1 Kings 4:1-6

II. THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS KINGDOM 4:1-20

In this section of Kings in which the author has been discussing the commencement of Solomon's reign, it is natural to find a description of his court and some intimation as to how he organized the government of the realm. The list of officials in 1 Kings 4:1-20 does not, however, necessarily represent the appointments of Solomon's early years. The mention of the king's two married daughters (1 Kings 4:11; 1 Kings 4:15) would seem to necessitate assigning this list to a later date in his reign.[141] The list is in two parts containing (1) Solomon's ministers of state (1 Kings 4:1-6); and (2) his financial officers (1 Kings 4:7-20). These verses serve as an indication of the might and glory of Solomon's reign as well as of his administrative genius.

[141] Keil assigns it to the middle portion of Solomon's reign. It is possible, of course, that these girls may have been given to officers much older than themselves who had long been in office. In this case the officers might well have been appointed in Solomon's early years.

A. THE MINISTERS OF STATE 4:1-6

TRANSLATION

(1) So King Solomon became king over all Israel. (2) Now these were his princes: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; (3) Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; (4) and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host while Zadok and Abiathar were priests; (5) Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest, friend of the king; (6) Ahishar was over the house; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.

COMMENTS

Through the actions mentioned in 1 Kings 2, and because of the awe in which the people held him (1 Kings 3:28), Solomon was able to establish himself as king of all Israel (1 Kings 4:1). All subsequent kings ruled but a part of the land of Israel, as also did David for the first seven years of his reign. Naturally Solomon needed assistance in governing the land, and 1 Kings 4:2-6 list the princes who held the rank of cabinet officers during his reign. To select faithful and efficient servants is one of the most difficult tasks of rulers. The welfare of the whole state depends very largely on the choice. That the list furnishes further evidence of Solomon's wisdom can be seen in the following observations concerning it: (1) Priority in this list is given to officers of peacescribes are listed before generals. (2) In several positions Solomon retained the faithful and experienced servants of his predecessor. (3) Positions of trust were filled by persons of piety. Many of Solomon's appointees were sons of priests or prophets.

1. The prime minister: Azariah (1 Kings 4:2). Azariah, the first prince to be named, is designated in Hebrew as ha-kohen, the priest (1 Kings 4:2). Learned men have discussed at length the precise meaning of this term as applied to Azariah. Some think that this Azariah was the grandson of Zadok and that he occupied the office of high priest for the greater part of the reign of Solomon.[142] That the term kohen has a secular as well as a sacred meaning would seem to be indicated by 2 Samuel 8:18 where David's sons, unqualified according to the law to occupy the priesthood, are designated as priests. The parallel passage in Chronicles refers simply to David's sons as first men (1 Chronicles 18:17). Just as the sacred kohen represented the people before God, so the secular kohen represented the people before the king and vice versa. Therefore, Azariah should be regarded as the chief administrator or prime minister of the kingdom. He held first place among the confidential counselors of the king. It is impossible to determine whether Zadok his father is the famous high priest or another man of the same name.

[142] Hammond, PC, pp. 67-68.

2. The scribes: Elihoreph and Ahijah (1 Kings 4:3). Elihoreph and Ahijah were official court scribes. Apparently they had been trained in the scribal duties by their father Shisha who seems to have held the same office during the reign of David.[143] These scribes were secretaries of state: they wrote letters and proclama tions, drew up edicts and apparently had certain fiscal duties (2 Kings 12:10).

[143] Shisha is probably the same person mentioned in 2 Samuel 20:25 as Sheva; in 2 Samuel 8:17 as Seraiah; and in 1 Chronicles 18:16 as Shaysha.

3. The recorder: Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 4:3). Jehoshaphat was the recorder or remembrancer whose duty it was to bring to the king's attention matters of importance affecting the state. In Egyptian literature an official bearing a similar title is men tioned. It was his duty to regulate the ceremonies of the palace, introduce people to royal audiences, serve as master of cere monies on an official tour, report affairs to the king, and explain royal commands to the people.[144] Jehoshaphat also held his office during the reign of David (2 Samuel 8:16).

[144] It would seem that the offices of scribe and chamberlain (over the house) were also modeled after the organization of the Egyptian court. See de Vaux, AI, pp. 129-132.

4. Over the host: Benaiah (1 Kings 4:4). The elevation of Benaiah to the position of commander of the host has already been noted in 1 Kings 2:35.

5. The priests: Zadok and Abiathar (1 Kings 4:4). The mention of Abiathar here after the mention of his deposition in chapter two is somewhat puzzling. It has been suggested that this is a different Abiathar; or that Abiathar was not completely expelled from the priesthood, only demoted to a lower grade; or that Abiathar was subsequently pardoned and restored to office. The simplest explanation is that Abiathar is listed here because he had been high priest under Solomon, albeit only for a brief period.

6. Over the officers: Azariah (1 Kings 4:5). Azariah was over the twelve officers or governors who are enumerated in 1 Kings 4:7-19. His father Nathan is thought by some to be the famous prophet of that name, and by others to be Nathan the son of David (2 Samuel 5:14). Which Nathan is meant, if either, cannot be determined.

7. Friend of the king: Zabud (1 Kings 4:5). Another son of Nathan, Zabud, was chief minister and the king's friend (1 Kings 4:5). Again the problem of interpreting the Hebrew word kohen arises. Some think of Zabud as a priest who also occupied the office of king's friend. It is again best to take the word kohen in the secular sense of chief minister. See comments on 1 Kings 4:2. The office of king's friend also existed during the days of David (2 Samuel 15:37; 2 Samuel 16:16). While the exact duties of the king's friend are uncertain, it would appear that he was a confidential adviser to the king who was responsible for carrying out instructions which were to be kept secret.

8. Over the house: Ahishar (1 Kings 4:6). Ahishar was the chamberlain, i.e., he was the steward and manager of the palace. That such an officer was needed indicates the growing size of the court. Ahishar is unique in this list in that his father's name has been omitted. This has been taken to indicate his foreign, or humble origin.

9. Over the forced labor: Adoniram (1 Kings 4:6). Adoniram was over the tribute or levy. The Hebrew word mas denotes the forced labor which citizens were obligated to contribute towards the erection of royal buildings. Adoniram (or Adoram) had also held the office under David (2 Samuel 20:24).

SOLOMON'S COURT

Official

Title

Azariah ben Zadok

Prime Minister

Elihoreph Ahiah

Scribes

Jehoshaphat

Recorder

Benaiah

Over the Host

Zadok Abiathar

Priests

Azariah ben Nathan

Over the Officers

Zabud

Friend of the King

Ahishar

Over the House

Adoairam

Over the Forced Labor