Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Elihoreph and AhijahThese names are significant in understanding the administrative structure of King Solomon's reign. "Elihoreph" means "God is my reward," and "Ahijah" means "brother of the Lord" or "my brother is Yah." These names reflect a deep connection to the divine, suggesting that those who served in Solomon's court were not only skilled but also carried names that reminded them of their spiritual heritage. The presence of two secretaries indicates the complexity and the need for meticulous record-keeping in Solomon's expansive kingdom. the sons of Shisha
"Shisha" is a name that appears only here in the Bible, and it is believed to be a variant of "Seraiah," a name associated with scribes. The mention of their father highlights the importance of lineage and the passing down of roles and responsibilities within families. This reflects the biblical principle of generational legacy and the importance of family in maintaining societal roles. were secretaries
The role of a secretary in ancient Israel was crucial. Secretaries were responsible for recording decrees, managing correspondence, and maintaining the king's records. This position required literacy and a deep understanding of the law and governance. In the Hebrew context, the word used here is "sopherim," which can also mean "scribes." This highlights the importance of written communication and record-keeping in maintaining the order and administration of the kingdom. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud
"Jehoshaphat" means "Yahweh has judged," and "Ahilud" means "brother of one born." Jehoshaphat's role as the recorder was vital in ensuring that the king's decrees and the events of the kingdom were accurately documented. His name suggests a divine endorsement of his role, emphasizing the belief that God is the ultimate judge and overseer of all human affairs. was the recorder
The recorder, or "mazkir" in Hebrew, was responsible for chronicling the events of the kingdom, similar to a modern-day historian or archivist. This role was essential for preserving the history and ensuring that future generations could learn from past events. The recorder's work was not just administrative but also theological, as it involved interpreting events in light of God's covenant with Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. Elihoreph and AhijahThese individuals were sons of Shisha and served as secretaries in King Solomon's administration. Their role was crucial in maintaining records and managing correspondence, reflecting the organized and bureaucratic nature of Solomon's reign. 2. ShishaThe father of Elihoreph and Ahijah, Shisha's mention indicates a family tradition of serving in administrative roles, suggesting a legacy of loyalty and service to the king. 3. Jehoshaphat son of AhiludHe served as the recorder, a position responsible for chronicling events and maintaining official records. This role was vital for preserving the history and decisions of the kingdom. 4. King Solomon's AdministrationThis verse is part of a larger passage detailing the officials in Solomon's court, highlighting the structured and efficient governance that characterized his reign. 5. The Kingdom of IsraelUnder Solomon, the kingdom experienced unprecedented peace and prosperity, necessitating a well-organized administration to manage its affairs. Teaching Points The Importance of Administration in LeadershipEffective leadership requires organization and delegation. Solomon's administration exemplifies how structured governance can lead to peace and prosperity. Legacy of ServiceThe mention of Shisha and his sons highlights the impact of a family legacy of service. Encouraging and training the next generation in faithfulness and diligence can have lasting effects. Faithfulness in Small RolesElihoreph, Ahijah, and Jehoshaphat served in roles that may seem minor but were essential to the kingdom's success. Every role in God's kingdom is significant, and faithfulness in small things is crucial. The Role of Record Keeping in God's WorkThe recorder's role emphasizes the importance of documenting God's work and faithfulness. Keeping records of God's blessings and guidance can strengthen faith and provide a testimony to others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the structure of Solomon's administration reflect God's design for order and leadership in our own lives and communities? 2. In what ways can we cultivate a legacy of service and faithfulness within our families and communities, similar to Shisha and his sons? 3. How can we apply the principle of being faithful in small roles to our current responsibilities, whether in church, work, or family? 4. What are some practical ways we can document and remember God's work in our lives, similar to the role of the recorder in Solomon's administration? 5. How does understanding the roles and responsibilities within Solomon's administration help us appreciate the importance of each member's contribution to the body of Christ, as described in 1 Corinthians 12? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 18:15This verse mentions Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud as the recorder during King David's reign, indicating continuity and stability in the kingdom's administration from David to Solomon. Proverbs 22:29This proverb speaks to the value of skilled and diligent work, which can be related to the roles of Elihoreph, Ahijah, and Jehoshaphat, who served faithfully in their administrative capacities. Romans 13:1This passage discusses the importance of respecting governing authorities, which can be connected to the structured leadership seen in Solomon's administration. People Abda, Abel, Abiathar, Abinadab, Adoniram, Ahiah, Ahijah, Ahilud, Ahimaaz, Ahinadab, Ahishar, Amorites, Argob, Asher, Azariah, Baana, Baanah, Basmath, Ben, Benaiah, Benjamin, Calcol, Chalcol, Dan, Darda, Dekar, Elah, Elihoreph, Elon, Ethan, Geber, Hanan, Heman, Hepher, Hesed, Hur, Hushai, Iddo, Issachar, Jair, Jehoiada, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Mahol, Manasseh, Naphtali, Nathan, Og, Paruah, Shimei, Shisha, Sihon, Solomon, Taphath, Uri, Zabud, ZadokPlaces Abel-meholah, Argob, Arubboth, Bashan, Bealoth, Beersheba, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Dan, Egypt, Elonbeth-hanan, Euphrates River, Gaza, Gilead, Hepher, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Jokmeam, Lebanon, Mahanaim, Makaz, Megiddo, Naphath-dor, Ramoth-gilead, Shaalbim, Socoh, Taanach, Tiphsah, ZarethanTopics Ahiah, Ahijah, Ahi'jah, Ahilud, Ahi'lud, Chronicler, Elihoreph, Elihor'eph, Jehosaphat, Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat, Recorder, Remembrancer, Scribes, Secretaries, Shisha, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 4:3 5514 scribes
5519 secretary 1 Kings 4:1-25 7236 Israel, united kingdom 1 Kings 4:2-5 5433 occupations Library The Great Gain of Godliness
'And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 26. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 27. And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. 28. Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWhether He who Raises the Unworthy to Orders Commits a Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that he who raises the unworthy to orders commits no sin. For a bishop needs assistants appointed to the lesser offices. But he would be unable to find them in sufficient number, if he were to require of them such qualifications as the saints enumerate. Therefore if he raise some who are not qualified, he would seem to be excusable. Objection 2: Further, the Church needs not only ministers for the dispensation of things spiritual, but also for the supervision of temporalities. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
I suspect a double error in some maps, while they place these two towns in Perea; much more, while they place them at so little a distance. We do not deny, indeed, that the city Adam was in Perea; but Zaretan was not so. Of Adam is mention, Joshua 3:16; where discourse is had of the cutting-off, or cutting in two, the waters of Jordan, that they might afford a passage to Israel; The waters rose up upon a heap afar off in Adam. For the textual reading "In Adam," the marginal hath "From Adam." You …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So Perplexing and Anomalous...
Perhaps there is no book within the whole canon of Scripture so perplexing and anomalous, at first sight, as that entitled "Ecclesiastes." Its terrible hopelessness, its bold expression of those difficulties with which man is surrounded on every side, the apparent fruitlessness of its quest after good, the unsatisfactory character, from a Christian standpoint, of its conclusion: all these points have made it, at one and the same time, an enigma to the superficial student of the Word, and the arsenal …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful
Luke 10:42 -- "But one thing is needful." It was the amiable character of our blessed Redeemer, that "he went about doing good," this great motive, which animated all his actions, brought him to the house of his friend Lazarus, at Bethany, and directed his behavior there. Though it was a season of recess from public labor, our Lord brought the sentiments and the pious cares of a preacher of righteousness into the parlor of a friend; and there his doctrine dropped as the rain, and distilled as the …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
OR, THE COMMUNION OF COMMUNICATION. I would cause Thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate."--Song of Solomon viii. 2.And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."--John i. 16. THE SPICED WINE OF MY POMEGRANATE. THE immovable basis of communion having been laid of old in the eternal union which subsisted between Christ and His elect, it only needed a fitting occasion to manifest itself in active development. The Lord Jesus had for ever delighted Himself with the …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
1. The Hebrews reckon but three books as poetical, namely: Job, Psalms, and Proverbs, which are distinguished from the rest by a stricter rhythm--the rhythm not of feet, but of clauses (see below, No. 3)--and a peculiar system of accentuation. It is obvious to every reader that the poetry of the Old Testament, in the usual sense of the word, is not restricted to these three books. But they are called poetical in a special and technical sense. In any natural classification of the books of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 4:3 NIV1 Kings 4:3 NLT1 Kings 4:3 ESV1 Kings 4:3 NASB1 Kings 4:3 KJV
1 Kings 4:3 Commentaries
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