1 Kings 4 16

1 Kings 4:16 kjv

Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:

1 Kings 4:16 nkjv

Baanah the son of Hushai, in Asher and Aloth;

1 Kings 4:16 niv

Baana son of Hushai?in Asher and in Aloth;

1 Kings 4:16 esv

Baana the son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth;

1 Kings 4:16 nlt

Baana son of Hushai, in Asher and in Aloth.

1 Kings 4 verses

1 Kings 4 16 Meaning

1 Kings 4:16 identifies Bana, the son of Hushai, as one of King Solomon's twelve district governors. His specific responsibility was to manage and collect the provisions for the royal court from the tribal territory of Asher and an associated region known as Aloth. This verse illustrates the detailed and extensive administrative system Solomon established to sustain his lavish court and centralized kingdom.

1 Kings 4 16 Context

1 Kings chapter 4 describes the magnificent reign of King Solomon, marked by unprecedented wisdom, wealth, and widespread peace. This specific chapter outlines the comprehensive and intricate administrative structure Solomon implemented to govern his vast kingdom. Verses 7 through 19 meticulously list the twelve district governors whom Solomon appointed across Israel, each tasked with supplying the provisions for the royal household, chariot forces, and horsemen for one month out of the year. This elaborate system was critical for maintaining Solomon's numerous wives, officials, chariots, and horses, demonstrating a highly organized and centralized government. Historically, this system represented a significant consolidation of royal power, often superseding traditional tribal autonomy, and allowing for the systematic collection of resources necessary for Solomon's lavish lifestyle and massive building projects like the temple and his palace.

1 Kings 4 16 Word analysis

• Bana (בָּעֲנָה - Ba'anah): A common Hebrew proper name, meaning "son of affliction" or "response." In this context, it simply identifies the individual appointed by Solomon to a significant administrative role. The specific meaning of his name does not inherently denote his character or destiny, but rather signifies his official identity within Solomon's sophisticated bureaucracy.
• the son of Hushai (בֶּן־חֻשַׁי - ben-Chushay): This phrase indicates Bana's lineage. Many prominent biblical scholars and commentators widely believe that this "Hushai" is Hushai the Archite, David's loyal and strategic advisor who played a crucial role in countering Ahithophel's counsel during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 15-17). If this connection is accurate, it signifies Solomon's continued reliance on loyal families and individuals from his father's trusted circle to fill key positions in his administration, ensuring continuity and allegiance to the Davidic dynasty. This familial connection would underscore the deep-rooted establishment of Solomon's government.
• in Asher (בְּאָשֵׁר - be'Asher): "In Asher" refers to the tribal territory historically allotted to the tribe of Asher. This region was situated in the fertile northern coastal plain of Canaan, known for its rich agricultural output. Asher's blessings (Gen 49:20, Deut 33:24) highlight its abundance, especially in olive oil and fine bread, making it a naturally productive region for supplying a king's provisions. Bana's district covered this prosperous area, making him responsible for harnessing its produce for the royal table.
• and Aloth (וּבְעָלוֹת - u-ve'Alot): "And in Aloth." The Hebrew word "Aloth" (עָלוֹת - 'alot) literally means "ascents" or "heights." Its precise geographical location is a subject of scholarly debate. It could refer to:
  • A specific, lesser-known town or village, possibly near the northern border of Asher.
  • The hilly or elevated regions within the tribal territory of Asher or adjacent to it, differentiating it from the flat plains.
  • Some suggest a corruption or a variant spelling for a known place like Beth-Aloth.Regardless of its exact geographical identification, its inclusion serves to specify the exact boundaries or additional sub-regions under Bana's jurisdiction, highlighting the meticulous and detailed administrative partitioning of Solomon's kingdom.

1 Kings 4 16 Bonus section

• The system of twelve administrative districts, as detailed in 1 Kings 4:7-19, often overlapped with but did not strictly adhere to the traditional twelve tribal territories. This shows Solomon's deliberate policy of centralizing power and dissolving purely tribal-based authority structures, replacing them with a more unified royal administration.
• The immense scale of Solomon's daily provisions (1 Kgs 4:22-23) — including huge quantities of flour, grain, livestock, and rare delicacies — indicates an incredibly strong economic base but also a significant demand placed on the populace through taxes and labor. Each governor like Bana was responsible for an astronomical amount of produce.
• The historical-critical understanding often notes this system as a key factor in the socio-economic changes in Israel, moving from a subsistence agrarian economy to one supporting an elaborate royal superstructure, ultimately contributing to tensions that led to the split of the kingdom.

1 Kings 4 16 Commentary

1 Kings 4:16 provides a specific detail within the grand picture of Solomon's prosperous reign. It highlights the administrative ingenuity employed by the king to manage his vast and resource-intensive kingdom. The mention of Bana, son of Hushai, serving in the agriculturally rich region of Asher and Aloth, underscores several points: the efficient (and demanding) system of provisioning the royal court; the kingdom's centralized control that could overrule or redefine traditional tribal boundaries; and potentially the perpetuation of loyalty through key family appointments from David's trusted advisors. This administrative apparatus, while impressive in its scope and effectiveness in supporting Solomon's immense wealth and military power, also hints at the inherent burdens placed upon the populace, setting a historical precedent for the later discontent that would culminate in the kingdom's division under Rehoboam.