1 Kings 4:1-6

Solomon’s chief officials 4:1-6

Delegation 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 official duties, Abiathar retained his title and honor. Zabud (1 Kings 4:5) was probably the king’s personal chaplain and adviser. [Note: See A. Van Selms, "The Origin of the Title ’The King’s Friend,’" Journal of Near Eastern Studies 16 (1957):118-23.] Forced laborers (corvée, 1 Kings 4:6) were non-Israelites whom the king conscripted to work for the government (cf. 1 Kings 5:13-14; 1 Kings 9:15; 2 Chronicles 2:2; 2 Chronicles 8:8).