1 Kings 4 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Kings 4 Short Summary:

1 Kings 4 records the names of the civil and religious officers who were in place during Solomon’s reign. The second part of the chapter documents the prosperity of the nation of Israel and Judah during this time, and tells of the incredible wisdom of Solomon, which made him famous throughout the world.

1 Kings 4 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• 1 Kings 4 discusses events that took place in the early to middle years of King Solomon’s reign. Solomon was king for 40 years according to 1 Kings 11:42, from approximately 1015-975 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Solomon – The son of David and the 3rd king of Israel and Judah.

• Two Prostitutes – These women came to Solomon to settle a dispute over a child, both claimed to be the child’s true mother.

WHERE:

• The capital of the Kingdom of Israel and Judah was Jerusalem.

• Solomon ruled from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt.

OUTLINE:

• SOLOMON’S OFFICIALS (4:1-19):

  • The first part of the chapter lists Israel’s religious and civil leaders.

  • Zadok, Abiathar, and Azariah (son of Zadok) were priest. Elihoreph and Ahijah were secretaries (KJV, scribes). Jehoshaphat was recorder. Benaiah was the commander of the army. Azariah (son of Nathan) was over the officers. Zabud was “priest and king’s friend” (KJV, principal officer). Ahishar was in charge of the palace. Adoniram managed the forced labor.

  • In addition to these, Solomon appointed 12 officers to provide food for his house. Each officer was in charge

  • of providing food for 1 month of the year.

  • Verses 8-19 record the names of the officers and the regions they oversaw.

• WISDOM AND WEALTH (4:20-34):

  • “Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea” (Gen 22:17).

  • Solomon ruled from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt.

  • Every day, Solomon’s court required 30 cors of fine flour (approximately 6600 liters or 1746 gallons) and 60 cors of meal (13200 liters or 3492 gallons). For meat, they slaughtered 10 fat oxen, 20 cattle, 100 sheep, deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened birds.

  • Israel and Judah had peace from their surrounding enemies.

  • Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for chariots, and 12,000 horsemen.

  • God made Solomon wiser than any man on earth. He was so wise that he became famous in other nations.

  • He spoke 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs.

  • He had knowledge of trees, birds, reptiles, fish, and other animals.

  • As his fame spread, people from other nations travelled to Jerusalem to meet him.  

APPLICATION:

• The prosperity and success of Solomon’s kingdom is the goal of every nation.

• “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” (Psalm 33:12).

• In 1 Kings 4 we see the bloom of a nation that was cultivated by God for their obedience to Him.

• This picture of flourishing Israel is a foretaste of the happiness and peace we will experience in the Kingdom of God, Heaven.  

• When Jesus returns, puts down His enemies, and reigns as King over God’s saints, we will be blessed to live in an even better Kingdom, with an even better King.