1 Kings 4:10

KJV

The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him [pertained] Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:

KJV (with Strong's)

The son of Hesed {H1136}{H2618}, in Aruboth {H700}; to him pertained Sochoh {H7755}, and all the land {H776} of Hepher {H2660}:

Complete Jewish Bible

the son of Hesed, in Arubot; he also had charge of Sokhoh and all the territory of Hefer;

Berean Standard Bible

Ben-hesed in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him);

American Standard Version

Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (to him pertained Socoh, and all the land of Hepher);

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 4:10 identifies "the son of Hesed" as one of King Solomon's twelve district officers, specifically tasked with provisioning the royal household from the region encompassing Aruboth, Sochoh, and the land of Hepher. This verse is part of a larger administrative list that underscores the unprecedented scale, organization, and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom, showcasing his divinely granted wisdom applied to practical governance and resource management. It highlights the intricate system established to sustain the king's vast court and extensive building projects, reflecting both the kingdom's wealth and the logistical demands placed upon its people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** First Kings chapter 4 serves as a detailed administrative report, immediately following the accounts of Solomon's wisdom, his prayer for understanding, and his famous judgment in [1 Kings 3](/1_kings/3 "1 Kings 3 - Solomon's Wisdom"). Verses [1 Kings 4:1-6](/1_kings/4-1 "1 Kings 4:1-6 - Solomon's Chief Officials") introduce Solomon's chief officials, setting the stage for the specific administrative structure detailed in [1 Kings 4:7-19](/1_kings/4-7 "1 Kings 4:7-19 - Solomon's Twelve District Governors"). This section meticulously lists the twelve district officers, each responsible for providing provisions for the king and his household for one month of the year. Our verse, [1 Kings 4:10](/1_kings/4-10 "1 Kings 4:10 - The Son of Hesed's District"), is a specific entry within this comprehensive roster, naming one officer and his assigned territory. The meticulous enumeration emphasizes the systematic and thorough nature of Solomon's rule, demonstrating the practical outworking of the wisdom God had granted him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) is depicted as a golden age of peace, immense wealth, and significant architectural achievements, most notably the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem and his own elaborate palace. To support his vast royal court, numerous wives and concubines, extensive cavalry, and ongoing building projects, Solomon implemented a sophisticated and highly centralized administrative system. The division of the kingdom into twelve administrative districts, rather than strictly adhering to traditional tribal boundaries, reflects a pragmatic approach to resource collection and management. Locations like Aruboth, Sochoh, and Hepher were strategically important agricultural or trade regions, chosen for their capacity to supply the necessary provisions. This system ensured a continuous and abundant flow of food, goods, and resources to the capital, enabling the maintenance of the king's grand lifestyle and the operational capacity of his burgeoning empire, as further illustrated by the daily provisions described in [1 Kings 4:22-23](/1_kings/4-22 "1 Kings 4:22-23 - Solomon's Daily Provisions").
* **Key Themes:** The listing of district officers in [1 Kings 4](/1_kings/4 "1 Kings 4 - Solomon's Administration") contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Solomon's Administrative Acumen**, demonstrating his exceptional organizational skills and capacity for effective governance, which is presented as a direct manifestation of the wisdom God bestowed upon him, as requested in [1 Kings 3:9](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom"). Secondly, the system underscores the theme of **Royal Provisioning and Burden**. While it speaks to the kingdom's unprecedented prosperity and the king's lavish court, it also subtly implies the significant logistical and economic burden placed upon the people in each district to sustain the crown. This foreshadows later tensions regarding royal demands. Lastly, the precise naming of territories such as Aruboth, Sochoh, and Hepher provides valuable **Geographical and Historical Detail**, offering insight into the administrative boundaries and the well-structured nature of Solomon's unified kingdom, reflecting a period of centralized control and national cohesion before its eventual division.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hesed (Hebrew, _Cheçed'_):** This name is derived from the Hebrew root H2618, _Cheçed_, meaning "favor" or "kindness." The full name "Ben-Cheçed" (H1136), meaning "son of kindness," indicates a patronymic. While here it functions as a proper name for one of Solomon's officers, the underlying meaning of _ḥesed_ is one of the most significant theological terms in the Old Testament, denoting God's covenant faithfulness, steadfast love, and mercy. Its use as a personal name could reflect a family's reputation for such qualities or simply be a common name of the era.
* **Aruboth (Hebrew, _ʼĂrubbôwth'_):** This place name (H700) likely means "windows" or "lattices," possibly referring to a strategic location with openings or passages, or perhaps a fortified area. Its exact location is debated, but it is generally placed in the northern Shephelah or the Sharon plain, a fertile area. The officer's residence in Aruboth indicates it was an administrative center for the district.
* **Sochoh (Hebrew, _Sôwkôh'_):** This place name (H7755) refers to one of two prominent towns named Sochoh in Judah. This one is likely the Sochoh in the Shephelah (lowlands of Judah), famous for its proximity to the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath ([1 Samuel 17:1](/1_samuel/17-1 "1 Samuel 17:1 - David and Goliath")). It was a significant town, suggesting a productive agricultural region under this officer's jurisdiction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The son of Hesed, in Aruboth;":** This phrase identifies one of the twelve district officers by his patronymic ("son of Hesed") and his administrative seat or residence ("in Aruboth"). The lack of a personal name for the officer, unlike some others in the list (e.g., Ben-Hur, Ben-Dekar), suggests that his identity was less important than his role within the larger administrative structure. His location in Aruboth signifies the central point from which he managed his assigned territory.
* **"to him [pertained] Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:":** This clause specifies the geographical jurisdiction assigned to the son of Hesed. The phrase "[pertained]" is supplied in the KJV, indicating that these regions were under his administrative control for the purpose of collecting provisions for the royal court. The inclusion of "all the land of Hepher" alongside Sochoh suggests a substantial and diverse territory, likely encompassing both fertile lowlands and perhaps parts of the central hill country, ensuring a wide range of agricultural products and resources could be collected.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [1 Kings 4:7-19](/1_kings/4-7 "1 Kings 4:7-19 - Solomon's District Officers"), of which [1 Kings 4:10](/1_kings/4-10 "1 Kings 4:10 - The Son of Hesed's District") is a part, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **List** as its dominant literary devices. The detailed cataloging of officers and their districts creates a sense of comprehensive order and administrative mastery, emphasizing the vastness and organization of Solomon's kingdom. The **Repetition** of the formula ("the son of X, in Y; to him [pertained] Z") across multiple verses reinforces the systematic nature of the administration and the king's control. Furthermore, the precise **Geographical Enumeration** of specific towns and regions lends historical verisimilitude and concrete detail to the narrative, grounding the account in a tangible reality. This meticulous detailing serves to underscore the unprecedented prosperity and stability of Solomon's reign, a direct fulfillment of God's promises of blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The administrative details in [1 Kings 4:10](/1_kings/4-10 "1 Kings 4:10 - The Son of Hesed's District"), while seemingly mundane, are deeply intertwined with the theological narrative of Solomon's reign. They demonstrate the practical outworking of God's blessing and the wisdom granted to Solomon, which extended beyond judicial discernment to effective governance and resource management. This meticulous organization reflects a divinely ordered kingdom, capable of sustaining itself and its leadership. It speaks to the principle of good stewardship, where human systems are employed to manage the abundance provided by God. The ability to efficiently provision such a large and complex court signifies a period of peace and prosperity, fulfilling the covenant promises of a flourishing nation under a righteous king. However, it also subtly introduces the theme of the burden of the monarchy, a tension that would later contribute to the kingdom's division after Solomon's death.

* [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws for the King")
* [Proverbs 29:4](/proverbs/29-4 "Proverbs 29:4 - A King by Justice")
* [Nehemiah 11:3](/nehemiah/11-3 "Nehemiah 11:3 - Leaders in Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While [1 Kings 4:10](/1_kings/4-10 "1 Kings 4:10 - The Son of Hesed's District") is a historical record of ancient administration, it offers profound insights for contemporary reflection. It reminds us that effective leadership, whether in a nation, a church, a business, or a family, requires diligent organization, clear delegation, and wise resource management. Solomon's system, born of divine wisdom, ensured the sustenance of his kingdom, highlighting the importance of foresight and practical planning in any endeavor. Moreover, the passage subtly prompts us to consider the balance between prosperity and responsibility. While the king's lavish court was a sign of God's blessing, it also necessitated a significant contribution from the people. This invites us to reflect on the nature of leadership as service and the reciprocal relationship between leaders and those they serve, emphasizing that even in times of blessing, there are practical demands and shared responsibilities. It encourages us to be good stewards of the resources, talents, and opportunities God has entrusted to us, recognizing that order and efficiency contribute to flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed administrative structure of Solomon's kingdom reflect the practical outworking of God-given wisdom in leadership?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Solomon's approach to resource management and delegation for our own spheres of influence (family, work, church)?**
* **How might the "burden" of provisioning the king's court relate to our understanding of stewardship and contribution within our communities or faith traditions?**
* **In what ways does this historical account challenge or affirm our modern ideas about governance and societal organization?**

### FAQ
**Who was "the son of Hesed" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "The son of Hesed" was one of King Solomon's twelve district officers, or governors, appointed to oversee the collection of provisions for the royal household. The text does not provide his personal name, only his patronymic (son of Hesed), indicating that his role and the administrative system were more important to the chronicler than his individual identity. He was responsible for the district that included Aruboth, Sochoh, and the land of Hepher.

**What was the primary purpose of these twelve district officers during Solomon's reign?**

Answer: The primary purpose of these twelve district officers, as listed in [1 Kings 4:7-19](/1_kings/4-7 "1 Kings 4:7-19 - Solomon's Twelve District Governors"), was to ensure the continuous and sufficient provisioning of King Solomon's vast court, including his family, officials, and extensive military. Each officer was responsible for supplying food and resources for one month of the year, thereby ensuring a year-round supply without overburdening any single region or requiring constant collection. This system was vital for sustaining the king's lavish lifestyle and his extensive building projects, such as the Temple in Jerusalem and his own palace, as described in [1 Kings 4:22-23](/1_kings/4-22 "1 Kings 4:22-23 - Solomon's Daily Provisions").

**Where were Aruboth, Sochoh, and Hepher located, and why were they significant?**

Answer: Aruboth, Sochoh, and Hepher were geographical locations within the territory of ancient Israel, assigned to the "son of Hesed" for provisioning the king. Aruboth is generally placed in the northern Shephelah or Sharon plain. Sochoh refers to a town in the Shephelah (the lowlands of Judah), a region known for its agricultural productivity. The "land of Hepher" was likely a region associated with the tribe of Manasseh, possibly in the northern kingdom or coastal plain. Their significance lies in their contribution to the kingdom's agricultural output and their strategic importance in Solomon's administrative divisions. These precise geographical details underscore the historical accuracy and the extensive reach of Solomon's centralized governance over the unified kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The administrative order and abundant provision seen in Solomon's kingdom, as exemplified by [1 Kings 4:10](/1_kings/4-10 "1 Kings 4:10 - The Son of Hesed's District"), serve as a powerful foreshadowing of the perfect and eternal reign of Jesus Christ. Solomon's wisdom in governance, though great, was ultimately human and limited, leading to a kingdom that would eventually divide and fall. In contrast, Christ's reign is characterized by divine, infinite wisdom and an unfailing, perfect administration. He is the true and greater King who not only governs but also perfectly provides for His people, not through earthly taxes and provisions, but through His own inexhaustible grace and the abundance of His Spirit ([John 1:16](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - Fullness of Grace")). Just as Solomon's officers managed the resources of his earthly kingdom, Christ, as the head of His church and the universe, upholds all things by the word of His power ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ's Supremacy"); [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). His kingdom is not bound by geographical districts or temporal limitations, but extends to all who believe, providing eternal life, spiritual sustenance, and perfect order ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")). The temporary glory and order of Solomon's reign point us to the everlasting, perfectly administered, and infinitely abundant kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 12:17

The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;

Joshua 15:35

Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,

Joshua 17:2

There was also [a lot] for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these [were] the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.