5 Azariah son of Nathan-in charge of the district governors; Zabud son of Nathan-a priest and adviser to the king;
5 And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king's friend:
5 Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king's friend;
5 Azariah son of Nathan - in charge of the regional managers; Zabud son of Nathan - priest and friend to the king;
5 Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king's friend;
5 Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the district governors. Zabud son of Nathan, a priest, was a trusted adviser to the king.
3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord.
3 And Ahab called Obadiah,
3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly,
3 Ahab called for Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Obadiah feared God - he was very devout.
3 And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly.
3 So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Obadiah was a devoted follower of the Lord .
(Read 1 Kings 18:1-16)
The severest judgments, of themselves, will not humble or change the hearts of sinners; nothing, except the blood of Jesus Christ, can atone for the guilt of sin; nothing, except the sanctifying Spirit of God, can purge away its pollution. The priests and the Levites were gone to Judah and Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles 11:13,14, but instead of them God raised up prophets, who read and expounded the word. They probably were from the schools of the prophets, first set up by Samuel. They had not the spirit of prophecy as Elijah, but taught the people to keep close to the God of Israel. These Jezebel sought to destroy. The few that escaped death were forced to hide themselves. God has his remnant among all sorts, high and low; and that faith, fear, and love of his name, which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, will be accepted through the Redeemer. See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his ministers and people, for their shelter in difficult times. Bread and water were now scarce, yet Obadiah will find enough for God's prophets, to keep them alive. Ahab's care was not to lose all the beasts; but he took no care about his soul, not to lose that. He took pains to seek grass, but none to seek the favour of God; fencing against the effect, but not inquiring how to remove the cause. But it bodes well with a people, when God calls his ministers to stand forth, and show themselves. And we may the better endure the bread of affliction, while our eyes see our teachers.
33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king's confidant.
33 And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:
33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend.
33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor; Hushai the Arkite was the king's friend.
33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion.
33 Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king's friend.
(Read 1 Chronicles 27:16-34)
The officers of the court, or the rulers of the king's substance, had the oversight and charge of the king's tillage, his vineyards, his herds, his flocks, which formed the wealth of eastern kings. Much of the wisdom of princes is seen in the choice of their ministry, and common persons show it in the choice of their advisers. David, though he had all these about him, preferred the word of God before them all. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:5
Commentary on 1 Kings 4:1-19
(Read 1 Kings 4:1-19)
In the choice of the great officers of Solomon's court, no doubt, his wisdom appeared. Several are the same that were in his father's time. A plan was settled by which no part of the country was exhausted to supply his court, though each sent its portion.