What is the meaning of 1 Kings 4:9? Ben-deker • Verse focus: “Ben-deker” (1 Kings 4:9). One of the twelve officers Solomon appointed “to provide food for the king and his household; each man was to provide for one month of the year” (1 Kings 4:7, 27). • Practical insight: Solomon’s wisdom shows up not only in proverbs and judgments but in the administrative structure that kept an entire kingdom well supplied. Ben-deker’s job was real, measurable, and essential. • Spiritual takeaway: God values order and delegation; He calls people to specific tasks (Exodus 18:21-23; Acts 6:3-4). Ben-deker’s inclusion proves that even seemingly routine service matters in the kingdom. in Makaz • The first town listed under Ben-deker’s jurisdiction. Though Scripture mentions Makaz only here, its presence confirms the literal geographic spread of Solomon’s districts. • Application: The Lord records places most people will never visit, reminding us that “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere” (Proverbs 15:3). No corner of His kingdom is unseen, and no work done there is forgotten (1 Corinthians 15:58). in Shaalbim • Cross-reference: Shaalbim (also called Shaalabbin) appears in Joshua 19:42 as territory allotted to Dan, and in Judges 1:35 where the Amorites hemmed the Danites in. • Lesson: Under Solomon the area once marked by conflict now contributes to national prosperity—evidence of God’s promise, “I will give you rest from all your enemies” (2 Samuel 7:11). Past struggles do not disqualify a place—or a person—from future fruitfulness. in Beth-shemesh • Beth-shemesh had a rich history: the Ark returned here on a cart led by cows (1 Samuel 6:12-15), and later kings clashed here (2 Kings 14:11-13). • Insight: A town that witnessed God’s glory and severe judgment now serves in the steady rhythm of provision. Holiness is not confined to mountaintop moments; it permeates everyday labor (Colossians 3:23-24). and in Elon-beth-hanan • This plain, listed only in 1 Kings 4:9, likely supplied fertile fields. Its very mention underscores the abundance spoken of two verses later: “Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, drank, and rejoiced” (1 Kings 4:20). • Picture the scene: wagonloads of grain, oil, and wine moving month by month toward Jerusalem—tangible proof that “The LORD blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). summary 1 Kings 4:9 is more than a roster entry; it is a snapshot of godly order, fulfilled promises, and shared provision. Ben-deker and his four towns illustrate how the Lord weaves people, places, and daily tasks into a tapestry of national—and eternal—blessing. |
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