1 Kings 4:5 kjv
And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend:
1 Kings 4:5 nkjv
Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king's friend;
1 Kings 4:5 niv
Azariah son of Nathan?in charge of the district governors; Zabud son of Nathan?a priest and adviser to the king;
1 Kings 4:5 esv
Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king's friend;
1 Kings 4:5 nlt
Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the district governors.
Zabud son of Nathan, a priest, was a trusted adviser to the king.
1 Kings 4 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Solomon's Administration & Order | ||
| 1 Kgs 4:1-6 | King Solomon was king over all Israel... Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; ...over the army. | Lists key officials in Solomon's kingdom. |
| 2 Sam 8:15-18 | So David reigned over all Israel... Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites... Zadok and Abiathar were priests. | David's officials, setting administrative precedent. |
| 2 Sam 20:23-26 | Joab was over the army of Israel... Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites... Zadok and Abiathar were priests. | Similar administrative listing under David. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. | Underscores the value of organized administration. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | Divine establishment of governing authority. |
| Benaiah's Rise and Loyalty | ||
| 1 Kgs 2:25 | And King Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he struck him down, and he died. | Benaiah executes Adonijah for Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 2:34 | Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up and struck him down and killed him... | Benaiah executes Joab as commanded by Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 2:46 | And the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, who went out and struck him down, so that he died. | Benaiah executes Shimei at Solomon's command. |
| 1 Kgs 2:35 | The king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in place of Joab. | Formal appointment of Benaiah as army commander. |
| Zadok's Loyalty & Ascendancy | ||
| 1 Kgs 1:39 | Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. | Zadok's central role in Solomon's anointing. |
| 1 Kgs 2:35 | And Zadok the priest the king put in the place of Abiathar. | Zadok officially replaces Abiathar as chief priest. |
| Num 25:10-13 | Phinehas, son of Eleazar (Zadok's ancestor), granted a covenant of lasting priesthood. | The lineage leading to Zadok promised an enduring priesthood. |
| Ezek 44:15-16 | But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of my sanctuary... they shall come near to me... | Prophetic affirmation of Zadok's lineage as faithful priests. |
| Abiathar's Treachery & Demotion | ||
| 1 Kgs 1:7 | He [Adonijah] conferred with Joab... and with Abiathar the priest... | Abiathar's involvement in Adonijah's attempted coup. |
| 1 Kgs 2:26-27 | Then to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth... you deserve death, but I will not put you to death..." | Solomon banishes Abiathar from Jerusalem and priesthood. |
| 1 Sam 2:30-36 | Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: "I promised that your house... should minister before me forever..." | Prophecy of judgment and removal against Eli's priestly house (Abiathar's line). |
| 1 Sam 3:11-14 | And the Lord said to Samuel... "For I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever..." | Further confirmation of judgment against Eli's lineage. |
| Mark 2:26 | ...how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest... | New Testament reference to Abiathar as former high priest. |
| Priestly Office | ||
| Exod 28:1 | You shall bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him... to serve me as priests. | Divine institution of the Aaronic priesthood. |
| Heb 4:14 | Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God... | Points to Jesus as the ultimate High Priest. |
1 Kings 4 verses
1 Kings 4 5 Meaning
1 Kings 4:5 states the critical roles of Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, as the commander of the army, and Zadok and Abiathar as priests, all serving within King Solomon's established administration. This verse is part of a list detailing the key personnel and their respective offices that contributed to the functioning and stability of Solomon's prosperous kingdom.
1 Kings 4 5 Context
1 Kings chapter 4 vividly portrays the zenith of King Solomon's reign, emphasizing the breadth of his dominion, the depth of his wisdom, and the unprecedented prosperity enjoyed by Israel under his rule. Following the consolidation of his throne in the preceding chapters, where he wisely handled succession challenges and secured internal peace through decisive actions, chapter 4 delineates the organizational backbone of his kingdom. Verses 1-19 specifically list Solomon's high-ranking officials, revealing a sophisticated administrative structure. Verse 5 fits into this list by identifying key figures in the crucial spheres of military might and religious authority. Historically, a stable government required loyal and competent leaders in these areas to maintain national security, administer justice, and ensure spiritual guidance. The mention of Benaiah replacing Joab, and Zadok ascending over Abiathar, also signifies Solomon's decisive actions in establishing legitimate authority and fulfilling divine prophecies regarding the priesthood.
1 Kings 4 5 Word analysis
- And: Hebrew: וְ (wə). A common conjunction that links this statement to the preceding list, indicating the continuation of enumerating Solomon's key officials.
- Benaiah: Hebrew: בְּנָיָהוּ (Běnāyāhû). Meaning "Yahweh has built." This name often signified divine favor or accomplishment. Benaiah was renowned for his unwavering loyalty to King Solomon and his effectiveness in carrying out the king's commands, especially concerning the execution of Solomon's political adversaries (Adonijah, Joab, Shimei), which paved the way for a secure reign.
- the son of Jehoiada: Hebrew: בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָע (ben-Yəhôyādāʿ). Jehoiada means "Yahweh knows." This lineage indicates Benaiah's reputable family background, potentially connected to priestly or highly influential circles, further legitimizing his high office within the court.
- was over: Hebrew: עַל־ (ʿal). This preposition denotes a position of supreme authority or command, highlighting Benaiah's significant power and responsibility within the kingdom's military structure.
- the army: Hebrew: הַצָּבָא (haṣṣāvāʾ). Refers to the collective military forces of Israel. Benaiah's appointment signifies his role as the ultimate commander-in-chief, a critical position previously held by David's powerful general, Joab.
- and Zadok: Hebrew: צָדוֹק (Ṣāḏôq). Meaning "righteous" or "just." Zadok belonged to the priestly line of Eleazar, Aaron's elder son, whose lineage was blessed with an enduring priesthood. He was distinguished by his steadfast loyalty to King David and played a pivotal role in anointing Solomon as king. He became the singular, preeminent High Priest under Solomon, fulfilling a long-standing divine promise.
- and Abiathar: Hebrew: אֶבְיָתָר (ʾEḇyātār). Meaning "my father is excellent" or "father of abundance." Abiathar was of the priestly line of Eli, descended from Ithamar, Aaron's younger son. While he served David faithfully, he aligned himself with Adonijah during the succession dispute against Solomon. For this act of disloyalty, Solomon banished him, stripping him of his high priestly office. His mention here indicates his continuing (though diminished) status as a priest by lineage, or as part of a traditional listing of priests, rather than a co-equal High Priest with Zadok, who now held the supreme priestly authority.
- were priests: Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים הֵמָּה (kōhănîm hēmmāh). This plural phrase defines their sacred role within Israel's religious system. While Zadok fully embodied the high priesthood, Abiathar, though relieved of the chief duties, retained his status by lineage. This specific wording denotes their functional role and identity within the religious establishment.
1 Kings 4 5 Bonus section
The stable administration detailed in 1 Kings 4, particularly with a loyal military commander and legitimate priesthood, demonstrates the "shalom" or peace and completeness that marked Solomon's early reign. This peace allowed for the widespread construction projects, including the Temple, and flourishing trade, all predicated on an orderly and divinely sanctioned government. The placement of these key figures directly under the king reflects a highly centralized and absolute monarchy, consolidating power in Solomon's hands. The clear succession in both military (from Joab to Benaiah) and religious (from Abiathar to Zadok) offices emphasizes not only Solomon's political astuteness but also the divine hand guiding the establishment of his kingdom, rooting its stability in obedience and righteousness.
1 Kings 4 5 Commentary
1 Kings 4:5 encapsulates the two essential pillars of power under Solomon's reign: the formidable military leadership and the divinely sanctioned priesthood. Benaiah's appointment as commander of the army was a calculated move by Solomon, signifying the absolute control the king exerted over his kingdom. Benaiah, having proven his unwavering loyalty by executing Solomon's adversaries, replaced the potentially rivalrous Joab. This solidified a military arm directly accountable to the king, ensuring order and security for the flourishing nation.
The listing of "Zadok and Abiathar were priests" carries significant weight beyond a simple enumeration. It subtly highlights a critical transition within the Israelite priesthood. While both had served David, Abiathar's political misstep in supporting Adonijah led to his expulsion from Jerusalem and removal from the high priesthood, a direct fulfillment of the prophecy against Eli's house (1 Sam 2:30-36). Zadok, on the other hand, a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar, rose to sole preeminence as the legitimate and loyal High Priest. Thus, this verse implicitly notes not only the establishment of vital offices but also the divine purification and re-legitimization of the priestly line, solidifying spiritual authority in the kingdom under God's righteous selection. This strong, divinely approved dual leadership contributed immensely to the stability and unprecedented prosperity of Solomon's golden age.