Wesley Corpus

Chapter IV Solomon's ministers of state, ver. 1 - 6. The purveyors of his household, ver. 7 - 19. The number of his subjects, and extent of his kingdom, ver. 20, 21. The provision for his table, ver. 22, 23. The peace of his subjects, ver. 24, 25. His stables, ver. 26 - 28. His wisdom, ver. 29 - 34. All Israel - This is spoken with respect to his successors, who were kings only over a part, and that the smallest part of it. Princes - That is, the chief rulers or officers. The son - Or the grand - son. The priest - The second priest, or the priest that attended upon Solomon's person in holy offices and administrations. Scribes - That is, secretaries of state. He chose two, whereas David had but one: either, because he observed some inconveniences in trusting all those matters in one hand: or, because he had now much more employment than David had, this being a time of great peace and prosperity, and his empire enlarged. Priests - That is, the high - priests, successively, first Abiathar, and then Zadok. Officers - Over those twelve Officers, named ver.7, &c. who were all to give up their accompts to him. Nathan - The prophet, who had been so highly instrumental in Solomon's establishment in the throne. Principal officer - Possibly, president of the king's council. Friend - His confident, with whom he used to communicate his most secret counsels. Abiathar was - Steward of the king's household. Tribute - The personal tribute, or the levy of men, as appears by comparing this with chap.5:13,14, it being very fit that there should be some one person to whom the chief conduct of that great business was committed. The son, &c. - This and others of them are denominated from their fathers, because they were known and famous in their generation. Hepher - In Judah. Country of Gilead - That is, in the remaining part of that land of Gilead, which was mentioned above. The only officer - In all Gilead, excepting the parcels mentioned before, in all the territories of Sihon and Og; which because they were of large extent, and yet all committed to this one man, it is here noted concerning him as his privilege above the rest.