Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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:
5. the officers ] The word signifies such persons as had the oversight of any work. Thus the same word is used for the victualling officers in 1Ki 4:7; it is again used in 1Ki 5:16 for the persons at the head of the preparation for the temple-building, and in 1Ki 9:23 of those who bare rule over the people that wrought in such works as the building of cities which is there described.
principal officer ] The Hebrew word is cohen, usually = ‘priest,’ but see on 1Ki 4:2.
the king’s friend ] This means a chief and intimate counsellor. It is applied to Hushai (2Sa 15:37; 2Sa 16:16) and from the relation in which Hushai stood to David we may see what is implied in the title.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The son of Nathan – It is uncertain whether the Nathan of this verse is the prophet or the son of David 2Sa 5:14. While on the one hand the position of kings friend is more likely to have been held by a contemporary, which the prophets son would have been, than by one so much younger as the son of a younger brother; on the other hand the title cohen seems to point to a member of the royal family. (See the next note.) Azariah who was over the officers was chief, that is, of the officers mentioned in 1Ki 4:8-19, as appears from the identity of the term here used with the title by which they are designated in 1Ki 4:7.
Principal officer – Or, cohen. The fact that the title kohen was borne by sons of David 2Sa 8:18, who could not be priests in the ordinary sense of the word, seems to identify the Nathan of this verse with Davids son 2Sa 5:14 rather than with the prophet.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. Azariah – was over the officers] He had the superintendence of the twelve officers mentioned below; see 1Kg 4:7.
Zabud – was principal officer] Perhaps what we call premier, or prime minister.
The king’s friend] His chief favourite – his confidant.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Over the officers, or overseers, or surveyors, to wit, over those twelve officers named 1Ki 4:7, &c., where this Hebrew word is used, who were all subject, and to give up their accounts to him; though the word signifies any governors or commanders of the higher sort, as 1Ki 5:16; 2Ch 8:10.
Son of Nathan, the prophet, who had been so highly instrumental in Solomons establishment in the throne.
Principal officer; possibly president of the kings council. The Hebrew word is cohen, which, 1Ki 4:2, is rendered priest; whence some read this place thus: Zabud the son of Nathan the priest, or the minister, (as the word properly signifies, and that title well enough agrees to a prophet; or the prince, for the prophet Nathan was a man considerable both for his quality, and for his honour and esteem with the king,) was the kings friend.
The kings friend; either his special favourite, both for his fathers sake and for his own, having, it seems, been brought up with him; or his confidant, with whom he used to communicate his most secret counsels.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. over the officersthat is,the provincial governors enumerated in 1Ki4:17-19.
principal officer, and theking’s friendperhaps president of the privy council, andSolomon’s confidential friend or favorite. This high functionary hadprobably been reared along with Solomon. That he should heap thosehonors on the sons of Nathan was most natural, considering the closeintimacy of the father with the late king, and the deep obligationsunder which Solomon personally lay to the prophet.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Azariah the son of Nathan [was] over the officers,…. The twelve officers who provided food for Solomon’s household after mentioned:
and Zabud the son of Nathan; another of the sons of Nathan the prophet: for he being a principal instrument of settling Solomon on the throne, had interest enough to promote his sons to the chief places of honour and trust: and this here
[was] principal officer, [and] the king’s friend; a chief minister about him, very intimate with him, that kept him company, privately conversed with him, was in his secrets, and admitted to great privacy and nearness to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) Son of Nathan.Probably Nathan, son of David, and own brother of Solomon (1Ch. 3:5), is here intended; for the title Cohen, here given to Zabud, is expressly ascribed in 2Sa. 8:18 to the sons of David; and Nathan the prophet always has his title, the prophet, appended to his name wherever first mentioned in this book. (See 1Ki. 1:8; 1Ki. 1:10; 1Ki. 1:22; 1Ki. 1:32, &c.)
Azariah is the chief of the officersthat is, chief over the twelve officers mentioned below (1Ki. 4:7-19)living, however, at Court.
Zabud, besides the title of Cohen, has that of the kings friend, previously given to Hushai (2Sa. 15:37; 2Sa. 16:16), and apparently indicating special intimacy and wisdom as a privy counsellor.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Son of Nathan This Nathan may have been either the prophet or son of David mentioned 2Sa 5:14.
Over the officers That is, the twelve officers mentioned in 1Ki 4:7. So he was a sort of commissary-general for the whole kingdom.
Principal officer Here the word , which usually means priest, manifestly has a different signification. By comparing 2Sa 8:18 with 1Ch 18:17, we infer that it means a high officer whom the king treats as his intimate counsellor and confidential adviser. David chose his own sons for this office; and where is the monarch or chieftain who has not had some person or persons to serve him in this capacity? During his short triumph Absalom virtually set Ahithophel and Hushai in this office. That the king always, or even usually, followed the counsels of this officer is not to be supposed.
His work was to suggest, not to adopt or decide, plans for his sovereign. He is further described as being the king’s friend that is, his personal confidant and favourite.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 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:
Ver. 5. And Azariah the son of Nathan, &c. ] These two had been Solomon’s fellow pupils, his play fellows, likely, and sons to his tutor, Nathan the prophet, who had done much for him, and for whom he could never do enough. Our king Edward VI did much for his tutor, Mr Cheek, and Queen Elizabeth for Dr Cox, upon whom she conferred many church dignities and real favours.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Nathan. Probably David’s son. Compare Luk 3:31.
principle officer = priest. See Hebrew (2Sa 8:18). the king’s friend, as Hushai had been David’s (2Sa 15:37).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
son of Nathan: 1Ki 1:10-53, 2Sa 7:2, 2Sa 12:1-15, 2Sa 12:25
the officers: 1Ki 4:7
the principal: 2Sa 8:18, 2Sa 20:26
the king’s: 2Sa 15:37, 2Sa 16:16, 2Sa 19:37, 2Sa 19:38, 1Ch 27:33, Pro 22:11, Joh 13:23, Joh 15:14, Joh 15:15, Jam 2:23
Reciprocal: 1Ch 27:5 – chief priest
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 4:5-6. The son of Nathan was over the officers Over those twelve officers named 1Ki 4:7, &c., who were all to give up their accounts to him. The Hebrew word, nitsabim, here, and 1Ki 4:7, rendered officers, signifies any governors, or commanders of the higher sort. See 2Ch 8:10. Zabud the son of Nathan The prophet, who had been so highly instrumental in establishing Solomon on the throne; was principal officer Possibly president of the kings council. The Hebrew word is , cohen, which, 1Ki 4:2, and generally, is rendered priest, although, as we have observed there, it may also be translated prince. And the kings friend His confidant, with whom he used to communicate his most secret counsels. Ahishar was over the household Steward of the kings house. Over the tribute The personal tribute, or levy of men, as appears by comparing this with 1Ki 5:13-14; it being very fit that there should be some one person to whom the chief conduct or inspection of that great business should be committed.