1136. Ben-chesed

Lexical Summary

Ben-chesed: Ben-chesed

Original Word: בֶּן־חֶסֶד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ben-Checed
Pronunciation: ben-kheh'-sed
Phonetic Spelling: (ben-kheh'-sed)
KJV: the son of Hesed
NASB: Ben-hesed
Word Origin: [from H1121 (בֵּן - sons) and H2617 (חֵסֵד - Lovingkindness)]

1. son of kindness
2. Ben- Chesed, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

the son of Hesed

From ben and checed; son of kindness; Ben- Chesed, an Israelite -- the son of Hesed.

see HEBREW ben

see HEBREW checed

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ben and chesed
Definition
"son of mercy," one of Solomon's leaders
NASB Translation
Ben-hesed (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בֶּןחֶֿ֫סֶד proper name, masculine (son of mercy) an officer of Solomon 1 Kings 4:10.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

1 Kings 4:10 mentions Ben-hesed among the twelve officials appointed by King Solomon to provide food for the royal household: “Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher were his);” (Berean Standard Bible). This single reference situates him squarely within the administrative framework of the united monarchy during Solomon’s reign.

Historical Context

Solomon’s reorganization of Israel into twelve administrative districts (1 Kings 4:7-19) marked a strategic shift from tribal structures toward a centralized kingdom. Each overseer supplied provisions for the royal court one month of the year, ensuring a stable flow of resources without overburdening any single region. Ben-hesed’s appointment reflects both the breadth of Solomon’s kingdom and the king’s wisdom in employing capable leaders to sustain national prosperity.

Geographical Setting

Ben-hesed’s jurisdiction—Arubboth, Socoh, and all the land of Hepher—lies in the western foothills and lowlands of central Israel.
• Arubboth likely covered fertile valleys ideal for grain and pasture.
• Socoh, positioned strategically along trade routes, provided commercial access.
• The land of Hepher encompassed portions of the rich coastal plain, well suited for agriculture.

Control of these areas gave Ben-hesed access to abundant produce, enabling him to fulfill his monthly obligation to the royal storehouses.

Role in Solomon’s Administration

1. Resource Management: His chief task was to gather, store, and transport foodstuffs to Jerusalem. The efficiency of such officials allowed Solomon to maintain a large court and pursue expansive building projects (1 Kings 4:22-27; 1 Kings 5:13-18).
2. Regional Governance: Beyond provisioning, district supervisors upheld royal justice and tax collection, solidifying Solomon’s authority across tribal boundaries.
3. Covenant Witness: Their orderly service embodied the fulfillment of Deuteronomic promises of abundance and stability when Israel walked in covenant obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-12).

Theological and Ministry Insights

• God’s Provision through Human Agents: Ben-hesed’s unobtrusive yet essential role shows how God often uses administrators, logisticians, and civil servants to sustain His people’s welfare (compare Nehemiah 11:1-2).
• Faithful Stewardship: Though unnamed elsewhere, his inclusion in Scripture testifies that diligent stewardship, even behind the scenes, matters to God (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Foreshadowing Kingdom Order: Solomon’s structured rule prefigures the peace and order of the Messianic kingdom, where righteous governance ensures prosperity for all (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Related Scriptures and Themes

• Wisdom in Administration: Proverbs 28:2; Ecclesiastes 10:16-17.
• Divine Hesed (steadfast love) expressed in governance: Psalms 33:5; Jeremiah 9:24.
• Provision for God’s House: 2 Chronicles 31:11-12; Acts 6:1-4.

Key Lessons for Contemporary Believers

1. Value of Support Ministries: Effective kingdom work depends not only on public leaders but also on those who manage resources faithfully.
2. Integration of Spiritual and Civic Life: Like Solomon’s officials, believers are called to honor God through excellence in secular vocations.
3. Trust in God’s Covenant Faithfulness: The prosperity under Solomon, facilitated by servants such as Ben-hesed, reinforces confidence that God supplies every need for those aligned with His purposes (Philippians 4:19).

Forms and Transliterations

חֶ֖סֶד חסד Chesed ḥe·seḏ ḥeseḏ

Englishman's Concordance

1 Kings 4:10
HEB: בֶּן־ חֶ֖סֶד בָּֽאֲרֻבּ֑וֹת ל֥וֹ
NAS: Ben-hesed, in Arubboth (Socoh
KJV: The son of Hesed, in Aruboth;
INT: Ben-hesed Arubboth (Socoh

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1136
1 Occurrence

ḥe·seḏ — 1 Occ.