4:1-19 These verses comprise the names of the men who made up Solomon's administration:
1 So King Solomon was king over all Israel. 2 And these were his officials: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest; 3 Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder; 4 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, over the army; Zadok and Abiathar, the priests; 5 Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest andthe king’s friend; 6 Ahishar, over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda, over the labor force. 7 And Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household; each one made provision for one month of the year. 8 These are their names: Ben-Hur, in the mountains of Ephraim; 9 Ben-Deker, in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan; 10 Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth; to him belonged Sochoh and all the land of Hepher; 11 Ben-Abinadab, in all the regions of Dor; he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as wife; 12 Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth Shean, which is beside Zaretan below Jezreel, from Beth Shean to Abel Meholah, as far as the other side of Jokneam; 13 Ben-Geber, in Ramoth Gilead; to him belonged the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, in Gilead; to him also belonged the region of Argob in Bashan—sixty large cities with walls and bronze gate-bars; 14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; 15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali; he also took Basemath the daughter of Solomon as wife; 16 Baanah the son of Hushai, in Asher and Aloth; 17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar; 18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin; 19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan. He wasthe only governor who was in the land.
4:20-21 The tribes of Israel and Judah begin to truly prosper until Solomon's leadership. Solomon is loved and the people celebrate and all of this is made possible by Solomon's faith and ability to follow God's will. God knows how to lead us through the details which deliver us into blessing and away from suffering.
4:22-23 Solomon and the people live with abundance. To live as a servant of God is to be served by God as a king. It is a beautiful thing to be provided for by God; He sets no limitations: there is a surplus of His love and eagerness to gift joy.
4:24-25 Families are well provided for. The land is wide and safe. God provides and protects in a way that humans simply cannot. Under Solomon's leadership, the tribes live by God's will. And this people who began as slaves, bask in security and surplus.
4:26-28 The tribes have a strong and massive army. They have no lack. God's provision is complete. He ensures that His children have everything and more than they need. As soon as we invite Him into our lives and clear space for His will to fill, blessings proliferate.
God wants each of us to understand that our plans and manipulation cannot accomplish what He can. Once we stop trying so hard to be in control and give Him control instead, everything we hoped for falls effortlessly into our lives.
4:29-31 God continues to provide Solomon a constant stream of wisdom, understanding and compassion. Solomon's faith makes him different from every other man living. It is not Solomon's effort that makes the difference, it is his effort in faith. Solomon begins to develop a widespread reputation as a wise man. And all of this honor and prosperity began with one selfless request.
4:32-34 People travel to hear Solomon speak. And Solomon speaks of simple things: nature and proverbs. God's word and love is not complicated. The word of God draws people in; our souls yearn to absorb His love and simple truths. Solomon is humble, rather than haughty, and it earns him the respect many arrogant men before and after him worked so hard for and failed.
