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
And the sons H1121 of Zerah; H2226 Zimri, H2174 and Ethan, H387 and Heman, H1968 and Calcol, H3633 and Dara: H1873 five H2568 of them in all.
And these are they that waited H5975 with their children. H1121 Of the sons H1121 of the Kohathites: H6956 Heman H1968 a singer, H7891 the son H1121 of Joel, H3100 the son H1121 of Shemuel, H8050
[[Maschil H4905 of Ethan H387 the Ezrahite.]] H250 I will sing H7891 of the mercies H2617 of the LORD H3068 for ever: H5769 with my mouth H6310 will I make known H3045 thy faithfulness H530 to all H1755 generations. H1755 For I have said, H559 Mercy H2617 shall be built up H1129 for ever: H5769 thy faithfulness H530 shalt thou establish H3559 in the very heavens. H8064 I have made H3772 a covenant H1285 with my chosen, H972 I have sworn H7650 unto David H1732 my servant, H5650 Thy seed H2233 will I establish H3559 for H5704 ever, H5769 and build up H1129 thy throne H3678 to all H1755 generations. H1755 Selah. H5542 And the heavens H8064 shall praise H3034 thy wonders, H6382 O LORD: H3068 thy faithfulness H530 also in the congregation H6951 of the saints. H6918 For who in the heaven H7834 can be compared H6186 unto the LORD? H3068 who among the sons H1121 of the mighty H410 can be likened H1819 unto the LORD? H3068 God H410 is greatly H7227 to be feared H6206 in the assembly H5475 of the saints, H6918 and to be had in reverence H3372 of all them that are about H5439 him. O LORD H3068 God H430 of hosts, H6635 who is a strong H2626 LORD H3050 like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness H530 round about H5439 thee? Thou rulest H4910 the raging H1348 of the sea: H3220 when the waves H1530 thereof arise, H7721 thou stillest H7623 them. Thou hast broken H1792 Rahab H7294 in pieces, H1792 as one that is slain; H2491 thou hast scattered H6340 thine enemies H341 with thy strong H5797 arm. H2220 The heavens H8064 are thine, the earth H776 also is thine: as for the world H8398 and the fulness H4393 thereof, thou hast founded H3245 them. The north H6828 and the south H3225 thou hast created H1254 them: Tabor H8396 and Hermon H2768 shall rejoice H7442 in thy name. H8034 Thou hast a mighty H1369 arm: H2220 strong H5810 is thy hand, H3027 and high H7311 is thy right hand. H3225 Justice H6664 and judgment H4941 are the habitation H4349 of thy throne: H3678 mercy H2617 and truth H571 shall go H6923 before thy face. H6440 Blessed H835 is the people H5971 that know H3045 the joyful sound: H8643 they shall walk, H1980 O LORD, H3068 in the light H216 of thy countenance. H6440 In thy name H8034 shall they rejoice H1523 all the day: H3117 and in thy righteousness H6666 shall they be exalted. H7311 For thou art the glory H8597 of their strength: H5797 and in thy favour H7522 our horn H7161 shall be exalted. H7311 H7311 For the LORD H3068 is our defence; H4043 and the Holy One H6918 of Israel H3478 is our king. H4428 Then thou spakest H1696 in vision H2377 to thy holy one, H2623 and saidst, H559 I have laid H7737 help H5828 upon one that is mighty; H1368 I have exalted H7311 one chosen H977 out of the people. H5971 I have found H4672 David H1732 my servant; H5650 with my holy H6944 oil H8081 have I anointed H4886 him: With whom my hand H3027 shall be established: H3559 mine arm H2220 also shall strengthen H553 him. The enemy H341 shall not exact H5378 upon him; nor the son H1121 of wickedness H5766 afflict H6031 him. And I will beat down H3807 his foes H6862 before his face, H6440 and plague H5062 them that hate H8130 him. But my faithfulness H530 and my mercy H2617 shall be with him: and in my name H8034 shall his horn H7161 be exalted. H7311 I will set H7760 his hand H3027 also in the sea, H3220 and his right hand H3225 in the rivers. H5104 He shall cry H7121 unto me, Thou art my father, H1 my God, H410 and the rock H6697 of my salvation. H3444 Also I will make H5414 him my firstborn, H1060 higher H5945 than the kings H4428 of the earth. H776 My mercy H2617 will I keep H8104 for him for evermore, H5769 and my covenant H1285 shall stand fast H539 with him. His seed H2233 also will I make H7760 to endure for ever, H5703 and his throne H3678 as the days H3117 of heaven. H8064 If his children H1121 forsake H5800 my law, H8451 and walk H3212 not in my judgments; H4941 If they break H2490 my statutes, H2708 and keep H8104 not my commandments; H4687 Then will I visit H6485 their transgression H6588 with the rod, H7626 and their iniquity H5771 with stripes. H5061 Nevertheless my lovingkindness H2617 will I not utterly take H6331 from him, nor suffer my faithfulness H530 to fail. H8266 My covenant H1285 will I not break, H2490 nor alter H8138 the thing that is gone out H4161 of my lips. H8193 Once H259 have I sworn H7650 by my holiness H6944 that I will not lie H3576 unto David. H1732 His seed H2233 shall endure for ever, H5769 and his throne H3678 as the sun H8121 before me. It shall be established H3559 for ever H5769 as the moon, H3394 and as a faithful H539 witness H5707 in heaven. H7834 Selah. H5542 But thou hast cast off H2186 and abhorred, H3988 thou hast been wroth H5674 with thine anointed. H4899 Thou hast made void H5010 the covenant H1285 of thy servant: H5650 thou hast profaned H2490 his crown H5145 by casting it to the ground. H776 Thou hast broken down H6555 all his hedges; H1448 thou hast brought H7760 his strong holds H4013 to ruin. H4288 All that pass by H5674 the way H1870 spoil H8155 him: he is a reproach H2781 to his neighbours. H7934 Thou hast set up H7311 the right hand H3225 of his adversaries; H6862 thou hast made all his enemies H341 to rejoice. H8055 Thou hast also turned H7725 the edge H6697 of his sword, H2719 and hast not made him to stand H6965 in the battle. H4421 Thou hast made his glory H2892 to cease, H7673 and cast H4048 his throne H3678 down H4048 to the ground. H776 The days H3117 of his youth H5934 hast thou shortened: H7114 thou hast covered H5844 him with shame. H955 Selah. H5542 How long, LORD? H3068 wilt thou hide H5641 thyself for ever? H5331 shall thy wrath H2534 burn H1197 like fire? H784 Remember H2142 how short H2465 my time is: wherefore hast thou made H1254 all men H1121 H120 in vain? H7723 What man H1397 is he that liveth, H2421 and shall not see H7200 death? H4194 shall he deliver H4422 his soul H5315 from the hand H3027 of the grave? H7585 Selah. H5542 Lord, H136 where are thy former H7223 lovingkindnesses, H2617 which thou swarest H7650 unto David H1732 in thy truth? H530 Remember, H2142 Lord, H136 the reproach H2781 of thy servants; H5650 how I do bear H5375 in my bosom H2436 the reproach of all the mighty H7227 people; H5971 Wherewith thine enemies H341 have reproached, H2778 O LORD; H3068 wherewith they have reproached H2778 the footsteps H6119 of thine anointed. H4899 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 for evermore. H5769 Amen, H543 and Amen. H543
The queen G938 of the south G3558 shall rise up G1453 in G1722 the judgment G2920 with G3326 this G5026 generation, G1074 and G2532 shall condemn G2632 it: G846 for G3754 she came G2064 from G1537 the uttermost parts G4009 of the earth G1093 to hear G191 the wisdom G4678 of Solomon; G4672 and, G2532 behold, G2400 a greater than G4119 Solomon G4672 is here. G5602
The queen G938 of the south G3558 shall rise up G1453 in G1722 the judgment G2920 with G3326 the men G435 of this G5026 generation, G1074 and G2532 condemn G2632 them: G846 for G3754 she came G2064 from G1537 the utmost parts G4009 of the earth G1093 to hear G191 the wisdom G4678 of Solomon; G4672 and, G2532 behold, G2400 a greater than G4119 Solomon G4672 is here. G5602
And it came to pass, when Hiram H2438 heard H8085 the words H1697 of Solomon, H8010 that he rejoiced H8055 greatly, H3966 and said, H559 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 this day, H3117 which hath given H5414 unto David H1732 a wise H2450 son H1121 over this great H7227 people. H5971
And she said H559 to the king, H4428 It was a true H571 report H1697 that I heard H8085 in mine own land H776 of thy acts H1697 and of thy wisdom. H2451
[[A Song H7892 or Psalm H4210 for the sons H1121 of Korah, H7141 to the chief Musician H5329 upon Mahalath H4257 Leannoth, H6031 Maschil H4905 of Heman H1968 the Ezrahite.]] H250 O LORD H3068 God H430 of my salvation, H3444 I have cried H6817 day H3117 and night H3915 before thee:
And G2532 his G846 fame G189 went G565 throughout G1519 all G3650 Syria: G4947 and G2532 they brought G4374 unto him G846 all G3956 sick G2560 people G2192 that were taken with G4912 divers G4164 diseases G3554 and G2532 torments, G931 and G2532 those which were possessed with devils, G1139 and G2532 those which were lunatick, G4583 and G2532 those that had the palsy; G3885 and G2532 he healed G2323 them. G846
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Kings 4
Commentary on 1 Kings 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
1Ki 4:1-6. Solomon's Princes.
1. So King Solomon was king over all Israel—This chapter contains a general description of the state and glory of the Hebrew kingdom during the more flourishing or later years of his reign.
2. these were the princes—or chief officers, as is evident from two of them marrying Solomon's daughters.
Azariah the son of Zadok the priest—rather, "the prince," as the Hebrew word frequently signifies (Ge 41:45; Ex 2:16; 2Sa 8:18); so that from the precedency given to his person in the list, he seems to have been prime minister, the highest in office next the king.
3. scribes—that is, secretaries of state. Under David, there had been only one [2Sa 8:17; 20:25]. The employment of three functionaries in this department indicates either improved regulations by the division of labor, or a great increase of business, occasioned by the growing prosperity of the kingdom, or a more extensive correspondence with foreign countries.
recorder—that is, historiographer, or annalist—an office of great importance in Oriental courts, and the duties of which consisted in chronicling the occurrences of every day.
4. Benaiah … was over the host—formerly captain of the guard. He had succeeded Joab as commander of the forces.
Zadok and Abiathar were the priests—Only the first discharged the sacred functions; the latter had been banished to his country seat and retained nothing more than the name of high priest.
5. over the officers—that is, the provincial governors enumerated in 1Ki 4:17-19.
principal officer, and the king's friend—perhaps president of the privy council, and Solomon's confidential friend or favorite. This high functionary had probably been reared along with Solomon. That he should heap those honors on the sons of Nathan was most natural, considering the close intimacy of the father with the late king, and the deep obligations under which Solomon personally lay to the prophet.
6. Ahishar was over the household—steward or chamberlain of the palace.
Adoniram—or Adoram (2Sa 20:24; 1Ki 12:18), or Hadoram (2Ch 10:18),
was over the tribute—not the collection of money or goods, but the levy of compulsory laborers (compare 1Ki 5:13, 14).
1Ki 4:7-21. His Twelve Officers.
7. Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel—The royal revenues were raised according to the ancient, and still, in many parts, existing usage of the East, not in money payments, but in the produce of the soil. There would be always a considerable difficulty in the collection and transmission of these tithes (1Sa 8:15). Therefore, to facilitate the work, Solomon appointed twelve officers, who had each the charge of a tribe or particular district of country, from which, in monthly rotation, the supplies for the maintenance of the king's household were drawn, having first been deposited in "the store cities" which were erected for their reception (1Ki 9:19; 2Ch 8:4, 6).
8. The son of Hur—or, as the Margin has it, Benhur, Bendekar. In the rural parts of Syria, and among the Arabs, it is still common to designate persons not by their own names, but as the sons of their fathers.
21. Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river—All the petty kingdoms between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean were tributary to him. Similar is the statement in 1Ki 4:24.
22, 23. Solomon's provision for one day—not for the king's table only, but for all connected with the court, including, besides the royal establishment, those of his royal consorts, his principal officers, his bodyguards, his foreign visitors, &c. The quantity of fine floor used is estimated at two hundred forty bushels; that of meal or common flour at four hundred eighty. The number of cattle required for consumption, besides poultry and several kinds of game (which were abundant on the mountains) did not exceed in proportion what is needed in other courts of the East.
24. from Tiphsah—that is, Thapsacus, a large and flourishing town on the west bank of the Euphrates, the name of which was derived from a celebrated ford near it, the lowest on that river.
even to Azzah—that is, Gaza, on the southwestern extremity, not far from the Mediterranean.
25. every man under his vine and … fig tree—This is a common and beautiful metaphor for peace and security (Mic 4:4; Zec 3:10), founded on the practice, still common in modern Syria, of training these fruit trees up the walls and stairs of houses, so as to make a shady arbor, beneath which the people sit and relax.
26. forty thousand stalls—for the royal mews (see on 2Ch 9:25).
28. Barley … and straw—Straw is not used for litter, but barley mixed with chopped straw is the usual fodder of horses.
dromedaries—one-humped camels, distinguished for their great fleetness.
1Ki 4:29-34. His Wisdom.
29. God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart—that is, high powers of mind, great capacity for receieving, as well as aptitude for communicating knowledge.
30. Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country—that is, the Arabians, Chaldeans, and Persians (Ge 25:6).
all the wisdom of Egypt—Egypt was renowned as the seat of learning and sciences, and the existing monuments, which so clearly describe the ancient state of society and the arts, show the high culture of the Egyptian people.
31. wiser than all men—that is, all his contemporaries, either at home or abroad.
than Ethan—or Jeduthun, of the family of Merari (1Ch 6:44).
Heman—(1Ch 15:17-19)—the chief of the temple musicians and the king's seers (1Ch 25:5); the other two are not known.
the sons of Mahol—either another name for Zerah (1Ch 2:6); or taking it as a common noun, signifying a dance, a chorus, "the sons of Mahol" signify persons eminently skilled in poetry and music.
32. he spake three thousand proverbs—embodying his moral sentiments and sage observations on human life and character.
songs … a thousand and five—Psalm 72, 127, 132, and the Song of Songs are his.
33. he spake of trees, from the cedar … to the hyssop—all plants, from the greatest to the least. The Spirit of God has seen fit to preserve comparatively few memorials of the fruits of his gigantic mind. The greater part of those here ascribed to him have long since fallen a prey to the ravages of time, or perished in the Babylonish captivity, probably because they were not inspired.