1 Kings 4 10

1 Kings 4:10 kjv

The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher:

1 Kings 4:10 nkjv

Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth; to him belonged Sochoh and all the land of Hepher;

1 Kings 4:10 niv

Ben-Hesed?in Arubboth (Sokoh and all the land of Hepher were his);

1 Kings 4:10 esv

Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Socoh and all the land of Hepher);

1 Kings 4:10 nlt

Ben-hesed, in Arubboth, including Socoh and all the land of Hepher.

1 Kings 4 verses

1 Kings 4 10 Meaning

1 Kings 4:10 introduces Ben-hesed, one of Solomon's twelve district officers tasked with providing for the royal household. His assigned territory included Arubboth and specifically encompasses the regions of Socoh and the entire land of Hepher. This verse illustrates the vast administrative organization and extensive resource network established by King Solomon, highlighting the practical outworking of his divinely given wisdom and the abundant blessings upon his kingdom, as described earlier in the chapter. Each officer was responsible for provisioning the court for one month each year, making such specific territorial designations crucial for the system's function.

1 Kings 4 10 Context

This verse is part of a detailed description of King Solomon's glorious reign immediately following his consolidation of power and the establishment of his wisdom (1 Kings 3). Chapter 4 specifically outlines the administrative structure and prosperity that characterized his rule. Verses 1-6 list the principal officers of his court, while verses 7-19 detail the twelve district governors (or "officers") responsible for supplying provisions for the king and his vast household on a rotating monthly basis. This elaborate system underscored Solomon's unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and the organized governance enabled by God's blessing. The mention of specific geographic areas like Arubboth, Socoh, and Hepher highlights the tangible extent of Solomon's controlled and provisioned territory. Historically, this period marked the apex of the united kingdom of Israel's power, wealth, and influence before its division. The detailed enumeration of officials and their responsibilities serves to emphasize the scope and administrative efficiency that was foundational to Solomon's kingdom.

1 Kings 4 10 Word analysis

• בֶּן־חֶסֶד (Ben-ḥeseḏ): This name translates to "Son of Hesed." The term "Hesed" is significant in Hebrew, often meaning "loving-kindness," "mercy," "steadfast love," or "faithfulness." While here it functions as a proper name, the inherent meaning of "hesed" may subtly echo the blessings and faithfulness evident in Solomon's reign, facilitated by administrators like Ben-hesed. This name denotes a patronymic, meaning "son of someone named Hesed," rather than a description of his character, yet its root suggests a connection to covenantal reliability.
• בָּאֲרֻבֹּות (bāʾărubbōṯ): "in Arubboth." This identifies a specific geographical location. The name "Arubboth" potentially relates to "windows" or "lattices," though its exact site is debated. It is often located in the region of the Sharon plain or nearby, suggesting an area west of the central hill country. Its mention indicates the designated base or primary district of operation for Ben-hesed.
• לֹו (lô): "to him," or "his." This pronoun clearly attributes ownership or, more appropriately in this administrative context, responsibility and jurisdiction to Ben-hesed for the listed territories. It denotes the sphere of his control and accountability within the king's provisioning system.
• שֹׂכֹו (śōkō): "Socoh." This is a prominent biblical town. There were at least two places called Socoh, but given the geographical cluster here, it's most likely the Socoh located in the Shephelah (lowland) of Judah (e.g., Josh 15:35, 1 Sam 17:1). Its inclusion indicates that Ben-hesed's district extended to and incorporated strategically significant cities, which were important for resources.
• כָּל־אֶרֶץ חֵפֶר (kol-ʾereṣ ḥēp̄er): "all the land of Hepher."
  • כָּל־ (kol): "all," or "entire." This emphasizes the comprehensive scope of territory under Ben-hesed's authority, indicating a large, defined region rather than just a single town.
  • אֶרֶץ (ʾereṣ): "land," "territory," or "country." Signifies a distinct geographic and administrative unit.
  • חֵפֶר (ḥēp̄er): "Hepher." This name is primarily associated with a clan or family within the tribe of Manasseh (Num 26:32, Josh 17:2-3). Its mention here suggests a well-defined tribal territory or region that had come under direct royal administration.
• Words-group Analysis: The phrase "Socoh and all the land of Hepher" (שֹׂכֹו וְכָל־אֶרֶץ חֵפֶר) specifies the breadth of Ben-hesed's assigned provisioning area. The inclusion of Socoh, likely in Judah's lowlands, and "all the land of Hepher," probably extending into Manasseh's territory (often identified with part of the fertile Plain of Sharon), reveals a district that covered a diverse agricultural and population base. This comprehensive geographic detail underscores the highly organized and far-reaching administrative control Solomon exerted over his kingdom, enabling him to consistently gather the vast provisions required for his royal household, highlighting a level of organization unparalleled in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms.

1 Kings 4 10 Bonus section

The naming conventions for these twelve officers are interesting. While many are listed as "son of [father's name]" (like Ben-hur, Ben-deker, Ben-hesed, Ben-abinadab, Ben-geber), indicating a patronymic system, others are referred to by their full name (like Geber, Ahinadab, Baana). This might suggest differences in their prominence or lineage within the administrative system, or simply variations in scribal record-keeping. The inclusion of a precise geographical domain for each officer points to a rational division of territory, likely based on productivity or existing tribal boundaries, ensuring fair and consistent resource collection across the diverse regions of the united kingdom. The meticulous recording of these details further accentuates the historical reliability and systematic nature of the biblical account of Solomon's reign, emphasizing that the prosperity described was not merely symbolic but underpinned by practical, well-executed administration.

1 Kings 4 10 Commentary

1 Kings 4:10, a seemingly brief administrative detail, provides a snapshot into the sophisticated and meticulously organized structure of King Solomon's vast kingdom. Far from being a mere list of names and places, it illustrates the tangible outcome of God's blessing upon Solomon, specifically his God-given wisdom (1 Kgs 4:29-30). This administrative grid, with its twelve regional officers like Ben-hesed, was the backbone of Solomon's opulence and stability, allowing him to feed an exceptionally large court (1 Kgs 4:22-23) and sustain an era of peace and prosperity. Each officer's responsibility for a monthly provision highlights a kingdom managed with remarkable precision and efficiency, enabling a level of state administration comparable to major empires of the ancient world. The specificity of geographical control (Arubboth, Socoh, Hepher) indicates not only the reach of Solomon's authority but also the identification of fertile and resource-rich areas that contributed to the kingdom's immense wealth, solidifying the narrative of a kingdom enjoying unprecedented peace and abundance under divine favor.