1 Kings 4: A Kingdom at Rest
Solomon organizes his officials and provinces, and his God-given wisdom, surpassing all others, draws people from every nation to hear him.
1 Kings 4 (WEB)
1 King Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 These were the princes whom he had: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest;
3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder;
4 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
5 and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, the king’s friend;
6 and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced labor.
7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household: each man had to make provision for a month in the year.
8 These are their names: Ben Hur, in the hill country of Ephraim;
9 Ben Deker, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan;
10 Ben Hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Socoh, and all the land of Hepher);
11 Ben Abinadab, in all the height of Dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as wife);
12 Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth Shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth Shean to Abel Meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam;
13 Ben Geber, in Ramoth Gilead (to him belonged the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him belonged the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars);
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim;
15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also took Basemath the daughter of Solomon as wife);
16 Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth;
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar;
18 Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin;
19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of 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 by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and sixty measures of meal,
23 ten head of fat cattle, and twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides deer, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fattened fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides around him.
25 Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 Those officers provided food for king Solomon, and for all who came to king Solomon’s table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking.
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they to the place where the officers were, every man according to his duty.
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
30 Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations all around.
32 He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were one thousand five.
33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of fish.
34 There came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
1 Kings 4 (KJV)
1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
5 And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:
6 And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
7 And 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.
8 And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth–shemesh, and Elon–beth–hanan:
10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth–shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth–shean to Abel–meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
13 The son of Geber, in Ramoth–gilead; 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:
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:
15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
16 Baanah the son of Hushai was 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 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.
21 And 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.
22 And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
24 For 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.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 And 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.
28 Barley 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.
30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For 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.
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
33 And 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.
34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
1 Kings 4 (ASV)
1 And king Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these were the princes whom he had: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest;
3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder;
4 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
5 and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, and the king’s friend;
6 and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to taskwork.
7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided victuals for the king and his household: each man had to make provision for a month in the year.
8 And these are their names: Ben-hur, in the hill-country of Ephraim;
9 Ben-deker, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan;
10 Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (to him pertained Socoh, and all the land of Hepher);
11 Ben-abinadab, in all the height of Dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife);
12 Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam;
13 Ben-geber, in Ramoth-gilead (to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; even to him pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brazen bars);
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim;
15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also took Basemath the daughter of Solomon to wife);
16 Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth;
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar;
18 Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin;
19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer that 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.
21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
23 ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 And those officers provided victuals for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking.
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds 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.
30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations round about.
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five.
33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall; he spake also of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
34 And there came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
Summary
This chapter paints a portrait of Solomon's kingdom at the height of its order and peace. It lists his chief officials—priests, scribes, a recorder, army commander, and household managers—and then names twelve district officers who each provided food for the royal household one month a year. Judah and Israel are described as numberless as the sand by the sea, eating, drinking, and rejoicing, with every man dwelling safely under his own vine and fig tree from Dan to Beersheba. Solomon rules over many kingdoms from the Euphrates to the border of Egypt, receiving tribute and enjoying peace on every side. The text dwells especially on the wisdom God gave him, as vast as the sand on the seashore, surpassing the wisdom of the east and of Egypt. He spoke three thousand proverbs and over a thousand songs, and could speak knowledgeably of trees and animals, birds, creeping things, and fish. People came from all peoples and from all the kings of the earth to hear his wisdom. The chapter offers a glimpse of shalom under a wise king—a faint and partial picture of the peace and plenty that belong to the kingdom of God.
Key Figures
- Solomon — The king whose well-ordered administration and God-given wisdom bring peace, plenty, and renown, so that the whole earth seeks to hear him.
- The royal officials and district officers — The priests, scribes, commanders, and twelve provincial governors who administer the kingdom and provide for the king's household.
- Judah and Israel — The united people of God, as numerous as the sand by the sea, who dwell safely and joyfully under Solomon's peaceful reign.
Key Verse
1 Kings 4:29 (WEB)
God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
Lessons Learned
- Wisdom from God orders not only private decisions but whole communities into peace and flourishing.
- True peace, with every person safe under vine and fig tree, is a gift of God under a faithful king.
- God-given wisdom overflows into every sphere of life, from justice to nature to song.
- The blessings of a wise reign draw outsiders toward the God who is their source.
- Wisdom is God's gift, abundantly given. “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much… even as the sand that is on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29, WEB). True insight comes down from above, not from human achievement alone.
- Godly rule produces shalom. Under Solomon, “Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25, WEB). Wise, faithful leadership brings security and rest to a people.
- Wisdom touches all of life. Solomon “spoke of trees… he spoke also of animals, and of birds” (1 Kings 4:33, WEB). The fear of the Lord opens the whole created world to understanding.
- God's blessing draws the nations. “There came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon” (1 Kings 4:34, WEB). When God blesses his people, others are drawn toward the source of that blessing.
- Why might the writer take such care to list Solomon's officials and districts?
- What picture of peace and prosperity does verse 25 paint, and what makes it possible?
- How does the description of Solomon's wisdom in verses 29-34 expand our understanding of what wisdom is?
- Why do people from all nations come to hear Solomon, and what does that suggest about God's purposes?
- Solomon's peaceful kingdom is only a faint picture of God's ultimate reign. How does that stir your hope, and how can you live under God's wise rule today?
- The detailed lists show a kingdom that is well-ordered and provided for, a sign of the stability God granted under a wise king. They also ground the account in real history and remind us that godly wisdom expresses itself in faithful, practical administration, not just lofty ideals.
- Verse 25 describes everyone dwelling safely under their own vine and fig tree, a classic image of peace and contentment. This shalom is possible because God gave wisdom and rest to the king and the land, foreshadowing the peace of God's kingdom.
- Solomon's wisdom embraces proverbs and songs, and a knowledge of trees, animals, birds, and fish (4:32-33). Wisdom here is not narrow cleverness but a wide-ranging delight in understanding God's world rightly, rooted in the fear of the Lord.
- People come from all peoples and kings to hear Solomon's wisdom (4:34), drawn by what God has given him. It hints at God's wider purpose to bless the nations through his people, a thread that runs through Scripture toward the gospel.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to let Solomon's peaceful kingdom kindle longing for the greater King and his everlasting peace. As leader, encourage them to seek God's wisdom and to live, even now, as glad subjects of his good reign.