These were their names: Ben-hur, in the hill country of Ephraim;
The chapter has already named Solomon's court officials. Now it turns to twelve district officers, each over one region, starting with Ben-hur in the hill country of Ephraim. Why does God keep the names of men who supplied a king's table? And what does the list show about the kingdom Solomon's reign pictures?
Officers Who Upheld the Throne
Verse 8 is the first entry in a list, and the list has a purpose. One writer sums up the whole chapter:
J. N. Darby1 Kings 4 contains a list of the officers who served Solomon and upheld the glory of his throne. It then shows how the whole country provided for the upkeep of his household, while Judah and Israel grew in number and were full of joy. The king's authority extends as far as the Euphrates. Peace reigns all around.
Names That Fit the Kingdom
The chapter lists names before it lists duties. One writer reads the names themselves as part of the message, and gives the meaning of some:
Arno Clemens Gaebelein"So King Solomon was king over all Israel." The chapter gives a list of the princes and the twelve officers first. Their names fit the character of the kingdom exactly, and they point forward to the coming and better kingdom of our Lord. Here are the names of the princes with their meanings: Azariah, "Jehovah is help"; Elihoreph, "my God is reward"; Jehoshaphat, "Jehovah judges"; Benaiah, "Built up by Jehovah"; Zabud, "Gift bestowed."
Ben-hur in the Hill Country
The first man on the list carries his father's name, and his post was practical:
Morrish Bible DictionaryBen-hur, or "son of Hur," supply officer of Solomon in mount Ephraim. 1 Kings 4:8.
The name of his district can mislead:
Morrish Bible DictionaryMount Ephraim does not refer to any one mountain. It refers to the range of hills, or hill country, in Ephraim, which stretches from Bethel to the plains of Jezreel.
Provision Carried to the King
The supplies ran one way: from the regions to the king's table. One writer draws out what that pictures:
Leslie M. GrantSolomon did have 12 governors over Israel, each in a different area. Scripture does not say that these men were benefactors of the people. It says that each one in turn provided food for Solomon and his household, one month each year (v.7). This pictures how Israel will respond to the Lord Jesus in a coming day, when they give Him their full allegiance. We may be sure these governors also cared for the needs of the people. In the same way, those who give the Lord the first place will not fail to show kindness to others.
Twelve, and What It Signals
The count matters. One writer explains what twelve stands for in Scripture:
William KellyTwelve is the number devoted to perfection in human government — in government by man. In the Church the number is seven, because there the administration is spiritual. In Israel it is twelve — twelve tribes, not seven.
The chapter's other list falls one short. Verses 2–6 name eleven princes, not twelve. Writers call the coming kingdom of the Lord Jesus His millennial reign, and one commentator reads the missing twelfth prince as part of the picture:
Leslie M. GrantNow Solomon was undisputed king over all Israel, and the unity of peace held, for this is typical of the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus. However, Solomon's reign was not itself millennial. So he had only eleven princes (vs.2-6), not twelve — and twelve is the number of governmental completeness.
Names Written Down
God could have left these supply officers out of His book. He did not. One writer draws out the principle:
The Bible TreasuryThe Lord takes pleasure in recording even the names of His servants… He honours those who honour Him. He records their names in His word now, just as He will glorify their persons in the great day that is coming quickly.
Reading such a list well takes help from God:
Leslie M. GrantVerses 8-19 tell us the names of the 12 governors and the areas they ruled. Such scripture holds real instruction and blessing for those who seek and receive discernment from God to search it out.
Summary
- Named. The list opens with "these were their names." The names suit the character of the kingdom and point forward to the better kingdom of Christ.
- Placed. Ben-hur, "son of Hur," supplied Solomon from the hill country of Ephraim. That was not one mountain but a range of hills running from Bethel to the plains of Jezreel.
- Provisioned. Each of the twelve fed the king's household for one month. Supply flowing up to the throne pictures Israel one day giving the Lord Jesus full allegiance.
- Numbered. Twelve is the number of completeness in government by man. The eleven court princes of verses 2–6 mark a reign that pictures Christ's coming kingdom without being it.
- Remembered. The Lord takes pleasure in recording the names of His servants. Even one supply officer's line rewards the reader who searches it out.