Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 4

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 4:1, Solomon’s princes; 1 Kings 4:7, His twelve officers for provision; 1 Kings 4:20, The peace and largeness of his kingdom; 1 Kings 4:22, His daily provision; 1 Kings 4:26, His stables; 1 Kings 4:29, His wisdom.

Verse 1

over all Israel: 1 Kings 11:13, 1 Kings 11:35, 1 Kings 11:36, 1 Kings 12:19, 1 Kings 12:20, 2 Samuel 5:5, 1 Chronicles 12:38, 2 Chronicles 9:30, Ecclesiastes 1:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:8 - thy hand 1 Kings 9:22 - but they were men 2 Chronicles 10:1 - all

Verse 2

the princes: That is, great, chief, or principal men; for none of them were princes, in the common acceptation of the word. Exodus 18:21, 2 Samuel 8:15-18, 2 Samuel 20:23-26, 1 Corinthians 12:28

Azariah: 1 Chronicles 6:8-10, 1 Chronicles 27:17

priest: or, chief officer

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 15:24 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 18:4 - an hundred chariots

Verse 3

Shisha: 2 Samuel 20:25, Sheva, 1 Chronicles 18:6, Shavsha

scribes: or, secretaries

recorder: or, remembrancer. 2 Samuel 8:16, 2 Samuel 20:24, 1 Chronicles 18:15, Isaiah 62:6, *marg.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:18 - the recorder 1 Chronicles 18:16 - Shavsha 1 Chronicles 24:6 - the scribe

Verse 4

Benaiah: 1 Kings 2:35

Zadok: 1 Kings 2:26, 1 Kings 2:27, 1 Kings 2:35

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 20:25 - Sheva 1 Chronicles 6:53 - Zadok 1 Chronicles 27:5 - Benaiah Mark 2:26 - Abiathar

Verse 5

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

Verse 6

Adoniram: 1 Kings 12:18, 2 Samuel 20:24, Adoram

tribute: or, levy, 1 Kings 5:13, 1 Kings 5:14, 1 Kings 9:15

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 10:18 - Hadoram Isaiah 22:15 - which

Verse 7

officers: These are doubtless to be considered as general receivers; for, as Sir John Chardin observes, "the revenues of the princes of the East are paid in the fruits and productions of the earth: there are no other taxes on the peasants."

each man: 1 Chronicles 27:1-15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:12 - and will set 1 Kings 4:5 - the officers 1 Kings 4:27 - those officers 1 Kings 5:14 - a month 1 Kings 12:4 - our yoke 1 Chronicles 27:28 - And over Ecclesiastes 5:9 - the king Ezekiel 48:19 - shall serve

Verse 8

The son of Hur: or, Ben-hur, Judges 17:1, Judges 19:1

Verse 9

The son of Dekar: or, Ben-dekar

Shaalbim: Joshua 19:42, Shaalabbin

Bethshemesh: 1 Samuel 6:12, 1 Samuel 6:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:22 - Bethshemesh Judges 1:35 - Shaalbim

Verse 10

The son of Hesed: or, Ben-hesed

Sochoh: Joshua 15:35

Hepher: Joshua 12:17, Joshua 17:2

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 4:18 - Socho

Verse 11

The son of Abinadab: or, Ben-abinadab

Dor: Joshua 12:23, Joshua 17:11, Judges 1:27

Reciprocal: Joshua 11:2 - Dor 1 Kings 4:15 - the daughter

Verse 12

Taanach: Joshua 17:11, Judges 5:19

Megiddo: 2 Kings 23:29, 2 Kings 23:30

Bethshean: 1 Samuel 31:10, 1 Samuel 31:12

Zartanah: 1 Kings 7:46, Zarthan, Joshua 3:16, Zaretan

Jezreel: 1 Kings 18:46

Abelmeholah: 1 Kings 19:16

Reciprocal: Joshua 12:21 - Megiddo Joshua 17:16 - Bethshean Joshua 19:11 - Jokneam Judges 7:22 - Zererath 1 Kings 9:15 - Megiddo 2 Kings 9:27 - Megiddo 1 Chronicles 6:68 - Jokmeam 1 Chronicles 7:29 - Taanach

Verse 13

The son of Geber: or, Ben-geber

Ramothgilead: 1 Kings 22:3, Deuteronomy 4:43, Joshua 20:8, Joshua 21:38, 2 Kings 9:1, 2 Kings 9:14

the towns: Numbers 32:41, Deuteronomy 3:14

Argob: Deuteronomy 3:4, Deuteronomy 3:8, Deuteronomy 3:13, Deuteronomy 3:14, Psalms 22:12, Psalms 68:15

threescore great cities: These were the fortified cities; their gates and bars being covered with plates of brass.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:28 - Ramothgilead 1 Chronicles 6:71 - Bashan 2 Chronicles 18:2 - Ramothgilead

Verse 14

Mahanaim: or, to Mahanaim, Genesis 32:2, 2 Samuel 2:8, 2 Samuel 17:24, 2 Samuel 17:27

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 27:21 - Iddo

Verse 15

Naphtali: Joshua 19:32-39

the daughter: 1 Kings 4:11, 1 Samuel 18:18

Verse 16

Asher: Joshua 19:24-31

Verse 17

Issachar: Joshua 19:17-23

Verse 18

Shimei: 1 Kings 1:8, Zechariah 12:13

Benjamin: Joshua 18:20-28

Verse 19

the country of Sihon: Numbers 21:21-35, Deuteronomy 2:26-37, Deuteronomy 3:1-17, Joshua 13:9-12

Verse 20

as the sand: 1 Kings 3:8, Genesis 13:16, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17, Proverbs 14:28

eating: 1 Samuel 30:16, 1 Chronicles 12:39, Job 1:18, Psalms 72:3-7, Ecclesiastes 2:24, Isaiah 22:13, Micah 4:4, Zechariah 3:10, Zechariah 9:15, Acts 2:46

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:11 - he washed Numbers 1:46 - General Joshua 11:4 - as the sand 2 Samuel 17:11 - as the sand 1 Kings 4:29 - as the sand 1 Kings 12:4 - our yoke 2 Kings 18:31 - eat ye 1 Chronicles 22:9 - I will give 2 Chronicles 10:4 - grievous Psalms 68:13 - the wings Psalms 72:16 - of the city Psalms 80:9 - and it Isaiah 10:22 - though thy Isaiah 36:16 - eat ye Jeremiah 22:15 - eat Zechariah 10:8 - and they Hebrews 11:12 - as the sand Revelation 20:8 - the number

Verse 21

Solomon: 1 Kings 4:24, Genesis 15:18, Exodus 23:31, Deuteronomy 11:24, Joshua 1:4, 2 Chronicles 9:26-31, Ezra 4:20, Psalms 72:8-11

brought: 1 Samuel 10:27, 2 Kings 17:3, 2 Chronicles 17:5, 2 Chronicles 32:23, Psalms 68:29, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 72:11, Psalms 76:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:29 - Let people Genesis 43:11 - carry down Numbers 24:7 - his kingdom Deuteronomy 15:6 - thou shalt reign Deuteronomy 19:8 - General 2 Samuel 8:3 - at the river 1 Kings 3:13 - riches 1 Kings 8:65 - from the entering 2 Kings 24:7 - from the river 1 Chronicles 13:5 - Shihor 2 Chronicles 7:8 - from the entering Psalms 68:13 - the wings Psalms 80:11 - General Psalms 89:25 - I will Proverbs 14:28 - General Ecclesiastes 2:25 - who can Lamentations 1:1 - great Ezekiel 16:13 - and thou didst Zechariah 9:10 - from the river

Verse 22

provision: Heb. bread

measures: Heb. cors, 1 Kings 4:22

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:12 - and will set 1 Kings 5:11 - measures 1 Kings 10:5 - the meat 1 Kings 12:4 - our yoke 2 Chronicles 9:4 - the meat Nehemiah 5:18 - Now that Proverbs 24:4 - General Ecclesiastes 5:11 - they Isaiah 3:7 - neither bread Daniel 1:5 - a daily

Verse 23

Ten fat: Nehemiah 5:17, Nehemiah 5:18

harts: Dr. Shaw understands ayil as the name of the genus, including all the species of the deer kind, whether they are distinguished by round horns, as the stag, or by flat ones, as the fallow deer, or by the smallness of the branches, as the roe.

roebucks: See note on Deuteronomy 15:22.

fallowdeer: Yachmur, rendered bubalus by the Vulgate, probably the buffalo; and though "the flesh of a buffalo does not seem so well tasted as beef, being harder and more coarse," yet in our times, "persons of distinction, as well as the common people, and even the European merchants, eat a good deal of it, in the countries where that animal abounds." Niebuhr, Descrip. de l'Arab p. 146.

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 14:4 - General 1 Samuel 8:12 - and will set 1 Kings 10:5 - the meat 1 Kings 12:4 - our yoke 2 Chronicles 9:4 - the meat Ecclesiastes 5:11 - they Isaiah 3:7 - neither bread Daniel 1:5 - a daily

Verse 24

Azzah: Genesis 10:19, Judges 16:1, Gaza

all the kings: 1 Kings 4:21, Psalms 72:8, Psalms 72:11

had peace: 1 Kings 5:4, 1 Chronicles 22:9, Psalms 72:3, Psalms 72:7, Isaiah 9:7, Luke 2:14, Hebrews 7:1, Hebrews 7:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:31 - I will set Deuteronomy 2:23 - Azzah Deuteronomy 11:24 - General Deuteronomy 15:6 - thou shalt reign 1 Kings 8:65 - from the entering 2 Kings 15:16 - Tiphsah 2 Chronicles 1:13 - reigned 2 Chronicles 9:26 - reigned over Ezra 4:16 - thou shalt have Ezra 4:20 - mighty kings Ezra 7:12 - Artaxerxes Psalms 80:11 - General Jeremiah 47:1 - Gaza Daniel 2:37 - a king

Verse 25

safely: Heb. confidently, Isaiah 60:18, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:15, Jeremiah 33:16, Ezekiel 38:11, *marg.

every man: 2 Kings 18:31, Micah 4:4, Zechariah 3:10

from Dan: Judges 20:1, 2 Samuel 17:11, 2 Samuel 24:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:31 - Beersheba Genesis 49:11 - he washed Deuteronomy 12:10 - ye dwell 2 Samuel 3:10 - from Dan 1 Kings 12:4 - our yoke 1 Kings 19:3 - Beersheba 1 Chronicles 21:2 - Beersheba 1 Chronicles 22:9 - I will give 2 Chronicles 1:13 - reigned 2 Chronicles 10:4 - grievous Psalms 72:7 - abundance Psalms 80:9 - and it Isaiah 36:16 - eat ye Ezekiel 28:26 - safely Ezekiel 39:26 - when they Hebrews 7:2 - King of righteousness

Verse 26

forty thousand: 1 Kings 10:25, 1 Kings 10:26, Deuteronomy 17:16, 2 Samuel 8:4, 2 Chronicles 1:14, 2 Chronicles 9:25, Psalms 20:7

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 9:19 - the cities of store 2 Chronicles 9:28 - brought 2 Chronicles 32:28 - stalls Isaiah 2:7 - their land is

Verse 27

those officers: 1 Kings 4:7-19

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:12 - and will set 1 Chronicles 27:1 - month

Verse 28

dromedaries: or, mules, or swift beasts, Esther 8:10, Esther 8:14, Micah 1:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 36:24 - found 1 Samuel 8:12 - and will set John 6:9 - barley

Verse 29

God: 1 Kings 3:12, 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Kings 10:23, 1 Kings 10:24, 2 Chronicles 1:10-12, Psalms 119:34, Proverbs 2:6, Ecclesiastes 1:16, Ecclesiastes 2:26, James 1:5, James 1:17, James 3:17

largeness: Isaiah 60:5

as the sand: 1 Kings 4:20, Genesis 41:49, Judges 7:12, Jeremiah 33:22, Habakkuk 1:9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 5:12 - as he promised him 1 Kings 10:4 - Solomon's 2 Chronicles 9:2 - there Job 32:8 - the inspiration Psalms 119:32 - enlarge Proverbs 25:2 - the honour Proverbs 25:3 - is unsearchable Ezekiel 28:3 - no secret Daniel 1:17 - God Daniel 1:20 - in all Daniel 2:21 - he giveth Matthew 12:42 - hear Acts 7:22 - was learned 2 Peter 3:15 - according

Verse 30

the children: Genesis 25:6, Job 1:3, Daniel 1:20, Daniel 4:7, Daniel 5:11, Daniel 5:12, Matthew 2:1, Matthew 2:16

the wisdom of Egypt: Isaiah 19:11, Isaiah 19:12, Acts 7:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:1 - came Judges 6:3 - children Judges 7:12 - the Midianites 2 Chronicles 9:22 - passed all the kings Job 1:8 - none Ecclesiastes 1:14 - General Ecclesiastes 1:16 - Lo Ezekiel 25:4 - men

Verse 31

wiser: 1 Kings 3:12, Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31, Colossians 2:3

Ethan: 1 Chronicles 15:19, Psalms 89:1,*title

Heman: 1 Chronicles 2:6, 1 Chronicles 6:33, 1 Chronicles 15:17, Psalms 88:1, *title

his fame: 1 Kings 5:7, 1 Kings 10:1, 1 Kings 10:6, 2 Chronicles 9:23, Matthew 4:24

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 9:1 - fame 2 Chronicles 9:6 - exceedest 2 Chronicles 9:22 - passed all the kings 2 Chronicles 26:8 - his name Job 1:8 - none Proverbs 1:1 - proverbs

Verse 32

he spake: Proverbs 1:1 - Proverbs 31:30, Ecclesiastes 12:9, Matthew 13:35

songs: Song of Solomon 1:1-17

Reciprocal: Proverbs 10:1 - proverbs Proverbs 25:1 - proverbs

Verse 33

the cedar tree: The word airez, whence the Chaldee and Syriac arzo, and the Arabic and Ethiopic arz, and Spanish alerze, unquestionably denotes the cedar; it is thus rendered by the LXX and other versions, ךוהסןע, and by the Vulgate cedrus; and the inhabitants of mount Lebanon still call it ars. The cedar is a large and nobel evergreen tree, and grows on the most elevated part of the mountain, is taller than the pine, and so thick that five men together could scarcely fathom one. It shoots out its branches at ten or twelve feet from the ground; they are large and distant from each other, and are perpetually green. The wood is of a brown colour, very solid and incorruptible, if preserved from wet. The tree bears a small cone, like that of the pine. Numbers 24:6, 2 Kings 19:23, Psalms 92:12

the hyssop: Exodus 12:22, Numbers 19:18, Psalms 51:7, Hebrews 9:19

of beasts: Genesis 1:20-25

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 14:9 - The thistle 2 Chronicles 25:18 - thistle John 19:29 - hyssop

Verse 34

1 Kings 10:1, 2 Chronicles 9:1, 2 Chronicles 9:23, Isaiah 2:2, Zechariah 8:23

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:6 - Surely 2 Chronicles 9:6 - exceedest Matthew 12:42 - hear