1 Kings 4:6 kjv
And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.
1 Kings 4:6 nkjv
Ahishar, over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda, over the labor force.
1 Kings 4:6 niv
Ahishar?palace administrator; Adoniram son of Abda?in charge of forced labor.
1 Kings 4:6 esv
Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram the son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.
1 Kings 4:6 nlt
Ahishar was manager of the palace property.
Adoniram son of Abda was in charge of forced labor.
1 Kings 4 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Household Manager/Steward | ||
| Gen 39:4 | "And Joseph found favor... and he made him overseer over his house..." | Joseph's similar role in Pharaoh's house |
| Gen 41:40 | "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves..." | Joseph elevated to Pharaoh's chief steward |
| Isa 22:20-22 | "I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah... And I will place..." | Prophecy of Eliakim replacing Shebna as household head |
| Isa 36:3 | "Then Eliakim, who was over the household..." | Eliakim's role in Hezekiah's administration |
| Lk 12:42 | "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set..." | Parable of the wise steward/manager |
| Heb 3:6 | "but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son..." | Christ's authority over the house of God |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good..." | Believers as stewards of God's grace |
| Levy/Forced Labor Administrator | ||
| 2 Sam 20:24 | "And Adoram was over the forced labor." | Earlier mention of Adoram (Adoniram) as head of levy |
| 1 Ki 12:1-18 | "...the king did not listen... So the king sent Adoram, who was over..." | Adoniram's death during Rehoboam's revolt |
| 2 Chr 10:1-18 | "...king Rehoboam did not listen... and Adoram, who was over the..." | Parallel account of Adoniram's death |
| 1 Sam 8:11-17 | "He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots... your daughters" | Warning of a king's oppressive practices, including labor |
| Deut 17:14-20 | "...nor shall he acquire many horses... nor shall he acquire much gold..." | Laws for kings, implicitly limiting resource demands |
| Mt 11:28-30 | "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." | Contrast with Christ's light yoke and rest |
| Solomon's Administration & Kingdom | ||
| 1 Ki 4:7 | "Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel..." | Listing of other chief officials in Solomon's reign |
| 1 Ki 4:20-25 | "Judah and Israel were as numerous... eating and drinking and rejoicing." | Description of Solomon's prosperous reign |
| 1 Ki 9:15-23 | "This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon levied..." | Details on the forced labor system under Solomon |
| 1 Ki 10:14-29 | "Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was..." | Description of Solomon's immense wealth and power |
| 2 Chr 2:2 | "And Solomon counted out 70,000 men for carrying burdens..." | Reference to the scale of his labor force |
| 2 Chr 8:7-10 | "All the people who were left of the Hittites... them Solomon conscripted..." | Specifics on non-Israelite forced labor |
| Prov 11:14 | "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance..." | Wisdom on the importance of good governance |
| Tit 1:5-9 | "...appoint elders... he must be blameless... not arrogant..." | Qualities for those in administrative leadership |
1 Kings 4 verses
1 Kings 4 6 Meaning
This verse details two key officials within King Solomon's extensive and highly organized administration. Ahishar held the prominent role of being "over the household," acting as a chief steward or palace manager, a position of great trust and influence akin to a prime minister. Adoniram, identified as the son of Abda, was "over the tribute," specifically overseeing the levy or forced labor system, which was essential for Solomon's grand construction projects, most notably the Temple and his palace. The verse highlights the sophistication and immense scale of Solomon's governance during the height of his kingdom's power and prosperity.
1 Kings 4 6 Context
First Kings Chapter 4 vividly describes the peak of Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and power, fulfilling the promises of God. Immediately preceding this verse, the chapter details the breadth of Solomon's rule, stretching from the Euphrates to Egypt (v. 21). It speaks of the vast resources and provisions (v. 22-28) required to sustain his enormous kingdom, demonstrating the peace and prosperity under his reign (v. 20-25). Verses 1-6 provide a list of Solomon's top officials, demonstrating the highly sophisticated and organized administrative structure necessary to govern such an empire and manage its colossal building projects. This verse specifically introduces key individuals responsible for domestic and labor management, crucial functions for the daily operation and economic development of the kingdom. Historically, this centralized bureaucracy was a significant departure from the looser tribal confederation structure of Israel before the monarchy, reflecting a growing, powerful, and centrally controlled nation-state typical of great ancient Near Eastern empires.
1 Kings 4 6 Word analysis
and Ahishar: Ahishar (אֲחִישָׁר, 'Achishar). The name's exact meaning is debated, potentially "my brother sings" or "my brother is straight." His inclusion signifies a specific, important person trusted by the king, highlighting Solomon's ability to attract and deploy capable individuals in his administration.
was over the household: The Hebrew phrase is עַל-הַבַּיִת (al-habayit). This title, literally "over the house," designates the chief steward or prime minister of the royal palace. It was a position of immense authority, responsibilities for managing the king's vast estates, provisions, domestic affairs, and even foreign policy. This role was analogous to a vizier in other ancient Near Eastern empires, indicating a high level of organization and trust placed in the official. Such an individual had direct access to the king and significant influence.
and Adoniram: Adoniram (אֲדֹנִירָם, Adoniram). The name means "my Lord is exalted" or "Adon (a divine title) is exalted." He is a recurring figure in the Bible, also called Adoram or Hadoram, appearing first under David (2 Sam 20:24) and tragically under Rehoboam (1 Ki 12:18), signifying a long career in royal service. His name being linked to a divine reference implies the significance of his family or perhaps his function.
the son of Abda: This paternal identification, typical of biblical genealogy, serves to precisely identify this specific Adoniram. It differentiates him from others and ensures historical accuracy for the original audience familiar with leading families.
was over the tribute: The Hebrew is עַל-הַמַּס (al-hamas). Hamas (הַמָּס) is most accurately translated as "forced labor," "corvée," or "levy." This was not merely financial tribute but specifically compulsory labor drafted for royal public works. It encompassed both Israelite and foreign populations within Solomon's dominion. Adoniram was the superintendent of this massive labor force, responsible for its organization, deployment, and perhaps the procurement of raw materials. This role, while crucial for Solomon's ambitious building programs (e.g., Temple, palace, fortified cities), would later become a major source of grievance and a catalyst for the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam.
"Ahishar was over the household" and "Adoniram... was over the tribute": This pairing illustrates the dual facets of Solomon's powerful kingdom: meticulous internal administration and monumental construction projects. Ahishar ensured the daily functioning and prosperity of the royal apparatus, reflecting the wealth and stability of the king. Adoniram's role reveals the human cost and the intensive, government-led public works programs that built Solomon's magnificent legacy. The contrasting natures of their roles — internal management versus external resource mobilization (which included conscription) — give insight into the sophisticated yet demanding nature of Solomon's reign.
1 Kings 4 6 Bonus section
The mention of Adoniram/Adoram as superintendent of forced labor for so many decades (from David's reign to Rehoboam's) indicates a continuity of policy and administrative practice regarding corvée labor in the Israelite monarchy. While earlier systems existed, Solomon greatly expanded the scale of this practice, leveraging both non-Israelite and Israelite populations. This systematic use of forced labor, though common in the Ancient Near East for massive state projects, was a significant departure from earlier Israelite practices rooted in the Exodus from Egyptian bondage, a memory of oppression. This tension between a magnificent centralized monarchy and the potential for oppression laid theological groundwork for later prophetic critique and the ultimate division of the kingdom.
1 Kings 4 6 Commentary
This concise verse illuminates the advanced bureaucratic structure Solomon established, essential for managing his unprecedented kingdom. Ahishar's role as head of the household points to the king's comprehensive domestic management, ensuring the functioning of the palace, supply chains, and probably much of the internal government, reflecting order and efficiency. Adoniram's superintendence of the mas, or forced labor, underscores the massive scale of Solomon's construction enterprises, especially the Temple and palace complex. This levy, while productive, involved conscription and imposition that would later create deep resentment, showing how a wise and prosperous rule could still contain seeds of future discontent due to its very magnitude and methods. The listing of these key officials emphasizes that Solomon's reign was not merely prosperous due to divine favor, but also because of highly capable, if sometimes controversial, human organization.