Solomon had twelve governors over all IsraelSolomon's establishment of twelve governors reflects the administrative organization of his kingdom. This system ensured efficient governance and resource management across the diverse tribes of Israel. The number twelve is significant in biblical terms, often symbolizing completeness or divine order, as seen with the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles in the New Testament. This structure may have been influenced by Egyptian or other Near Eastern administrative practices, as Solomon's reign was marked by international alliances and cultural exchanges.
to provide food for the king and his household
The provision of food for the king and his household indicates the wealth and prosperity of Solomon's reign. The king's household would have been extensive, including family, servants, and officials. This system of provision highlights the centralization of resources and the importance of hospitality and sustenance in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It also underscores the responsibility of the governors to support the king's court, reflecting the hierarchical nature of the society.
Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year
This rotational system of provision ensured a steady supply of resources and prevented any single region from being overburdened. It reflects a well-organized and fair distribution of responsibilities among the governors. This method of governance can be seen as a precursor to modern systems of taxation and resource allocation. The monthly rotation also mirrors the agricultural calendar, aligning with the cycles of planting and harvest, which were crucial for sustaining the kingdom's economy.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe third king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is marked by peace and prosperity.
2.
Twelve GovernorsAppointed by Solomon to oversee the provision of food for the king's household. Each governor was responsible for one month of the year, ensuring a steady supply of resources.
3.
IsraelThe united kingdom under Solomon, encompassing all the tribes of Israel. This period is often seen as the height of Israel's power and influence.
4.
Provision for the King’s HouseholdThe logistical system established by Solomon to maintain the royal court, reflecting the administrative organization and economic prosperity of his reign.
5.
Monthly Provision SystemA structured approach to governance and resource management, ensuring that the needs of the king's household were met consistently throughout the year.
Teaching Points
Wisdom in AdministrationSolomon's appointment of twelve governors demonstrates the importance of wise and organized leadership. Effective administration is crucial for maintaining order and prosperity.
Stewardship and ResponsibilityEach governor's responsibility for one month highlights the importance of stewardship and accountability in our roles, whether in family, work, or ministry.
Provision and PlanningThe monthly provision system underscores the value of planning and foresight. We are called to be diligent in preparing for the future, trusting God while also using the resources and wisdom He provides.
Unity and CooperationThe cooperation among the twelve governors reflects the need for unity and teamwork in achieving common goals. In the body of Christ, each member has a role to play in supporting the whole.
Dependence on God’s WisdomSolomon's wisdom was a gift from God, reminding us to seek divine guidance in our decisions and leadership responsibilities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Kings 4:7?
2.How does 1 Kings 4:7 illustrate God's provision through Solomon's leadership structure?
3.What can we learn about stewardship from Solomon's twelve district governors?
4.How does Solomon's organization reflect God's order in creation and governance?
5.In what ways can church leadership today apply Solomon's administrative model?
6.How does 1 Kings 4:7 encourage us to trust God's provision in leadership?
7.How does 1 Kings 4:7 reflect Solomon's administrative organization and wisdom?
8.What historical evidence supports the existence of Solomon's twelve governors?
9.How does 1 Kings 4:7 demonstrate God's provision for Israel?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 4?
11.Who was Ben-Hur in the Bible?
12.Who was Ben-Hur in the Bible?
13.Why does 1 Kings 12:14 present Rehoboam’s answer as solely harsh, despite other biblical accounts that sometimes provide a balancing perspective?
14.Does any archaeological evidence confirm the vast wealth and population of Solomon’s empire described in 1 Kings 4?What Does 1 Kings 4:7 Mean
Solomon had twelve governors“Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household.” (1 Kings 4:7)
• By appointing twelve officials, Solomon follows the pattern of wise delegation first modeled by Moses when he chose capable men to share the load (Exodus 18:17-23).
• Twelve is also the number of Israel’s tribes, underscoring comprehensive representation much like David’s military divisions in1 Chronicles 27:1.
• Delegation protects a leader from burnout and allows each official to serve with focused excellence—an echo of the New-Testament counsel that “everything must be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Over all IsraelThe governors served “over all Israel,” not just Judah or favored regions.
• Solomon’s reign, like David’s before him (2 Samuel 5:1-3), pulls the entire nation into one united administration, anticipating the New-Covenant call to preserve “the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
• The later fracture of the kingdom in1 Kings 12 reminds us that unity can be lost when leaders neglect just governance and shared identity.
To provide food for the king and his householdThe stated purpose is provision: “to provide food for the king and his household.”
• Daily consumption was enormous—1 Kings 4:22-23 lists thirty cors of fine flour, sixty cors of meal, ten fat oxen, and more—yet Solomon organizes resources so the burden is sustainable.
• Nehemiah models similar generosity and accountability when feeding his own court (Nehemiah 5:18).
• Scripture consistently affirms that workers deserve support (1 Timothy 5:17-18), andProverbs 27:18 notes that “whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit.” Orderly provision honors those who serve and those who supply.
Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year“Each one was responsible for providing supplies for one month of the year.” (1 Kings 4:7)
• Rotating responsibility means no tribe or district is crushed by continuous taxation—wisdom foreshadowed by Joseph’s plan to store grain by fifths inGenesis 41:33-36.
• The monthly cycle matches the military and priestly rotations in1 Chronicles 27:1; 24:19, showing that rhythm and predictability bless a nation.
•Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us there is “a time for every purpose,” and faithful stewards (1 Corinthians 4:2) learn to plan within God-given seasons.
Spiritual lessons for today• Delegation honors God-given gifts—Acts 6:3 illustrates appointing Spirit-filled leaders so the mission advances.
• Shared load fosters unity; when the body of Christ functions “according to the measure of faith God has given” (Romans 12:6-8), everyone benefits.
• Orderly planning does not replace reliance on God; rather, it expresses it. “My God will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19) stands alongside organized labor and clear roles.
• Just, limited demands on people’s resources reflect love of neighbor and prevent abuse, contrasting with the oppressive taxation foretold in1 Samuel 8:11-18.
summary1 Kings 4:7 records Solomon’s wise appointment of twelve regional governors who, on a rotating monthly schedule, supplied all the food required by the royal court. The verse showcases delegation, national unity, fair distribution of burdens, and thoughtful planning—principles rooted in God’s character of order and justice. By mirroring these patterns in church, family, and civic life, believers honor the Lord who provides both structure and sustenance for His people.
(7)
Provided victuals for the king and his household.--This denotes the collection of revenue--mostly, no doubt, in kind--for the maintenance of the Court and household and guards of the king; and perhaps may have included also the management of the royal domain lands, such as is described under David's reign in
1Chronicles 26:25-31. It is curious that in five cases only the patronymic of the officer is given, probably from some defect in the archives from which this chapter is evidently drawn. The office must have been of high importance and dignity, for in two cases (
1Kings 4:11;
1Kings 4:15) the holders of it were married into the royal house. The provinces over which they had authority--nine on the west and three on the east of Jordan--coincide only in a few cases with the lands assigned to the several tribes. It is not unlikely that by this time much of the tribal division of territory had become obsolete although we see from
1Chronicles 27:16-22, that for chieftainship over men, and for levy in war, it still remained in force.
Verse 7. -
And Solomon had twelve officers [lit., persons
"placed" or
"set over" others,
i.e., superintendents. The term is used of Doeg (
1 Samuel 22:9). They were twelve, not because of the twelve tribes, but the twelve months]
over all Israel, which provided victuals for [Heb.
nourished]
the kingand his household:
each man his month in a year made provision [lit.,
amonth in the year it was (
i.e., devolved)
upon each to nourish. It has been thought by some that these superintendents were also governors of provinces (
ἡΓενισισόνες καὶσταηγοί, Jos. Ant. 8:2, 3), as well as purveyors. But of this nothing is said in the text. Their principal function was to collect the royal dues or taxes which were evidently paid, as they still are in the East, in kind].
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Solomonוְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֞ה(wə·liš·lō·mōh)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010:Solomon -- David's son and successor to his thronehad twelveשְׁנֵים־(šə·nêm-)Number - md
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)governorsנִצָּבִים֙(niṣ·ṣā·ḇîm)Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5324:To take one's stand, standoverעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstallכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל(yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his descto provide foodוְכִלְכְּל֥וּ(wə·ḵil·kə·lū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3557:To keep in, to measure, to maintainfor the kingהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingand his household.בֵּית֑וֹ(bê·ṯōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004:A house[Each] oneהָאֶחָ֖ד(hā·’e·ḥāḏ)Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstwould arrange provisionsלְכַלְכֵּֽל׃(lə·ḵal·kêl)Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3557:To keep in, to measure, to maintainfor one monthחֹ֧דֶשׁ(ḥō·ḏeš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a monthof the year,בַּשָּׁנָ֛ה(baš·šā·nāh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141:A year
Links
1 Kings 4:7 NIV1 Kings 4:7 NLT1 Kings 4:7 ESV1 Kings 4:7 NASB1 Kings 4:7 KJV
1 Kings 4:7 BibleApps.com1 Kings 4:7 Biblia Paralela1 Kings 4:7 Chinese Bible1 Kings 4:7 French Bible1 Kings 4:7 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Kings 4:7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) 
