20<\/strong>. eating and drinking, and making merry<\/em> ] Words added to the description of the increased population to mark the great prosperity of the land. There was abundance everywhere, and none to make them afraid. Cf. below, 1Ki 4:25<\/span>.<\/p>\n There is some doubt about the proper arrangement of the remainder of this chapter. The best alteration, if we alter the Hebrew order at all, would be to place 1Ki 4:20-21<\/span> after 1Ki 4:25<\/span>.<\/P> Many … – <\/B>See 1Ki 3:8<\/span> note; and compare Psa 127:1-5<\/span>, which is traditionally ascribed to Solomon, and which celebrates the populousness and security of Israel in his day.<\/P> <\/p>\n Verse 20<\/span>. Eating and drinking, and making merry.<\/B><\/I>] They were very comfortable, very rich, very merry, and very corrupt. And this full feeding and dissipation led to a total corruption of manners.<\/P> <\/p>\n Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude<\/strong>,…. Being blessed with great fruitfulness in their families, and having no pestilential disease among them, nor wars to lessen their number, and so the promise to Abraham was fulfilled, Ge 22:17<\/span>; and which was an emblem of Christ’s spiritual subjects, especially in the latter day, whom Solomon was a type of, see Ho 1:10<\/span>;<\/p>\n eating, and drinking, and making merry<\/strong>; having a large increase of the fruits of the earth, and in no fear of any enemies; expressive of the spiritual joy of believers in the kingdom of Christ, and under the word and ordinances, So 2:3<\/span>.<\/p>\n In 1Ki 4:20<\/span> the account of Solomon’s officers is closed by a general remark as to the prosperous condition of the whole nation; though we miss the copula Vav<\/em> at the commencement. The words, “Judah and Israel were numerous as the sand by the sea,” indicate that the promise given to the patriarchs (Gen 22:17<\/span>, cf. Gen 32:13<\/span>) had been fulfilled. To this there is appended in 1Ki 5:1<\/span> the remark concerning the extent of Solomon’s sway, which prepares the way for what follows, and shows how the other portion of the promise, “thy seed will possess the gates of its enemies,” had been fulfilled. – The first fourteen verses of 1 Kings 5 are therefore connected by the lxx, Vulg., Luther, and others with 1 Kings 4. It is not till 1Ki 5:15<\/span> that a new section begins.<\/p>\n The Supply of Solomon’s Household.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN> 1014.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/FONT><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> 20 Judah and Israel were<\/I> many, as the sand which is<\/I> by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. 21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. 22 And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, 23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region<\/I> 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. 25 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. 26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 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. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers<\/I> were, every man according to his charge.<\/P> Such a kingdom, and such a court, surely never any prince had, as Solomon’s are here described to be.<\/P> I. Such a kingdom. Never did the crown of Israel shine so brightly as it did when Solomon wore it, never in his father’s days, never in the days of any of his successors; nor was that kingdom ever so glorious a type of the kingdom of the Messiah as it was then. The account here given of it is such as fully answers the prophecies which we have concerning it in Ps. lxxii.<\/span>, which is a psalm for Solomon, but with reference to Christ. 1. The territories of his kingdom were large and its tributaries many; so it was foretold that he should have dominion from sea to sea,<\/I> Ps. lxxii. 8-11<\/I><\/span>. Solomon reigned not only over all Israel, who were his subjects by choice, but over all the neighbouring kingdoms, who were his subjects by constraint. All the princes from the river Euphrates, north-east to the border of Egypt south-west, not only added to his honour by doing him homage and holding their crowns from him, but added to his wealth by serving him, and bringing him presents, v.<\/I><\/span> 21<\/span>. David, by his successful wars, compelled them to this subjection, and Solomon, by his admirable wisdom, made it easy and reasonable; for it is fit that the fool should be servant to the wise in heart.<\/I> If they gave him presents, he gave them instructions, and still taught the people knowledge,<\/I> not only his own people, but those of other nations: and wisdom is better than gold.<\/I> He had peace on all sides,<\/I> v.<\/span> 24<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. None of all the nations that were subject to him offered to shake off his yoke, or to give him any disturbance, but rather thought themselves happy in their dependence upon him. Herein his kingdom typified the Messiah’s; for to him it is promised that he shall have the heathen for his inheritance<\/I> and that princes shall worship him,<\/I>Isa 49:6<\/span>; Isa 49:7<\/span>; Isa 53:12<\/span>. 2. The subjects of his kingdom and its inhabitants, were many and cheerful. (1.) They were numerous and country was exceedingly populous (v.<\/I><\/span> 20<\/span>): Judah and Israel were many,<\/I> and that good land was sufficient to maintain them all. They were as the sand of the sea in multitude.<\/I> Now was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham concerning the increase of his seed (Gen. xxii. 17<\/span>), as well as that concerning the extent of their dominion, Gen. xv. 18<\/span>. This was their strength and beauty, the honour of their prince, the terror of their enemies, and an advancement of the wealth of the nation. If they grew so numerous that the place was any where too strait for them, they might remove with advantage into the countries that were subject to them. God’s spiritual Israel are many, at least they will be so when they come all together, Rev. vii. 9<\/span>. (2.) They were easy, they dwelt safely, or with confidence and assurance (v.<\/I><\/span> 25<\/span>), not jealous of their king or of his officers, not disaffected either to him or one to another, nor under any apprehension or danger from enemies foreign or domestic. They were happy and knew it, safe and willing to think themselves so. They dwelt every man under his vine and fig-tree.<\/I> Solomon invaded no man’s property, took not to himself their vineyards and olive-yards, as sometimes was the manner of the king (1 Sam. viii. 14<\/span>), but what they had they could call their own: he protected every man in the possession and enjoyment of his property. Those that had vines and fig-trees ate the fruit of them themselves; and so great was the peace of the country that they might, if they pleased, dwell as safely under the shadow of them as within the walls of a city. Or, because it was usual to have vines by the sides of their houses<\/I> (Ps. cxxviii. 3<\/span>), they are said to dwell under their vines.<\/I> (3.) They were cheerful in the use of their plenty, eating and drinking, and making merry,<\/I> v.<\/span> 20<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. Solomon did not only keep a good table himself, but enabled all his subjects, according to their rank, to do so too, and taught them that God gave them their abundance that they might use it soberly and pleasantly, not that they might hoard it up. There is nothing better<\/I> than for a man to eat the labour of his hands<\/I> (Eccl. ii. 24<\/span>), and that with a merry heart,<\/I> Eccl. ix. 7<\/I><\/span>. His father, in the Psalms, had led his people into the comforts of communion with God, and now he led them into the comfortable use of the good things of this life. This pleasant posture of Israel’s affairs extended, in place, from Dan to Beer-sheba–no part of the country was exposed nor upon any account uneasy; and it continued a long time, all the days of Solomon,<\/I> without any material interruption. Go where you would, you might see all the marks of plenty, peace, and satisfaction. The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus were typified by this. The kingdom of God is not,<\/I> as Solomon’s was, meat and drink,<\/I> but, what is infinitely better, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.<\/I><\/P> II. Such a court Solomon kept as can scarcely be paralleled. We may guess at the vast number of his attendants, and the great resort there was to him, by the provision that was made daily for his table. Of bread there were so many measures of flour and meal as, it is computed, would richly serve 3000 men (Carellus computes above 4800 men), and the provision of flesh (v.<\/I><\/span> 23<\/span>) was rather more in proportion. What vast quantities were here of beef, mutton, and venison, and the choicest of all fatted things,<\/I> as some read that which we translate fatted fowl!<\/I> Ahasuerus, once in his reign, made a great feast,<\/I> to show the riches of his kingdom,<\/I>Est 1:3<\/span>; Est 1:4<\/span>. But it was much more the honour of Solomon that he kept a constant table and a very noble one, not of dainties or deceitful meats (he himself witnessed against them, Prov. xxiii. 3<\/span>), but substantial food, for the entertainment of those who came to hear his wisdom. Thus Christ fed those whom he taught, 5000 at a time, more than ever Solomon’s table would entertain at once: and all believers have in him a continual feast. Herein he far outdoes Solomon, that he feeds all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but with that which endures to eternal life.<\/I> It added much both to the strength and glory of Solomon’s kingdom that he had such abundance of horses, 40,000 for chariots and 12,000 for his troops, 1000 horse, perhaps, in every tribe, for the preserving of the public peace, v.<\/I><\/span> 26<\/span>. God had commanded that their king should not multiply horses (Deut. xvii. 16<\/span>), nor, according to the account here given, considering the extent and wealth of Solomon’s kingdom, did he multiply horses in proportion to his neighbours; for we find even the Philistines bringing into the field 30,000 chariots (1 Sam. xiii. 5<\/span>) and the Syrians at least 40,000 horse, 2 Sam. x. 18<\/span>. The same officers that provided for his house provided also for his stable, 1Ki 4:27<\/span>; 1Ki 4:28<\/span>. Every one knew his place, and work, and time; and so this great court was kept without confusion. Solomon, that had vast incomes, lived at a vast expense, and perhaps wrote that with application to himself, Eccl. v. 11<\/span>. When goods increase those are increased that eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes,<\/I> unless withal they have the satisfaction of doing good with them?<\/P> <\/p>\n Solomon’s Greatness, Verse 20-28<\/strong><\/p>\n There are a number of noteworthy things in this passage. First, <\/em>it may be noted how God was fulfilling His ancient promise to Israel’s first father, Abraham. After the patriarch had been tested by the offering of his son, Isaac, the Lord had promised to make his seed as the stars of the sky and sand of the seashore (Gen 22:17<\/span>). The inspired author of First Kings records that this has come to pass in the reign of Solomon. His promises are always to be fulfilled (Tit 1:2<\/span>, and context).<\/em><\/p>\n Secondly, <\/em>God’s specific promises to Solomon were being fulfilled. It is to be recalled from 1Ki 3:13<\/span> that God had promised Solomon riches, honor, and prestige along with wisdom. This can be seen in the great court he maintained at Jerusalem, the wide dominion over which he ruled, the rich prosperity of his kingdom and its inhabitants.<\/em><\/p>\n Thirdly, <\/em>the Lord had kept His promise to extend the boundaries of Israel in accordance with their faithfulness to Him. This appears to have been a time of greatest faithfulness on the part of the majority of Israel. Solomon’s dominion extended from the borders of Egypt to the river, meaning the Euphrates. He ruled over all Israel’s ancient enemies surrounding him; the Moabites, Edomites, Ammonites, Syrians, Philistines, and he had a treaty of friendship with the Phoenicians of Tyre and Sidon. All this had been promised to Joshua (Jos 1:4<\/span>). All these lands brought Solomon tribute presents.<\/em><\/p>\n Fourthly, <\/em>the magnitude of Solomon’s court is admirable. It must have consisted of thousands from the daily supply of food and forage required, which it was the duty of the commissary officers to provide. Every day was supplied with thirty measures (about 196 bushels) of. fine flour (wheat), sixty measures (392 bushels) of meal (barley), ten fattened oxen, twenty pasture-fed oxen, a hundred sheep, besides all sorts of wild game, such as harts (deer), roebucks (gazelles, or antelope), fallow deer (which is the roebuck), and fattened fowl (such as pigeons, quail, and doves). Besides this the commissary officers must provide an abundance of barley and fodder for the horses and camels. This they brought to a gathering place where each officer was stationed.<\/em><\/p>\n Fifthly, <\/em>the people enjoyed the blessings of God’s abundance during the reign of Solomon. There was no war, the land was at peace, so that people’s productivity could be used for their own welfare. It is said that all dwelled under his own vine and fig tree from Dan to Beersheba, or from the northern borders to the south. God’s peace is unsurpassed (Php_4:7).<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, <\/em>it may be noted that Solomon’s power manifested itself also in military might. This was, in <\/em>fact in violation of the deuteronomic <\/em>law concerning the kingship (De 17:16). <\/em>But Solomon built himself a cavalry. He built forty thousand stalls for horses <\/em>in the fortified cities, the ruins of which are still to be seen in this day. He also trained men to be charioteers and cavalrymen. Much of the supplies required of the twelve commissary districts went to feed these men and animals.<\/em><\/p>\n (20) Were many.<\/strong>The description of the condition of the people here and in 1Ki. 4:25<\/span>, as multiplied in numbers, and living in festivity and peace, is evidently designed to specify not only their general prosperity and wealth, but also the fact noticed in 1Ki. 9:20-22<\/span>, that at this time they were a dominant race, relieved from all burden of labour, and ruling over the subject races, now reduced to complete subjection and serfship. (That it was otherwise hereafter is clear from the complaints to Rehoboam in 1Ki. 12:4<\/span>.) Now, for the first time, did Israel enter on full possession of the territory promised in the days of the Conquest (Jos. 1:4<\/span>), and so into the complete fulfilment of the promise to Abraham, alluded to in the words, many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude (Gen. 22:17<\/span>).<\/p>\n SOLOMON’S WEALTH AND WISDOM, 1Ki 4:20-34<\/span>.<\/p>\n 20<\/strong>. <\/strong> The statements of this verse are calculated to enhance in the mind of the reader the glory of Solomon’s reign. “The general tone of the records of his reign is that of jubilant delight, as though it were indeed a golden day following on the iron and brazen age of the warlike David.” Stanley. <\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n As the sand <\/strong> Thus fulfilling the promise made to Abraham. See marginal references. <\/p>\n Eating drinking making merry <\/strong> Evidences of a happy, peaceful, and prosperous administration.<\/p>\n Solomon’s Riches and Power<\/p>\n v. 20. Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude,<\/strong> according to the prophecy of Jehovah, Gen 22:17<\/span>, eating and drinking and making merry,<\/strong> happy under the wise and beneficent rule of Solomon, <\/p>\n v. 21. And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river,<\/strong> the great river Euphrates, unto the land of the Philistines,<\/strong> in the southwest, along the Mediterranean, and unto the border of Egypt,<\/strong> in the south; they brought presents,<\/strong> they were tributary vassals, and served Solomon all the days of his life. <\/p>\n v. 22. And Solomon’s provision for one day,<\/strong> the food which he needed for his big royal establishment, was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,<\/strong> the total amount of flour having been computed to be 171 bushels, or enough for 28,000 pounds of bread, <\/p>\n v. 23. ten fat oxen,<\/strong> those especially fattened for the table, and twenty oxen out of the pastures,<\/strong> such as were not fattened, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks,<\/strong> gazelles, and fallow-deer,<\/strong> antelopes, and fatted fowl. <\/strong> This gave a total daily consumption of meat amounting to some 20,000 pounds. <\/p>\n v. 24. For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah,<\/strong> a large and populous town on the west bank of the Euphrates, even to Azzah,<\/strong> or Gaza, on the border of the Philistines, in the extreme southwestern section, over all the kings on this side the river; and he had peace on all sides round about him,<\/strong> none of the surrounding nations dared to take up arms against him. <\/p>\n v. 25. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree,<\/strong> in a state of happy security, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon;<\/strong> his reign completed, also in this respect, the Golden Age of Israel’s history. <\/p>\n v. 26. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots,<\/strong> four thousand horses for his fourteen hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen,<\/strong> his cavalry serving to strengthen his standing army very materially. <\/p>\n v. 27. And those officers,<\/strong> the twelve enumerated above, provided victual for King Solomon and for all that came to King Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. <\/p>\n v. 28. Barley also,<\/strong> which took the place of oats, and straw for the horses and dromedaries,<\/strong> literally, “swift beasts,” coursers. probably used for conveying urgent messages, brought they unto the place where the officers were,<\/strong> in the various towns where horses were stationed, every man according to his charge. <\/strong> There was universal prosperity and general contentment under the reign of Solomon. <\/p>\n EXPOSITION<\/strong><\/p>\n SOLOMON<\/strong>‘S RULE<\/strong>, STATE<\/strong>, AND<\/strong> WISDOM<\/strong>.The remainder of this chapter, which de-scribes to us the extent and character of Solomon’s sway (1Ki 4:20<\/span>, 1Ki 4:21<\/span>, 1Ki 4:24<\/span>, 1Ki 4:25<\/span>), the pomp and provision of his household (1Ki 4:22<\/span>, 1Ki 4:23<\/span>, 1Ki 4:26-28<\/span>), and his profound and varied wisdom (1Ki 4:29-34<\/span>), has every appearance of a compilation from different sources. It scarcely has the order and coherence which we should find in the narrative of a single writer.<\/p>\n 1Ki 4:20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude <\/strong>[a reminiscence of Gen 13:16<\/span>; Gen 22:17<\/span>; Gen 32:12<\/span> (cf. Gen 3:8<\/span>). In the reign of Solomon these promises had their fulfilment], eating and drinking, and making merry<\/strong>. [Cf. 1Sa 30:16<\/span>. The Hebrew here begins a new chapter. The LXX<\/strong>. omits 1Sa 30:20, 1Sa 30:21<\/span>, 1Sa 30:25<\/span>, 1Sa 30:26<\/span>, and places 1Sa 30:27<\/span>, 1Sa 30:28<\/span>, “and those officers,” etc; after the list of prefects, 1Sa 30:19<\/span>.]<\/p>\n 1Ki 4:21<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n And Solomon reigned <\/strong>[Heb. was reigning<\/em>] <\/em><\/strong>over all kingdoms <\/strong>[Heb. the kingdoms<\/em>. That is, as suzerain, as is explained presently. So that Psa 72:10<\/span>, Psa 72:11<\/span> had its fulfilment] from the river <\/strong>[i.e; <\/em>the Euphrates, the <\/em>river of that region: so called Gen 31:21<\/span>; Exo 23:1-33 :81; 2Sa 10:16<\/span>. In Gen 15:18<\/span> it is called “the great river, the river Euphrates.” Similarly Jos 1:4<\/span>] unto<\/strong> [not in the Hebrew. It is found in the parallel passage, 2Ch 9:26<\/span>, and perhaps we may safely supply it here. Its omission may have been occasioned by the recurrence of the same word () presently. Some would render, “reigned over the land,” etc; supplying in thought from above. But “unto” seems to be required after “from.” Cf. 2Ch 9:24<\/span>] the land of the Philistines<\/strong> [this, i.e; <\/em>the Mediterranean shore, was the western border of his realm], and unto the border of Egypt<\/strong> [this was his southern boundary. We have here a reference to Genisis 2Ch 15:18<\/span>, the promise which now first received its fulfilment]: they brought presents <\/strong>[i.e; <\/em>tribute. Similar expressions, 2Sa 8:2<\/span>; 2Ki 17:3<\/span>, 2Ki 17:4<\/span>, and especially Psa 72:10<\/span>. What the presents were we are told 1Ki 10:25<\/span>, where, however, see note],Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n