1 Kings 4 14

1 Kings 4:14 kjv

Ahinadab the son of Iddo had Mahanaim:

1 Kings 4:14 nkjv

Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim;

1 Kings 4:14 niv

Ahinadab son of Iddo?in Mahanaim;

1 Kings 4:14 esv

Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim;

1 Kings 4:14 nlt

Ahinadab son of Iddo, in Mahanaim.

1 Kings 4 verses

1 Kings 4 14 Meaning

1 Kings 4:14 introduces Ahinadab, son of Iddo, as one of Solomon's twelve district governors, whose assigned territory for provisioning the king and his household was Mahanaim. This verse highlights the sophisticated administrative structure and control Solomon exercised over his kingdom, ensuring the supply chain for his lavish court and massive undertakings. It specifies an individual governor and his geographical responsibility within Solomon's highly organized rule.

1 Kings 4 14 Context

1 Kings chapter 4 describes the zenith of Solomon's reign, emphasizing his extraordinary wisdom, vast wealth, and unparalleled administrative organization. Verses 1-6 list his high-ranking officials. Following this, verses 7-19 meticulously detail the twelve district governors who were responsible for supplying the daily provisions for the massive royal household and its projects. Each governor would provide for one month of the year, ensuring a continuous supply of food for Solomon, his numerous staff, cavalry, and even his animals. This verse (1 Kgs 4:14) specifies one such governor, Ahinadab, and his region, Mahanaim. Historically and culturally, this shows a highly centralized, bureaucratic monarchy in Israel, akin to those in surrounding empires, rather than the earlier decentralized tribal system. This organization facilitated Solomon's construction projects, fostered economic stability, but also, as later revealed (1 Kgs 12:4), placed a significant burden on the common people, which contributed to the kingdom's division after Solomon's death.

1 Kings 4 14 Word analysis

• Ahinadab (אֲחִינָדָב, 'Aḥînāḏāḇ): Meaning "my brother is noble" or "my brother is willing/generous." This individual's name is noted without further background, placing the focus on his role in the administrative system rather than his personal narrative. He is simply one of the twelve critical cogs in Solomon's kingdom management.
• the son of (בֶּן־, ben): A standard Hebrew patronymic connector, indicating "son of." It clarifies lineage and identity, as was customary in ancient Near Eastern naming conventions.
• Iddo (עִדּוֹ, ‘Iddō): Meaning possibly "his witness" or "timely." Ahinadab's father. While other individuals named Iddo appear in the Bible (e.g., Iddo the prophet/seer), there's no clear indication this is the same person. The focus here is on identifying Ahinadab's lineage within the official records.
• in (בְּ, bə): A preposition meaning "in," indicating the assigned geographical jurisdiction of the governor.
• Mahanaim (מַחֲנַיִם, Maḥănayim): Meaning "two camps" or "two companies." This is a significant biblical location in Transjordan (Gilead), east of the Jordan River.
  • Biblical Significance: Mahanaim is first mentioned when Jacob, returning from Paddan Aram, encountered "the angels of God" and named the place Mahanaim (Gen 32:1-2). This event endowed the site with spiritual meaning.
  • Strategic Importance: It later served as the capital for Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, during his brief reign (2 Sam 2:8-9). It also provided refuge for King David during Absalom's rebellion, highlighting its defensive strength and capacity to sustain a royal court (2 Sam 17:24-27). Its assignment to one of Solomon's governors signifies its economic vitality, presumably for its agricultural produce and strategic control over parts of Gilead.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Ahinadab the son of Iddo": This phrase clearly identifies one of the twelve administrative officers. It reflects the detailed record-keeping and established lineage within Solomon's highly organized administration. This personal identifier underscores the specific assignment of responsibility.
• "in Mahanaim": This phrase denotes the specific geographical district under Ahinadab's purview. The inclusion of Mahanaim emphasizes Solomon's broad control, extending to territories across the Jordan, and his ability to integrate historically and strategically important regions into his provisioning system. The history of Mahanaim as a site of divine encounter, political capital, and royal refuge would have added prestige to Ahinadab's appointment, showing a recognition of the territory's deep significance within Israelite history. This assignment was not merely about resource extraction but effective rule over recognized historical and geographical entities within the united monarchy.

1 Kings 4 14 Bonus section

The systematic provisioning system implemented by Solomon's governors (1 Kgs 4:7-19) was unprecedented in Israel's history, reflecting a move from a tribal confederacy to a well-oiled, centralized monarchy, comparable to powerful empires of the day like Egypt or Assyria. Each of the twelve districts, led by a governor like Ahinadab, was responsible for supplying the royal court for one month annually. This guaranteed continuous flow of vast quantities of food items mentioned later in 1 Kings 4:22-23 (e.g., 30 cors of fine flour, 60 cors of meal, 10 fattened oxen, 20 pasture-fed oxen, 100 sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl). The efficient management by these officers, as exemplified by Ahinadab, enabled Solomon's reign of peace and prosperity (1 Kgs 4:24-25), allowing for his pursuit of wisdom, trade, and building the Temple and his palace without domestic logistical impediments.

1 Kings 4 14 Commentary

1 Kings 4:14, though a seemingly minor detail within a list, provides a glimpse into the sophisticated, highly organized, and geographically extensive nature of Solomon's kingdom. It signifies the success of his administrative policies rooted in the wisdom granted to him (1 Kgs 3). The twelve districts ensured efficient provision for the increasingly large and demanding royal court, facilitating Solomon's grand building projects and maintaining peace. The mention of Mahanaim, a place rich in Israelite history from Jacob's encounter with God to David's refuge, indicates the thoroughness of Solomon's reach into significant and productive regions. This organizational structure underscored his power and stability, yet it simultaneously foreshadowed the burden and discontent that would ultimately lead to the kingdom's division under his son, Rehoboam, who failed to ease the "heavy yoke" placed upon the people (1 Kgs 12). Thus, this seemingly simple administrative record carries both positive connotations of efficient rule and implicit negative undercurrents regarding the cost of such centralized power.