And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:
Parallel translations
- WEB Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, the king’s friend;
- BSB Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king;
- NKJV Azariah the son of Nathan, over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest and the king’s friend;
- NASB and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the deputies; and Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest, was the king’s confidant;
- NLT Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the district governors. Zabud son of Nathan, a priest, was a trusted adviser to the king.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Azariah oversees the regional officers, and Zabud serves as priest and the king's friend. Trusted advisors surround Solomon's throne.
Overview
Two sons of Nathan hold high posts, one over the district officers and the other as a personal priest and confidant called 'the king's friend.' The title marks a position of intimate counsel and trust near the king. The arrangement shows a kingdom well staffed with capable and trusted men, reflecting Solomon's ordered rule.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Chr 27:33And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:
- 2 Sam 15:37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
- 2 Sam 16:16And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
- John 15:14–15Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
- 2 Sam 7:2That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
- 2 Sam 12:1–15And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
- 2 Sam 8:18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.
- Jas 2:23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
- 2 Sam 12:25And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
- 2 Sam 20:26And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
- Prov 22:11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
- 1 Kgs 4:7And 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.
- John 13:23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
- 2 Sam 19:37–38Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
- 1 Kgs 1:10–53But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Solomon's glory, wisdom, and temple where God's presence dwells are a shadow of the greater Son of David — 'one greater than Solomon is here' — and of the true Temple, Christ himself.
How 1 Kings 4:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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