1 Kings 4:20-25

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.

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^[a] of the finest flour and sixty cors^[b] of meal,

23 ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl.

24 For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides.

25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree.

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1 Kings 4:20-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 4

As in the preceding chapter we have a proof of the wisdom and understanding which the Lord gave to Solomon, as promised, so in this an account is given of the riches and honour he was possessed of; of him, as king over all Israel, and of his princes, 1Ki 4:1-6; of the providers of food for his household in the several parts of the land, 1Ki 4:7-19; of the largeness and extent of his dominions, and of the peace and prosperity thereof, 1Ki 4:20,21,24,25; of his daily provisions for his household and for his cattle, 1Ki 4:22,23,26-28; and of his superior wisdom and knowledge to all others in all nations, which brought some out of all to hear it, 1Ki 4:29-34.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 13

1. S Genesis 12:2; Genesis 22:17; S Genesis 32:12; 1 Kings 3:8
2. 1 Chronicles 22:9
3. 2 Chronicles 9:26; Ezra 4:20; Psalms 72:11; Lamentations 1:1
4. S Genesis 2:14; Joshua 1:4; Psalms 72:8
5. S Exodus 23:31; Genesis 15:18
6. S Judges 3:15; Ezekiel 16:13; Psalms 68:29
7. 1 Kings 10:5
8. Nehemiah 5:18
9. 2 Kings 15:16; Psalms 72:11
10. S Joshua 14:15; 1 Chronicles 22:9
11. S Judges 20:1
12. 1 Chronicles 22:9; Jeremiah 23:6; Ezekiel 28:26; Ezekiel 39:26
13. Deuteronomy 8:8; 2 Kings 18:31; Psalms 105:33; Isaiah 36:16; Jeremiah 5:17; Joel 2:22; Micah 4:4; Zechariah 3:10

Footnotes 2

[a]. That is, probably about 5 1/2 tons or about 5 metric tons
[b]. That is, probably about 11 tons or about 10 metric tons