-Hesed in Arubboth—this included Socoh and all of Hepher; Ben-Abinadab in Naphoth Dor (he was married to Solomon's daughter Taphath); 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; 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; Ahinadab son of Iddo in Mahanaim; Ahimaaz in Naphtali (he was married to Solomon's daughter Basemath); Baana son of Hushai in Asher and Aloth; Jehoshaphat son of Paruah in Issachar; Shimei son of Ela in Benjamin; Geber son of Uri in Gilead—this was the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and also of Og king of Bashan; he managed the whole district by himself. Judah and Israel were densely populated—like sand on an ocean beach! All their needs were met; they ate and drank and were happy. Solomon was sovereign over all the kingdoms from the River Euphrates in the east to the country of the Philistines in the west, all the way to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and were vassals of Solomon all his life. One day's food supply for Solomon's household was: 185 bushels of fine flour 375 bushels of meal 10 grain-fed cattle 20 range cattle 100 sheep and miscellaneous deer, gazelles, roebucks, and choice fowl. Solomon was sovereign over everything, countries and kings, west of the River Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza. Peace reigned everywhere. Throughout Solomon's life, everyone in Israel and Judah lived safe and sound, all of them from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—content with what they had. Solomon had forty thousand stalls for chariot horses and twelve thousand horsemen. The district managers, each according to his assigned month, delivered food supplies for King Solomon and all who sat at the king's table; there was always plenty. They also brought to the designated place their assigned quota of barley and straw for the horses. God gave Solomon wisdom—the deepest of understanding and the largest of hearts. There was nothing beyond him, nothing he couldn't handle. Solomon's wisdom outclassed the vaunted wisdom of wise men of the East, outshone the famous wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, wiser than Heman, wiser than Calcol and Darda the sons of Mahol. He became famous among all the surrounding nations. He created 3,000 proverbs; his songs added up to 1,005. He knew all about plants, from the huge cedar that grows in Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows in the cracks of a wall. He understood everything about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Sent by kings from all over the earth who had heard of his reputation, people came from far and near to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

American Standard Version
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, and the king's friend;

Bible in Basic English
Azariah, the son of Nathan, was over those in authority in the different divisions of the country; Zabud, the son of Nathan, was priest and the king's friend;

Update Bible Version
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief ruler, [and] the king's friend;

Webster's Bible Translation
And Azariah the son of Nathan [was] over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan [was] principal officer, [and] the king's friend:

New English Translation
Azariah son of Nathan was supervisor of the district governors. Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king.

New King James Version
Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king's friend;

Complete Jewish Bible
‘Azaryah the son of Natan, chief administrator; Zavud the son of Natan, the king's trusted counselor;

Darby Translation
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the superintendents; and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, the king's friend;

Geneva Bible (1587)
And Azariah the sonne of Nathan was ouer the officers, and Zabud the sonne of Nathan Priest was the Kings friend,

George Lamsa Translation
And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the governors; and Zabur, the son of Nathan, the priest, was the kings friend;

Amplified Bible
Azariah the son of Nathan was in charge of the deputies; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and was the king's friend [and trusted advisor];

Hebrew Names Version
and `Azaryah the son of Natan was over the officers; and Zavud the son of Natan was chief minister, [and] the king's friend;

JPS Old Testament (1917)
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister and the king's friend;

New Living Translation
Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the district governors. Zabud son of Nathan, a priest, was a trusted adviser to the king.

New Life Bible
Azariah the son of Nathan was over the leaders. Zabud the son of Nathan was a religious leader and the king's friend.

New Revised Standard
Azariah son of Nathan was over the officials; Zabud son of Nathan was priest and king's friend;

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And Ornia the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabuth son of Nathan was the king’s friend.

English Revised Version
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was priest, [and] the king’s friend;

Berean Standard Bible
Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king;

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And Azariah son of Nathan, over the governors, - and Zabud son of Nathan, minister, king's friend;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Azarias, the son of Nathan, over them that were about the king: Zabud, the son of Nathan, the priest, the king’s friend:

Lexham English Bible
Azariah the son of Nathan was over the governors, and Zabud the son of Nathan was a priest, an advisor to the king.

English Standard Version
Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king's friend;

New American Standard Bible
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the deputies; and Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest, was the king's confidant;

New Century Version
Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the district governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king;

Good News Translation
Chief of the district governors: Azariah son of Nathan Royal Adviser: the priest Zabud son of Nathan

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Azarie, sone of Nathan, was on hem that stoden niy the kyng; Zabul, the sone of Nathan, was preest, `that is, greet and worschipful, a freend of the kyng;

Young's Literal Translation
and Azariah son of Nathan [is] over the officers; and Zabud son of Nathan [is] minister, friend of the king;

Contextual Overview

¹ King Solomon ruled over Israel, ² and these were his officials: Azariah son of Zadok, priest; ³ Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha, secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud, court historian; ⁴ Benaiah son of Jehoiada, in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar, priests; ⁵ Azariah son of Nathan, in charge of the deputies; Zabud son of Nathan, a priest and adviser to the king; ⁶ Ahishar, in charge of the palace; and Adoniram son of Abda, in charge of forced labor. ⁷ Solomon had 12 deputies for all Israel. They provided food for the king and his household; each one made provision for one month out of the year. ⁸ These were their names: Ben-hur, in the hill country of Ephraim; ⁹ Ben-deker, in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan; ¹⁰ Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (he had Socoh and the whole land of Hepher);

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

son of Nathan: 1 Kings 1:10-53, 2 Samuel 7:2, 2 Samuel 12:1-15, 2 Samuel 12:25

the officers: 1 Kings 4:7

the principal: 2 Samuel 8:18, 2 Samuel 20:26

the king's: 2 Samuel 15:37, 2 Samuel 16:16, 2 Samuel 19:37, 2 Samuel 19:38, 1 Chronicles 27:33, Proverbs 22:11, John 13:23, John 15:14, John 15:15, James 2:23

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 27:5 - chief priest

Cross-References

Genesis 4:10
Then He said, "What have you done? Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground!

Genesis 4:11
So now you are cursed, alienated, from the ground that opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood you have shed.

Genesis 31:2
And Jacob saw from Laban's face that his attitude toward him was not the same.

Genesis 31:5
He said to them, "I can see from your father's face that his attitude toward me is not the same, but the God of my father has been with me.

Numbers 16:15
Then Moses became angry and said to the Lord , "Don't respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them."

Job 5:2
For anger kills a fool, and jealousy slays the gullible.

Psalms 20:3
May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering. Selah

Matthew 20:15
Don't I have the right to do what I want with my business? Are you jealous because I'm generous?'

Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to oppose what Paul was saying by insulting him.

Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And Azariah the son of Nathan [was] over the officers,.... The twelve officers who provided food for Solomon's household after mentioned:

and Zabud the son of Nathan; another of the sons of Nathan the prophet: for he being a principal instrument of settling Solomon on the throne, had interest enough to promote his sons to the chief places of honour and trust: and this here

[was] principal officer, [and] the king's friend; a chief minister about him, very intimate with him, that kept him company, privately conversed with him, was in his secrets, and admitted to great privacy and nearness to him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The son of Nathan - It is uncertain whether the Nathan of this verse is the prophet or the son of David 2 Samuel 5:14. While on the one hand the position of “king’s friend” is more likely to have been held by a contemporary, which the prophet’s son would have been, than by one so much younger as the son of a younger brother; on the other hand the title “cohen” seems to point to a member of the royal family. (See the next note.) Azariah who was “over the officers” was chief, that is, of the “officers” mentioned in 1 Kings 4:8-19, as appears from the identity of the term here used with the title by which they are designated in 1 Kings 4:7.

Principal officer - Or, “cohen.” The fact that the title כהן kôhên was borne by sons of David 2 Samuel 8:18, who could not be “priests” in the ordinary sense of the word, seems to identify the Nathan of this verse with David’s son 2 Samuel 5:14 rather than with the prophet.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Kings 4:5. Azariah - was over the officers — He had the superintendence of the twelve officers mentioned below; see 1 Kings 4:7.

Zabud - was principal officer — Perhaps what we call premier, or prime minister.

The king's friend — His chief favourite - his confidant.