Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor. AhisharAhishar's name means "my brother is a song" or "brother of a noble." This name reflects a cultural emphasis on familial relationships and the importance of music and nobility in Hebrew society. Ahishar's role as a palace official suggests he was a trusted member of King Solomon's administration, responsible for the daily operations and management of the royal household. This position required integrity and loyalty, reflecting the biblical principle that those who serve in leadership must be faithful stewards. was in charge of the palace
The phrase "in charge of the palace" indicates a position of significant authority and responsibility. The Hebrew term for "palace" (בַּיִת, bayit) can also mean "house" or "temple," emphasizing the centrality of the king's residence in the governance of Israel. This role involved overseeing the logistics, security, and personnel of the royal household, ensuring that the king's affairs were conducted smoothly. It highlights the importance of order and structure in leadership, as well as the need for capable individuals to manage the affairs of a nation. Adoniram son of Abda
Adoniram, whose name means "my lord is exalted," was a prominent figure in Solomon's administration. The mention of his father, Abda, underscores the biblical tradition of identifying individuals by their lineage, which was crucial for establishing identity and heritage. Adoniram's role in the kingdom reflects the biblical theme of God raising up leaders to fulfill His purposes, and his name serves as a reminder of the exaltation of the Lord in all aspects of life. was in charge of the forced labor
The phrase "in charge of the forced labor" refers to Adoniram's responsibility for overseeing the labor force that was conscripted for public works, including the construction of the temple and other significant projects. The Hebrew term for "forced labor" (מַס, mas) indicates a system of labor that was common in ancient Near Eastern societies. While this system was necessary for the completion of large-scale projects, it also presents a moral and ethical challenge, reminding us of the need for justice and compassion in leadership. The biblical narrative often critiques the misuse of power and the exploitation of people, calling leaders to act with righteousness and mercy. Persons / Places / Events 1. AhisharHe was the official in charge of Solomon's palace. His role was significant as he managed the affairs of the royal household, ensuring that the king's domestic needs and the operations of the palace were efficiently handled. 2. Adoniram son of AbdaHe was responsible for overseeing the forced labor. This position was crucial for the implementation of Solomon's extensive building projects, including the construction of the temple and other infrastructure. 3. Solomon's AdministrationThis verse is part of a larger passage detailing the organization of King Solomon's officials and the structure of his government, highlighting the efficiency and order of his reign. 4. Forced LaborThis refers to the labor force that was conscripted to work on Solomon's building projects. It was a common practice in ancient kingdoms to use forced labor for large-scale construction. 5. The PalaceThe royal residence of King Solomon, which was a center of political and administrative activity in Israel. Teaching Points Stewardship and ResponsibilityAhishar and Adoniram's roles remind us of the importance of faithful stewardship in whatever responsibilities we are given. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, we are called to manage our duties with integrity and diligence. Leadership and OrganizationSolomon's well-organized administration serves as a model for effective leadership. Good leaders delegate responsibilities and ensure that their teams are well-structured to achieve common goals. The Ethics of LaborThe use of forced labor under Solomon raises questions about the ethics of labor practices. As Christians, we are called to treat workers with fairness and justice, reflecting God's love and righteousness in our dealings with others. Historical ReflectionReflecting on Israel's history of oppression and their later role as oppressors can lead us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be perpetuating cycles of injustice or sin. God's Sovereignty in GovernanceDespite human failings, God remains sovereign over all governments and administrations. We can trust that He is working out His purposes, even through imperfect systems and leaders. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of Ahishar as the palace manager reflect the biblical principle of stewardship, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the use of forced labor under Solomon challenge us to consider the ethics of our own work environments and practices? 3. How can Solomon's administrative organization inspire us to improve our leadership and management skills in our personal and professional lives? 4. Reflect on the historical context of Israel's use of forced labor. How does this inform our understanding of justice and mercy in our interactions with others? 5. Considering God's sovereignty over Solomon's reign, how can we trust in God's control over current governmental and organizational structures in our world today? Connections to Other Scriptures The role of forced labor under Solomon can be connected to the Israelites' experience in Egypt, where they were subjected to harsh labor. This connection highlights the irony of Israel's history, where they became oppressors in a similar manner to their own past oppressors. The organization of Solomon's officials can be compared to the administrative structure established by Joseph in Egypt, where he also managed resources and labor for the benefit of the kingdom. The concept of stewardship and management is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to be faithful stewards of the resources and responsibilities entrusted to them. 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 Abda, Adoniram, Adoni'ram, Ahishar, Ahi'shar, Charge, Controller, Forced, Household, King's, Labor, Levy, Levy-service, Overseer, Palace, Subject, Taskwork, TributeDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 4:6 5437 palaces 1 Kings 4:1-25 7236 Israel, united kingdom 1 Kings 4:5-19 5434 officer 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 4:6 NIV1 Kings 4:6 NLT1 Kings 4:6 ESV1 Kings 4:6 NASB1 Kings 4:6 KJV
1 Kings 4:6 Commentaries
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