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Exodus 18:21
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and placesuch over them,to be rulers of thousands,and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

2 Samuel 8:15-18
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people…

2 Samuel 20:23-26
Now Joabwas over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiadawas over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: …

Azariah

1 Chronicles 6:8-10
And Ahitub begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Ahimaaz, …

1 Chronicles 27:17
Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok:

priest.

Azariah son of Zadok was the priest;
Azariah, identified as the son of Zadok, serves as a priest during Solomon's reign. Zadok was a prominent priest during the time of David and Solomon, known for his loyalty and righteousness (2 Samuel 8:17). The priesthood was a vital institution in Israel, responsible for religious duties and maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people. Azariah's role signifies the continuation of Zadok's priestly line, which is significant as the Zadokite priesthood is later emphasized in Ezekiel's vision of the future temple (Ezekiel 44:15). This continuity underscores the importance of faithfulness and divine appointment in spiritual leadership.

“and these were his chief officials” (1 Kings 4:2).

• Solomon, having just been affirmed as king over “all Israel” (1 Kings 4:1), immediately introduces his governing team. This mirrors David’s earlier cabinet list in2 Samuel 8:15-18, signaling continuity between father and son.

• The phrase underscores order and accountability. Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kings 3:9-12) shows up first in how he structures leadership rather than in flashy achievements.

• Cross references such asRomans 13:1-4 andExodus 18:21-23 reinforce that God values orderly governance under His authority.

“Azariah son of Zadok” identifies the first name in Solomon’s lineup.

• Zadok, Azariah’s father, was the faithful priest who remained loyal to David (2 Samuel 15:24-29) and was rewarded by being placed over the priesthood when Abiathar was removed (1 Kings 2:35).

• By listing the son, Scripture highlights generational faithfulness (Psalm 103:17;Deuteronomy 7:9). God honors Zadok by allowing his line to serve in the highest spiritual office.

• It also signals covenant stability: the same family that upheld worship under David now upholds it under Solomon, foreshadowing later promises inEzekiel 44:15 regarding Zadok’s descendants.

“was the priest” specifies Azariah’s role.

• Only one man is called “the priest,” indicating chief priestly authority—comparable to the high priest (Leviticus 21:10).

• Placing this office first underscores that spiritual leadership outranks civil offices (cf.Numbers 27:21;2 Chronicles 26:18). Solomon’s administration begins with worship, not warfare or commerce (Matthew 6:33).

• This confirms that the temple soon to be built (1 Kings 6–8) will rest on a faithful priestly foundation, fulfilling God’s word in1 Samuel 2:35.

1 Kings 4:2 stresses that Solomon’s kingdom is ordered, covenant-rooted, and worship-centered. By spotlighting Azariah, the son of loyal Zadok, as “the priest,” Scripture affirms God’s faithfulness to reward steadfast obedience and sets the tone for Solomon’s reign: true wisdom begins with honoring God’s appointed spiritual leadership.

The princesare evidently Solomon's high counsellors and officers, "eating at the king's table." The word is derived from a root which means to "set in order." It is significant that whereas in the lists of David's officers in2Samuel 8:16-18;2Samuel 20:23-26, the captain of the host stands first, and is followed in one list by the captain of the body-guard, both are here preceded by the peaceful offices of the priests, scribes, and the recorder.

Azariah the son of Zadok the priest.--In1Chronicles 6:9-10, we find Azariah described as the son of Ahimaaz, and so grandson of Zadok; and the note in1Kings 4:10 (which is apparently out of its right place) seems to show that he was high priest at the time when the Temple was built. The title the "priest" in this place must be given by anticipation, for it is expressly said below that "Zadok and Abiathar were now the priests." The use of the original word,Cohen(probably signifying "one who ministers"), appears sometimes to retain traces of the old times, when the priesthood and headship of the family were united, and to be applied accordingly to princes, to whom perhaps still attached something of the ancient privilege. Thus it is given to the sons of David in2Samuel 8:18, where the parallel passage in1Chronicles 18:17 has a paraphrase, "chief about the king," evidently intended to explain the sense in which it is used in the older record. We may remember that David himself on occasions wore the priestly ephod (see2Samuel 6:14). Possibly in this sense it is applied in1Kings 4:5 to Zabud, the "king's friend" (where the Authorised Version renders it by"principal officer"). But in this verse there is every reason for taking it in the usual sense. Azariah was already a "prince" before he succeeded to the high priesthood. The mingling, of priestly and princely functions is characteristic of the time. . . .

1. the Vulgate (sacerdotis) and apparently the Authorized Version, with the Rabbins, Luther, and many later expounders, connect the title with Zadok (who is mentioned as priest in ver. 4), and understand that Azariah, the son of the high priest Zadok, was, together with the sons of Shisha, one of the scribes (ver. 3). It is true that this view obviates some difficulties, but against it are these considerations.

(1) The accents.

(2) The Chaldee and LXX. (ὁ ἱερεύς Cod. Alex.; Cod. Vat. omits the words) Versions. . . .

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