1 Kings 4:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 4:1-19

Here we have, I. Solomon upon his throne (1 Kgs. 4:1): So king Solomon was king, that is, he was confirmed and established king over all Israel, and not, as his successors, only over two tribes. He was a king, that is, he did the work and duty of a king, with the wisdom God had given him. Those preserve the name and honour of their place that mind the business of it and make conscience of it. II. The great officers of his court, in the choice of whom, no doubt, his wisdom much appeared. It is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:2

And these were the princes which he had ,.... That were in office about him, in the highest posts of honour and trust: Azariah the son of Zadok the priest : or rather his grandson, since Ahimaaz was the son of Zadok, and Azariah the son of Ahimaaz, 1 Chronicles 6:8 ; though another Zadok may be meant, and his son not a priest but a prince, as the word may be rendered, and was Solomon's prime minister of state, and the rather, since he is mentioned first. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 4:2

These were the princes which he had ; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest - These were his great, chief, or principal men. None of them were princes in the common acceptation of the word. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:2

And these were the princes [ i.e. ministers, officers. Cf. 2 Samuel 8:15-18 , and 2 Samuel 20:23-26 ] which he had, Azariah the son [ i.e; descendant, probably grandson. See on 1 Chronicles 6:10 ] of Zadok the priest. [We are here confronted by two questions of considerable difficulty. First, to whom does the title "priest" here belong, to Azariah or to Zadok? Second, what are we to understand by the term, a spiritual, or a more or less secular person— ἱερεύς or ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:2

The Servants of Solomon. "These were the princes which he had." "All Scripture is… profitable for instruction," etc. A bare list of names may teach some lessons. We shall find in this list, first, some proofs of Solomon's wisdom, and secondly, some principles to guide our own conduct. First, however, let us remember that 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. (Cf. Psalms... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:2

Azariah, the son of Zadok, the priest - “The priest” here belongs to Azariah, not to Zadok. The term used כהן kôhên means sometimes a priest, sometimes a civil officer, with perhaps a semi-priestly character. (See 2 Samuel 8:18 note.) In this place it has the definite article prefixed, and can only mean “the high priest.” Azariah, called here the “son,” but really the “grandson,” of Zadok, seems to have succeeded him in the priesthood 1 Chronicles 6:10. His position as high priest at the time... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 4:2

1 Kings 4:2. These were the princes which he had The principal officers employed under him. Azariah the son Or the grandson; of Zadok 1 Chronicles 6:8-9. 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 rendered priest may be, and is often, translated prince, in Scripture, this Azariah might be the highest officer of the state, next to the king; or the chief minister of state, by whom... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:1-34

The administration of the kingdom (4:1-34)Details are now given of how Solomon administered Israel. First the leading religious, civil and army officials are listed (4:1-6). Solomon revised the taxation system by dividing the country into twelve zones, each of which had to provide the royal household with all its food supplies for one month of the year. These twelve zones apparently replaced the former tribal areas (7-19).Neighbouring nations that had become part of the Israelite empire also... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:2

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 (Genesis 41:45; Exodus 2:16; 2 Samuel 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. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 4:1-6

Solomon’s chief officials 4:1-6Delegation of authority is a mark of wisdom in a person with more to do than he or she can personally manage effectively. Azariah (1 Kings 4:2) was apparently Zadok’s grandson (1 Chronicles 6:8-9). "The priest" is a common designation for the high priest. Secretaries (1 Kings 4:3) prepared official documents and records while recorders (1 Kings 4:3) maintained diaries of daily events in the kingdom. Even though Solomon had dismissed Abiathar (1 Kings 4:4) from his... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 4:1-19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 4:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 4:2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:1-34

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 4:1-6

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