1 Kings 4:19 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 4:19

Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead ,.... Which was beyond Jordan, and inhabited by the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh; this must be understood of all the country, excepting what was under the jurisdiction of the son of Geber, 1 Kings 4:13 ; and which had been the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan ; until it was taken from them by Moses, Numbers 21:25 ; and he was the only officer which was in the land ;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:7-19

The Twelve Prefects and the Twelve Apostles. "And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel." Considering how closely he foreshadows our blessed Lord, the twelve officers of Solomon can hardly fail to remind us of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. It may be instructive to compare their dignities, functions, etc. Observe— I. THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS . The officers of Solomon were princes ( 1 Kings 4:2 ); the officers of Jesus were peasants and fishermen. Ability, energy,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:19

Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead [ i.e; he presided over the parts not already assigned to Bengeber (perhaps his son) and Ahinadab. Gilead is often used (see Deuteronomy 34:1 ; 20:1 ) to designate all the country east of the Jordan. And so apparently here, for] the country of Sihon king of, the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan] embraced the whole trans-Jordanic region, Deuteronomy 3:8 ; Numbers 21:24-35 : cf. Psalms 135:11 ; Psalms 136:19 , Psalms 136:20... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:19

The meaning of the last clause is somewhat doubtful. On the whole, our King James Version may well stand as nearly correct. The writer has assigned to Geber a wide stretch of territory; and, anticipating surprise, assures his readers ” (there was but) one officer who (purveyed) in this land.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 4:19

1 Kings 4:19. 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 large extent, and yet all committed to this one man, which is here noticed as a peculiar privilege which he had above the other officers, whose jurisdictions were of narrower extent. 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 4:19

he = Geber. officer. Not the same word as in 1 Kings 4:7 . in the land = in the land [of Bashan]. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 4:19

1 Kings 4:19. And he was the only officer— Each officer presided over his land or province. Houbigant. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 4:7-19

Solomon’s district governors 4:7-19These men were responsible for providing for the needs of Solomon’s large household, including his courtiers, and for his thousands of horses (1 Kings 4:28). Two were Solomon’s sons-in-law (1 Kings 4:11; 1 Kings 4:15). The district arrangement seems designed to move Israel away from tribal independence to cooperation under the new centralized government, though the district boundaries approximated the tribal boundaries. [Note: See the map "Solomon’s 12... read more