TRV
Translation
King James Version
Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
Complete Jewish Bible
ten fattened oxen, twenty pasture-fed oxen and one hundred sheep, in addition to deer, gazelles, roebucks and fattened poultry.
Berean Standard Bible
ten fat oxen, twenty range oxen, and a hundred sheep, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened poultry.
American Standard Version
ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted fowl.
World English Bible Messianic
ten head of fat cattle, and twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides deer, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fattened fowl.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Ten fat oxen, and twentie oxen of the pastures, and an hundreth sheepe, beside hartes, and buckes, and bugles, and fat foule.
Young's Literal Translation
ten fat oxen, and twenty feeding oxen, and a hundred sheep, apart from hart, and roe, and fallow-deer, and fatted beasts of the stalls,
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In the KJVVerse 8,868 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Kings 4 verses 20–28
20 ¶ Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
Such a kingdom, and such a court, surely never any prince had, as Solomon's are here described to be.
I. Such a kingdom. Never did the crown of Israel shine so brightly as it did when Solomon wore it, never in his father's days, never in the days of any of his successors; nor was that kingdom ever so glorious a type of the kingdom of the Messiah as it was then. The account here given of it is such as fully answers the prophecies which we have concerning it in Ps. 72, which is a psalm for Solomon, but with reference to Christ. 1. The territories of his kingdom were large and its tributaries many; so it was foretold that he should have dominion from sea to sea, Psa 72:8-11. Solomon reigned not only over all Israel, who were his subjects by choice, but over all the neighbouring kingdoms, who were his subjects by constraint. All the princes from the river Euphrates, north-east to the border of Egypt south-west, not only added to his honour by doing him homage and holding their crowns from him, but added to his wealth by serving him, and bringing him presents, Kg1 4:21. David, by his successful wars, compelled them to this subjection, and Solomon, by his admirable wisdom, made it easy and reasonable; for it is fit that the fool should be servant to the wise in heart. If they gave him presents, he gave them instructions, and still taught the people knowledge, not only his own people, but those of other nations: and wisdom is better than gold. He had peace on all sides, Kg1 4:24. None of all the nations that were subject to him offered to shake off his yoke, or to give him any disturbance, but rather thought themselves happy in their dependence upon him. Herein his kingdom typified the Messiah's; for to him it is promised that he shall have the heathen for his inheritance and that princes shall worship him, Isa 49:6, Isa 49:7; Isa 53:12. 2. The subjects of his kingdom and its inhabitants, were many and cheerful. (1.) They were numerous and country was exceedingly populous (Kg1 4:20): Judah and Israel were many, and that good land was sufficient to maintain them all. They were as the sand of the sea in multitude. Now was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham concerning the increase of his seed (Gen 22:17), as well as that concerning the extent of their dominion, Gen 15:18. This was their strength and beauty, the honour of their prince, the terror of their enemies, and an advancement of the wealth of the nation. If they grew so numerous that the place was any where too strait for them, they might remove with advantage into the countries that were subject to them. God's spiritual Israel are many, at least they will be so when they come all together, Rev 7:9. (2.) They were easy, they dwelt safely, or with confidence and assurance (Kg1 4:25), not jealous of their king or of his officers, not disaffected either to him or one to another, nor under any apprehension or danger from enemies foreign or domestic. They were happy and knew it, safe and willing to think themselves so. They dwelt every man under his vine and fig-tree. Solomon invaded no man's property, took not to himself their vineyards and olive-yards, as sometimes was the manner of the king (Sa1 8:14), but what they had they could call their own: he protected every man in the possession and enjoyment of his property. Those that had vines and fig-trees ate the fruit of them themselves; and so great was the peace of the country that they might, if they pleased, dwell as safely under the shadow of them as within the walls of a city. Or, because it was usual to have vines by the sides of their houses (Psa 128:3), they are said to dwell under their vines. (3.) They were cheerful in the use of their plenty, eating and drinking, and making merry, Kg1 4:20. Solomon did not only keep a good table himself, but enabled all his subjects, according to their rank, to do so too, and taught them that God gave them their abundance that they might use it soberly and pleasantly, not that they might hoard it up. There is nothing better than for a man to eat the labour of his hands (Ecc 2:24), and that with a merry heart, Ecc 9:7. His father, in the Psalms, had led his people into the comforts of communion with God, and now he led them into the comfortable use of the good things of this life. This pleasant posture of Israel's affairs extended, in place, from Dan to Beer-sheba - no part of the country was exposed nor upon any account uneasy; and it continued a long time, all the days of Solomon, without any material interruption. Go where you would, you might see all the marks of plenty, peace, and satisfaction. The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus were typified by this. The kingdom of God is not, as Solomon's was, meat and drink, but, what is infinitely better, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
II. Such a court Solomon kept as can scarcely be paralleled. We may guess at the vast number of his attendants, and the great resort there was to him, by the provision that was made daily for his table. Of bread there were so many measures of flour and meal as, it is computed, would richly serve 3000 men (Carellus computes above 4800 men), and the provision of flesh (Kg1 4:23) was rather more in proportion. What vast quantities were here of beef, mutton, and venison, and the choicest of all fatted things, as some read that which we translate fatted fowl! Ahasuerus, once in his reign, made a great feast, to show the riches of his kingdom, Est 1:3, Est 1:4. But it was much more the honour of Solomon that he kept a constant table and a very noble one, not of dainties or deceitful meats (he himself witnessed against them, Pro 23:3), but substantial food, for the entertainment of those who came to hear his wisdom. Thus Christ fed those whom he taught, 5000 at a time, more than ever Solomon's table would entertain at once: and all believers have in him a continual feast. Herein he far outdoes Solomon, that he feeds all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but with that which endures to eternal life. It added much both to the strength and glory of Solomon's kingdom that he had such abundance of horses, 40,000 for chariots and 12,000 for his troops, 1000 horse, perhaps, in every tribe, for the preserving of the public peace, Kg1 4:26. God had commanded that their king should not multiply horses (Deu 17:16), nor, according to the account here given, considering the extent and wealth of Solomon's kingdom, did he multiply horses in proportion to his neighbours; for we find even the Philistines bringing into the field 30,000 chariots (Sa1 13:5) and the Syrians at least 40,000 horse, Sa2 10:18. The same officers that provided for his house provided also for his stable, Kg1 4:27, Kg1 4:28. Every one knew his place, and work, and time; and so this great court was kept without confusion. Solomon, that had vast incomes, lived at a vast expense, and perhaps wrote that with application to himself, Ecc 5:11. When goods increase those are increased that eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes, unless withal they have the satisfaction of doing good with them?
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 20–28. Public domain.
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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
1 Kings 4:23 presents a vivid and meticulously detailed inventory of the immense daily provisions required to sustain King Solomon's vast royal household, court, and extensive retinue. This specific enumeration of "ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl" serves as a powerful testament to the unparalleled wealth, administrative capacity, and widespread prosperity that characterized Solomon's reign, marking it as the zenith of Israel's earthly kingdom and a direct manifestation of divine blessing and favor.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Kings 4:23 is Cataloging, where a detailed list of items is presented to convey a specific impression. Here, the catalog of "ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl" serves to create a powerful sense of Abundance and, arguably, Hyperbole (or at least extreme Exaggeration for emphasis, even if the numbers were literally true). The sheer volume and variety of provisions are meticulously enumerated to impress upon the reader the unprecedented scale of Solomon's wealth and the logistical marvel of sustaining such a grand court. This detailed Imagery vividly paints a picture of a kingdom overflowing with resources, emphasizing the peak of Israel's material prosperity under Solomon's reign. The cumulative effect of the list is to underscore the divine blessing upon Solomon and the tangible manifestation of his "riches, and honour" promised by God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The extraordinary daily provisions detailed in 1 Kings 4:23 are not merely an administrative record; they serve as a powerful theological statement about God's faithfulness and the tangible blessings He bestows upon His people. This abundance is a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises, particularly those related to prosperity and security for a nation that walks in His ways. Solomon's reign, marked by such lavish provision, stands as a historical high point where divine favor was visibly manifested in material blessing, reflecting the principle that God delights in providing for His creation, often beyond mere necessity, to demonstrate His glory and generosity. This verse reminds us that God is the ultimate provider, capable of sustaining His purposes and His people with boundless resources, thereby establishing His kingdom and demonstrating His sovereignty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of Solomon's daily provisions in 1 Kings 4:23 invites us to reflect on the nature of divine provision and our response to it. This verse showcases God's capacity for extravagant generosity, demonstrating that His blessings can extend far beyond our basic needs, providing not just sufficiency but abundance and even luxury. It challenges us to consider our own understanding of "enough" and to recognize that all provision, whether meager or overflowing, ultimately flows from the hand of God. Such abundance, however, also carries a profound responsibility. Solomon was entrusted with immense resources, and his later failures remind us that material prosperity, while a gift from God, can also become a snare if not stewarded wisely and with a heart fixed on the Giver rather than the gifts. This passage therefore calls us to cultivate a spirit of profound gratitude for God's provision, to be diligent and faithful stewards of the resources He entrusts to us, and to remember that true and lasting riches are found not in earthly accumulation but in a deep relationship with God and in seeking His kingdom first.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Were these provisions solely for Solomon's personal consumption?
Answer: No, the immense quantities listed in 1 Kings 4:23 were not for King Solomon's personal consumption alone. They were the daily provisions required to sustain his entire vast royal household, which included his numerous wives and concubines, his extensive staff of officials, administrators, and servants, his military guard, and the multitude of guests, ambassadors, and petitioners who flocked to Jerusalem to witness his wisdom and grandeur. The text in 1 Kings 4:27-28 further clarifies that the district governors were responsible for providing food for "King Solomon, and for all that came unto King Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge." This highlights the logistical feat and the sheer scale of the kingdom's operations, demonstrating the unprecedented prosperity and administrative efficiency of Solomon's reign, which was a testament to God's blessing.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 4:23 vividly portrays the unparalleled earthly abundance of King Solomon's reign, it ultimately points beyond itself to a greater King and a more profound provision. Solomon's kingdom, though glorious, was temporary and ultimately flawed, marked by human limitations and eventual division. Jesus Christ, the true Son of David, fulfills and transcends all the shadows of Solomon's reign. He is the ultimate King whose kingdom is not of this world, yet it is eternal and spiritual, offering an abundance that far surpasses any earthly provision. While Solomon provided physical food for his vast court, Jesus declares Himself to be the "Bread of Life" (as stated in John 6:35), offering spiritual nourishment that satisfies eternally and prevents spiritual hunger. He also promises "living water" (as found in John 4:14), quenching spiritual thirst forever. The lavish provisions of Solomon's table, impressive as they were, foreshadow the spiritual feast and eternal sustenance found in Christ. He is the one who truly provides "all things" for His people, not just physical sustenance, but salvation, righteousness, peace, and eternal life, inviting us to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (as promised in Matthew 6:33). Thus, the temporary, material abundance of Solomon's reign serves as a beautiful, albeit incomplete, picture of the boundless, eternal, and spiritual provision available in the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.