CHAPTER FOUR
SOLOMON'S GOVERNMENT 1 Kings 3:4 to 1 Kings 4:34
At the outset of his reign, Solomon received a special endowment from
God that enabled him to wisely govern the vast empire which he had
inherited from his father. The author of Kings focuses attention on
the administrative structure of... [ Continue Reading ]
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:... [ Continue Reading ]
B. THE FINANCIAL OFFICERS 4:7-20
TRANSLATION
(7) And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, and they supplied
provisions for the king and his household; a month in the year it fell
upon one to make provision. (8) And these are their names: The son of
Hur in Mt. Ephraim; (9) the son of Dekar,... [ Continue Reading ]
II. THE WONDERMENT OF THIS REIGN 4:21-34
With 1 Kings 4:21 (1 Kings 5:1 in the Hebrew) the author takes up the
thought introduced in 1 Kings 4:20, viz., that Solomon ruled over a
vast and happy people. The disconnected details recorded in this
section serve to underscore the fact that the age of So... [ Continue Reading ]
C. SOLOMON'S PROFOUND WISDOM AND FAME 4:29-34
TRANSLATION
(29) And God gave wisdom to Solomon and understanding exceedingly much
and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is upon the seashore.
(30) The wisdom of Solomon was greater than the wisdom of all the sons
of the east and greater than t... [ Continue Reading ]