7 And Solomon hath twelve officers over all Israel, and they have sustained the king and his household—a month in the year is on each one for sustenance; 8 and these 'are' their names: Ben-Hur in the hill-country of Ephraim; 9 Ben-Dekar in Makaz, and Shaalbim, and Beth-Shemesh, and Elon-Beth-Hanan. 10 Ben-Hesed 'is' in Aruboth, hath Sochoh and all the land of Hepher; 11 Ben-Abinadab 'hath' all the elevation of Dor, Taphath daughter of Solomon became his wife. 12 Baana Ben-Ahilud 'hath' Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-Shean, which 'is' by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-Shean unto Abel-Meholah, unto beyond Jokneam. 13 Ben-Geber, in Ramoth-Gilead, hath the small towns of Jair son of Manasseh, which 'are' in Gilead; he hath a portion of Argob that 'is' in Bashan, sixty great cities 'with' wall and brazen bar. 14 Ahinadab son of Iddo 'hath' Mahanaim. 15 Ahimaaz 'is' in Naphtali; he also hath taken Basemath daughter of Solomon for a wife. 16 Baanah Ben-Hushai 'is' in Asher, and in Aloth. 17 Jehoshaphat Ben-Paruah 'is' in Issachar. 18 Shimei Ben-Elah 'is' in Benjamin. 19 Geber Ben-Uri 'is' in the land of Gilead, the land of Sihon king of the Amorite, and of Og king of Bashan: and one officer who 'is' in the land.
20 Judah and Israel 'are' many, as the sand that 'is' by the sea for multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing. 21 And Solomon hath been ruling over all the kingdoms, from the River 'to' the land of the Philistines and unto the border of Egypt: they are bringing nigh a present, and serving Solomon, all days of his life.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:7-21
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.
Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20-28
(Read 1 Kings 4:20-28)
Never did the crown of Israel shine so bright, as when Solomon wore it. He had peace on all sides. Herein, his kingdom was a type of the Messiah's; for to Him it is promised that he shall have the heathen for his inheritance, and that princes shall worship him. The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus, were typified by that of Israel. The kingdom of God is not, as Solomon's was, meat and drink, but, what is infinitely better, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The vast number of his attendants, and the great resort to him, are shown by the provision daily made. Herein Christ far outdoes Solomon, that he feeds all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but with that which endures to eternal life.