1 kings 4:10 - Ben Hesed, in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him);

Generated Verse: 1 kings 4:10

What does "1 kings 4:10" mean?


This verse from 1 Kings 4:10 is part of a list describing Solomon's administrative districts and the officials he appointed to govern them. Let's break it down:

"Ben Hesed": This is a personal name, meaning "son of Hesed." It identifies the official in charge of this particular district.
"in Arubboth": Arubboth was the name of a specific district or region within Solomon's kingdom. This was the administrative center or main town of the region under Ben Hesed's authority.
"(Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him)": This clarifies the geographical extent of Ben Hesed's jurisdiction. Socoh was a town, and the "land of Hepher" was a broader surrounding area. So, Ben Hesed was responsible for governing both Socoh and all the territories within the land of Hepher.

In essence, the verse means:

Ben Hesed was the governor of the Arubboth district, and his responsibilities included governing the town of Socoh and the entire region known as the land of Hepher.

Why is this information included?

This list in 1 Kings 4 serves several purposes:

To show Solomon's organized government: It highlights how Solomon divided his kingdom into districts for efficient administration and resource collection.
To demonstrate Solomon's power and wealth: The ability to appoint officials and collect tribute from these districts shows his control and affluence.
To provide historical and geographical context: It gives us information about the places and people who lived during Solomon's reign.
To illustrate the burden on the people: While the passage celebrates Solomon's reign, it also hints at the heavy taxation and labor demands placed on the populace to support his lavish lifestyle and building projects.

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