Lesson 315: 1 Kings 4:6
1 Kings 4:6
The Blueprint — The Verse
Ahishar—palace administrator; Adoniram son of Abda—in charge of forced labor.
Memorization Practice
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Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Context — The History
Solomon's administration reflected the organization of a growing monarchy with international trade, building projects, and centralized governance. Official lists in Kings show how Israel's united kingdom managed labor and palace affairs under David's successor.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
First Kings 4 names Solomon's officials and twelve district governors who supplied the royal household. Among palace administrators were Ahishar and Adoniram, who oversaw forced labor, revealing the structure behind Solomon's famed wisdom and extensive construction.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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1 Kings 4:5
5Azariah son of Nathan, in charge of the district governors;Zabud son of Nathan, a priest and adviser to the king;
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (1 Kings 4:5) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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1 Kings 4:7
7Solomon had twelve district governors over all Israel, who supplied provisions for the king and the royal household. Each one had to provide supplies for one month in the year.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (1 Kings 4:7) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- What does responsible governance require beyond personal wisdom?
- How should power over labor be exercised justly?
- Why might Scripture preserve mundane administrative details?