Bible Commentary

And he spoke three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 32. three thousand proverbs ] Of which some are contained in the book of Proverbs to which his name is given, but these are not all his, nor would all that are attributed to him there approach the number in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:32”

For he was wiser 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. 31. Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman ] Ethan and Heman are among the names of the singers (1Ch 15:19) appointed by David when the ark … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:31”

And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 30. the children of the east country ] i.e. The Chaldans and Arabians who from early times were noted for their astrological investigations and for their wisdom. Job is spoken of as among these children … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:30”

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore. 29 34. The wisdom and fame of Solomon (Not in Chronicles) 29. largeness of heart ] By this is meant a comprehensive powerful mind capable of grasping the knowledge of many and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:29”

Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where [the officers] were, every man according to his charge. 28. unto the place where the officers were ] As shewn by the italics of A. V. there is no word in the original for ‘the officers.’ The verb moreover is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:28”

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. 27. And those officers ] Referring to the twelve enumerated in 1Ki 4:8-19. There is a degree of awkwardness in the way in which the fresh mention of them is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:27”

And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 26. horses for his chariots ] This is one of the passages which make clear the meaning of the Hebrew sus, a horse to go in a chariot, and parash, a saddle-horse. In 2Ch 9:25 the number of stalls is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:26”

And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 25. Judah and Israel ] Clearly marked off from one another, though no separation had yet taken place. under his vine and under his fig tree ] A sort … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:25”

For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. 24. on this side the river ] The side intended is of course here quite plain. It is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:24”

Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl. 23. roebucks ] The Hebrew word ( ) is rendered by the LXX. i.e. a gazelle. It is akin to the proper name Tabitha, i.e. (Act 9:36). The rendering roebuck is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 4:23”