1 Kings 4:5

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 4:5

And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers ,.... The twelve officers who provided food for Solomon's household after mentioned: and Zabud the son of Nathan ; another of the sons of Nathan the prophet: for he being a principal instrument of settling Solomon on the throne, had interest enough to promote his sons to the chief places of honour and trust: and this here was principal officer, and the king's friend ; a chief minister about him, very intimate with him, that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 4:5

Azariah - was over the officers - He had the superintendence of the twelve officers mentioned below; see 1 Kings 4:7 . Zabud - was principal officer - Perhaps what we call premier, or prime minister. The king ' s friend - His chief favourite - his confidant. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 4:5

And Azariah the son of Nathan [Azariah was clearly not an uncommon name (verse. 2, and cf. 1 Chronicles 2:39 ; 1 Chronicles 5:1-26 :36-40 Hebrews; A. Hebrews 6:9-14 ), especially in the high priest's family. Keil and Bähr pronounce somewhat positively that this Nathan is not the prophet of that name, but Nathan the son of David ( 2 Samuel 5:14 ; Luke 3:31 ). It is quite impossible to decide with certainty which is meant, if either, though Zechariah 12:12 undoubtedly favours the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:5

The son of Nathan - It is uncertain whether the Nathan of this verse is the prophet or the son of David 2 Samuel 5:14. While on the one hand the position of “king’s friend” is more likely to have been held by a contemporary, which the prophet’s son would have been, than by one so much younger as the son of a younger brother; on the other hand the title “cohen” seems to point to a member of the royal family. (See the next note.) Azariah who was “over the officers” was chief, that is, of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 4:5-6

1 Kings 4:5-6. 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. Zabud the son of Nathan The prophet, who had been so highly instrumental in establishing Solomon on the throne; was principal officer Possibly president of the king’s council.... 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 4:5

Nathan. Probably David's son. Compare Luke 3:31 . principle officer = priest. See Hebrew (2 Samuel 8:18 ). the king's friend, as Hushai had been David's (2 Samuel 15:37 ). read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 4:5

5. over the officers—that is, the provincial governors enumerated in :-. principal officer, and the king's friend—perhaps president of the privy council, and Solomon's confidential friend or favorite. This high functionary had probably been reared along with Solomon. That he should heap those honors on the sons of Nathan was most natural, considering the close intimacy of the father with the late king, and the deep obligations under which Solomon personally lay to the prophet. 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

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