The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing. The people of Judah and IsraelThis phrase highlights the unity and collective identity of the Israelites during Solomon's reign. Historically, the tribes of Judah and Israel were often at odds, but under Solomon, they were united. This unity is significant as it reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham about his descendants being numerous and blessed ( Genesis 22:17). The Hebrew root for "people" (עַם, 'am) emphasizes a community bound by covenant and shared heritage. were as numerous as the sand on the seashore
This simile is a direct reference to God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:17, where God assured Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. The phrase underscores the fulfillment of divine promises and the prosperity of Solomon's reign. Archaeologically, this period is often seen as a time of expansion and population growth in the region, aligning with the biblical narrative. and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing
This phrase paints a picture of abundance and celebration. The Hebrew words for "eating" (אָכַל, 'akal) and "drinking" (שָׁתָה, shatah) suggest not just sustenance but feasting, indicative of peace and prosperity. "Rejoicing" (שָׂמַח, samach) conveys a deep, communal joy, often associated with religious festivals and thanksgiving to God. This reflects the blessings of Solomon's wise and prosperous rule, a time when the people experienced the peace and prosperity promised in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 for obedience to God's commandments. Persons / Places / Events 1. Judah and IsraelThese are the two kingdoms that make up the nation of Israel. At this time, they are united under King Solomon's rule. 2. SolomonThe king of Israel during this period, known for his wisdom, wealth, and the peace that characterized his reign. 3. The Sand on the SeashoreThis phrase is a metaphor indicating the vast number of people, echoing God's promise to Abraham about his descendants. 4. Eating, Drinking, and RejoicingThis describes the prosperity and peace experienced by the people under Solomon's reign. 5. The United MonarchyThis period in Israel's history is marked by unity and prosperity, contrasting with later divisions and conflicts. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesThe fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham is evident in the multitude of people during Solomon's reign. This reminds us of God's faithfulness and encourages us to trust in His promises. The Blessings of ObedienceThe prosperity and peace experienced by Judah and Israel highlight the blessings that come from following God's commandments. We are encouraged to live obediently to experience God's blessings. The Importance of Wise LeadershipSolomon's wisdom and leadership brought about a time of peace and prosperity. This underscores the importance of wise and godly leadership in our communities and nations. Joy in God's ProvisionThe people were eating, drinking, and rejoicing, reflecting contentment and joy in God's provision. We are reminded to find joy and contentment in what God provides for us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in 1 Kings 4:20 encourage you in your personal faith journey? 2. In what ways can we apply the principles of obedience found in Deuteronomy 28 to our lives today to experience God's blessings? 3. How can we seek and support wise and godly leadership in our communities and churches? 4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate joy and contentment in God's provision in our daily lives? 5. How does the unity and prosperity of Judah and Israel under Solomon's reign challenge us to work towards unity and peace in our own relationships and communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 22:17God's promise to Abraham about his descendants being as numerous as the sand on the seashore is fulfilled in Solomon's time. Deuteronomy 28:1-14The blessings of obedience to God's commandments are evident in the prosperity and peace during Solomon's reign. Psalm 72A prayer for the king, often associated with Solomon, highlighting themes of justice, prosperity, and peace. 1 Kings 3:13God's promise to Solomon of wealth and honor, which is reflected in the abundance and joy of the people. People Abda, Abel, Abiathar, Abinadab, Adoniram, Ahiah, Ahijah, Ahilud, Ahimaaz, Ahinadab, Ahishar, Amorites, Argob, Asher, Azariah, Baana, Baanah, Basmath, Ben, Benaiah, Benjamin, Calcol, Chalcol, Dan, Darda, Dekar, Elah, Elihoreph, Elon, Ethan, Geber, Hanan, Heman, Hepher, Hesed, Hur, Hushai, Iddo, Issachar, Jair, Jehoiada, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Mahol, Manasseh, Naphtali, Nathan, Og, Paruah, Shimei, Shisha, Sihon, Solomon, Taphath, Uri, Zabud, ZadokPlaces Abel-meholah, Argob, Arubboth, Bashan, Bealoth, Beersheba, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Dan, Egypt, Elonbeth-hanan, Euphrates River, Gaza, Gilead, Hepher, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Jokmeam, Lebanon, Mahanaim, Makaz, Megiddo, Naphath-dor, Ramoth-gilead, Shaalbim, Socoh, Taanach, Tiphsah, ZarethanTopics Abundance, Ate, Drank, Drink, Drinking, Eating, Happy, Hearts, Joy, Judah, Making, Merry, Multitude, Numerous, Rejoicing, Sand, Seashore, SeasideDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 4:20 4360 sand
5874 happiness
7266 tribes of Israel 1 Kings 4:1-25 7236 Israel, united kingdom 1 Kings 4:20-21 4207 land, divine gift 1 Kings 4:20-25 5119 Solomon, life of Library The Great Gain of Godliness
'And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 26. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 27. And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. 28. Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWhether He who Raises the Unworthy to Orders Commits a Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that he who raises the unworthy to orders commits no sin. For a bishop needs assistants appointed to the lesser offices. But he would be unable to find them in sufficient number, if he were to require of them such qualifications as the saints enumerate. Therefore if he raise some who are not qualified, he would seem to be excusable. Objection 2: Further, the Church needs not only ministers for the dispensation of things spiritual, but also for the supervision of temporalities. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
I suspect a double error in some maps, while they place these two towns in Perea; much more, while they place them at so little a distance. We do not deny, indeed, that the city Adam was in Perea; but Zaretan was not so. Of Adam is mention, Joshua 3:16; where discourse is had of the cutting-off, or cutting in two, the waters of Jordan, that they might afford a passage to Israel; The waters rose up upon a heap afar off in Adam. For the textual reading "In Adam," the marginal hath "From Adam." You …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So Perplexing and Anomalous...
Perhaps there is no book within the whole canon of Scripture so perplexing and anomalous, at first sight, as that entitled "Ecclesiastes." Its terrible hopelessness, its bold expression of those difficulties with which man is surrounded on every side, the apparent fruitlessness of its quest after good, the unsatisfactory character, from a Christian standpoint, of its conclusion: all these points have made it, at one and the same time, an enigma to the superficial student of the Word, and the arsenal …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful
Luke 10:42 -- "But one thing is needful." It was the amiable character of our blessed Redeemer, that "he went about doing good," this great motive, which animated all his actions, brought him to the house of his friend Lazarus, at Bethany, and directed his behavior there. Though it was a season of recess from public labor, our Lord brought the sentiments and the pious cares of a preacher of righteousness into the parlor of a friend; and there his doctrine dropped as the rain, and distilled as the …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
OR, THE COMMUNION OF COMMUNICATION. I would cause Thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate."--Song of Solomon viii. 2.And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."--John i. 16. THE SPICED WINE OF MY POMEGRANATE. THE immovable basis of communion having been laid of old in the eternal union which subsisted between Christ and His elect, it only needed a fitting occasion to manifest itself in active development. The Lord Jesus had for ever delighted Himself with the …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
1. The Hebrews reckon but three books as poetical, namely: Job, Psalms, and Proverbs, which are distinguished from the rest by a stricter rhythm--the rhythm not of feet, but of clauses (see below, No. 3)--and a peculiar system of accentuation. It is obvious to every reader that the poetry of the Old Testament, in the usual sense of the word, is not restricted to these three books. But they are called poetical in a special and technical sense. In any natural classification of the books of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 4:20 NIV1 Kings 4:20 NLT1 Kings 4:20 ESV1 Kings 4:20 NASB1 Kings 4:20 KJV
1 Kings 4:20 Commentaries
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