1 Kings 4:28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 4:20-28

Such a kingdom, and such a court, surely never any prince had, as Solomon's are here described to be. I. Such a kingdom. Never did the crown of Israel shine so brightly as it did when Solomon wore it, never in his father's days, never in the days of any of his successors; nor was that kingdom ever so glorious a type of the kingdom of the Messiah as it was then. The account here given of it is such as fully answers the prophecies which we have concerning it in Ps. 72:1-20, which is a psalm for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 4:28

Barley also, and straw for the horses and dromedaries ,.... Or rather mules, by comparing the passage with 2 Chronicles 9:24 ; the particular kind of creatures meant is not agreed on; though all take them to be a swifter sort of creatures than horses; or the swifter of horses, as race horses or posts horses: barley was for their provender, that being the common food of horses in those times and countries, and in others, as Bochart F8 Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. 9. col. 158, 159. Vid.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 4:28

And dromedaries - The word רכש rechesh , which we translate thus, is rendered beasts, or beasts of burden, by the Vulgate; mares by the Syriac and Arabic; chariots by the Septuagint; and race-horses by the Chaldee. The original word seems to signify a very swift kind of horse, and race-horse or post-horse is probably its true meaning. To communicate with so many distant provinces, Solomon had need of many animals of this kind. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:28

Barley also [the food of horses at the present day in the East, where oats are not grown. (Cf. Hom. II . 5:196)] and straw for the horses and dromedaries [marg. mules or swift beasts. Coursers, or fleet horses of superior breed are intended. רֶכֶשׁ = Germ. Renner. These coursers were for the use of the king's messengers or posts. See Esther 8:10 , Esther 8:14 ] brought they unto the place where the officers were ["officers" is not in the Hebrew. The LXX . and Vulg. supply... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:28

Barley is to this day in the East the common food of horses.Dromedaries - Coursers. The animal intended is neither a camel nor a mule, but a swift horse.The place where the officers were - Rather, “places where the horses and coursers were,” i. e., to the different cities where they were lodged. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 4:27-28

1 Kings 4:27-28. 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 since they took care of his stables as well as of his house, as it follows in the next verse. Barley also and straw Barley was anciently horse-corn, as appears by many places in... 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 4:28

1 Kings 4:28. Straw for the horses— See Jdg 19:21 whence there is room to think, that this was not straw to litter with. The litter now used for horses, &c. in the east, is their own dung, dried in the sun, and bruised between the hands, which is heaped up again in the morning, and in the summer sprinkled with fresh water to keep it from corrupting. Observations, p. 209. REFLECTIONS.—1. Solomon's kingdom was prodigiously extensive: not only Israel submitted to his gentle sway, but all the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:28

28. Barley . . . and straw—Straw is not used for litter, but barley mixed with chopped straw is the usual fodder of horses. dromedaries—one-humped camels, distinguished for their great fleetness. :-. HIS WISDOM. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 4:13-34

B. The Foundation of Solomon’s Reign 2:13-4:34The writer noted that Solomon’s sole reign began well. The things most responsible were God’s gift of wisdom to Solomon (the central section), his political decisions (the first section), and his administrative ability (the third section). read more

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