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1 Kings 4:1-34 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 So king H4428 Solomon H8010 was king H4428 over all Israel. H3478

2 And these were the princes H8269 which he had; Azariah H5838 the son H1121 of Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548

3 Elihoreph H456 and Ahiah, H281 the sons H1121 of Shisha, H7894 scribes; H5608 Jehoshaphat H3092 the son H1121 of Ahilud, H286 the recorder. H2142

4 And Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada H3077 was over the host: H6635 and Zadok H6659 and Abiathar H54 were the priests: H3548

5 And Azariah H5838 the son H1121 of Nathan H5416 was over the officers: H5324 and Zabud H2071 the son H1121 of Nathan H5416 was principal officer, H3548 and the king's H4428 friend: H7463

6 And Ahishar H301 was over the household: H1004 and Adoniram H141 the son H1121 of Abda H5653 was over the tribute. H4522

7 And Solomon H8010 had twelve H8147 H6240 officers H5324 over all Israel, H3478 which provided victuals H3557 for the king H4428 and his household: H1004 each man H259 his month H2320 in a year H8141 made provision. H3557

8 And these are their names: H8034 The son of Hur, H1133 in mount H2022 Ephraim: H669

9 The son of Dekar, H1128 H1857 in Makaz, H4739 and in Shaalbim, H8169 and Bethshemesh, H1053 and Elonbethhanan: H358

10 The son of Hesed, H1136 H2618 in Aruboth; H700 to him pertained Sochoh, H7755 and all the land H776 of Hepher: H2660

11 The son of Abinadab, H1125 in all the region H5299 of Dor; H1756 which had Taphath H2955 the daughter H1323 of Solomon H8010 to wife: H802

12 Baana H1195 the son H1121 of Ahilud; H286 to him pertained Taanach H8590 and Megiddo, H4023 and all Bethshean, H1052 which is by H681 Zartanah H6891 beneath Jezreel, H3157 from Bethshean H1052 to Abelmeholah, H65 even unto the place that is beyond H5676 Jokneam: H3361

13 The son of Geber, H1127 in Ramothgilead; H1568 H7433 to him pertained the towns H2333 of Jair H2971 the son H1121 of Manasseh, H4519 which are in Gilead; H1568 to him also pertained the region H2256 of Argob, H709 which is in Bashan, H1316 threescore H8346 great H1419 cities H5892 with walls H2346 and brasen H5178 bars: H1280

14 Ahinadab H292 the son H1121 of Iddo H5714 had Mahanaim: H4266

15 Ahimaaz H290 was in Naphtali; H5321 he also took H3947 Basmath H1315 the daughter H1323 of Solomon H8010 to wife: H802

16 Baanah H1195 the son H1121 of Hushai H2365 was in Asher H836 and in Aloth: H1175

17 Jehoshaphat H3092 the son H1121 of Paruah, H6515 in Issachar: H3485

18 Shimei H8096 the son H1121 of Elah, H414 in Benjamin: H1144

19 Geber H1398 the son H1121 of Uri H221 was in the country H776 of Gilead, H1568 in the country H776 of Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites, H567 and of Og H5747 king H4428 of Bashan; H1316 and he was the only H259 officer H5333 which was in the land. H776

20 Judah H3063 and Israel H3478 were many, H7227 as the sand H2344 which is by the sea H3220 in multitude, H7230 eating H398 and drinking, H8354 and making merry. H8056

21 And Solomon H8010 reigned H4910 over all kingdoms H4467 from the river H5104 unto the land H776 of the Philistines, H6430 and unto the border H1366 of Egypt: H4714 they brought H5066 presents, H4503 and served H5647 Solomon H8010 all the days H3117 of his life. H2416

22 And Solomon's H8010 provision H3899 for one H259 day H3117 was thirty H7970 measures H3734 of fine flour, H5560 and threescore H8346 measures H3734 of meal, H7058

23 Ten H6235 fat H1277 oxen, H1241 and twenty H6242 oxen H1241 out of the pastures, H7471 and an hundred H3967 sheep, H6629 beside harts, H354 and roebucks, H6643 and fallowdeer, H3180 and fatted H75 fowl. H1257

24 For he had dominion H7287 over all the region on this side H5676 the river, H5104 from Tiphsah H8607 even to Azzah, H5804 over all the kings H4428 on this side H5676 the river: H5104 and he had peace H7965 on all sides H5650 H5676 round about H5439 him.

25 And Judah H3063 and Israel H3478 dwelt H3427 safely, H983 every man H376 under his vine H1612 and under his fig tree, H8384 from Dan H1835 even to Beersheba, H884 all the days H3117 of Solomon. H8010

26 And Solomon H8010 had forty H705 thousand H505 stalls H723 of horses H5483 for his chariots, H4817 and twelve H8147 H6240 thousand H505 horsemen. H6571

27 And those officers H5324 provided victual H3557 for king H4428 Solomon, H8010 and for all that came H7131 unto king H4428 Solomon's H8010 table, H7979 every man H376 in his month: H2320 they lacked H5737 nothing. H1697

28 Barley H8184 also and straw H8401 for the horses H5483 and dromedaries H7409 brought H935 they unto the place H4725 where the officers were, every man H376 according to his charge. H4941

29 And God H430 gave H5414 Solomon H8010 wisdom H2451 and understanding H8394 exceeding H3966 much, H7235 and largeness H7341 of heart, H3820 even as the sand H2344 that is on the sea H3220 shore. H8193

30 And Solomon's H8010 wisdom H2451 excelled H7235 the wisdom H2451 of all the children H1121 of the east country, H6924 and all the wisdom H2451 of Egypt. H4714

31 For he was wiser H2449 than all men; H120 than Ethan H387 the Ezrahite, H250 and Heman, H1968 and Chalcol, H3633 and Darda, H1862 the sons H1121 of Mahol: H4235 and his fame H8034 was in all nations H1471 round about. H5439

32 And he spake H1696 three H7969 thousand H505 proverbs: H4912 and his songs H7892 were a thousand H505 and five. H2568

33 And he spake H1696 of trees, H6086 from the cedar tree H730 that is in Lebanon H3844 even unto the hyssop H231 that springeth out H3318 of the wall: H7023 he spake H1696 also of beasts, H929 and of fowl, H5775 and of creeping things, H7431 and of fishes. H1709

34 And there came H935 of all people H5971 to hear H8085 the wisdom H2451 of Solomon, H8010 from all kings H4428 of the earth, H776 which had heard H8085 of his wisdom. H2451

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Kings 4

Commentary on 1 Kings 4 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 4

An instance of the wisdom God granted to Solomon we had in the close of the foregoing chapter. In this we have an account of his wealth and prosperity, the other branch of the promise there made him. We have here,

  • I. The magnificence of his court, his ministers of state (v. 1-6), and the purveyors of his household (v. 7-19), and their office (v. 27, 28).
  • II. The provisions for his table (v. 22, 23).
  • III. The extent of his dominion (v. 21-24).
  • IV. The numbers, case, and peace, of his subjects (v. 20-25).
  • V. His stables (v. 26).
  • VI. His great reputation for wisdom and learning (v. 29-34). Thus great was Solomon, but our Lord Jesus was greater than he (Mt. 12:42), though he took upon him the form of a servant; for divinity, in its lowest humiliation, infinitely transcends royalty in its highest elevation.

1Ki 4:1-19

Here we have,

  • I. Solomon upon his throne (v. 1): So king Solomon was king, that is, he was confirmed and established king over all Israel, and not, as his successors, only over two tribes. He was a king, that is, he did the work and duty of a king, with the wisdom God had given him. Those preserve the name and honour of their place that mind the business of it and make conscience of it.
  • II. The great officers of his court, in the choice of whom, no doubt, his wisdom much appeared. It is observable,
    • 1. That several of them are the same that were in his father's time. Zadok and Abiathar were then priests (2 Sa. 20:25), so they were now; only then Abiathar had the precedency, now Zadok. Jehoshaphat was then recorder, or keeper of the great seal, so he was now. Benaiah, in his father's time, was a principal man in military affairs, and so he was now. Shisha was his father's scribe, and his sons were his, v. 3. Solomon, though a wise man, would not affect to be wiser than his father in this matter. When sons come to inherit their father's wealth, honour, and power, it is a piece of respect to their memory, caeteris paribus-where it can properly be done, to employ those whom they employed, and trust those whom they trusted. Many pride themselves in being the reverse of their good parents.
    • 2. The rest were priests' sons. His prime-minister of state was Azariah the son of Zadok the priest. Two others of the first rank were the sons of Nathan the prophet, v. 5. In preferring them he testified the grateful respect he had for their good father, whom he loved in the name of a prophet.
  • III. The purveyors for his household, whose business it was to send in provisions from several parts of the country, for the king's tables and cellars (v. 7) and for his stables (v. 27, 28), that thus,
    • 1. His house might always be well furnished at the best hand. Let great men learn hence good house-keeping, to be generous in spending according to their ability, but prudent in providing. It is the character of the virtuous woman that she bringeth her food from afar (Prov. 31:14), not far-fetched and dear-bought, but the contrary, every thing bought where it is cheapest.
    • 2. That thus he himself, and those who immediately attended him, might be eased of a great deal of care, and the more closely apply themselves to the business of the state, not troubled about much serving, provision for that being got ready to their hand.
    • 3. That thus all the parts of the kingdom might be equally benefited by the taking off of the commodities that were the productions of their country and the circulating of the coin. Industry would hereby be encouraged, and consequently wealth increased, even in those tribes that lay most remote from the court. The providence of God extends itself to all places of his dominions (Ps. 103:22); so should the prudence and care of princes.
    • 4. The dividing of this trust into so many hands was prudent, that no man might be continually burdened with the care of it nor grow exorbitantly rich with the profit of it, but that Solomon might have those, in every district, who, having a dependence upon the court, would be serviceable to him and his interest as there was occasion. These commissioners of the victualling-office, not for the army or navy (Solomon was engaged in no war), but for the household, are here named, several of them only by their surnames, as great men commonly call their servants: Ben-hur, Ben-dekar, etc., though several of them have also their proper names prefixed. Two of them married Solomon's daughters, Ben-Abinadab (v. 11) and Ahimaaz (v. 15), and no disparagement to them to marry men of business. Better match with the officers of their father's court that were Israelites than with the sons of princes that were strangers to the covenant of promise. The son of Geber was in Ramoth-Gilead (v. 19), and Geber himself was in the country of Sihon and Og, which included that and Mahanaim, v. 14. He is therefore said to be the only officer in that land, because the other two, mentioned v. 13, 14, depended on him, and were subordinate to him.

1Ki 4:20-28

Such a kingdom, and such a court, surely never any prince had, as Solomon's are here described to be.

  • I. Such a kingdom. Never did the crown of Israel shine so brightly as it did when Solomon wore it, never in his father's days, never in the days of any of his successors; nor was that kingdom ever so glorious a type of the kingdom of the Messiah as it was then. The account here given of it is such as fully answers the prophecies which we have concerning it in Ps. 72, which is a psalm for Solomon, but with reference to Christ.
    • 1. The territories of his kingdom were large and its tributaries many; so it was foretold that he should have dominion from sea to sea, Ps. 72:8-11. Solomon reigned not only over all Israel, who were his subjects by choice, but over all the neighbouring kingdoms, who were his subjects by constraint. All the princes from the river Euphrates, north-east to the border of Egypt south-west, not only added to his honour by doing him homage and holding their crowns from him, but added to his wealth by serving him, and bringing him presents, v. 21. David, by his successful wars, compelled them to this subjection, and Solomon, by his admirable wisdom, made it easy and reasonable; for it is fit that the fool should be servant to the wise in heart. If they gave him presents, he gave them instructions, and still taught the people knowledge, not only his own people, but those of other nations: and wisdom is better than gold. He had peace on all sides, v. 24. None of all the nations that were subject to him offered to shake off his yoke, or to give him any disturbance, but rather thought themselves happy in their dependence upon him. Herein his kingdom typified the Messiah's; for to him it is promised that he shall have the heathen for his inheritance and that princes shall worship him, Isa. 49:6, 7; 53:12.
    • 2. The subjects of his kingdom and its inhabitants, were many and cheerful.
      • (1.) They were numerous and country was exceedingly populous (v. 20): Judah and Israel were many, and that good land was sufficient to maintain them all. They were as the sand of the sea in multitude. Now was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham concerning the increase of his seed (Gen. 22:17), as well as that concerning the extent of their dominion, Gen. 15:18. This was their strength and beauty, the honour of their prince, the terror of their enemies, and an advancement of the wealth of the nation. If they grew so numerous that the place was any where too strait for them, they might remove with advantage into the countries that were subject to them. God's spiritual Israel are many, at least they will be so when they come all together, Rev. 7:9.
      • (2.) They were easy, they dwelt safely, or with confidence and assurance (v. 25), not jealous of their king or of his officers, not disaffected either to him or one to another, nor under any apprehension or danger from enemies foreign or domestic. They were happy and knew it, safe and willing to think themselves so. They dwelt every man under his vine and fig-tree. Solomon invaded no man's property, took not to himself their vineyards and olive-yards, as sometimes was the manner of the king (1 Sa. 8:14), but what they had they could call their own: he protected every man in the possession and enjoyment of his property. Those that had vines and fig-trees ate the fruit of them themselves; and so great was the peace of the country that they might, if they pleased, dwell as safely under the shadow of them as within the walls of a city. Or, because it was usual to have vines by the sides of their houses (Ps. 128:3), they are said to dwell under their vines.
      • (3.) They were cheerful in the use of their plenty, eating and drinking, and making merry, v. 20. Solomon did not only keep a good table himself, but enabled all his subjects, according to their rank, to do so too, and taught them that God gave them their abundance that they might use it soberly and pleasantly, not that they might hoard it up. There is nothing better than for a man to eat the labour of his hands (Eccl. 2:24), and that with a merry heart, Eccl. 9:7. His father, in the Psalms, had led his people into the comforts of communion with God, and now he led them into the comfortable use of the good things of this life. This pleasant posture of Israel's affairs extended, in place, from Dan to Beer-sheba-no part of the country was exposed nor upon any account uneasy; and it continued a long time, all the days of Solomon, without any material interruption. Go where you would, you might see all the marks of plenty, peace, and satisfaction. The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus were typified by this. The kingdom of God is not, as Solomon's was, meat and drink, but, what is infinitely better, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
  • II. Such a court Solomon kept as can scarcely be paralleled. We may guess at the vast number of his attendants, and the great resort there was to him, by the provision that was made daily for his table. Of bread there were so many measures of flour and meal as, it is computed, would richly serve 3000 men (Carellus computes above 4800 men), and the provision of flesh (v. 23) was rather more in proportion. What vast quantities were here of beef, mutton, and venison, and the choicest of all fatted things, as some read that which we translate fatted fowl! Ahasuerus, once in his reign, made a great feast, to show the riches of his kingdom, Esth. 1:3, 4. But it was much more the honour of Solomon that he kept a constant table and a very noble one, not of dainties or deceitful meats (he himself witnessed against them, Prov. 23:3), but substantial food, for the entertainment of those who came to hear his wisdom. Thus Christ fed those whom he taught, 5000 at a time, more than ever Solomon's table would entertain at once: and all believers have in him a continual feast. Herein he far outdoes Solomon, that he feeds all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but with that which endures to eternal life. It added much both to the strength and glory of Solomon's kingdom that he had such abundance of horses, 40,000 for chariots and 12,000 for his troops, 1000 horse, perhaps, in every tribe, for the preserving of the public peace, v. 26. God had commanded that their king should not multiply horses (Deu. 17:16), nor, according to the account here given, considering the extent and wealth of Solomon's kingdom, did he multiply horses in proportion to his neighbours; for we find even the Philistines bringing into the field 30,000 chariots (1 Sa. 13:5) and the Syrians at least 40,000 horse, 2 Sa. 10:18. The same officers that provided for his house provided also for his stable, v. 27, 28. Every one knew his place, and work, and time; and so this great court was kept without confusion. Solomon, that had vast incomes, lived at a vast expense, and perhaps wrote that with application to himself, Eccl. 5:11. When goods increase those are increased that eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes, unless withal they have the satisfaction of doing good with them?

1Ki 4:29-34

Solomon's wisdom was more his glory than his wealth, and here we have a general account of it.

  • I. The fountain of his wisdom: God gave it him, v. 29. He owns it himself. Prov. 2:6, The Lord giveth wisdom. He gives the powers of reason (Job 38:36), preserves and improves them. The ordinary advances of them are owing to his providence, the sanctification of them to his grace, and this extraordinary pitch at which they arrived in Solomon to a special grant of his favour to him in answer to prayer.
  • II. The fulness of it: He had wisdom and understanding, exceeding much, great knowledge of distant countries and the histories of former times, a quickness of thought, strength of memory, and clearness of judgment, such as never any man had. It is called largeness of heart; for the heart is often put for the intellectual powers. He had a vast compass of knowledge, could take things entire, and had an admirable faculty of laying things together. Some, by his largeness of heart, understand his courage and boldness, and that great assurance with which he delivered his dictates and determinations. Or it may be meant of his disposition to do good with his knowledge. He was very free and communicative, had the gift of utterance as well as wisdom, was as free of his learning as he was of his meat, and grudged neither to any that were about him. Note, It is very desirable that those who have large gifts of any kind should have large hearts to use them for the good of others; and this is from the hand of God, Eccl. 2:24. He shall enlarge the heart, Ps. 119:32. The greatness of Solomon's wisdom is illustrated by comparison. Chaldea and Egypt were nations famous for learning; thence the Greeks borrowed theirs; but the greatest scholars of these nations came short of Solomon, v. 30. If nature excels art, much more does grace. The knowledge which God gives by special favour goes beyond that which man gets by his own labour. Some wise men there were in Solomon's time, who were in great repute, particularly Heman, and others who were Levites, and employed by David in the temple-music, 1 Chr. 15:19. Heman was his seer in the word of God, 1 Chr. 25:5. Chalcol and Darda were own brothers, and they also were noted for learning and wisdom. But Solomon excelled them all (v. 30), he out-did them and confounded them; his counsel was much more valuable.
  • III. The fame of it. It was talked of in all nations round about. His great wealth and glory made his wisdom much more illustrious, and have him those opportunities of showing it which those cannot have that live in poverty and obscurity. The jewel of wisdom may receive great advantage by the setting of it.
  • IV. The fruits of it; by these the tree is known: he did not bury his talent, but showed his wisdom,
    • 1. In his compositions. Those in divinity, written by divine inspiration, are not mentioned here, for they are extant, and will remain to the world's end monuments of his wisdom, and are, as other parts of scripture, of use to make us wise unto salvation. But, besides these, it appears by what he spoke, or dictated to be written from him,
      • (1.) That he was a moralist, and a man of great prudence, for he spoke 3000 proverbs, wise sayings, apophthegms, of admirable use for the conduct of human life. The world is much governed by proverbs, and was never better furnished with useful ones than by Solomon. Whether those proverbs of Solomon that we have were any part of the 3000 is uncertain.
      • (2.) That he was a poet and a man of great wit: His songs were 1005, of which one only is extant, because that only was divinely inspired, which is therefore called his Song of songs. His wise instructions were communicated by proverbs, that they might be familiar to those whom he designed to teach and ready on all occasions, and by songs, that they might be pleasant and move the affections.
      • (3.) That he was a natural philosopher, and a man of great learning and insight into the mysteries of nature. From his own and others' observations and experience, he wrote both of plants and animals (v. 33), descriptions of their natures and qualities, and (some think) of the medicinal use of them.
    • 2. In his conversation. There came persons from all parts, who were more inquisitive after knowledge than their neighbours, to hear the wisdom of Solomon, v. 34. Kings that had heard of it sent their ambassadors to hear it and to bring them instructions from it. Solomon's court was the staple of learning, and the rendezvous of philosophers, that is, the lovers of wisdom, who all came to light their candle at his lamp and to borrow from him. Let those who magnify the modern learning above that of the ancients produce such a treasure of knowledge any where in these latter ages as that was which Solomon was master of; yet this puts an honour upon human learning, that Solomon was praised for it, and recommends it to the great men of the earth, as well worthy their diligent search. But,

Lastly, Solomon was, herein, a type of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and hidden for use; for he is made of God to us wisdom.