1 Kings 4:1-6 – Collaborating with faithful men

In 1 Kings 4, Solomon’s God-given wisdom was used in nation-building. He began to set people in the respective offices. He placed appropriate people into positions for effectiveness.

Due to the importance of the priesthood, the first name on the list of 1 Kings 4:1-6 is Azariah the priest. The reason he was mentioned before his father Zadok could well be that he served as a priest for the larger part of Solomon’s reign. He had succeeded his father Zadok, who was mentioned with Abiathar as the priest in verse 4. Abiathar as we know was the priest who supported Adonijah in the latter’s attempt to seize the throne. First Kings 2:26 said that Solomon had banished him to Anathoth. Why then was he included in the list of names here? We suspect that he was retained because of the delicate political situation in the early years of his reign.  

Solomon had two secretaries. They were Elihoreph and Ahijah. They are like the Permanent Secretaries we have in our Prime Minister’s office. One, he assigned to run the matters pertaining to his home, and the other to help him deal with foreign correspondence. He also had a recorder in the person of Jehoshaphat.  As a recorder, he was to help to transmit and explain the king’s command. He was the king’s connecting person with the public.  

Benaiah and Zadok were both rewarded for their part in helping Solomon to the throne. The former became the commander of his army. The latter was a priest together with his son Azariah. Two of Nathan’s sons were also given prominent positions. The first, who shared the same name as the priest Azariah, was made supervisor of the officers or deputies who looked after the different districts in the kingdom. Zabud, the other son of Nathan, was a special counsel to the king. Solomon wisely took the advice of his father by rewarding faithful people and punishing opponents. Two more persons help to complete the list. Ahisar took care of household matters and matters in the palace, while Adoniram was the supervisor of the people who were conscripted to serve in the palace.    

For success in our service to God, we need to surround ourselves with trustworthy and capable people. None of us can advance God’s work alone. All good leaders know that they must delegate responsibility and grant authority to get the work of God done. This reminds us of Paul’s advice to Timothy. “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” We need to seek out faithful men, impart what we have learned so that God’s work can advance.