1 Kings 4:20

Solomon’s Daily Provisions

20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy.

1 Kings 4:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They were very contented, with plenty to eat and drink.
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 Judah and Israel were densely populated - like sand on an ocean beach! All their needs were met; they ate and drank and were happy.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They ate and drank and lived happily.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea; [they were] eating, drinking, and rejoicing.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 There were many people in Judah and Israel. In fact, they were as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. They ate, drank and were happy.

1 Kings 4:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 4:20

Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the
sea in multitude
Being blessed with great fruitfulness in their families, and having no pestilential disease among them, nor wars to lessen their number, and so the promise to Abraham was fulfilled, ( Genesis 22:17 ) ; and which was an emblem of Christ's spiritual subjects, especially in the latter day, whom Solomon was a type of, see ( Hosea 1:10 ) ; eating, and drinking, and making merry;
having a large increase of the fruits of the earth, and in no fear of any enemies; expressive of the spiritual joy of believers in the kingdom of Christ, and under the word and ordinances, ( Song of Solomon 2:3 Song of Solomon 2:4 ) ( 5:1 ) ( Romans 5:2 Romans 5:3 Romans 5:11 ) ( 14:17 ) .

1 Kings 4:20 In-Context

18 Shimei son of Ela—in Benjamin;
19 Geber son of Uri—in Gilead (the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and the country of Og king of Bashan). He was the only governor over the district.
20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy.
21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.
22 Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of the finest flour and sixty cors of meal,

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Genesis 12:2; Genesis 22:17; S Genesis 32:12; 1 Kings 3:8
  • 2. 1 Chronicles 22:9
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