1 Kings 4:1-34

4:7-19 | Solomon had an extensive administrative system. The governors of these districts were responsible for raising revenue for sustaining the government and specifically providing for the needs of the royal household.

4:20-34 | These descriptions of prosperity, safety, and peace reveal how extensively and extravagantly God blessed Solomon. Being as numerous as the sand by the sea recalls the Lord’s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 22:17) and figuratively suggests population growth. From Tiphsah (on the Euphrates River to the northeast) even to Gaza (on the western coast in the southern part of Philistia) speaks to the breadth of Solomon’s empire.

4:25 | Dwelling under his vine and his fig tree was the ideal state for a Hebrew person, symbolic of daily happiness through God’s blessing (Joel 2:22; Micah 4:4).

4:26 | Solomon’s accumulation of horses and chariots violated God’s prohibition in Deuteronomy 17:16.

4:29 | The Hebrew word for wisdom means “skill”: living life according to the patterns God built into creation. So wisdom is best understood as the right to use knowledge – knowing what, when, and how to do something. God also gave Solomon a largeness of (“compassionate”) heart. Jesus described Himself as one greater than Solomon (Matt. 12:42), for in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).

4:31 | Ethan the Ezrahite was likely the same Ethan originally appointed by David as one of the leaders among the temple musicians (1 Chron. 15:19). He also wrote Psalm 89.

4:32-34 | Solomon’s wisdom and creative genius was exceeded only by Jesus Christ (Matt. 12:42). Besides his proverbs and songs, he wrote the Books of Provers, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. Kings in the ancient Near East would sponsor “wisdom conferences” where the wisest people would gather to discuss life’s patterns and problems.