TRV
Translation
King James Version
The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
Complete Jewish Bible
the son of Hesed, in Arubot; he also had charge of Sokhoh and all the territory of Hefer;
American Standard Version
Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (to him pertained Socoh, and all the land of Hepher);
World English Bible Messianic
Ben Hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Socoh, and all the land of Hepher);
Geneva Bible (1599)
The sonne of Hesed in Aruboth, to whom perteined Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
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In the KJVVerse 8,855 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Kings 4 verses 1–19
1 ¶ So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
5 And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend:
6 And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
8 And these are their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan:
10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
13 The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:
15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land.
Here we have,
I. Solomon upon his throne (Kg1 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 observable, 1. That several of them are the same that were in his father's time. Zadok and Abiathar were then priests (Sa2 20:25), so they were now; only then Abiathar had the precedency, now Zadok. Jehoshaphat was then recorder, or keeper of the great seal, so he was now. Benaiah, in his father's time, was a principal man in military affairs, and so he was now. Shisha was his father's scribe, and his sons were his, Kg1 4:3. Solomon, though a wise man, would not affect to be wiser than his father in this matter. When sons come to inherit their father's wealth, honour, and power, it is a piece of respect to their memory, caeteris paribus - where it can properly be done, to employ those whom they employed, and trust those whom they trusted. Many pride themselves in being the reverse of their good parents. 2. The rest were priests' sons. His prime-minister of state was Azariah the son of Zadok the priest. Two others of the first rank were the sons of Nathan the prophet, Kg1 4:5. In preferring them he testified the grateful respect he had for their good father, whom he loved in the name of a prophet.
III. The purveyors for his household, whose business it was to send in provisions from several parts of the country, for the king's tables and cellars (Kg1 4:7) and for his stables (Kg1 4:27, Kg1 4:28), that thus, 1. His house might always be well furnished at the best hand. Let great men learn hence good house-keeping, to be generous in spending according to their ability, but prudent in providing. It is the character of the virtuous woman that she bringeth her food from afar (Pro 31:14), not far-fetched and dear-bought, but the contrary, every thing bought where it is cheapest. 2. That thus he himself, and those who immediately attended him, might be eased of a great deal of care, and the more closely apply themselves to the business of the state, not troubled about much serving, provision for that being got ready to their hand. 3. That thus all the parts of the kingdom might be equally benefited by the taking off of the commodities that were the productions of their country and the circulating of the coin. Industry would hereby be encouraged, and consequently wealth increased, even in those tribes that lay most remote from the court. The providence of God extends itself to all places of his dominions (Psa 103:22); so should the prudence and care of princes. 4. The dividing of this trust into so many hands was prudent, that no man might be continually burdened with the care of it nor grow exorbitantly rich with the profit of it, but that Solomon might have those, in every district, who, having a dependence upon the court, would be serviceable to him and his interest as there was occasion. These commissioners of the victualling-office, not for the army or navy (Solomon was engaged in no war), but for the household, are here named, several of them only by their surnames, as great men commonly call their servants: Ben-hur, Ben-dekar, etc., though several of them have also their proper names prefixed. Two of them married Solomon's daughters, Ben-Abinadab (Kg1 4:11) and Ahimaaz (Kg1 4:15), and no disparagement to them to marry men of business. Better match with the officers of their father's court that were Israelites than with the sons of princes that were strangers to the covenant of promise. The son of Geber was in Ramoth-Gilead (Kg1 4:19), and Geber himself was in the country of Sihon and Og, which included that and Mahanaim, Kg1 4:14. He is therefore said to be the only officer in that land, because the other two, mentioned Kg1 4:13, Kg1 4:14, depended on him, and were subordinate to him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–19. Public domain.
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Ephrem the SyrianAD 373
ON THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS 4:1
The officials elected by Solomon designate the order of the chosen ones whom Christ affirmed in his grace and appointed as rulers of his people. Indeed, twelve prefects were selected to administer the incomes of this king and his house, because just as many apostles had to be distributed over the entire world and had to be appointed as treasures of the divine mysteries, so that they might nourish with living and immortal food the Israel of God and might administer the incomes of the house of the peaceful king. Therefore, also the limits of each prefecture were clearly denoted, because, in a similar way, each apostle received a certain province: Simon preached in Rome, John in Ephesus, Matthew in Palestine and Thomas in the region of India.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage in 1 Kings 4:7-19, of which 1 Kings 4:10 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, 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.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 1 Kings 4:10 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
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, 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.
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, 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). 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; Hebrews 1:3). 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). 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.