New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Kings 4
1
So King Solomon ruled over the whole nation of Israel.
2
Here are the names of his chief officials. Azariah was the priest. He was the son of Zadok.
Reference
People
3
Elihoreph and Ahijah were secretaries. They were the sons of Shisha. Jehoshaphat kept the records. He was the son of Ahilud.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
2 Samuel 8:16
4
Benaiah was the commander in chief. He was the son of Jehoiada. Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 2:35
5
Azariah was in charge of the local officials. He was the son of Nathan. Zabud was a priest. He was the king's personal adviser. He was the son of Nathan.
Reference
People
6
Ahishar was in charge of the palace. Adoniram was in charge of those who were forced to work for the king. He was the son of Abda.
Reference
People
7
Solomon also had 12 local governors over the whole land of Israel. They provided supplies for the king and the royal family. Each governor had to provide supplies for one month out of each year.
8
Here are their names and areas. Ben-Hur's area was the hill country of Ephraim.
Reference
Parallel theme
Joshua 24:33
9
Ben-Deker's area was Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh and Elon Bethhanan.
📍 Locations
10
Ben-Hesed's area was Arubboth. Socoh and the whole land of Hepher were included in his area.
Reference
📍 Arubboth
11
Ben-Abinadab's area was Naphoth Dor. He got married to Solomon's daughter Taphath.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Joshua 11:2
12
Baana's area was Taanach, Megiddo and the whole territory of Beth Shan. Beth Shan was next to Zarethan below Jezreel. Baana's area reached from Beth Shan all the way to Abel Meholah. It also went across to Jokmeam. Baana was the son of Ahilud.
Reference
📍 Jokmeam 1
People
13
Ben-Geber's area was Ramoth Gilead. The settlements of Jair, the son of Manasseh, were included in his area in Gilead. The area of Argob in Bashan was also included. That area had 60 large cities that had high walls around them. The city gates were made secure with heavy bronze bars.
Reference
📍 Ramoth-gilead
15
Ahimaaz's area was Naphtali. He had gotten married to Basemath. She was Solomon's daughter.
People
19
Geber's area was Gilead. He was the only governor over the area. He was the son of Uri. Gilead had been the country of Sihon and Og. Sihon had been king of the Amorites. Og had been king of Bashan.
People
20
There were many people in Judah and Israel. In fact, they were as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. They ate, drank and were happy.
Reference
21
Solomon ruled over all of the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines. He ruled as far as the border of Egypt. All of those countries brought the gifts he required them to bring him. And Solomon ruled over those countries for his whole life.
Reference
Kingdom
Psalm 68:29
1 Kings 4:24
Parallel theme
Joshua 1:4
Exodus 23:31
References Egypt
Genesis 15:18
22
Here are the supplies Solomon required every day. 185 bushels of fine flour 375 bushels of meal
23
ten head of cattle that had been fed by hand 20 head of cattle that had been fed on grasslands 100 sheep and goats deer, antelopes and roebucks the finest birds
24
Solomon ruled over all of the kingdoms that were west of the Euphrates River. He ruled from Tiphsah all the way to Gaza. And he had peace and rest on every side.
Reference
📍 Tiphsah 1
25
While Solomon was king, Judah and Israel lived in safety. They were secure from Dan all the way to Beersheba. Each man had his own vine and fig tree.
Reference
26
Solomon had 4,000 spaces where he kept his chariot horses. He had a total of 12,000 horses.
Reference
27
The local officials provided supplies for King Solomon. They provided them for all who ate at the king's table. Each official provided supplies for one month every year. The officials made sure the king had everything he needed.
28
They also brought barley and straw for the chariot horses and the other horses. Each of them brought the amounts that were required of them. They brought them to the proper places.
Reference
29
God made Solomon very wise. His understanding couldn't even be measured. It was like the sand on the seashore. People can't measure that either.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Kings 3:12
James 3:17
1 Kings 4:20
Proverbs 2:6
James 1:17
Isaiah 60:5
Psalm 119:34
References God
James 1:5
Ecclesiastes 2:26
1 Kings 3:28
30
Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all of the people of the east. It was greater than all of the wisdom of Egypt.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 25:6
Daniel 1:20
Job 1:3
Matthew 2:16
Matthew 2:1
Daniel 4:7
References Egypt
Acts 7:22
31
Solomon was wiser than any other man. He was wiser than Ethan, the Ezrahite. He was wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda. They were the sons of Mahol. Solomon became famous in all of the nations that were around him.
Reference
People
33
He explained all about plants. He knew everything about them, from the cedar trees in Lebanon to the hyssop plants that grow out of walls. He taught about animals and birds. He also taught about reptiles and fish.
Reference
Summary of 1 Kings 4
This chapter presents Solomon as a wise administrator, a prosperous king, and an internationally respected leader.
The chapter begins by describing Solomon's officials and government structure. His kingdom was carefully organized with administrators responsible for different areas of national life. The twelve district governors provided resources for the royal household and helped manage the growing nation.
The result of this organization was peace and prosperity. Judah and Israel grew in population, agriculture flourished, and the people lived securely. Neighboring nations recognized Solomon's influence and brought tribute.
The chapter then returns to Solomon's greatest gift: wisdom. God had given him understanding beyond ordinary human ability. His knowledge extended beyond politics and law into literature, science, and the natural world.
Solomon's wisdom became famous internationally, fulfilling God's promise that his reign would be marked by blessing and honor.
However, the chapter also quietly introduces a future challenge. Maintaining such a magnificent kingdom required enormous resources. The same systems that created prosperity would later place burdens upon the people, contributing to tensions after Solomon's death.
The chapter begins by describing Solomon's officials and government structure. His kingdom was carefully organized with administrators responsible for different areas of national life. The twelve district governors provided resources for the royal household and helped manage the growing nation.
The result of this organization was peace and prosperity. Judah and Israel grew in population, agriculture flourished, and the people lived securely. Neighboring nations recognized Solomon's influence and brought tribute.
The chapter then returns to Solomon's greatest gift: wisdom. God had given him understanding beyond ordinary human ability. His knowledge extended beyond politics and law into literature, science, and the natural world.
Solomon's wisdom became famous internationally, fulfilling God's promise that his reign would be marked by blessing and honor.
However, the chapter also quietly introduces a future challenge. Maintaining such a magnificent kingdom required enormous resources. The same systems that created prosperity would later place burdens upon the people, contributing to tensions after Solomon's death.