^4:7Solomon had twelve district governors appointed throughout Israel who acquired supplies for the king and his palace. Each was responsible for one month in the year. ^4:8These were their names:

Ben-Hur was in charge of the hill country of Ephraim.

^4:9Ben-Deker was in charge of Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan.

^4:10Ben-Hesed was in charge of Arubboth; he controlled Socoh and all the territory of Hepher.

^4:11Ben-Abinadab was in charge of Naphath Dor. (He was married to Solomon’s daughter Taphath.)

^4:12Baana son of Ahilud was in charge of Taanach and Megiddo,⁸ as well as all of Beth Shan next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah and on past Jokmeam.

^4:13Ben-Geber was in charge of Ramoth Gilead; he controlled the tent villages of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead, as well as the region of Argob in Bashan, including sixty large walled cities with bronze bars locking their gates.

^4:14Ahinadab son of Iddo was in charge of Mahanaim.

^4:15Ahimaaz was in charge of Naphtali. (He married Solomon’s daughter Basemath.)

^4:16Baana son of Hushai was in charge of Asher and Aloth.

^4:17Jehoshaphat son of Paruah was in charge of Issachar.

^4:18Shimei son of Ela was in charge of Benjamin.

^4:19Geber son of Uri was in charge of the land of Gilead (the territory which had once belonged to King Sihon of the Amorites and to King Og of Bashan). He was sole governor of the area.

Solomon’s Wealth and Fame

^4:20The people of Judah and Israel were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore; they had plenty to eat and drink and were happy.

Read in Logos

Footnotes

1 Heb “were scribes”; , , “secretaries”; , “court secretaries.”
2 Heb “was over.”
3 Heb “was over.”
4 Heb “close associate of”; , , “the king’s friend” (a title for an adviser, not just an acquaintance).
5 Heb “over the house.”
6 Heb “was over.”
7 The work crews. This Hebrew word (מַס, mas) refers to a group of laborers conscripted for royal or public service.
8 For location see ; ; ; ; .