1 Kings — Chapter 4

📖 1 Kings — Chapter 4 (KJV)

Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.

Go to the study guide ↓

Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

1 Kings 4:1 So king Solomon was king ^Rover all Israel.

1 Kings 4:2 And these were ^Rthe princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the ^Tpriest,

1 Kings 4:3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of ^RShisha, ^Tscribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the ^Trecorder.

1 Kings 4:4 And ^RBenaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:

1 Kings 4:5 And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:

1 Kings 4:6 And Ahishar was over the household: and ^RAdoniram the son of Abda was over the ^Ttribute.

1 Kings 4:7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: ^Reach man his month in a year made provision.

1 Kings 4:8 And these are their names: ^RTThe son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:

1 Kings 4:9 ^TThe son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in ^RShaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elonbethhanan:

1 Kings 4:10 ^TThe son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained ^RSochoh, and all the land of Hepher:

1 Kings 4:11 ^TThe son of Abinadab, in all the region of ^RDor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained ^RTaanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:

1 Kings 4:13 ^TThe son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained ^Rthe 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:

1 Kings 4:14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had ^RTMahanaim:

1 Kings 4:15 Ahimaaz was in ^RNaphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

1 Kings 4:16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in ^RAsher and in Aloth:

1 Kings 4:17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in ^RIssachar:

1 Kings 4:18 ^RShimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:

1 Kings 4:19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in ^Rthe country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land.

1 Kings 4:20 Judah and Israel were many, ^Ras the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

1 Kings 4:21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they ^Rbrought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

1 Kings 4:22 And Solomon’s ^Tprovision for one day was thirty ^Tmeasures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,

1 Kings 4:23 ^RTen fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.

1 Kings 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to ^RAzzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.

1 Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel dwelt ^RTsafely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 4:26 And Solomon had ^Rforty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

1 Kings 4:27 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.

1 Kings 4:28 Barley also and straw for the horses and ^RTdromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.

1 Kings 4:29 And ^RGod gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

1 Kings 4:30 And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all ^Rthe children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.

1 Kings 4:31 For he was ^Rwiser 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.

1 Kings 4:32 And ^Rhe spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

1 Kings 4:33 And he spake of trees, from ^Rthe 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.

1 Kings 4:34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Kings 4:1–19 — Officials and practical provision

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The chapter names Solomon’s chief servants and twelve officers responsible for monthly provisions. Its detailed places and names show how government depends on shared work, organization, and resources. The list does not mean that every policy of this reign is beyond criticism; later chapters describe serious burdens on the people.

Key Truth: Large responsibilities require faithful work by many people.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Kings 4:20–28 — Abundance, peace, and the royal household

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Judah and Israel enjoy abundance and safety, while surrounding kingdoms bring tribute. The royal household consumes large supplies, supported by district officers. The picture of people dwelling under vine and fig tree conveys settled peace, alongside the considerable resources required by the king.

Key Truth: Prosperity should be considered with attention to those who sustain it.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Kings 4:29–34 — God-given wisdom draws listeners

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

God grants Solomon exceptional wisdom and understanding. He speaks proverbs, songs, and observations about plants and animals. People come from other kingdoms to hear him. The source of the gift is God, and its range encourages thoughtful learning rather than admiration of status alone.

Key Truth: Use understanding as a gift entrusted for worthwhile service.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

Proverbs 2:6 — This verse identifies the LORD as the giver of wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6 (KJV) For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

Which people quietly support the work around you? Consider how to thank them and use your own knowledge for service rather than display.

Notes

Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.

My 1 Kings 4 notes Save My Notes

Loading your notes…

Keep your notes in your account

Create a free account or sign in to save your notes and return to them later.

Create a Free Account Sign In

After setting up your account, sign in and return to this chapter to save your notes.

Keep Reading

---

Chapter Navigation

Go to passage

Book GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SolomonIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelationChapter 12345678910111213141516171819202122Or type a reference Go

← 1 Kings 3 | 1 Kings Contents | 1 Kings 5 →