1 Kings 4:24 kjv
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.
1 Kings 4:24 nkjv
For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him.
1 Kings 4:24 niv
For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides.
1 Kings 4:24 esv
For he had dominion over all the region west of the Euphrates from Tiphsah to Gaza, over all the kings west of the Euphrates. And he had peace on all sides around him.
1 Kings 4:24 nlt
Solomon's dominion extended over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah to Gaza. And there was peace on all his borders.
1 Kings 4 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Promises & Dominion | ||
| Gen 15:18 | ...to your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates... | God's covenant promise to Abraham regarding land boundaries. |
| Exod 23:31 | And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River... | Further detail on the promised land's extent. |
| Num 24:17 | ...a Scepter shall rise out of Israel... | Prophecy of a powerful ruler from Israel. |
| Deut 11:24 | Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the River, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea... | God's promise to Israel regarding expansion based on obedience. |
| Josh 1:4 | From the wilderness and Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun... | God’s promise to Joshua of widespread dominion. |
| 1 Chr 18:3 | David also attacked Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath... | David conquering territory towards the Euphrates. |
| 2 Sam 8:3 | David also attacked Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his dominion at the River Euphrates. | David extending influence to the Euphrates before Solomon. |
| Solomon's Reign & Peace | ||
| 1 Kgs 2:12 | Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established. | Establishment of Solomon's secure rule. |
| 1 Kgs 4:20 | Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea... eating and drinking and rejoicing. | Context of national prosperity and joy under Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 4:21 | So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. | Parallel description of Solomon's widespread rule. |
| 1 Kgs 5:4 | But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. | Solomon's own testimony to the peace he enjoyed. |
| 2 Chr 9:26 | He reigned over all the kings from the River to the land of the Philistines, and as far as the border of Egypt. | Another record of Solomon's vast dominion. |
| Ps 72:7 | In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more. | Messianic Psalm anticipating peace and righteousness under an ideal king, foreshadowing Christ. |
| Messianic Fulfillment (Greater Dominion & Peace) | ||
| Isa 9:6-7 | For unto us a Child is born... The Government will be upon His shoulder... Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end... | Prophecy of the coming Messiah as the Prince of Peace with endless kingdom. |
| Ps 72:8 | He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth. | A Messianic Psalm specifically echoing and surpassing Solomon's dominion. |
| Zech 9:10 | His dominion shall be 'from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.' | Prophecy about the Messiah's universal and boundless dominion. |
| Lk 1:32-33 | He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest... And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. | Angel's prophecy about Jesus inheriting David's eternal kingdom. |
| Rev 11:15 | The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! | Ultimate universal dominion of Christ. |
| Heb 1:8 | But to the Son He says: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...’ | Christ's eternal reign as divine King. |
| Col 1:16 | For by Him all things were created... all things were created through Him and for Him. | Christ's pre-eminence and universal sovereignty. |
1 Kings 4 verses
1 Kings 4 24 Meaning
1 Kings 4:24 describes the unparalleled extent of King Solomon's dominion and the profound peace that characterized his reign. He exercised suzerainty over a vast geographical area, specifically "all the region on this side the River," a well-defined territory west of the Euphrates, stretching from the northern city of Tiphsah to the southern coastal city of Gaza. This dominance over surrounding kings resulted in comprehensive peace and security for Israel, signifying a golden age of national blessing and prosperity.
1 Kings 4 24 Context
1 Kings chapter 4 provides an administrative and qualitative summary of King Solomon's reign, immediately following his consolidation of power and display of divine wisdom (1 Kings 3). The verses preceding 1 Kings 4:24 detail Solomon's appointed officials, the immense daily provisions required for his court, and the sheer number of people under his rule, emphasizing his unparalleled wealth and logistical capabilities. Verse 24, therefore, serves to explain how such abundance and national joy (v. 20) were possible: through extensive geopolitical dominion and the resulting absence of conflict. This chapter portrays the golden age of Israel, a time when the kingdom reached its peak in prosperity and influence, fulfilling aspects of God's covenant promises to Abraham and David concerning the land's boundaries and peace. This era was seen as a divine blessing and a direct result of Solomon's wisdom and faithfulness early in his reign.
1 Kings 4 24 Word analysis
- For he: Connects this verse to the preceding description of Solomon's vast household and provision, indicating this dominion is the foundation for the abundance mentioned. "He" refers to King Solomon.
- had dominion: Hebrew: מֹשֵׁל (moshel), indicating sovereignty, one who rules or has authority. It speaks of rightful and extensive power exercised by a monarch. This dominion was not merely a claim but a practical reality, influencing political relations across the region.
- over all the region: Emphasizes the comprehensiveness and scope of Solomon's control, not limited to direct rule over Judah and Israel, but encompassing a broader sphere of influence.
- on this side the River: Hebrew: עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר (Ever HaNahar). This is a precise geographical and administrative term, primarily used in the ancient Near East (including later Persian period) to denote the land west of the Euphrates River. This region included Syria, Palestine, and parts of Anatolia, signifying control over crucial trade routes and politically strategic areas. "The River" consistently refers to the Euphrates in this context.
- from Tiphsah: Hebrew: תִּפְסַח (Tiphsach). A city on the western bank of the Euphrates, marking the northern extent of Solomon's influence. It was a strategically important crossing point, likely the city later known as Thapsacus to the Greeks.
- even to Gaza: Hebrew: עַזָּה (`Azzah). A major Philistine city on the southern Mediterranean coast. Its inclusion indicates Solomon's authority extended over Philistine territories, completing the west-to-east geographical sweep described.
- over all the kings: This specifies the nature of Solomon's dominion—not always direct conquest, but suzerainty, meaning he was the superior king to whom local rulers paid tribute and swore allegiance. These were tributary kings within his sphere of influence.
- on this side the River: This repetition reinforces the vast and well-defined territory under his control, confirming that his authority extended comprehensively throughout Ever HaNahar, not just a fragmented area.
- and he had peace: Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם (shalom). Far more than the absence of war, shalom denotes completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, and tranquility. It signifies an ideal state of rest and blessing. This was a direct result of his strategic control.
- on every side round about him: This phrase confirms the comprehensiveness of the peace. It was not localized but encompassed the entire kingdom and its surrounding dependencies, both externally (no invading enemies) and internally (no rebellion).
1 Kings 4 24 Bonus section
The depiction of Solomon's kingdom in 1 Kings 4, particularly his widespread dominion and the profound peace (shalom) enjoyed, serves as a significant "type" or foreshadowing of the Messiah's coming reign. Solomon, whose name (Hebrew: שְׁלֹמֹה - Shlomoh) is related to peace, embodies the ideal king in his generation. However, his kingdom, despite its grandeur, was temporary and would eventually fragment and face apostasy. This highlights the inherent limitation of human rule. In contrast, the Messiah's kingdom, as prophesied, will establish an unending dominion and perfect, unblemished shalom for all creation, making Solomon's reign a glimpse of that greater, everlasting reality.
1 Kings 4 24 Commentary
1 Kings 4:24 encapsulates the zenith of Israel's national glory under Solomon, demonstrating a period of unprecedented power, security, and prosperity directly attributed to divine blessing. Solomon's dominion stretched across a vast, strategically vital area, controlling major trade routes and numerous vassal kingdoms within "Ever HaNahar," the lands west of the Euphrates. The specified geographical markers, Tiphsah to Gaza, delineate an empire extending from the upper Euphrates to the southern Mediterranean coast, effectively encompassing the full ideal boundaries often promised by God in earlier covenants (e.g., to Abraham). This political and military preeminence led to profound "shalom"—not merely an absence of conflict, but a holistic state of well-being and security on all fronts. This unique period served as a partial fulfillment of God's covenant with David, promising an enduring dynasty and peace for Israel. Ultimately, Solomon's golden age, however magnificent, points beyond itself to the coming reign of the true Son of David, Jesus the Messiah, whose kingdom will indeed have universal, everlasting dominion and absolute, eternal peace (Isaiah 9:6-7; Psalm 72:8; Zechariah 9:10).