Solomon’s chief officers. His riches and wisdom.
Chiefe men of Salomons kingdom are recited by their names, and offices. 22. likewise the prouision of victuals for his house, 26. the number of his horses, 19. his wisedom excelleth al others. 3•. he writte manie parables and verses, and lernedly discoursed of al thinges.
1And king Solomon reigned over all Israel:Or il re Salomone regnava sopra tutto Israele:AND king Salomon was reigning ouer al Israel:Erat autem rex Salomon regnans super omnem Israël: 2And these were the princes which he had: Azarias, the son of Sadoc, the priest:E questi erano i ministri, ch'egli avea: Azaria figliuolo di Sadoc sommo Sacerdote:and these were the princes which he had: Azarias the sonne of Sadoc the priest:et hi principes quos habebat: Azarias filius Sadoc sacerdotis: 3Elihoreph, and Ahia, the sons of Sisa, scribes: Josaphat, the son of Ahilud, recorder:Elihoreph, e Ahia figliuoli di Sisa erano segretari: Josaphath figliuolo di Ahilud era scrivano:Elihoreph, and Ahia the sonnes of Sisa Scribes: Iosaph at the sonne of Ahilud, register:Elihoreph et Ahia filii Sisa scribæ: Josaphat filius Ahilud a commentariis: 4Banaias, the son of Joiada, over the army: and Sadoc, and Abiathar, priests.Banaia figliuolo di Joiada capo dell'esercito: e Sadoc, e Abiathar sommi Sacerdoti:Banaias the sonne of Ioiada, ouer the armie: and Sadoc, and Abiathar priestes.Banaias filius Jojadæ super exercitum: Sadoc autem et Abiathar sacerdotes: 5Azarias, the son of Nathan, over them that were about the king: Zabud, the son of Nathan, the priest, the king’s friend:Azaria figliuolo di Nathan era capo di quelli, che stavano attorno al re: Zabud figliuolo di Nathan, sacerdote era l'amico del re:Azarias the sonne of Nathan, ouer them that assisted the king: Zabud the sonne of Nathan priest the kinges frend:Azarias filius Nathan super eos qui assistebant regi: Zabud filius Nathan sacerdos, amicus regis: 6And Ahisar, governor of the house: and Adoniram, the son of Abda, over the tribute.E Ahisar maggiordomo: e Adoniram figliuolo di Abda avea la soprintendenza de' tributi.and Ahizar gouernour of the house: and Adoniram the sonne of Abda ouer the tributes.et Ahisar præpositus domus: et Adoniram filius Abda super tributa. 7And Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided victuals for the king and for his house hold: for every one provided necessaries, each man his month in the year.Or Salomone avea dodici uffiziali sparsi per tutto Israele, i quali somministravano il vitto al re, e alla sua casa: perocché per ciascun mese dell'anno uno di essi somministrava il necessario.And Salomon had twelue gouernours ouer al Israel, which serued out victuals for the king and for his house: for euerie one ministred necessaries, eche man his moneth in the yeare.Habebat autem Salomon duodecim præfectos super omnem Israël, qui præbebant annonam regi et domui ejus: per singulos enim menses in anno, singuli necessaria ministrabant.
8And these are their names: Benhur, in mount Ephraim.E questi sono i loro nomi: Ben-Hur, sul monte Ephraim:And these are their names: Benhur in mount Ephraim.Et hæc nomina eorum: Benhur in monte Ephraim. 9Bendecar, in Macces, and in Salebim, and in Bethsames, and in Elon, and in Bethanan.Ben-Decar a Macces, e a Salebim, e a Beth-sames, e ad Elon, e a Bethanan:Bendecar, in Macces, and in Salebim, and in Bethsames, and in Elon, and in Bethhanan.Bendecar in Macces, et in Salebim, et in Bethsames, et in Elon, et in Bethanan. 10Benhesed, in Aruboth: his was Socho, and all the land of Epher.Ben-Hesed in Aruboth: ed egli aveva anche Socho, e tutto il paese di Epher:Benhesed in Aruboth: his was Socho, and al the land Epher.Benhesed in Aruboth: ipsius erat Socho, et omnis terra Epher. 11Benabinadab, to whom belonged all Nephath-Dor: he had Tapheth, the daughter of Solomon, to wife.Ben-Abinadab, il quale avea tutto il paese di Nephathdor; egli avea per moglie Tapheth figliuola di Salomone:Benabinadab, whose was al Nepha Dor, had Tapheth the daughter of Salomon to wife.Benabinadab, cujus omnis Nephath Dor: Tapheth filiam Salomonis habebat uxorem. 12Bana, the son of Ahilud, who governed Thanac, and Mageddo, and all Bethsan, which is by Sarthana, beneath Jezrael, from Bethsan unto Abelmehula, over against Jecmaan.Bana figliuolo di Ahilud aveva ispezione a Thanac, e a Mageddo, e a tutto il paese di Bethsan, che è presso Sarthana sotto Jezrael da Bethsan sino ad Abelmehula dirimpetto a Jecmaan:Bana the sonne of Ahilud gouerned Thanach and Mageddo, and al Bethsan, which is beside Satthana vnder Iezrahel, from Bethsan vnto Abelmehula ouer against Iecmaan.Bana filius Ahilud regebat Thanac et Mageddo, et universam Bethsan, quæ est juxta Sarthana subter Jezrahel, a Bethsan usque Abelmehula e regione Jecmaan. 13Bengaber, in Ramoth Galaad: he had the town of Jair, the son of Manasses, in Galaad: he was chief in all the country of Argob, which is in Basan, threescore great cities with walls, and brazen bolts.Ben-Gaber a Ramoth di Galaad: e aveva i villaggi di Avoth-Jair del figliuolo di Manasse in Galaad; ed ei presedeva a tutto il paese di Argob, che e in Basan, a sessanta città grandi, e murate, le quali avean le sbarre di bronzo:Bengaber in Ramoth galaad: had Auothiair the sonne of Manasses in Galaad, he was chiefe in al the countrie of Argob, which is in Basan, three score cities great and walled, which had brasen lockes.Bengaber in Ramoth Galaad: habebat Avothjair filii Manasse in Galaad: ipse præerat in omni regione Argob, quæ est in Basan, sexaginta civitatibus magnis atque muratis quæ habebant seras æreas.
14Ahinadab, the son of Addo, was chief in Manaim.Ahinadab figliuolo di Addo sopraintendeva a Manaim:Ahinadab the sonne of Addo was chiefe in Manaim.Ahinadab filius Addo præerat in Manaim. 15Achimaas, in Nephthali: he also had Basemath, the daughter of Solomon, to wife.Achimaas (stava) a Nephtali: ed egli pure sposò Basemath figliuola di Salomone:Achimaas in Nephthali: yea he also had Basemath the daughter of Salomon in mariage.Achimaas in Nephthali: sed et ipse habebat Basemath filiam Salomonis in conjugio. 16Baana, the son of Husi, in Aser, and in Baloth.Baana figliuolo di Hasi in Aser, e in Baloth:Baana the sonne of Husi, in Aser, and in Baloth.Baana filius Husi in Aser, et in Baloth. 17Josaphat, the son of Pharue, in Issachar.Giosaphath figliuolo di Pharue in Issachar:Iosaphat the sonne of Pharue, in Isacar.Josaphat filius Pharue in Issachar. 18Semei, the son of Ela, in Benjamin.Semei figliuolo di Eia in Beniamin:Semei the sonne of Ela, in Beniamin.Semei filius Ela in Benjamin. 19Gaber, the son of Uri, in the land of Galaad, in the land of Sehon, the king of the Amorrhites, and of Og, the king of Basan, over all that were in that land.Gaber figliuolo di Uri nella terra di Galaad, nella terra di Sehon re degli Amorrhei, e di Og re di Basan; ed era il solo soprintendente in tutto quel paese.Gaber the sonne of Vri, in the land of Galaad in the land of Sehon the king of the Ammorrheite, & of Og the king of Basan, ouer al thinges that were in that land.Gaber filius Uri in terra Galaad, in terra Sehon regis Amorrhæi et Og regis Basan, super omnia quæ erant in illa terra. 20Juda and Israel were innumerable, as the sand of the sea in multitude; eating and drinking, and rejoicing.Giuda, e Israele erano un popolo senza numero, come l'arena del mare; e mangiavano, e bevevano allegramente.Iuda and Israel innumereble as the sand of the sea in multitude: eating, and drinking, and reioysing.Juda et Israël innumerabiles, sicut arena maris in multitudine: comedentes, et bibentes, atque lætantes. 21And Solomon had under him all the kingdoms, from the river to the land of the Philistines, even to the border of Egypt: and they brought him presents, and served him all the days of his life.E Salomone avea sotto il suo dominio tutti i regni del paese de' Filistei, dal fiume sino alla frontiera d'Egitto. E offerivano a lui dei doni, e furon soggetti a lui per tutto il tempo, ch'ei visse.And Salomon was in his dominion, hauing al the kingdomes with him from the riuer of the land of the Philisthijms vnto the border of Aegypt: of them that offered him presents, and serued him al the dayes of his life.Salomon autem erat in ditione sua, habens omnia regna a flumine terræ Philisthiim usque ad terminum Ægypti: offerentium sibi munera, et servientium ei cunctis diebus vitæ ejus.
22And the provision of Solomon, for each day, was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal;Or la provvisione per la tavola di Salomone era ogni dì trenta cori di fior di farina, e sessanta cori di farina,And the prouision of Salomon was euerie day thirtie measures of floure, & three score measures of meale,Erat autem cibus Salomonis per dies singulos triginta cori similæ, et sexaginta cori farinæ, 23Ten fat oxen, and twenty out of the pastures, and a hundred rams; besides venison of harts, roes, and buffles, and fatted fowls.Dieci bovi ingrassati, e venti bovi di pastura, e cento arieti, senza la cacciagione di cervi, di caprioli, e di daini, e di uccellame di serbatoio.tenne fat oxen and twentie pasture fed, & a hundred rammes, beside the venison of hartes, roes, and buffles, & fatted foule.decem boves pingues, et viginti boves pascuales, et centum arietes, excepta venatione cervorum, caprearum, atque bubalorum, et avium altilium. 24For he had all the country which was beyond the river, from Thaphsa to Gazan, and all the kings of those countries: and he had peace on every side round about.Perocché egli era signore di tutto il paese, che giace di là dal fiume, da Taplisa sino a Gaza, e di tutti i re di que' paesi: ed era in pace con tutti i confinanti all'intorno:For he possessed al the countrie, which was beyond the riuer, from Thapsa vnto Goza, and al the kinges of those countries: and he had peace on euerie side round about.Ipse enim obtinebat omnem regionem quæ erat trans flumen, a Thaphsa usque ad Gazan, et cunctos reges illarum regionum: et habebat pacem ex omni parte in circuitu. 25And Juda, and Israel, dwelt without any fear, every one under his vine, and under his fig tree, from Dan to Bersabee, all the days of Solomon.Onde Israele, e Giuda viveano senza timori, ognuno all'ombra della sua vite, e del suo fico, da Dan fino a Bersabea per tutto il tempo, che regnò Salomone.And Iuda and Israel dwelt without anie feare, euerie one vnder his vine, and vnder his figtree, from Dan vnto Bersabe al the dayes of Salomon.Habitabatque Juda et Israël absque timore ullo, unusquisque sub vite sua et sub ficu sua, a Dan usque Bersabee, cunctis diebus Salomonis. 26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of chariot horses, and twelve thousand for the saddle.E Salomone avea quaranta mila greppie di cavalli da cocchio, e dodici mila cavalli da cavalcare.And Salomon had fourtie thousand stalles of chariothorses and twelue thousand for the saddle.Et habebat Salomon quadraginta millia præsepia equorum currilium, et duodecim millia equestrium. 27And the foresaid governors of the king fed them; and they furnished the necessaries also for king Solomon’s table, with great care, in their time.E gli uffiziali nominati dì sopra aveano l'incumbenza di mantenergli: ed eglino pure somministravano con gran puntualità a suo tempo tutto quello, che bisognava per la tavola di Salomone.And the foresaide gouernours of the king fed them: yea and the necessaries of king Salomons table they gaue forth with great care in their time.Nutriebantque eos supradicti regis præfecti: sed et necessaria mensæ regis Salomonis cum ingenti cura præbebant in tempore suo.
28They brought barley also, and straw for the horses and beasts, to the place where the king was, according as it was appointed them.E facevano ancora portare l'orzo, e la paglia pe' cavalli, e pe' giumenti al luogo, dov' era il re, secondo l'ordine, che ad essi era stato dato.Barley also and strow for the horses, and beastes, they brought to the place, where the king was, according as it was appointed them.Hordeum quoque, et paleas equorum et jumentorum, deferebant in locum ubi erat rex, juxta constitutum sibi. 29And God gave to Solomon wisdom, and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, as the sand that is on the sea shore.Diede di più Iddio a Salomone sapienza, e prudenza oltre modo grande, e vastità di mente immensurabile, com è l'arena, che sta sul lido del mare.God also gaue wisdom to Salomon and prudence exceding much, and latitude of hart as the sand that is in the sea shore.Dedit quoque Deus sapientiam Salomoni, et prudentiam multam nimis, et latitudinem cordis quasi arenam quæ est in littore maris. 30And the wisdom of Solomon surpassed the wisdom of all the Orientals, and of the Egyptians;E la sapienza di Salomone superava la sapienza di tutti gli Orientali, e degli Egiziani.And the wisdom of Salomon passed the wisdom of al them in the east, and of the Aegyptians,Et præcedebat sapientia Salomonis sapientiam omnium Orientalium et Ægyptiorum, 31And he was wiser than all men: wiser than Ethan, the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Dorda, the sons of Mahol, and he was renowned in all nations round about.Ed egli era il più sapiente di tutti gli uomini: più sapiente di Ethan Ezrahita, e di Heman, e di Chalcol, e di Dorda figliuoli di Mahol: ed egli era celebrato presso tutte le nazioni circonvicine.and he was wiser then al men: wiser then Ethan the Ezralite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Dorda the sonnes of Mahol and he was renowmed in al nations round about.et erat sapientior cunctis hominibus: sapientior Ethan Ezrahita, et Heman, et Chalcol, et Dorda filiis Mahol: et erat nominatus in universis gentibus per circuitum. 32Solomon also spoke three thousand parables: and his poems were a thousand and five.E Salomone pronunziò tre mila parabole: e le sue canzoni furono mille, e cinque.Salomon also spake three thousand parables: and his songues were a thousand & fiue.Locutus est quoque Salomon tria millia parabolas: et fuerunt carmina ejus quinque et mille. 33And he treated about trees, from the cedar that is in Libanus, unto the hyssop that cometh out of the wall: and he discoursed of beasts, and of fowls, and of creeping things, and of fishes.E ragionò intorno alle piante dal cedro, che sta sul Libano fino all'issopo, che spunta dalle pareti: e discorse delle bestie della terra, e degli uccelli, e degl'insetti e de' pesci.And he disputed of trees from the ceder, that is in Libanus, vnto the hyssop which cometh out of the wal: and he discoursed of beastes, and foules, and creeping wormes, and fishes.Et disputavit super lignis a cedro quæ est in Libano, usque ad hyssopum quæ egreditur de pariete: et disseruit de jumentis, et volucribus, et reptilibus, et piscibus.
34And they came from all nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who heard of his wisdom.E venivano da tutte le genti a udire la sapienza di Salomone, emessi di tutti i regi della terra, presso i quali era sparsa la fama della sapienza di lui.And there came from al people to heare the wisdom of Salomon, and from al the kinges of the earth, which heard his wisdom.Et veniebant de cunctis populis ad audiendam sapientiam Salomonis, et ab universis regibus terræ qui audiebant sapientiam ejus.
4:2
Azarias. Some translate, "grandson of Sadoc, (and son of Achimaas) was priest," to assist his father, unless he was born of some other. Cohen signifies also prince, ver. 5. Azarias was scribe, as well as the two following, though not all at the same time. The office was very important, Judges 5:14.
4:3
Sisa. Perhaps the same with Siva, who was under David.
4:4
Challoner
Abiathar. By this it appears that Abiathar was not altogether deposed from the high priesthood; but only banished to his country house; and by that means excluded from the exercise of his functions. (Challoner)
Calmet
He retained the name, as bishops still do, after they have resigned their see. (Calmet)
4:5
King. President of the council, (Menochius) steward of the household.
Haydock
Priest refers to Zabud here, though the Hebrew is ambiguous. It means also a prince. (Haydock)
He was chief officer and favourite of Solomon, (Calmet) as Chusai had been of David, 2 Kings 16:16.
4:6
Haydock
House. Septuagint, "Eliak was also director of the house," oikonomos. (Haydock)
It is impossible to mark, with precision, the extent of these offices.
Tribute, or levy of workmen, as it is expressed, 3 Kings 5:14.
4:7
Tostat
Month. The lunar year was not then in use; (Calmet) or else, the first of these governors, was in office during the 13th, or intercalary month, every third year, and the rest in succession. (Tostat)
4:8
Calmet
Benhur. Ben here, and in the following verses, may signify "the son of Hur," etc. (Calmet)
Septuagint retain both the original term, and its explanation, "Ben, the son of Or." But they afterwards read only "the son of Dakar....of Esed....of Abinadab....and Gaber."
4:11
Menochius
To wife. Not at the beginning of his reign, ver. 15. (Menochius)
Calmet
This chapter gives a general idea of the officers who lived under Solomon. (Calmet)
4:14
4:19
Calmet
Land. Hebrew, "the only officer who was in the land," (Haydock) except in the towns of Jair, ver. 13. (Calmet)
Menochius
His province had belonged to two kings. (Menochius)
4:20
Haydock
Multitude. We may suppose seven millions; though, if the calculation of Chronicles be more accurate, they were much more numerous. See 2 Kings 24:9. (Haydock)
4:21
Challoner
The river. Euphrates. (Challoner)
Haydock
To, or "of the land," terrae. (Haydock)
Haydock
This river may denote the torrent Besor, as Solomon's dominions extended not only as far as Gaza, but also to the oriental branch of the Nile, ver. 24. Thus one verse explains the other. There were, indeed, no kingdoms (Calmet) in this portion of land, which is now quite barren: but formerly it had several cities, and they belonged to various kings of Egypt, Arabia, the Philistines, etc. (Haydock)
Josue
Hebrew may be rendered "from the river, (Euphrates) the land of the Philistines, and to the border," etc., (Calmet) agreeably to 2 Paralipomenon 9:26. He exercised authority over all the kings from the river Euphrates to the land, etc. Hebrew, "the river even unto," etc. Solomon had all the kings of Syria, Ammon, the Philistines, etc., under him; so that his empire took in all that had been promised to Abraham. (Haydock) See St. Augustine, q. 21. (Josue)
4:22
Calmet
Measures, (cori.) Each of which contained little less than 300 pints. (Calmet)
Menochius
A corus is equivalent to 30 modii, and would support as many men a day; so that the family of Solomon would contain 2,700 people. (Cornelius a Lapide) (Menochius)
Villalpand calculates 48,600, and Calvisius 54,000.
4:23
Bochart
Buffaloes. Yachmur means also a sort of wild-goat, like a stag, Deuteronomy 14:5. (Bochart, Anim. 1:B. 3:22.)
Calmet
Fowls. Some Rabbins explain barburim, (or borbrim) of capons, or birds from Barbary; as if this name had been known in the days of Solomon. (Calmet)
Calmet
There was an ancient Ethiopian Barbary on the Persian gulf, (Bochart) with which the Rabbins were not acquainted. (Calmet)
4:24
Beyond. Hebrew, "on the side of," without determining on which, Deuteronomy 1:
Thaphsa. The famous Thapsacus, on the Euphrates.
Calmet
To Gazan. Hebrew Hazza. This name is written in a different manner from Gaza, and may signify a country of the Medes, on the frontiers of Armenia. But, as it is pronounced almost alike, and the parallel passage determines for the country of the Philistines, (ver. 21,) we may explain it of Gaza. (Calmet)
4:25
Calmet
Vine. this expression is often used to imply a state of peace and happiness. The people were then content with rural pleasures. (Calmet)
4:26
Calmet
Forty: 2 Paralipomenon 9:25., has four in the Hebrew. Septuagint read in both places 40,000 mares, for chariots, and 12,000 horses. (Calmet)
Haydock
The Alexandrian copy has 40 here, and 4000 in the latter place; where, instead of horses, it gives horsemen, with the Vulgate. These two words are often used as synonymous by the best authors. But it is more difficult to reconcile the number; (Calmet) as (2 Paralipomenon xiv.) we read again differently, he had 1400 chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. (Haydock)
Grotius
Forty might easily be mistaken for four, by only adding im at the end of arba. (Bochart) (Grotius)
Haydock
Instead of stalls, Calmet supposes stables to be understood, and in each he would place ten horses, which completes the number here assigned. If this be admitted, no change is necessary: but, as praesepe signifies "a stall," we may adhere to the Vulgate, which has 40,000 in both places; whereas the Hebrew varies, though the sense may be the same. The number of Solomon's chariots was 1400. As two horses were usually employed to draw them, 2800; or, allowing for accidents, changes, etc., 4000 horses would have been amply sufficient. It seems, therefore, that we should admit only so many horses or stalls. (Haydock)
Kennicott
"Vignoles conjectures, that the Jews formerly used marks analogous to our common figures; as the Arabians have done for many hundred years. And, if so, the corruption" of hundreds for tens, etc., "may be easily accounted for, by the transcriber's carelessly adding or omitting a single cypher." (Kennicott, Diss. ii.)
Calmet
Yet, if 40,000 horses must be admitted, we may say that they were not all intended for the chariots of war, but some for draught-horses, to convey the stones and other materials for the numerous buildings, which Solomon carried on. This might serve to excuse him for having so many horses, (Haydock) contrary to the letter of the law, and the example of Josue and of David. His subjects were thus, perhaps, engaged in too much commerce with the Egyptians: and the king was forced to burden them with taxes, which at last proved so fatal. (Serarius) (Pineda) (Calmet)
Bochart
Yet some undertake his defence, by saying that he did not act against the spirit of the law; that many of the horses were imposed as a tribute, and Solomon did not place his trust in them, Proverbs 21:31., and 2 Paralipomenon 9:24. (Tostat) (Bochart, B. 2:9.)
His empire was become more extensive, and his works more splendid; so that what might appear an useless parade in some, might be worthy of praise in Solomon. The law is not so precise. He shall not multiply horses to himself, nor lead back the people into Egypt, being lifted up with the number of his horsemen, Deuteronomy 17:16. There is a like prohibition of many wives and treasures.
4:27
Haydock
Fed them and is omitted in Hebrew and Septuagint. (Haydock)
4:28
Beasts. Racesh denotes horses of extraordinary swiftness, (Bochart) or dromedaries, etc. Junius translates, "post-horses."
Haydock
King: so also the Septuagint. Protestants, "the officers were, every man according to his charge." The twelve governors employed others to bring all necessary provisions, (Haydock) to the places where the king was travelling; (Calmet) or they took care not only of the king's table, but they had also the general inspection over his stables. (Haydock)
Calmet
Few oats are grown in the East. They feed their horses on barley and straw. (Calmet)
4:29
Calmet
Hart; magnanimity, which pride often attempts to imitate, and is therefore designated by the same expression, Proverbs 21:4. The genius of Solomon was also most penetrating and comprehensive. (Calmet)
Haydock
Aenomaus thus addresses Apollo, "Thou who knowest, both the number of the sands and the extent of the sea---who understandest the dumb, and hearest the man who has not spoken." (Eusebius, praep. 5:34.) (Haydock)
4:30
Haydock
Orientals of Chaldea, Arabia, Idumea, etc., Daniel 2:2., Abdias viii., Numbers 22:5. Job and his friends were of this description. The Greeks acknowledged that they had received their philosophy from the barbarians; (Laert. proem.) and Casaubon observes, that the ancient defendants of the Christian faith proved the same truth. (Not. Ibid.) They shewed that all true saving knowledge had been derived from the Hebrews. (Haydock)
Calmet
The Chaldeans maintain that their countrymen were the fountains of science; and many suppose that Abraham communicated these treasures to the Egyptians; whereas the latter pretend, that a colony from their country had imparted that blessing to the Chaldeans. Diodorus (B. i.) says that Belus conducted such a colony, and the Greeks chiefly owed their information to the Egyptians. God had communicated to Solomon all that was of real use in those sciences, in a superior degree, Wisdom 7:17. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] 8:2.) He was eminently skilled in natural philosophy, etc. (Calmet)
4:31
Munster
All men, of his time (Lyranus) and nation. (Munster)
Haydock
But why should we limit these general expressions? (Calmet) See 3 Kings 3:12, 13. (Haydock)
Calmet
Ethan is the same as Idithun. The title of Ezrahite does not seem to belong to him; and Chalcol and Dorda seem to be inserted here by some transcriber from 1 Paralipomenon 2:6., where we read, the sons of Zara....Ethan and Eman, and Chalchal and Dara, of the tribe of Juda. But they were different from these men, who were probably Levites. (Calmet)
We find Chalcol and Dorda mentioned no where else. Heman was an Ezrahite, (Psalm lxxxvii.) and a seer of the king, presiding over the singers, (1 Paralipomenon 15:19., and 25:4., and 5.; Menochius) who stood in the middle. Ethan's band surrounded the altar, (1 Paralipomenon 6:44.) while Asaph's were on the right hand.
Calmet
Mahol was the mother of the four, unless the word denote their profession, as sons of "the choir," singing and playing on musical instruments. (Calmet)
Sanctius
Solomon was eminent in both respects, as well as in poetry; as he is compared with those who were most noted for compositions and music. (Sanctius)
4:32
Challoner
Three thousand parables. These works are all lost, excepting some part of the parables extant in the book of Proverbs; and his chief poem called the Canticle of Canticles. (Challoner)
Clarius
The title of Psalm cxxvi., attributes it to Solomon. But its authority is not sufficiently established. The book of Proverbs contains at present only 658, (Cornelius a Lapide) or 800 parables. (Clarius)
Josephus exaggerates, when he reads 3000 volumes of parables.
Menochius
Five. Septuagint read, "5000 odes," which is adopted by many interpreters. Josephus (Calmet) and the Chaldean agree with the Hebrew. (Menochius)
4:33
Sanctius
Wall. Some deny that ezob means hyssop. (Kimchi; Levinus, etc.) But there is a species which grows on mountains, and even out of walls. (Bochart) (Sanctius)
Calmet
It is a small odoriferous plant; whereas the cedar was the largest tree with which the Jews were acquainted. (Calmet)
Maundrell
On Libanus there are found such trees above 36 feet in circumference; which extend their branches 111 feet around them. (Maundrell, Jerus. p. 239.)
Calmet
Solomon examined all, Wisdom 7:17, etc. Many works have been falsely attributed to him, which Origen rejects: hom. 35, in Matthew. See Josephus, [Antiquities?] 8:2.; Pineda 3:29. (Calmet)
Salien
Perhaps he might have composed some magical works, while he was an idolater. (Salien)
4:34
Wisdom. The Scriptures relate the coming of the queen of Saba, 3 Kings 10. Thus Livy attracted the attention of distant nations, who neglected the grandeur of Rome, to visit him. (St. Jerome, Ep. ad Paulin.) Solomon's wisdom is compared to a great river, inundating the whole earth. (Ecclesiasticus 47:16.)
4:4
Abiathar.... By this it appears that Abiathar was not altogether deposed from the high priesthood; but only banished to his country house, and by that means excluded from the exercise of his functions.
4:21
The river.... Euphrates.
4:32
Three thousand parables, etc.... These works are all lost, excepting some part of the parables extant in the book of Proverbs; and his chief poem called the Canticle of Canticles.
4:32
These bookes are not extant.
4:25
Tertullian † AD 220 An Answer to the Jews 7
… For who could have reigned over all nations but Christ, God’s Son, who was ever announced as destined to reign over all to eternity? For if Solomon “reigned,” why, it was within the confines of Judea merely: “from Beersheba unto Dan” the boundaries of his kingdom are marked.
4:27
Aphrahat † AD 346 Aphrahat: Select Demonstrations 6.16
… And also when the Shunamite came to him because of her son that was dead, he said thus to her:— The Lord hid it from me and did cause me not to know it .
4:29
Origen † AD 254 Origen Against Celsus 3.45
… And Solomon spake three thousand proverbs, and his songs were five thousand. And he spake of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop which springeth out of the wall; and also of fishes and of beasts. And all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth who had heard of the fame of his wisdom.”
St Gregory of Nazianzus † AD 389 Select Orations of Saint Gregory Nazianzen 43.73
… Among the kings, David is celebrated, whose victories and trophies gained from the enemy are on record, but his most characteristic trait was his gentleness, and, before his kingly office, his power with the harp, able to soothe even the evil spirit. Solomon asked of God and obtained breadth of heart,
St John Chrysostom † AD 407 The Homilies on the Statues to the People of Antioch 17.11
… Yea rather, not only the perfection of art, but also the wisdom of God assisted in that building. For Solomon had learned all, not intuitively and from himself, but from God;
John Cassian † AD 435 The Conferences of John Cassian 16.27
… for “a man who is long-suffering is great in prudence; but a coward is very foolish.” And therefore Scripture says of him who to his credit asked the gift of wisdom from the Lord: “God gave Solomon wisdom and prudence exceeding much, and largeness of heart as the sand of the sea for multitude.”
4:32
St Hippolytus † AD 235 On the Song of Songs 1
… and where are the books? For the only ones extant are Proverbs, and Wisdom, and Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. What then? Does the Scripture speak falsely? God forbid. But the matter of his writings was various, as is shown in the phrase “Song of Songs;” for that indicates that in this one book he digested the contents of the 5,000 songs.
Origen † AD 254 Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John 5.4
… If this be the case, and if he who makes use of many salutary words is guilty of “multitude of words,” then Solomon himself did not escape this sin, for “he spoke
St Dionysius of Alexandria † AD 265 Exegetical Fragments 1.1
… Consequently he shows the vanity of it, as what follows in like manner demonstrates: “And my heart uttered many things: I knew wisdom, and knowledge, and parables, and sciences.” But this was not the genuine wisdom or knowledge, but that which, as Paul says, puffeth up. He spake, moreover, as it is written,
4:33
St Jerome † AD 420 The Letters of St. Jerome 22.12
… Then repenting, he says to the Lord: “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight.” Being a king he feared no one else. So, too, with Solomon. Wisdom used him to sing her praise, and he treated of all plants “from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall;”
4:34
St Irenaeus of Lyons † AD 202 Against Heresies 4.27.1
… and he said, “Will God whom the heavens cannot contain, really dwell with men upon the earth?” And he pleased God, and was the admiration of all; and all kings of the earth sought an interview with him ( quærebant faciem ejus ) that they might hear the wisdom which God had conferred upon him.
4:4
4. Sadoc and Abiathar, priests, namely the chief ones, that is, the high priests. You will say: Solomon had already sent away Abiathar and deprived him of the high priesthood, chapter II, verse 27. I answer: all the officials of Solomon are enumerated here, whether they were at that time, or had been, or were to be, as will be evident from verses 11 and 15. For Scripture wished to enumerate them all together here. He names Abiathar, because he had been High Priest in the time of David, and David, as one faithful to him, had commended him to Solomon: but because he himself had conspired with Adonias against Solomon, Solomon therefore deprived him of the high priesthood. Thus Abulensis. Others answer that Abiathar was recalled from exile by Solomon, not to the high priesthood, but to simple priesthood, as God threatening had foretold to his ancestor Heli, I Kings II, 36: "It shall come to pass that whosoever shall remain in thy house, etc., shall say: Let me go to one priestly portion." Thus Theodoret and Procopius. Thirdly, Serarius answers that Abiathar is called a priest, because he had been a priest.
4:5
5. Zabud son of Nathan, a priest, that is, an intimate prince to the king, as the Septuagint translates it. Thus the sons of David are called priests, that is, princes of the court and near to the king, II Kings chapter VIII, last verse.
4:11
11. Tapheth, daughter of Solomon, had as wife. This is a prolepsis, for he did not yet have her, but had her afterwards. For Solomon at this time was scarcely twenty years old. Whence he could not have a daughter who was of marriageable age. I say the same of Ahimaaz, who had another daughter of Solomon as wife, verse 15. For all the officials and princes of Solomon are enumerated here together, whether they were at that time or were made afterwards, as I said, verse 4.
4:20
20. Judah and Israel innumerable as the sand of the sea, that is to say, in the time of Solomon the tribe of Judah and the other eleven tribes of Israel grew into an innumerable multitude as it were: and there was then the greatest abundance of all things, so that all rejoiced and exulted in their riches and delights. Allegorically, the happiness of Solomon's kingdom represented the supreme happiness of the kingdom of Christ in the Church through grace, in heaven through glory.
4:21
21. And Solomon was in dominion over all kingdoms from the river of the land of the Philistines, even unto the border of Egypt. You will ask, what is the river of the land of the Philistines? First, Gaspar Sanchez thinks it is the sea of the Philistines, for the Philistines are adjacent to it. Secondly, Abulensis thinks it is the Rhinocolura stream, which separates Philistia from the Arabs. Thirdly, others think it is the Jordan, or rather the source of the Jordan in Lebanon: where two rivers Jor and Dan arise; which soon flowing together make the Jordan. I truly say this river is the Euphrates. For "of the land of the Philistines" is not to be referred to "the river," as is evident from the Hebrew (for in Hebrew it is nahar in the absolute, not nahar, as it ought to be in the genitive construction, if it governed the genitive of land) but to "kingdoms," that is to say, Solomon obtained all kingdoms of the land of the Philistines, from the river, that is, which lie between the river Euphrates and the land of the Philistines inclusive, or Solomon obtained all kingdoms of the regions beginning from the river Euphrates even unto the land of the Philistines. He preferred to say "of the land" rather than "unto the land"; both to indicate that in the land of the Philistines the kingdom of Solomon was not bounded, but extended through it even to the borders of Egypt, that is to say, from the river extending through the land of the Philistines unto the borders of Egypt; and because he speaks concisely, and from other places of Scripture as if well-known, he concisely sets down the boundaries of Solomon's kingdom promised by God. For Scripture assigns to the Jews the boundaries of the holy land promised: the river Euphrates from the East, and Philistia from the West, Egypt from the South. For God had promised this to Abraham, Genesis XV, 18, saying: "To thy seed will I give this land, from the river of Egypt even to the great river Euphrates." And so the Author of this book of Kings explains himself soon after, verse 24, saying: "For he held all the region that was beyond the river, from Thapsa even to Gaza," which is the last satrapy of the Philistines. Thus clearly not only does St. Augustine understand, but also reads it in Questions on Joshua, Question XXI: "And he was ruling, he says, over all the kings from the river even to the land of the Philistines, and even to the borders of Egypt. Behold where that was fulfilled which God speaking to Abraham in Genesis and promising had foretold. By the river here is understood the Euphrates." For it cannot be understood of the Jordan here, since both on this side of the Jordan and beyond the Jordan the Israelites already held lands even before the kingdom of Solomon. Thus also the Chaldean: from Perath (that is, the Euphrates), he says, to the land of the Philistines, even to the borders of Egypt. Thus also Benedict: From the river of the land, he says, that is, even to the land of the Philistines. And Isidore more clearly: From the river even to the land of the Philistines. Thus also Lyran and Mariana Vatablus: From the river and the land of Palestine even to Egypt. For he gives here three boundaries of Solomon's kingdom, namely the Euphrates from the East, the Philistines from the West, and Egypt from the South, as I said.
4:22
Vers. 22. Now the food of Solomon (that is, of the court, or of the courtiers, namely the princes, followers and servants of Solomon) was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen from the pastures (fed and fattened in the pastures) and one hundred rams. From this it is evident how great was the multitude of those whom Solomon fed, and his magnificence. Fine flour is the flower, or whiter and purer flour of wheat, from which is made fine bread and delicate bread, concerning which Martial, book XIII: You will not be able to count the qualities of fine flour nor its uses. And Pliny, book XVIII, chapter X: "Fine flour is made from wheat most highly praised. From Africa it is right that from modii there return half-modii, and five sextarii of bran. For thus they call in wheat what is the flower in rye." Whence Seneca, epistle 119: "Whether this bread," he says, "is plebeian, or fine bread pertains nothing to nature." Thus the nobles eat fine bread, the common people and rustics eat wheaten and rye bread. Moreover, a cor is a measure containing thirty Roman modii. See the discussion On Measures, at the end of the Pentateuch. Excepted the hunting of stags, gazelles and wild oxen. The wild ox here is not that which the common people call Buffalo, a stupid animal and food of the poor, since here it is placed among the delicacies of stags and gazelles taken by hunting. Whence Oppianus asserts that the wild ox is of the gazelle kind, book II On Hunting. And Pliny, book VIII, says "Africa produces wild oxen, in the likeness of a calf, or rather a stag, but the ignorant common people impose the name of wild oxen on wild cattle." In Hebrew it is יחמור jachmur, which Rabbi Jonah translates as a large goat; the Zurich Bible, as an ibex; others, as a fallow deer; others, as a wild he-goat.
4:24
Vers. 24. For he held all the regions beyond the river from Taphsa even to Gaza. Taphsa is here set in opposition to Gaza; whence it seems to have been situated near the Euphrates. For this bounded the kingdom of Solomon to the East, just as Gaza bounded it to the West. Some suspect that Taphsa is that which is called Tharsacus by Ptolemy, Strabo, Xenophon and Stephen. There was another Taphsa on this side of the Jordan, whose inhabitants Menahem slew, IV Kings XV, 16. Hence it appears that Solomon reigned beyond the river, namely beyond the Euphrates, and held part of Mesopotamia, from Taphsa namely even to Gaza.
4:26
Vers. 26. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of chariot horses, and twelve thousand horsemen, that is, he had 40 thousand horses in stalls. For thus it is explained in II Paralipomenon IX, 25: "Solomon had," it says, "forty thousand horses in stables, and chariots and horsemen (both for display and for war) twelve thousand." It is a hypallage: "He had stalls of horses," that is he had horses in stalls, or in stables. Or certainly by "stalls," understand the partitions, which in each stable are assigned to each horse for eating: for a stall in common is divided into various partitions, which are allotted to each horse, so that one horse is separated from another either by a thin wall, or by an intervening beam, lest neighboring horses invade the partition and fodder of another, and fight with it and kick. Thus Vatablus. Moreover in II Paralipomenon IX, 25, in the Hebrew it is already: Solomon had four thousand stalls, because namely in each stall or stable he had ten horses, so that in all he had 40 thousand chariot horses, as our version and the Septuagint translate. For four thousand multiplied by ten makes 40 thousand. Thus Vatablus. Chariot horses are called those which draw chariots, riding horses those which bear a rider. Solomon had need of so many chariot horses for conveying his queens, of whom he had 700, and concubines, that is secondary wives, of whom he had three hundred. Also for conveying provisions, water, wood, stones, etc., for the construction of the temple and his palaces. Of riding horses for soldiers and knights, also for princes and honorary servants, who in them would display and accompany themselves for the sake of honor and magnificence. Some think that Solomon sinned in the abundance of so many horses against the law of Deuteronomy chapter XVII, 16: "When he shall be made king, he shall not multiply horses to himself," but rather he sinned in the cause, namely in the multiplication of so many queens and wives, and in such great pomp and royal display, which the people had to support. Whence also they murmured against Roboam the son of Solomon, indeed they even defected from him to Jeroboam, as we shall hear in chapter XII, verse 4. However, Abulensis excuses Solomon from sin, at least from graver sin, because he did this with good intention, and from necessity, and this in the abundance of all things and in the greatest wealth. For God wished to show in Solomon His own and Israel's glory and magnificence to the whole world.
4:29
Vers. 29. God also gave to Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart (the Chaldean, dilation), like the sand which is on the shore of the sea. By "largeness of heart" he means magnificence and magnanimity, namely a royal heart, ample, magnificent, magnanimous; for sustaining and overcoming so great a rule and such burdens and works, especially of buildings, with great spirit, so that just as sand is very abundant and extends itself most widely, so also the heart of Solomon would embrace very many even the smallest things, and would extend itself to the execution in deed of all that he conceived in mind. For it profits little to conceive and understand many things in the mind, unless there be present virtue and strenuousness to reduce them to practice.
4:31
4:32
32. Solomon also spoke (dictated and caused to be written) three thousand parables. We have part of them in Proverbs, where from chapter X the parables begin, and extend to the end of the book through 658 verses, which contain as many parables as it were. And his songs were five thousand. Vatablus, five over a thousand. So also the Hebrew, the Chaldean and Josephus, that is to say, The Book of the Odes of Solomon contained a thousand odes and five. The Septuagint, however, translate, his songs were five thousand. Hence it is clear that Solomon was a Poet. The ancient poetry of the Hebrews has perished: nor do we now observe the metres of song in the psalms and other songs, except in rhythm.
4:33
33. And he discoursed upon trees from the cedar which is in Lebanon, even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall, that is from the greatest even to the least. By "hyssop" here understand pellitory, which some call oregano or spartan according to Abulensis. Levinus Lemnius, chapter XXVI On Herbs, and Pineda call it adiantum, Serarius satureia, which for this reason is called in Arabic tsatar. And he discoursed of beasts, and of fowls, and of creeping things, and of fishes. It is probable that these were once written down in books, as recently Ulysses Aldrovandus, Conradus Gesnerus, William Rondeletius, Julius Scaliger and others have written copiously on the same subjects. But all these things have almost perished through the interval of so many centuries, especially because then there was no printing, but only a few manuscript copies, which easily perish. Thus also all the writings of the Patriarchs and the Wise Men of the Hebrews, Egyptians, Chaldeans, Arabs, Greeks written before Moses have perished, of whom almost alone from that ancient age books and writings remain. Abulensis adds that by God's providence they perished, because they contained things too curious, or because we would be unworthy of so great a light of sciences, which he himself had received through revelation. The Gloss thinks they were burned by the Chaldeans; Eusebius, however, and from him Glycas, by King Hezekiah. Hence it is clear that Solomon both privately taught his own and publicly taught all Natural Philosophy and the science of natural things, for this is what "he discoursed and discoursed" signifies. For this reason he himself built a school or academy on Mount Sion, in which he himself taught, as I said on Proverbs IX, 1; whence Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle drew their doctrine from him, as testified by Eusebius, St. Ambrose, Clement of Alexandria and others. Psellus adds that Solomon wrote books on gems, and on spirits or demons to be evoked, to be fixed in a certain place, and to be compelled to works. But certain magicians also put forth the incantations of Solomon, the key and the ring: but these are magical and unworthy of Solomon. See Pineda.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
4:1
As for the government of S., an administrative document preserved in 1 Kings 4, 1-24 reports the division that he introduced in his Kingdom, in part of an innovative character (the partition does not coincide with the ancient one of the 12 tribes), and which then lasted …
4:2
1 and 2 (3 and 4) Book of Kings
Of the sources not explicitly cited in the book of R. some must have been of courtly origin, from which would derive the list of the ministers and prefects of Solomon (I Reg. 4, 2-19), the panegyric of his greatness (ibid. 4, 20-34), the account of the visit of the Queen of Sheba (ibid. 10, 1-29); others of priestly origin, which narrate the construction of the …
Azarias (Hebrew: 'Azaryah[û] «Yahweh helps»)
1) A., son of Ahimaaz (v.), was a minister of Solomon, and was probably the immediate successor of his grandfather Zadok in the high priesthood (1 Kings 4:2; 1 Chron. 6:9-10 [Masoretic text 5:35 ff.]; verse 10ᵈᵉ is displaced, and must refer to the first A.), which Ahimaaz seems not to have exercised. …
4:6
… This tribe, which appears in the lists of the various censuses with a number now of 41,500 (Num. 1:41), now of 53,400 (Num. 26:47) men, never exercised much influence in the history of the Hebrew people: hence it is rarely mentioned (Judg. 5:17; 7:23; 1 Chron. 12:36; 1 Kings 4:6). Its territory occupied the north-west of Palestine, from Carmel (included) to Phoenicia, that is, the western slope of the hills that descend from the foothills of Lebanon down to …
… When R. sent to the rebels, to bring them back to obedience, that Adoniram who had been the overseer of the forced-labor works in the last years of David and throughout the reign of Solomon (2 Sam. 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6; 5:13), the royal envoy was stoned by the furious people.
4:7
Ahimaaz (Hebrew, prob. «Brother of the Empire»)
… troops, A., exceedingly swift, brought the king news of the victory over the rebels, but left to the Cushite messenger, whom he had outrun in the race, the unwelcome task of informing him of Absalom's death (ibid. 18:19-31). Many hold that the A. of I Kings 4:7-15, an official of the taxes over Naphtali and son-in-law of Solomon, is our A. Francesco Spadafora
… In the administrative organization of Solomon (1 Kings 4, 7-19), the ancient Canaanite cities for the most part became the seat of the Israelite governor. …
4:8
Sichem (Heb. Šēḥḥem «Nuca»; Gr. Sychem or Sychima)
… hire partisans for his political designs (ibid. 9:2-6); and because of the hostility of the Shechemites, he marched against the city and destroyed it (ibid. 9:23-45). Rebuilt, it probably became the residence of the prefect "of the mountain of Ephraim" (1 Kings 4:8). After the schism of the Kingdom, S. was the capital of Jeroboam (ibid. 12:1-9,25), and remained a holy city for the Samaritans (v.). …
4:12
Abel (Hebrew 'Abhēl 'meadow'; possibly Aramaic from Canaanite 'Abil 'channel')
… Birthplace of Elisha (Judg. 7:22; I Kings 4:12; 19:16); perhaps it is today's Tell Abu Sifri, about 15 km south of Beisan.
Beth-shan (Hebrew Beth-Šē'ān or Beth-Šān; Septuagint Βαθθάγ, Βηθάγ; Arabic Bejān)
… Philistines, who hung the corpse of Saul and of his three sons on the walls of B. (I Sam. 31, 8-12; II Sam. 21, 12). Under Solomon it appears annexed to the kingdom of Israel, and forms part of the fifth prefecture together with Megiddo and Ta'annak (I Reg. 4, 12). In the Hellenistic era it was called Scythopolis (Σωθάπολις, cf. Iudc. 1, 27 where it is a gloss; Iudc. 3, 10; II Mach. 12, 29) and nicknamed Nysa; it was occupied in 107 …
… Joshua killed its king (Josh. 12:21), but M., although assigned to the Manassites (Josh. 17:11; 1 Chron. 7:29), remained Canaanite until the battle of Sisera "at the waters [Kishon] of M." (Judg. 5:19). Fortified by Solomon (1 Kings 9:15), it became the administrative seat of a prefecture (ibid. 4:12). Two kings of Judah, Ahaziah and Josiah, met their death there (2 Kings 9:27; 23:30).
4:13
2. A region of Bashan, belonging to the kingdom of Og (Deut. 3:4-5, 13). Conquered by the Israelites, it fell as an inheritance to Jair of the tribe of Manasseh (Deut. 3:14), who occupied the settlements that took their name from him, Ḥawwōth Jā'ir, still mentioned in the time of Solomon (I Kings 4:13). It is debated whether these were fortified cities or tent villages; whether in Gilead or in Bashan; whether 60 (Josh. 13:30; I Kings 4:13), 30 (Judg. 10:4), or 23 (I Chron. 2:23). …
RAMOTH-GILEAD. - A Levitical and city of refuge in the tribe of Gad (Deut. 4:13; Josh. 20:8; 21:38; 1 Chron. 6:66), capital of the Solomonic district north and south of the Yarmuk (1 Kings 4:13), cause of bitter struggles between Israelites and Arameans, who long contested its strategic possession (ibid. 22:3-24; 2 Kings 8:28; 9:1-14).
4:16
Other biblical figures bear the same name: one of the 37 mighty men of David (ibid. 23, 29); one of those who returned from the exile (Eid. 2, 2; Neh. 7, 7; 10, 27); one of Solomon's 12 overseers, placed over Asher and Baloth (I Reg. 4, 16; in Hebrew, however, Ba'ānāh, as in Neh. 3, 4).
the appropriate measures, saving his life and his kingdom (2 Sam. 17:1-14). Probably C. is to be identified with the father of Baana, one of Solomon's prefects (1 Kings 4:16).
4:17
Thanach (Heb. Ta'ānākh and Ta'nākh; Septuagint Gevez)
Declared a Levitical city (ibid. 21:25), it was reduced to tribute of the Manassites (Judg. 1:27). In the vicinity of T. the war between the army of Sisera and Barak was fought (ibid. 5:19). Incorporated into the Davidic Kingdom, it was the capital of the 5th Solomonic district (1 Kings 4:17).
4:19
Mention is still made of the "land of S. the Amorite," to denote regions formerly under his dominion, in the Solomonic age (1 Kings 4:19) and probably still in the age of Jeremiah (Jer. 48:45, alluding to Num. 21:28: in Jeremiah, instead of "from the midst [mibbên] of S.," one should probably read "of the house" [mibbêth], …
4:20
1 and 2 (3 and 4) Book of Kings
Of the sources not explicitly cited in the book of R. some must have been of courtly origin, from which would derive the list of the ministers and prefects of Solomon (I Reg. 4, 2-19), the panegyric of his greatness (ibid. 4, 20-34), the account of the visit of the Queen of Sheba (ibid. 10, 1-29); others of priestly origin, which narrate the construction of the Temple (ibid. 6, 1-7, 50), the revolt against Athaliah, …
4:24
… At the beginning of the Israelite kingdom, at least nominally and on particular occasions, this boundary seems to have been reached (cf. II Sam. 8, 3; I Kings 4, 24). In the Persian period the E. marked the limit of the satrapy Abur Nahara (Hebrew 'ebher han-nâhâr, "beyond the river"; cf. Ezra 8, 36; Neh. 2, 7, 9), which comprised the zone extending …
Gaza (Hebrew Azzah, Arabic Ghazzah)
… of 1900 B.C., in the letters of Ta'anach (15th century) and of el-Amarna, it was the metropolis of the Philistine pentapolis and the scene of Samson's exploits, of his triumph and of his death beneath the temple of the god Dagon (Judg. 16). Solomon (I Kings 4:24) and later King Hezekiah (II Kings 18:5) sought to consolidate Israelite dominion there; but G. was occupied in 734 by Tiglath-Pileser III and remained tributary to the Assyrian kings. …
4:25
The formula "from D. to Beersheba" indicates the extreme limits of Palestine (Judg. 20:1; I Sam. 3:20; II Sam. 3:10; 17:11; 24:2, 15; I Kings 4:25; I Chron. 21:2; II Chron. 12:35; 27:37). The tribe is omitted in the genealogies of I Chron. 2-12; it seems that it became extinct after the emigration of the majority of its members to Laish. …
4:29
… sapiential literature is in part known, the King gave distinguished literary proofs with the composition of "3000 proverbs," sententious and moral sayings, and of "1005 songs" or lyric compositions, making use of his extensive knowledge of plants and animals (ibid. 4, 29-34). Sayings of the mālāl type in part flowed into the book of Proverbs (v.), where under the name of S. are found the two collections 10, 1-22, 16 and 25, 1-29, 27. The title of …
4:31
… He was the son, like Chalcol and Darda, of Mahol (metathesis for Hamul: 1 Chron. 2:5), in 1 Kings 4:31 (Septuagint 4:27; Heb. 5:11); but in 1 Chron. 2:6 he is called, like Ethan, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah.
Ethan (Heb. 'Ethān = Firm, Stable)
… In 1 Kings 4:31 (Heb. 5:11), to magnify Solomon's knowledge, he is placed before that of E. In the title of Ps. 88 (Heb. 89), E. is designated as the author of the hymn. …
Idithun (Heb. Jēdhithān and Jēdhithān "Praising")
According to some, Ethan the Ezrahite, famous for his wisdom (cf. 1 Kings 4:31) and to whom Psalm 88 is attributed, is to be identified with I. The identification rests on 1 Chron. 15:17, 19, where Ethan appears together with Heman and Asaph (cf. 1 Chron. 25:1).
4:32
… The brief sapiential sentences are mēdālim: they teach moral doctrines and precepts for life, with comparisons and images drawn from nature and experience (1 Kings 4:32 ff.; v. PROVERBS); and so too are the more developed didactic compositions (Job 27:1; 29:1; Ps. 48 [49]:5; 77 [78]:2). …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.