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1 Kings · King James Version (with Apocrypha)

1 Kings 4 King James Version (with Apocrypha)

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About KJV
  • Protestant
  • OT: Masoretic Hebrew
  • NT: Textus Receptus
  • Protestant, with the Apocrypha
  • Formal (word for word)
  • 1611
  • Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

KJV King James Version (with Apocrypha)
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
1 King Solomon was king over all Israel.
2 And these [were] the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
2 These were the princes whom 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.
3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, 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:
4 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the army; Zadok and Abiathar were 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:
5 Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, the king’s friend;
6 And Ahishar [was] over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda [was] over the tribute.
6 Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced labor.
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.
7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for a month in the year.
8 And these [are] their names: The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:
8 These are their names: Ben Hur, in the hill country of Ephraim;
9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan:
9 Ben Deker, in Makaz, in Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan;
10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him [pertained] Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:
10 Ben Hesed, in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him);
11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
11 Ben Abinadab, in all the height of Dor (he had Taphath, Solomon’s daughter, as wife);
12 Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam:
12 Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth Shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth Shean to Abel Meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam;
13 The son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; 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:
13 Ben Geber, in Ramoth Gilead (the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead, belonged to him; and the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars, belonged to him);
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo [had] Mahanaim:
14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim;
15 Ahimaaz [was] in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also took Basemath the daughter of Solomon as wife);
16 Baanah the son of Hushai [was] in Asher and in Aloth:
16 Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth;
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar;
18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
18 Shimei the son of Ela, 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.
19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer who was in the land.
20 ¶ Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
20 Judah and Israel were numerous 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.
21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute 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,
22 Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour, sixty 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.
23 ten head of fat cattle, twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, in addition to deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened 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.
24 For he had dominion over all on this side of the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on all sides around him.
25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.
25 Judah and Israel lived 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.
26 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.
27 Those officers provided food for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon’s table, every man in his month. They let nothing be lacking.
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.
28 They also brought barley and straw for the horses and swift steeds to the place where the officers were, each man according to his duty.
29 ¶ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore.
29 God gave Solomon abundant wisdom, understanding, and breadth of mind like the sand that is on the seashore.
30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
30 Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
31 For he was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the nations all around.
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
32 He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered one thousand five.
33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
33 He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows out of the wall; he also spoke of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.
34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
34 People of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, sent by all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

People & places in this chapter

From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.

People

  • Abda

    Father of Adoniram

    Named as the father of Adoniram, who was in charge of the forced labor.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:6

    See in the family tree

  • Adoniram

    Over Solomon's forced labor

    Son of Abda, in charge of the forced labor, who oversaw the monthly shifts of 30,000 sent to Lebanon.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 5:14

    See in the family tree

  • Ahilud

    Father of the recorder Jehoshaphat

    Named as the father of Jehoshaphat, David's recorder.

    Cited in the guide: 2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:3

    See in the family tree

  • Ahimaaz

    Solomon's governor in Naphtali

    One of Solomon's twelve governors, over Naphtali, who married Basemath, a daughter of Solomon.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:15

    See in the family tree

  • Ahinadab

    Solomon's governor at Mahanaim

    Son of Iddo, one of Solomon's twelve governors, over Mahanaim.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:14

    See in the family tree

  • Ahishar

    Over Solomon's palace

    Listed among Solomon's chief officials as being in charge of the palace.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:6

    See in the family tree

  • Azariah

    Over Solomon's governors

    Son of Nathan (the text does not say which Nathan), in charge of the governors.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:5

    See in the family tree

  • Azariah

    Priest among Solomon's officials

    Son of Zadok, listed first among Solomon's chief officials as the priest.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:2

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  • Baana

    Solomon's governor at Taanach and Megiddo

    Son of Ahilud, one of Solomon's twelve governors, over Taanach, Megiddo and Beth-shean.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:12

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  • Baana

    Solomon's governor in Asher

    Son of Hushai, one of Solomon's twelve governors, over Asher and Aloth.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:16

    See in the family tree

  • Darda

    Renowned wise man

    One of the sons of Mahol, a wise man whom Solomon's wisdom surpassed.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:31

    See in the family tree

  • Elihoreph

    Secretary to Solomon

    One of the two sons of Shisha listed among Solomon's chief officials as a secretary.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:3

    See in the family tree

  • Ethan the Ezrahite

    Renowned wise man

    A wise man whom Solomon's wisdom surpassed.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:31; Psalm 89:1

    See in the family tree

  • Geber

    Solomon's governor in Gilead

    Son of Uri, one of Solomon's governors, over the land of Gilead including the territories of Sihon and Og.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:19

    See in the family tree

  • Heman

    Renowned wise man

    One of the sons of Mahol, a wise man whom Solomon's wisdom surpassed.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:31

    See in the family tree

  • Hushai

    Father of Baana

    Named as the father of Baana, Solomon's governor in Asher.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:16

    See in the family tree

  • Iddo

    Father of Ahinadab

    Named as the father of Ahinadab, Solomon's governor at Mahanaim.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:14

    See in the family tree

  • Jehoshaphat

    David's recorder

    Son of Ahilud, listed as the recorder in David's administration.

    Cited in the guide: 2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:3

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  • Jehoshaphat

    Solomon's governor in Issachar

    Son of Paruah, one of Solomon's twelve governors, over Issachar.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:17

    See in the family tree

  • Mahol

    Father of Heman, Calcol and Darda

    Named as the father of the wise men Heman, Calcol and Darda.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:31

    See in the family tree

  • Paruah

    Father of Jehoshaphat

    Named as the father of Jehoshaphat, Solomon's governor in Issachar.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:17

    See in the family tree

  • Shimei

    Solomon's governor in Benjamin

    Son of Ela, one of Solomon's twelve governors, over Benjamin.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:18

    See in the family tree

  • Shisha

    Father of two royal secretaries

    Named as the father of Elihoreph and Ahijah, Solomon's secretaries.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:3

    See in the family tree

  • Sihon

    King of the Amorites

    King of the Amorites, whose former territory lay within the district of Solomon's governor in Gilead.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:19

    See in the family tree

  • Solomon

    King of Israel

    David's son who built the temple and became famous for God-given wisdom.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 1-11; 1 Chron. 3:5; Matt. 1:6-7

    See in the family tree

  • Taphath

    Daughter of Solomon

    A daughter of Solomon, wife of the governor Ben-abinadab.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:11

    See in the family tree

  • Uri

    Father of Geber

    Named as the father of Geber, Solomon's governor in Gilead.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:19

    See in the family tree

  • Zabud

    Priest and adviser to Solomon

    Son of Nathan (the text does not say which Nathan), called a priest and adviser to the king.

    Cited in the guide: 1 Kings 4:5

    See in the family tree

Cross references (31)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

  1. 1 2 Chronicles 9:30; 1 Kings 12:19–20; 1 Chronicles 12:38; Ecclesiastes 1:12; 1 Kings 11:35–36
  2. 2 1 Corinthians 12:28; Exodus 18:21; 2 Samuel 20:23–26; 2 Samuel 8:15–18; 1 Chronicles 6:8–10
  3. 3 2 Samuel 8:16; Isaiah 62:6; 1 Chronicles 18:15; 1 Chronicles 18:6; 2 Samuel 20:24–25
  4. 4 1 Kings 2:35; 1 Kings 2:26–27
  5. 5 2 Samuel 15:37; 1 Chronicles 27:33; 2 Samuel 16:16; John 15:14–15; 2 Samuel 12:25
  6. 6 2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 12:18; 1 Kings 9:15; 1 Kings 5:13–14
  7. 7 1 Chronicles 27:1–15
  8. 8 Joshua 24:33; Judges 19:1; Judges 17:1
  9. 9 Joshua 19:42; 1 Samuel 6:12; Judges 1:35; Joshua 21:16; 1 Samuel 6:20
  10. 10 Joshua 12:17; Joshua 15:35; Joshua 17:2
  11. 11 Joshua 11:2; Joshua 17:11; Joshua 12:23; Judges 1:27
  12. 12 Joshua 17:11; Joshua 3:16; 1 Kings 19:16; Judges 5:19; 1 Kings 7:46
  13. 13 Deuteronomy 3:4; Numbers 32:41; 1 Kings 22:3; 2 Kings 9:14; Deuteronomy 4:43
  14. 14 Genesis 32:2; 2 Samuel 2:8; Joshua 13:26; 2 Samuel 17:24; 2 Samuel 17:27
  15. 15 1 Samuel 18:18; Joshua 19:32–39; 2 Samuel 15:27; 1 Kings 4:11
  16. 16 Joshua 19:24–31; 2 Samuel 15:32
  17. 17 Joshua 19:17–23
  18. 18 1 Kings 1:8; Zechariah 12:13; Joshua 18:20–28
  19. 19 Deuteronomy 2:26–3:17; Joshua 13:9–12; Numbers 21:21–35
  20. 20 1 Kings 3:8; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 32:12; 1 Chronicles 12:39; Genesis 15:5
  21. 21 Genesis 15:18; Joshua 1:4; Psalm 68:29; 2 Chronicles 9:26–31; 1 Kings 4:24
  22. 23 Nehemiah 5:17–18
  23. 24 1 Chronicles 22:9; Psalm 72:11; Genesis 10:19; 1 Kings 5:4; Isaiah 9:7
  24. 25 Micah 4:4; Zechariah 3:10; Jeremiah 33:15–16; Jeremiah 23:5–6; 2 Kings 18:31
  25. 26 2 Chronicles 1:14; 2 Chronicles 9:25; 2 Samuel 8:4; Psalm 20:7; 1 Kings 10:25–26
  26. 28 Esther 8:10; Esther 8:14; Micah 1:13
  27. 29 1 Kings 3:12; James 3:17; James 1:5; 1 Kings 4:20; Ecclesiastes 2:26
  28. 30 Daniel 5:11–12; Genesis 25:6; Acts 7:22; Daniel 1:20; Job 1:3
  29. 31 1 Chronicles 15:19; 1 Chronicles 2:6; 1 Kings 3:12; 1 Chronicles 6:33; Psalm 89:1–52
  30. 33 2 Kings 19:23; Psalm 51:7; Psalm 92:12; Numbers 19:18; Numbers 24:6
  31. 34 2 Chronicles 9:23; 1 Kings 10:1; 2 Chronicles 9:1; Isaiah 2:2; Zechariah 8:23

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

  1. Quotes verse 4:34 Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapters XXV–XXVI)

    … cannot contain, really dwell with men upon the earth?" And he pleased God, and was the admiration of all; and all kings of the earth sought an interview with him (quærebant faciem ejus) that they might hear the wisdom which God had conferred upon him. The queen of the south, too, came to him from the ends of the earth, …

    Read in context · Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885)