Topical Bible: Holy Land: Divided Into: Twelve Provinces by Solomon

◄ Holy Land: Divided Into: Twelve Provinces by Solomon ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

During the reign of King Solomon, the Holy Land was organized into a system of administrative divisions to ensure efficient governance and resource management. This division into twelve provinces is documented in the First Book of Kings, reflecting Solomon's wisdom in establishing a structured and prosperous kingdom.

Biblical Context and Purpose

Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and understanding, sought to consolidate his rule over Israel by implementing a system that would facilitate the collection of taxes and provision of supplies for the royal household. This administrative strategy was crucial for maintaining the grandeur and stability of his reign, as well as for supporting the extensive building projects, including the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Scriptural Reference

The division of the land into twelve provinces is detailed in 1 Kings 4:7-19. The Berean Standard Bible provides a clear account of this arrangement:

"Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each one made provision for one month of the year." (1 Kings 4:7)

The Twelve Provinces

1. Ben-Hur: Responsible for the hill country of Ephraim.
2. Ben-Deker: Governed Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan.
3. Ben-Hesed: Managed Arubboth, including Socoh and all the land of Hepher.
4. Ben-Abinadab: Oversaw Naphath-dor; he was married to Taphath, Solomon's daughter.
5. Baana son of Ahilud: Administered Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, near Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as Jokmeam.
6. Ben-Geber: Controlled Ramoth-gilead, including the towns of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead, and the region of Argob in Bashan—sixty large cities with walls and bronze gate bars.
7. Ahinadab son of Iddo: Governed Mahanaim.
8. Ahimaaz: Ruled Naphtali; he was married to Basemath, another of Solomon's daughters.
9. Baana son of Hushai: Managed Asher and Aloth.
10. Jehoshaphat son of Paruah: Administered Issachar.
11. Shimei son of Ela: Governed Benjamin.
12. Geber son of Uri: Controlled the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan. He was the only governor over the land.

Significance of the Division

This division not only facilitated the efficient collection of resources but also helped in maintaining peace and order throughout the kingdom. Each governor was responsible for the economic and administrative needs of their respective province, ensuring that the king's household was well-supplied and that the kingdom's infrastructure was maintained.

Solomon's division of the land into twelve provinces reflects his strategic acumen and his ability to manage a vast and diverse kingdom. This system allowed for a centralized yet locally responsive governance structure, contributing to the prosperity and stability of Israel during his reign.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:7-19
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Introduction.
... among them, for they all shall be holy, and their ... to a dweller in Egypt would be
the land of mystery ... The former are divided into various orders and degrees; in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

The Historical Books.
... books of Kings may be conveniently divided into three periods ... depended their right
to minister in holy things. ... and expounded to the people throughout the land. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... the language of Canaan, [2872] and through the land of Goshen ... it by my love for the
holy places; and ... of which she left to men, she divided into three companies ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... the mausoleum in Rome." The document is divided into three parts ... on their return
from the Holy Land towards the ... and quarter in which the land alone represented ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... copy of its plan upon his lap divided according to ... fact that he erected statues in
"the land of the ... pretext for invading Babylonia and seizing the holy city of ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... have come to the study of the holy scriptures ... who crossed over Jordan, subdued hostile
kingdoms, divided the land ... a lamb, O Lord, as ruler of the land from the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... the inhabitants; for even these they have divided between the ... struggles of the prelates
of his native land, on whose ... But the Holy Spirit must needs win the day ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... the times of the apostles the disciples were divided-one was ... Mount Sinai (Exodus
19:3). He must into the mount ... when he hath the view of the Holy Land, and of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Puritan Conflict.
... and Dutch refugees conform or leave the land, and forbade ... addressed as His Holiness,
and Most Holy father. ... ruled the divided nation, was now divided, while the ...
/.../ 92 the puritan conflict.htm

Appendices
... has ever made a ship [on this wise] that it should sail over the land.' ... ... its interior
I divided into nine parts. ... I entered into the ship and closed my door. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm