1 Kings 4:27 kjv
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.
1 Kings 4:27 nkjv
And these governors, each man in his month, provided food for King Solomon and for all who came to King Solomon's table. There was no lack in their supply.
1 Kings 4:27 niv
The district governors, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king's table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking.
1 Kings 4:27 esv
And those officers supplied provisions for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon's table, each one in his month. They let nothing be lacking.
1 Kings 4:27 nlt
The district governors faithfully provided food for King Solomon and his court; each made sure nothing was lacking during the month assigned to him.
1 Kings 4 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:29-30 | And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant..." | God's original provision for creation. |
| Gen 27:28 | "May God give you of the dew of heaven...abundance of grain..." | Blessing of agricultural abundance. |
| Exod 16:35 | The people of Israel ate manna forty years... | God's faithful provision in the wilderness. |
| Deut 2:7 | "For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing." | God's sustained provision, no lack. |
| Deut 8:9 | "...a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing." | Promised Land's abundance for Israel. |
| 1 Sam 8:15 | He will take the tenth of your grain...for his officers and his servants. | King's right to taxation/provision. |
| 1 Kgs 4:7 | Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel...each to provide food for the king...in his month. | Establishes the twelve-district system. |
| 1 Kgs 4:20 | Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea...eating and drinking and making merry. | Describes the immense population & prosperity. |
| 1 Kgs 4:24 | For he had dominion over all the region beyond the Euphrates...and he had peace on all sides around him. | Explains the vastness of Solomon's dominion. |
| 1 Kgs 10:5 | When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon and the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her. | Demonstrates the impression of Solomon's splendor, including food provision. |
| 1 Kgs 10:23-27 | Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom...Silver was not considered as anything... | Solomon's unmatched wealth and abundance. |
| 2 Chr 1:15 | The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore trees. | Parallels Solomon's extreme abundance. |
| Neh 9:21 | Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing... | Reiterates God's faithfulness in providing. |
| Ps 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. | Principle of God's provision and no lack. |
| Ps 34:10 | The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. | Those who trust God lack nothing. |
| Ps 72:16 | May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave... | Messianic psalm (Solomonic context), agricultural prosperity. |
| Ps 104:27-28 | These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up... | God's universal provision for creation. |
| Prov 10:22 | The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. | Blessing of God brings wealth and prosperity. |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | God's provision for those who seek Him. |
| Jn 6:35 | Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger..." | Christ as the ultimate provider of sustenance. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God's unfailing supply for believers. |
| Col 2:10 | and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. | The fullness provided in Christ. |
| Rev 7:16 | They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. | Future perfect provision in new creation. |
1 Kings 4 verses
1 Kings 4 27 Meaning
This verse details the exceptional provision for King Solomon's household and vast retinue. It highlights the efficient and unfailing system established, whereby the twelve district officers, on a rotating monthly basis, supplied abundant food. The emphatic statement "they let nothing be lacking" underscores the complete sufficiency and administrative excellence during Solomon's reign, indicative of the divine blessing and unparalleled prosperity granted to him.
1 Kings 4 27 Context
1 Kings chapter 4 describes the zenith of King Solomon's reign, emphasizing his extraordinary wisdom (v. 29-34), immense wealth, widespread peace (v. 24-25), and efficient administration. The verses immediately preceding 4:27 outline the structure of his kingdom, specifically mentioning the "twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household; each one made provision for one month in the year" (v. 7). This verse, therefore, directly elaborates on the effectiveness and sufficiency of this elaborate system of provision. It showcases the vast scale of his kingdom and the numerous people who were supported by his court, painting a picture of unparalleled prosperity and abundance under divine blessing, where meticulous organization ensured that no need went unmet.
1 Kings 4 27 Word analysis
- And those officers: Refers directly to the "twelve officers" or "prefects" (Hebrew: natsavim - נְצִבִים) appointed by Solomon, as introduced in 1 Kings 4:7. These were administrative leaders responsible for twelve specific districts across Israel, ensuring equitable burden-sharing and efficient management of the kingdom's resources. This system highlights Solomon's advanced administrative capabilities, which allowed him to govern such a large and prosperous kingdom.
- provided food: The Hebrew verb is kilkelu (כִּלְכְּלוּ), from the root kul (כּוּל), meaning "to sustain," "to support," "to nourish," or "to provide for." This implies a continuous and consistent supply of sustenance, far beyond basic necessity. The term reflects the heavy logistical undertaking of maintaining Solomon's massive court and army, and feeding the constant flow of visitors and subjects.
- for King Solomon: Points to the ultimate recipient of this grand provision. Solomon’s reign was divinely blessed with unparalleled prosperity, symbolized by this daily provision. It underscored his elevated status and the vast resources at his command, all contributing to the fulfillment of God’s promise to David for his son.
- and for all who came to King Solomon’s table: This phrase suggests an extraordinarily large entourage, extending beyond immediate family to include officials, servants, guards, charioteers, visitors, and likely those seeking wisdom or justice from the king. It speaks to the broad hospitality and magnificent scale of Solomon's royal court, further emphasizing the vastness of the daily demands for food.
- each one in his month: Reaffirms the systematic, rotating nature of the provision, as established in 1 Kings 4:7. This administrative foresight ensured a steady, predictable supply chain, preventing any district from being overburdened annually and distributing the responsibility efficiently throughout the year. It highlights the order and meticulous planning present in Solomon’s administration.
- they let nothing be lacking: The Hebrew phrase lo hiphḳiḏu daḇar (לֹא הִפְקִידוּ דָבָר) literally means "they did not leave anything deficient" or "they did not cause anything to fail/be missing." This is a powerful statement about the completeness and perfect execution of the provisioning system. It signifies a profound level of abundance, efficiency, and divine blessing where every need was met without shortage. This aspect showcases the administrative success and God’s continuous blessing upon Solomon's reign.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "those officers provided food... they let nothing be lacking": This pairing emphasizes both the structured organization (officers, rotation) and the desired outcome (complete provision, no deficiency). It paints a picture of exceptional competence and resourcefulness. It illustrates how meticulous planning, empowered by divine blessing, can lead to perfect order and supply, contrasting with periods of famine or misrule in Israel's history. This administrative perfection speaks to God's hand in enabling Solomon's prosperity.
1 Kings 4 27 Bonus section
The "nothing lacking" declaration in this verse is highly significant within the biblical narrative, echoing themes of divine provision seen in the wilderness wandering (Deut 2:7, Neh 9:21) and finding ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the one who is the "Bread of Life" and in whom "all things are held together." Solomon's vast court and endless supplies serve as a temporary earthly reflection of God's limitless resources and ultimate capacity to provide for His people. It implicitly counters any ancient or contemporary notions of gods or rulers who were unable to adequately sustain their people, presenting YHWH as the source of true and boundless abundance channeled through His chosen king. The meticulous organization speaks to the wisdom given by God (1 Kgs 4:29-30) that translated into practical, effective governance, laying a foundation for Israel's economic and political peak.
1 Kings 4 27 Commentary
1 Kings 4:27 provides a remarkable testament to the extraordinary wealth and highly efficient administration of King Solomon's reign, marking the pinnacle of Israel's national prosperity. The verse emphasizes that the extensive system of twelve regional officers, each responsible for provisioning the royal household for one month, was flawlessly executed. The daily supply for not only King Solomon but also his vast court and constant influx of visitors was so immense and meticulously managed that the narrative explicitly states, "they let nothing be lacking." This detail signifies perfect abundance and foresight, reflecting not only Solomon's unparalleled wisdom in governance but also the divine favor and blessing that rested upon his kingdom, fulfilling God's promises of peace and prosperity. It sets his reign apart as a unique era of plenitude in Israelite history, contrasting sharply with previous and future periods of scarcity or disarray, and showcasing the ideal state of affairs under a divinely guided king.