7 And Solomon had twelve superintendents over all Israel; and they provided food for the king and his household: each man his month in the year had to make provision. 8 And these are their names: Ben-Hur, in mount Ephraim. 9 Ben-Deker in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-Beth-hanan. 10 Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth; he had Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher. 11 Ben-Abinadab had all the upland of Dor; Taphath the daughter of Solomon was his wife. 12 Baana the son of Ahilud had Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which is by Zaretan beneath Jizreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-Meholah, as far as beyond Jokneam. 13 Ben-Geber, in Ramoth-Gilead; he had the villages of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; he had the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bars of bronze. 14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo, at Mahanaim. 15 Ahimaaz, in Nephtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon as wife. 16 Baanah the son of Hushai, in Asher and in Aloth. 17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar. 18 Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin. 19 Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the land of Sihon the king of the Amorites, and of Og the king of Bashan; and [he was] the only superintendent that was in the land.

20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry. 21 And Solomon ruled over all kingdoms from the river to the land of the Philistines, and as far as the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:7-21

Commentary on 1 Kings 4:1-19

(Read 1 Kings 4:1-19)

In the choice of the great officers of Solomon's court, no doubt, his wisdom appeared. Several are the same that were in his father's time. A plan was settled by which no part of the country was exhausted to supply his court, though each sent its portion.

Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20-28

(Read 1 Kings 4:20-28)

Never did the crown of Israel shine so bright, as when Solomon wore it. He had peace on all sides. Herein, his kingdom was a type of the Messiah's; for to Him it is promised that he shall have the heathen for his inheritance, and that princes shall worship him. The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus, were typified by that of Israel. The kingdom of God is not, as Solomon's was, meat and drink, but, what is infinitely better, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The vast number of his attendants, and the great resort to him, are shown by the provision daily made. Herein Christ far outdoes Solomon, that he feeds all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but with that which endures to eternal life.