I Kings 4:3

Solomon's Ministers of State. His Regal Splendour and Wisdom - 1 Kings 4-5:14 1 Kings 4 contains a list of the chief ministers of state (Kg1 4:2-6), and of the twelve officers placed over the land (Kg1 4:7-20), which is inserted here to give an idea of the might and glory of the kingdom of Israel under Solomon's reign. So far as the contents are concerned, this list belongs to the middle portion of the reign of Solomon, as we may see from the fact that two of the officers named had daughters of Solomon for their wives (Kg1 4:11, Kg1 4:15), whom they could not possibly have married till the later years of Solomon's life.

An instance of the wisdom God granted to Solomon we had in the close of the foregoing chapter. In this we have an account of his wealth and prosperity, the other branch of the promise there made him. We have here, I. The magnificence of his court, his ministers of state (Kg1 4:1-6), and the purveyors of his household (Kg1 4:7-19), and their office (Kg1 4:27, Kg1 4:28). II. The provisions for his table (Kg1 4:22, Kg1 4:23). III. The extent of his dominion (Kg1 4:21-24). IV. The numbers, case, and peace, of his subjects (Kg1 4:20-25). V. His stables (Kg1 4:26). VI. His great reputation for wisdom and learning (Kg1 4:29-34). Thus great was Solomon, but our Lord Jesus was greater than he (Mat 12:42), though he took upon him the form of a servant; for divinity, in its lowest humiliation, infinitely transcends royalty in its highest elevation.

4:3 The court secretaries were state officials and Solomon’s private secretaries. Shisha, the father of Elihoreph and Ahijah, had served David in this capacity (2 Sam 8:17; 20:25; 1 Chr 18:16). • The royal historian functioned as chief of protocol for palace affairs and ceremonies. As in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, such officials often represented the king in important negotiations (see 2 Kgs 18:18; 2 Chr 34:8).