_A.M. 2990. B.C. 1014._ Solomon's ministers of state, 1 Kings 4:1. The purveyors of his household, 1 Kings 4:7. The number of his subjects, and extent of his kingdom, 1 Kings 4:20; 1 Kings 4:21. The provision for his table, 1 Kings 4:22; 1 Kings 4:23. The peace of his subjects, 1 Kings 4:24; 1 King... [ Continue Reading ]
_Over all Israel_ Reigned over all the tribes, and with the full consent of them all. This is spoken with respect to his successors, who were kings only over a part, and that the smallest part of Israel. Or in reference to the times of division and rebellion under David, when part only went after Da... [ Continue Reading ]
_These were the princes which he had_ The principal officers employed under him. _Azariah the son_ Or the grandson; _of Zadok _ 1 Chronicles 6:8. _The priest_ The second priest, or the priest that attended upon Solomon's person, in holy offices and administrations. Or, as the Hebrew word here rende... [ Continue Reading ]
_Scribes_ That is, secretaries of state. He chose two, whereas David had but one, either because he observed some inconveniences in trusting all the important matters of his government in one band; or because he had now more employment than David had, this being a time of great peace and prosperity,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The son of Nathan was over the officers_ Over those twelve officers named 1 Kings 4:7, &c., who were all to give up their accounts to him. The Hebrew word, נצבים _nitsabim_, here, and 1 Kings 4:7, rendered officers, signifies any governors, or commanders of the higher sort. See 2 Chronicles 8:10. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_The son of Hur_ This person and others of them are denominated from their fathers, because they were known and famous in their generation. _In mount Ephraim_ And the territory belonging to it, which must be understood also of the rest of the places mentioned in the following verses. _Elon-beth-hana... [ Continue Reading ]
_The region of Dor_ In Manasseh, where also were Taanach, Megiddo, and Beth-shean. _Who had the daughter of Solomon to wife_ Solomon had no daughters marriageable when these officers were appointed; but in process of time, this man and Ahimaaz, mentioned 1 Kings 4:15, had behaved themselves so well... [ Continue Reading ]
_The son of Iddo had Mahanaim_ The city and territory of Mahanaim, Genesis 32:2; Joshua 13:26. If this district seem of less extent than the rest, it must be observed, these portions were distributed into larger or lesser parts, according to their barrenness or fertility; and this seems to have been... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the country of Gilead_ That is, in the remaining part of that land of Gilead which was mentioned above. _The only officer in the land_ Or rather, _in that land;_ namely, in all Gilead, excepting the parcels mentioned before, the only one in all the territories of Sihon and Og. These were of larg... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the sand which is on the sea-shore_ An hyperbolical expression to signify a vast number. _Eating and drinking_, &c. In perfect security, and highly satisfied. _Jeshurun now_ began to _wax fat_, as Moses foresaw would be the case, and soon _kicked;_ soon _forsook God who made him_, and _lightly e... [ Continue Reading ]
_From the river_ Euphrates; for so far David, having conquered the Syrians, extended his empire, which Solomon also maintained in that extent. And so God's promise concerning the giving the whole land, as far as Euphrates, to the Israelites, was fulfilled. And if the Israelites had multiplied so muc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thirty measures of fine flour_ Hebrew, _cors;_ each of which contained ten ephahs. So this provision was sufficient for near three thousand persons. _Meal_ Of a coarser sort for common use. _Ten fat oxen _ Fatted in stalls. _Out of pastures_ Well fleshed, tender, and good, though not so fat as the... [ Continue Reading ]
_From Tiphsah even to Azzah_ Either that Tiphsah (2Ki 15:16) which was in the kingdom of Israel within Jordan; or, rather, another place of that name upon the Euphrates, even that eminent city which is mentioned by Ptolemy, and Strabo, and Pliny, called Thapsarum. And this best agrees with the follo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Under his vine_ Enjoying the fruit of his own labour with safety and comfort. Under these two trees, which were most used and cultivated by the Israelites, he understands all other fruit-bearing trees, and all other comforts. And they are brought in as sitting or _dwelling under_ these trees, partl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for chariots_ In 2 Chronicles 9:25, it is said, he had but _four thousand._ And Bochart thinks that the Hebrew word here used should be rendered _four_, not _forty_, or that some error has crept into the text in regard to the number here mentioned. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Those officers_ Named above, 1 Kings 4:7. _They lacked nothing_ Or, rather, _they suffered nothing to be lacking_ to any man that came to Solomon's table, but plentifully provided all things necessary. This is repeated to show their diligence, exactness, and care, which was remarkable; especially s... [ Continue Reading ]
_God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much_ Knowledge of a great variety of things, and prudence in the administration of the government. _And largeness of heart_ Vastness of understanding, or a very comprehensive mind, capable of receiving the knowledge of all things, both divine and... [ Continue Reading ]
_He was wiser than all men_ Either of his nation, or of his time: or, of all times and nations, whether of the East, or any other country, excepting only the first and second Adam. _Ethan_, &c. Israelites of eminent wisdom, probably the same mentioned 1 Chronicles 2:6; 1 Chronicles 15:19; 1 Chronicl... [ Continue Reading ]
_He spake three thousand proverbs_ That is, short, deep, and useful sentences, whereof a great part are contained in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. _Songs_ Whereof the most divine and chief are in the Canticles. _And he spake of trees_ That is, of all plants, of their nature and qualities.... [ Continue Reading ]
_From all kings of the earth_ All the neighbouring kings; a restriction grounded upon the following words, where this is limited to such as heard of Solomon's wisdom. Let those who magnify the modern learning above that of the ancients, produce such a treasury of learning, anywhere in these later ag... [ Continue Reading ]