1 Kings 4

King James Version

Full text for 1 Kings Chapter 4

1¶ So king Solomon was king over all Israel.

2And these [were] the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,

3Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.

4And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar [were] the priests:

5And Azariah the son of Nathan [was] over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan [was] principal officer, [and] the king's friend:

6And Ahishar [was] over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda [was] over the tribute.

7And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.

8And these [are] their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:

9The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan:

10The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him [pertained] Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:

11The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

12Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam:

13The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him [pertained] the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which [are] in Gilead; to him [also pertained] the region of Argob, which [is] in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:

14Ahinadab the son of Iddo [had] Mahanaim:

15Ahimaaz [was] in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

16Baanah the son of Hushai [was] in Asher and in Aloth:

17Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:

18Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:

19Geber the son of Uri [was] in the country of Gilead, [in] the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and [he was] the only officer which [was] in the land.

20¶ Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

21And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

22And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,

23Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.

24For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

25And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

27And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.

28Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where [the officers] were, every man according to his charge.

29¶ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore.

30And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

31For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.

32And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

33And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.

34And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Solomon established his reign over all Israel, organizing a comprehensive administration with key officials and a system of twelve regional officers to provide for his household. His kingdom experienced unparalleled peace and prosperity, with Judah and Israel dwelling securely and abundantly. God bestowed upon Solomon extraordinary wisdom, surpassing all others, which led to his widespread fame and attracted kings from across the earth to hear his counsel.

Medium Summary

First Kings chapter four details the establishment of King Solomon's extensive reign over all Israel, highlighting his organized administrative structure. He appointed various princes, scribes, a recorder, military commander, and priests, alongside a chief officer and household manager. A unique system of twelve regional officers was instituted, each responsible for providing provisions for the king and his vast household for one month annually. Under Solomon, Judah and Israel experienced immense prosperity and peace, with his dominion extending from the Euphrates to the border of Egypt, receiving tribute from surrounding kingdoms. The chapter emphasizes the kingdom's abundance and security. Central to Solomon's reign was the extraordinary wisdom granted to him by God, which surpassed all men and made him renowned among nations, enabling him to speak thousands of proverbs and songs, and discourse on all forms of nature.

Long Summary

First Kings chapter four commences by affirming King Solomon's dominion over all Israel, immediately detailing the intricate administrative structure he established. Key officials included Azariah the priest, Elihoreph and Ahiah as scribes, Jehoshaphat the recorder, and Benaiah over the army, alongside Zadok and Abiathar as priests. Further appointments included Azariah over officers, Zabud as the king's friend, Ahishar over the household, and Adoniram over tribute. A significant aspect of his administration was the implementation of twelve regional officers, each tasked with providing victuals for the king and his household for one month of the year, ensuring a continuous supply. The chapter lists these officers and their respective territories, some even having married Solomon's daughters, indicating integration into the royal family. Under Solomon's rule, Judah and Israel flourished, their population as numerous as the sand by the sea, enjoying a period of unprecedented peace, safety, and abundance, with every man dwelling securely under his vine and fig tree. His dominion extended widely, from the river Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and the border of Egypt, with surrounding kingdoms bringing presents and serving him. The daily provisions for his court were immense, reflecting the kingdom's wealth, and his military strength was notable with forty thousand stalls for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen. Crucially, the chapter highlights that God endowed Solomon with wisdom and understanding exceeding all measure, surpassing the wisdom of the East and Egypt, and even renowned wise men like Ethan and Heman. His profound knowledge manifested in three thousand proverbs, a thousand and five songs, and discourse on all forms of life, from the cedar to the hyssop, and beasts, fowl, creeping things, and fishes. Consequently, kings and people from all nations sought to hear his renowned wisdom.

Core Concepts

  • Solomon's AdministrationThis chapter details the comprehensive administrative structure established by King Solomon, including key officials such as scribes, a recorder, military commander, priests, and various officers overseeing the household and tribute.
  • Regional Provisioning SystemSolomon instituted a unique system of twelve regional officers, each responsible for providing the necessary victuals for the king and his vast household for one month annually, ensuring a continuous supply.
  • Kingdom Prosperity and PeaceUnder Solomon's reign, Judah and Israel experienced a period of immense prosperity, population growth, and widespread peace, allowing the people to dwell safely and abundantly throughout the land.
  • Dominion and TributeSolomon's kingdom extended widely, from the river Euphrates to the border of Egypt, with surrounding nations bringing presents and serving him, signifying his vast dominion and influence.
  • Divine WisdomGod granted Solomon extraordinary wisdom and understanding, surpassing all other men and the wisdom of the East and Egypt, which was the cornerstone of his effective rule and international renown.
  • Breadth of Solomon's KnowledgeSolomon's wisdom encompassed a vast range of subjects, including the composition of three thousand proverbs and a thousand and five songs, alongside extensive knowledge of botany and zoology.
  • International RenownThe fame of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom spread to all nations, leading kings and people from distant lands to travel to Jerusalem specifically to hear and learn from him.