1 Kings – Chapter 4

Old Testament34 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:" — so begins 1 Kings 4. The chapter centers on Solomon, Nathan and Manasses. Across its 34 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:

2And these were the princes which he had: Azarias, the son of Sadoc, the priest:

3Elihoreph, and Ahia, the sons of Sisa, scribes: Josaphat, the son of Ahilud, recorder:

4Banaias, the son of Joiada, over the army: and Sadoc, and Abiathar, priests.

5Azarias, the son of Nathan, over them that were about the king: Zabud, the son of Nathan, the priest, the king's friend:

6And Ahisar, governor of the house: and Adoniram, the son of Abda, over the tribute.

7And Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided victuals for the king and for his house hold: for every one provided necessaries, each man his month in the year.

8And these are their names: Benhur, in mount Ephraim.

9Bendecar, in Macces, and in Salebim, and in Bethsames, and in Elon, and in Bethanan.

10Benhesed, in Aruboth: his was Socho, and all the land of Epher.

11Benabinadab, to whom belonged all Nephath-Dor: he had Tapheth, the daughter of Solomon, to wife.

12Bana, the son of Ahilud, who governed Thanac, and Mageddo, and all Bethsan, which is by Sarthana, beneath Jezrael, from Bethsan unto Abelmehula, over against Jecmaan.

13Bengaber, in Ramoth Galaad: he had the town of Jair, the son of Manasses, in Galaad: he was chief in all the country of Argob, which is in Basan, threescore great cities with walls, and brazen bolts.

14Ahinadab, the son of Addo, was chief in Manaim.

15Achimaas, in Nephthali: he also had Basemath, the daughter of Solomon, to wife.

16Baana, the son of Husi, in Aser, and in Baloth.

17Josaphat, the son of Pharue, in Issachar.

18Semei, the son of Ela, in Benjamin.

19Gaber, the son of Uri, in the land of Galaad, in the land of Sehon, the king of the Amorrhites, and of Og, the king of Basan, over all that were in that land.

20Juda and Israel were innumerable, as the sand of the sea in multitude; eating and drinking, and rejoicing.

21And Solomon had under him all the kingdoms, from the river to the land of the Philistines, even to the border of Egypt: and they brought him presents, and served him all the days of his life.

22And the provision of Solomon, for each day, was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal;

23Ten fat oxen, and twenty out of the pastures, and a hundred rams; besides venison of harts, roes, and buffles, and fatted fowls.

24For he had all the country which was beyond the river, from Thaphsa to Gazan, and all the kings of those countries: and he had peace on every side round about.

25And Juda, and Israel, dwelt without any fear, every one under his vine, and under his fig tree, from Dan to Bersabee, all the days of Solomon.

26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of chariot horses, and twelve thousand for the saddle.

27And the foresaid governors of the king fed them; and they furnished the necessaries also for king Solomon's table, with great care, in their time.

28They brought barley also, and straw for the horses and beasts, to the place where the king was, according as it was appointed them.

29And God gave to Solomon wisdom, and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, as the sand that is on the sea shore.

30And the wisdom of Solomon surpassed the wisdom of all the Orientals, and of the Egyptians;

31And he was wiser than all men: wiser than Ethan, the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Dorda, the sons of Mahol, and he was renowned in all nations round about.

32Solomon also spoke three thousand parables: and his poems were a thousand and five.

33And he treated about trees, from the cedar that is in Libanus, unto the hyssop that cometh out of the wall: and he discoursed of beasts, and of fowls, and of creeping things, and of fishes.

34And they came from all nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who heard of his wisdom.

Important Verses in 1 Kings 4

And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:

1 Kings 4:1

And Solomon had under him all the kingdoms, from the river to the land of the Philistines, even to the border of Egypt: and they brought him presents, and served him all the days of his life.

1 Kings 4:21

And God gave to Solomon wisdom, and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, as the sand that is on the sea shore.

1 Kings 4:29

And they came from all nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 4:34

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 1 Kings was written with the exiles, shown why the kingdom fell: infidelity to the covenant in view. Chapter 4 of 22 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 34 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Solomon, Nathan and Manasses, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:" The final verse reads: "And they came from all nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who heard of his…" Read against its original backdrop, First Kings moves from the glory of Solomon—his wisdom, his Temple—to the tragic division of the kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south), and the ministry of the prophet Elijah against the idolatry of Ahab and… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events from about 970 to 850 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

Unknown; tradition suggests Jeremiah or prophetic circles as compilers

When It Was Written

Events from about 970 to 850 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the genealogy establishes continuity between generations and validates the claims of later narratives. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Kings 4 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Temple prefigures Christ's body and the Church (CIC 756). St. Basil the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 74).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

People in This Chapter

Solomon13 mentionsNathan2 mentionsManasses1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 1 Kings Chapter 4 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that Solomon's wisdom and the divided kingdom is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the call to holiness in ordinary life.

Let 1 Kings Chapter 4 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Kings Chapter 4 about?

1 Kings 4 contains 34 verses. It opens with "And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:" and closes with "And they came from all nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who heard of his…". The book as a whole is historical narrative with prophetic accounts.

What is a key verse in 1 Kings 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Kings Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions Solomon, Nathan, Manasses.

Who wrote 1 Kings and when?

Unknown; tradition suggests Jeremiah or prophetic circles as compilers. Events from about 970 to 850 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC).

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