Bible Strands
1 Kings 4:5
Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king;
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Solomon’s administrative appointments during his reign, listing officials who oversee military, religious, and civil functions.
The words — עַל (‘al) means “over,” and הַנִּצָּבִים (ha-niṣṣāḇîm) translates literally to “the overseers” or “governors.”
The thread — The text’s administrative structure parallels other court records, while the title “king’s friend” appears in 2 Samuel 15:37, 2 Samuel 16:16, and 1 Chronicles 27:33 regarding Hushai.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to recognize that Solomon’s rule operates through a structured bureaucracy rather than personal rule alone.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers: and Zabud the son of Nathan was principal officer, and the king’s friend:
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 15:37 So David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.
- 2 Samuel 16:16 And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
- 1 Chronicles 27:33 Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
- 2 Samuel 7:2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
- 2 Samuel 8:18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders.
- 2 Samuel 12:1 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.
- 2 Samuel 12:25 and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him.
- 2 Samuel 19:37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”
- 2 Samuel 20:26 and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.
- 1 Kings 1:10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.