THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE HEBREW EMPIRE
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
The list of officers in Solomon’s kingdom (1 Kings 4:2-19) seems to have been inserted without belonging to the narrative; for 1 Kings 4:1 connects itself naturally with 1 Kings 4:20, and the record moves on consecutively. The list supplies internal evidence that it belongs to the later period of Solomon’s reign, and not to this early portion of his career; for it includes two officers who had daughters of Solomon for their wives (1 Kings 4:11; 1 Kings 4:15). Probably it is a record of the most distinguished officers of the kingdom during the whole reign. Appropriately inserted here, as showing how well ordered and flourishing the kingdom was: managed by civil officers of different degrees of dignity in the realm.
1 Kings 4:1. King over all Israel, inclusive of Judah.
1 Kings 4:2. Azariah, the priest, הַכֹהֵז. Not a sacerdotal office, but secular; כֹּהֵז describes a secular office in 2 Samuel 8:18; 2 Samuel 20:26; and כֹּהֵז is used of “Zabud” (1 Kings 4:5, called “principal officer”); and of these highest state dignitaries Azariah was chief. The word thus denotes an officer answering to prime minister, or cheif of the privy counsellors, the first in the state next the king.
1 Kings 4:3. Scribes—Secretaries of state. Recorder—Historiographer or chronicler (the same officer was under David, 2 Samuel 8:16): in all oriental kingdoms, ancient and modern, this officer is of first rank.
1 Kings 4:4. Benaiah, over the host, formerly captain of the guard, now succeeded Joab as commander of the forces. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: the former alone discharged the functions of the sacerdotal office, the latter was banished (1 Kings 2:26), and retained office only in nomine.
1 Kings 4:5. Over the officers: i.e., the prefects, or provincial governors (1 Kings 4:7). Principal officers—כֹּהֵז probably means a privy counsellor. And friend of the king: i.e., his confidentail friend or favourite. This attachment of Solomon to the sons of Nathan is natural and honourable, considering what service Nathan had rendered him (chap. 1, 1 Kings 2:22 sq).
1 Kings 4:6. Over the household—Steward or chamberlain of the palace master of the household. The tribute: הַמַּס, the levy, or labourers (comp. 1 Kings 5:13-14) overseer of the hirelings who were employed to maintain the splendour of Solomon’s court. 1 Kings 4:17-19. Twelve officers—Governors of territories allotted to their oversight, entrusted with securing the royal revenues. The division of the laud into twelve sections was not according to the boundaries of the tribes, but the fertility of the land. The returns from these districts were made, not in cash, but in the produce of the soil. Each district sent supplies for a month, and the twelve in succession completed the year.
1 Kings 4:20. As the sand which is by the sea—This shows the promise to Abraham (Genesis 22:17; Genesis 32:13) fulfilled. Eating, drinking, and making merry suggests the contentment and social prosperity of the people.
1 Kings 4:21. From the river unto the land—The word “unto” is supplied; but instead of עד unto, בְ might be understood, over, thus: “From the river (Euphrates), over the land of the Philistines,” &c. “Brought presents,” means tribute. All the petty kingdoms from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean acknowledged the Hebrew monarchy.
1 Kings 4:22. Solomon’s provision for one day: i.e., for the king’s table, the court, principal officers, foreign visitors, &c. “The quantity of fine flour used is estimated at 240 bushels; that of meal or common flour at 480. The number of cattle required for consumption, besides poultry and several kinds of game, which were got in abundance on the mountains, did not exceed in proportion what is needed in other courts of the East” (Dr. Jamieson). “Ten fattened oxen, twenty from the pastures, and one hundred sheep,” &c. (1 Kings 4:23).
1 Kings 4:24. From Tiphsah: i.e., Thapsaeus, a large town on the west bank of the Euphrates. Even to Azzah: i.e., Gaza, on the extreme south-west, about ten miles from the Mediterranean.
1 Kings 4:25. Under vine and fig tree—A beautiful metaphor for security and comfort.
1 Kings 4:26. And 12,000 horsemen—Not horsemen, riders; but פָּרָשִׁים saddle-horses, as in contrast with harness-horses. These chariot and saddle horses Solomon kept partly in Jerusalem, and partly in other towns (1 Kings 10:26; 2 Chronicles 1:14; 2 Chronicles 9:25).
1 Kings 4:28. Dromedaries—The fleet one-humped camel.
HOMILETICS OF 1 Kings 4:1-28
PROMINENT FEATURES OF NATIONAL PROSPERITY
THE author of the Books of Kings, true to the religious intention of the history, gives but a scanty description of the external magnificence of the Israelitish kingdom in its palmiest days. But the list of names, and brief allusions contained in this chapter, present glimpses of the glory and affluence of that period. “The general tone of the records of Solomon’s reign is that of jubilant delight, as though it were, indeed, a golden day following on the iron and brazen age of the warlike David and his half-civilized predecessors. The heart of the poets of the age overflows with the beautiful words of loyal delight (Psalms 45). The royal justice and benevolence are like the welcome showers in the thirsty East. The poor, for once, are cared for. The very tops of the bare mountains seem to wave with corn, as on the fertile slopes of Lebanon” (Psalms 72:2; Psalms 72:5-7; Psalms 72:13; Psalms 72:16). We have in the brief descriptions of this paragraph a portrayal of the prominent features of national prosperity, as illustrated more or less in the history of all nations.
I. The unity and submission of the whole nation to the reigning monarch. “So king Solomon was king over all Israel. And 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” (1 Kings 4:1; 1 Kings 4:21). Solomon was the only Hebrew monarch who ever governed for his whole lifetime so vast a territory. David for seven years ruled but a single tribe; and at the beginning of the reign of Solomon’s successor the kingdom was rent asunder by the revolt of the ten tribes, as the result of one churlish breath. The subject kingdoms, doubtless, preserved their separate organization and nationality, as when independent, but were ever ready both to contribute to the annual revenues of Solomon, and also to furnish, when occasion offered, their quota of men for any public service. The organization of a great empire into provinces, ruled by governors holding office at the pleasure of the crown, was a discovery of Darius Hystaspis. The time is hastening when all nations will be united in one grand confederation under the sceptre of Messiah (Psalms 72; Isaiah 60:5-11).
II. The splendour and order of the court (1 Kings 4:1-19; 1 Kings 4:26-28). The period of the Judges was the time of public crudeness in which there was an absence of order and of organic unity of the kingdom. The age of David was that of continuous wars and battles, in which, indeed, victory over all enemies at last came, and with it, at the same time, the beginning of a well-ordered condition, but not complete peace for the kingdom. This first came with Solomon’s reign (1 Chronicles 22:8-9). The reign of Solomon is the result of all preceding conflicts and Divine teachings. It is the kingdom of Israel in its highest maturity.—Lange. The catalogue of names probably contains those of the most distinguished officers which during the whole reign of Solomon, or at least during its most flourishing period, helped to add lustre and dignity to his administration. The officers of the court were generally the same as those of David’s time. The great officers are now, for the first time, called by one general name—princes—a title which before had been almost confined to Joab; these officers of the first rank deriving their station from Solomon, and probably holding it during pleasure. The union of priestly and secular functions still continued. The prophets cease to figure among the dignitaries, as though the prophetical office had been overborne by the royal dignity. The chief-priesthood was concentrated in Zadok alone, though Abiathar, notwithstanding his deposition (1 Kings 2:27), continued to hold his priestly dignity and character, so that when he no longer executed the duties of his office his name remained on the official list. The three military bodies seem to have remained unchanged. The commander of the host is the priestly warrior Benaiah. The guard appear only as household troops, employed on state pageants. A number of inferior officers was appointed, under a principal officer, the greater part of whom had to control the taskwork exacted from the Canaanite population, and the remainder, consisting of twelve chiefs, had to be responsible for provisioning the royal household. The court was a scene of magnificence and gaiety, thronged with richly-apparelled attendants, and sparkling with evidences of boundless wealth. In the midst of this gorgeous array stood the stately figure of the king—fair in countenance, end resplendent in beauty—his robes scented with the perfumes of India, the crown on his head and the sceptre in his hand, and the guards and councillors surrounding his brilliant throne: or, as was often the case, the king, at early dawn, is driving out of Jerusalem in one of his numerous chariots, drawn by horses of unparalleled swiftness and beauty, himself clothed in white, followed by a train of mounted archers, all splendid youths of magnificent stature, dressed in purple, their long black hair flowing behind them, powdered with gold-dust, which glittered in the sun as they galloped along after their royal master.—(Josephus, Stanley passim.) A wealthier grandeur than that of the greatest earthly empire rests upon the throne of the Great Redeemer: His officers are the most gifted, and most numerous; His government is orderly and beneficent.
III. The vast increase of population (1 Kings 4:20). “As the sand which is by the sea in multitude,” a proverbial and hyperbolical expression, commonly used in all languages. Thus was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17; see also 1 Kings 3:8; and compare Psalms 127 which is traditionally ascribed to Solomon, and which celebrates the populousness and security of Israel in his day). A healthy and increasing population is an important evidence of national prosperity, an honour to the prince, and a terror to his enemies (Proverbs 14:28). The people of God—His spiritual Israel—are innumerable (Revelation 7:9).
What a countless company
Stand before yon dazzling throne!
IV. The ample supply of provisions (1 Kings 4:22-23; 1 Kings 4:27-28). The daily provision for Solomon’s table was sufficient to serve, at two pounds of bread each, besides meat, no less than 29,160 men. Thenius computes the number daily fed at the palace of the Israelitish king to be 14,000. It is said that one hundred oxen were daily slaughtered for the kings of Persia, and that 15,000 persons have been daily fed at the court. And Tavernier relates that as many as five hundred sheep and lambs were daily consumed at the court of the Sultan, besides a number of fowls, and an immense quantity of butter and rice. No nation can boast of prosperity when its people are starved and famine prevails. When we consider how closely population follows on the heels of production, how great is the goodness of God in ensuring a constant supply of food tor man and beast! He who is greater than Solomon feeds a more numerous household, not only with the bread that perisheth, but with that which endureth to everlasting life.
V. The universal prevalence of peace. “He had peace on all sides round about him” (1 Kings 4:24). Wherein also he became a lively type of Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), who as he was brought from heaven with that song of peace (Luke 2:14), so he returned up again with that farewell of peace (John 14:27), leaving to the world the doctrine of peace, the gospel of peace (Ephesians 2:17); which worketh that peace which passeth understanding (Philippians 4:7).—Trapp.
VI. The conscious security and happiness of the people (1 Kings 4:20; 1 Kings 4:25). They were cheerful in their enjoyment of abounding plenty—eating, drinking, and making merry—evidences those of a happy, peaceful, and prosperous administration. Every man dwelt safely “under his vine,” that clustered round his court; “and under his fig tree,” which grew in his garden. They were no longer obliged to dwell in fortified cites for fear of their enemies; they spread themselves over all the country, which they everywhere cultivated; and had always the privilege of eating the fruits of their own labours. In this was typified the spiritual peace and joy and holy security of all the faithful subjects of Messiah’s kingdom. “It must be regarded as an unspeakable blessing of God, when, under the protection of a wise and righteous government, everyone in the nation, even the least, can remain in the undisturbed possession of his property, and can enjoy the fruits of his industry in the bosom of his family.”
LESSONS:—
1. National prosperity is the gift of God.
2. Is fraught with many dangers.
3. Is permanent only when used for the highest religious welfare of the people.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
Chap. 4 The kingdom of Solomon a type of the Messiah’s.
1. In its greatness and extent.
2. In its prosperity and peace.
3. In his wisdom and knowledge. Fortunate is the government where all goes orderly. Their eyes shall look around after the faithful in the land, and pious subjects are loved and esteemed; but false people and liars, and those of a perverse heart, who have proud ways and haughtiness, and who calumniate others secretly and maliciously, it will not endure nor have about it; but will clear away and destroy after the example of David (Psalms 110). A well-ordered state constitution is the condition of the growth and prosperity of every kingdom; but all ordinances and institutions avail nothing when requisite and proper persons are wanting for their administration and execution. To select such, and to entrust them with different administrative offices, is the first and most difficult task of a ruler. Happy the prince to whom God grants the grace to find the right persons, who can counsel him and deserve his confidence (Ecclesiastes 10:2-5). As a court, where it is beset with flatterers, backbiters, carousers, &c., generally goes down, so also it prospers, on the other hand, when pious servants are there.
1 Kings 4:4-5. Compare 1 Chronicles 22:7-10. David, the man of action; Solomon, the man of rest. The man of active life usually has more conspicuous virtues and more conspicuous faults than the man of rest. David proposed to build the house—the man of action was the founder; Solomon carried the plans of his father into execution. David was the founder; Solomon the builder.
1 Kings 4:20. Not the multitude of a people causes a scarcity in the land, but the wickedness and avarice of men. Food and drink and amusement are a gift of God (Ecclesiastes 3:13), when used in the fear of God (Ecclesiastes 11:9) and with thanksgiving (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17); but they become sin when, in the gift, the Giver is forgotten, the belly made a god of, and serves the lust of the flesh.
1 Kings 4:21. The kingdom of Christ is still far greater. He rules from one end of the sea to the other, from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof (Zechariah 9:10). All kings shall call upon Him: all the heathen shall serve Him (Psalms 72:8-10).
1 Kings 4:22. As by Divine providence and ordering there are always different conditions, high and low, rich and poor, so their manner of life cannot be the same, but must be conformable to the rank and position which have been assigned to every one by God. The household of a prince who stands at the head of a great and distinguished people ought not, indeed, to give to the people the bad example of extravagant show, luxury, and riot; but it must, in abundance and splendour, surpass every private establishment, and ought not to appear needy and impoverished.
1 Kings 4:24-25. The blessings of peace.
1. Wherein they consist.
2. To what they oblige. Peace nourishes, disturbance consumes. Only in peace, not in war, does a nation attain to well-being; therefore should we offer prayer and supplication for kings and all in authority, &c. (1 Timothy 2:2). Happy the land where goodness and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other (Psalms 85:10).—Lange.