Solomon's princes, governors, and daily provision; his wisdom 'exceeded the wisdom of all the children of the east,' and he spoke three thousand proverbs.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Verse structure: 5 words, 24 letters. The shortest word is "king" (מֶ֖לֶךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "over·all·Israel" (עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל, 9 letters). The root מלך appears 2 times in this verse. 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king" (root מלך, 341x in I Kings); "and·it·was" (root היה, 196x in I Kings); "Solomon" (root שלמה, 162x in I Kings). Full calculation: וַֽיְהִי֙ [and·it·was] (31) + הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ [king] (95) + שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה [Solomon] (375) + מֶ֖לֶךְ [king] (90) + עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [over·all·Israel] (691) = 1282.
Rashi
He reigned over all Israel. When they saw his wisdom, they all rejoiced in his kingship.
Radak
“Over all Israel.” Since David, his father, did not reign over all Israel at the beginning of his kingship, [the text] states that Solomon reigned over all Israel, so that no one would doubt his kingship, as they saw the wisdom of God within him to execute justice.
Ralbag
"And King Solomon reigned over all Israel." I consider that the intention here is that all were joyful with him, and there was no inclination in their hearts to rebel against him in any way.
"And Zadok and Abiathar were priests." It might seem that although [Solomon] expelled him from serving as a priest to the Lord and told him to go to Anathoth, nevertheless, he was compelled to serve at the time when Zadok was unfit to serve.
Metzudat David
Over all Israel. Meaning: from now on they all accepted him with love, upon seeing in his wisdom.
Malbim
The questions: Why does it say a third time that he was king over all Israel, when he had already mentioned twice that the kingdom was firmly established in his hand?
"And King Solomon reigned over all Israel." This was already stated above twice. Abarbanel wrote that this comes to inform us that three causes were joined together in his coronation: 1. The will of his father, who crowned him during his lifetime; and this is what is said there: "After the mention of the anointing, and Solomon sat on the throne of his father, and his kingdom was established greatly." 2. That he killed his enemies; and this is what is said there: "And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon." 3. That God gave him wisdom and understanding, whereby all the people desired his kingship; and this is what is said here: "that he was king over all Israel," meaning: not like Saul, who at the beginning of his reign was despised by the worthless men, nor like David, who reigned seven years over Judah alone; rather, immediately he reigned over all Israel, and there was no one opening his mouth or chirping [in opposition].
And these were the princes whom he had: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest;
verse value 1764
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 30 letters. Verse gematria: 1764 = 42². The shortest word is "and·these" (וְאֵ֥לֶּה, 4 letters) and the longest is "Azariah" (עֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "the·princes" (הַשָּׂרִ֖ים), "Azariah" (עֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ), "son·of·Zadok" (בֶן־צָד֖וֹק). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "whom·he·had" (root אשר, 375x in I Kings); "priest" (root כהן, 29x in I Kings); "and·these" (root אלה, 28x in I Kings). First appearance of the root אלה ("and·these") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'whom·he·had', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְאֵ֥לֶּה [and·these] (42) + הַשָּׂרִ֖ים [the·princes] (555) + אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ [whom·he·had] (537) + עֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ [Azariah] (298) + בֶן־צָד֖וֹק [son·of·Zadok] (252) + הַכֹּהֵֽן [priest] (80) = 1764.
Radak
Azariah ben Zadok. The text does not specify what office he was appointed to. If this Zadok is Zadok the priest, son of Ahitub, who was with David, whom they anointed as priest together with Solomon, then Azariah was the son of his son, for Ahimaaz was the son of Zadok, and Azariah was the son of Ahimaaz.
Metzudat David
The priest. Perhaps he appointed him as the priest anointed for war, in place of Zadok who was appointed high priest. And although David appointed Ira to be in place of Zadok, as is said in II Samuel (20:26), perhaps Ira died before he was appointed.
Malbim
(2-3) "Azariah the son of Zadok" — that is to say, a grandson [lit. "son of his son"], for he was the son of Ahimaaz son of Zadok. And [the text] did not explain over what he was appointed. And Abarbanel explained that it refers to the verse below, "Azariah, Elihoreph, and Ahijah the scribes." Rashi explained that they were writers of the chronicles. And likewise they wrote all the deeds of the king and his judgments; whichever legal matter was mentioned first, they would record it. And Abarbanel wrote that he was the writer of the Book of Remembrances.
Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder;
verse value 2225
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "son" (בְּנֵ֥י, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Ahilud" (בֶּן־אֲחִיל֖וּד, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "Elihoreph" (אֱלִיחֹ֧רֶף), "and·Ahijah" (וַאֲחִיָּ֛ה), "Shisha" (שִׁישָׁ֖א). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Ahilud" (root בין, 107x in I Kings); "son" (root בן, 72x in I Kings); "scribes" (root ספר, 22x in I Kings). First appearance of the root אחיה ("and·Ahijah") in I Kings. First appearance of the root יהושפט ("Jehoshaphat") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'scribes', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: אֱלִיחֹ֧רֶף [Elihoreph] (329) + וַאֲחִיָּ֛ה [and·Ahijah] (30) + בְּנֵ֥י [son] (62) + שִׁישָׁ֖א [Shisha] (611) + סֹפְרִ֑ים [scribes] (390) + יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + בֶּן־אֲחִיל֖וּד [son·of·Ahilud] (111) + הַמַּזְכִּֽיר [the·recorder] (282) = 2225.
Rashi
Scribes: to write the chronicles [the daily records of the kingdom].
The one who mentions. Which judgment comes before him first, so that he rules it first, thus I heard:
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
verse value 1384
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "and·Zadok" (וְצָד֥וֹק, 5 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Jehoiada" (בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "and·Abiathar" (וְאֶבְיָתָ֖ר). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Jehoiada" (root בין, 107x in I Kings); "priests" (root כהן, 29x in I Kings). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'over·the·host', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וּבְנָיָ֥הוּ [and·Benaiah] (79) + בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע [son·of·Jehoiada] (157) + עַל־הַצָּבָ֑א [over·the·host] (198) + וְצָד֥וֹק [and·Zadok] (206) + וְאֶבְיָתָ֖ר [and·Abiathar] (619) + כֹּהֲנִֽים [priests] (125) = 1384.
Radak
"And Zadok and Abiathar were priests." They were the heads of the priesthood. And if this Abiathar is Abiathar son of Ahimaaz, it is astonishing, for behold, Solomon had removed him from being High Priest and said to him, "Go to Anathoth, to your field." Rather, it is likely that there was another priest whose name was Abiathar.
"Over the prefects." [He was] appointed over the twelve prefects whom he mentions:
Metzudat David
Priests. Zadok the high priest, and Abiathar his deputy, as is said in II Samuel (there, verse 25).
Malbim
"And Zadok and Abiathar were priests" — Radak explains that this Abiathar was a different person. Ralbag writes that even though he had been removed from his position, he still served as High Priest during the time when Zadok was not deemed fit.
and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; and Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister and the king’s friend;
verse value 2175
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 40 letters. The shortest word is "priest" (כֹּהֵ֖ן, 3 letters) and the longest is "over·the·officers" (עַל־הַנִּצָּבִ֑ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 552: son·of·Nathan, son·of·Nathan. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "and·Azariah" (וַעֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ), "over·the·officers" (עַל־הַנִּצָּבִ֑ים), "over·the·officers·and·Zabud" (וְזָב֧וּד). The root בין appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king" (root מלך, 341x in I Kings); "son·of·Nathan" (root בין, 107x in I Kings); "priest" (root כהן, 29x in I Kings). First appearance of the root נצב ("over·the·officers") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'over·the·officers', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַעֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ [and·Azariah] (304) + בֶן־נָתָ֖ן [son·of·Nathan] (552) + עַל־הַנִּצָּבִ֑ים [over·the·officers] (297) + וְזָב֧וּד [over·the·officers·and·Zabud] (25) + בֶּן־נָתָ֛ן [son·of·Nathan] (552) + כֹּהֵ֖ן [priest] (75) + רֵעֶ֥ה [friend·of] (275) + הַמֶּֽלֶךְ [king] (95) = 2175.
Rashi
“Concerning those who stood in attendance.” There were twelve officers, to provide for the king and his household:
Radak
"Companion of the king." The king's companion, who was always with him.
Ralbag
"Concerning those who stand [in charge]" (ha-nitzavim). [This is] like ha-netzivim [the prefects], and the intent by it is: the officers.
Metzudat David
Over the officers. He was in charge of the twelve officers mentioned in the matter, who were established to provide for the king, each in his month.
The king's companion. He sat with him constantly, to entertain him.
Metzudat Zion
Hanitzavim. Those appointed, like (I Samuel 13:3) 'the garrison of the Philistines' (nitzav Pelishtim):
and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the levy.
verse value 1687
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 30 letters. The shortest word is "over·the·levy" (עַל־הַמַּֽס, 5 letters) and the longest is "and·Adoniram" (וַאֲדֹנִירָ֥ם, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "and·Ahishar" (וַאֲחִישָׁ֖ר), "son·of·Abda" (בֶּן־עַבְדָּ֖א). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "over·the·house·and·Adoniram" (root בית, 191x in I Kings). First appearance of the root מסס ("over·the·levy") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'over·the·house·and·Adoniram', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַאֲחִישָׁ֖ר [and·Ahishar] (525) + עַל־הַבָּ֑יִת [over·the·house·and·Adoniram] (517) + וַאֲדֹנִירָ֥ם [and·Adoniram] (311) + בֶּן־עַבְדָּ֖א [son·of·Abda] (129) + עַל־הַמַּֽס [over·the·levy] (205) = 1687.
Rashi
Regarding the tax that he imposed upon Israel, as it is stated (below 5:27): "And King Solomon levied a tax."
Radak
"And Adoniram." This is the [same as] Adoram mentioned above in the context of David, and he is likewise mentioned in the context of Rehoboam as Adoram.
Regarding the word "the forced labor." Just as it is stated below: "And the levy was thirty thousand men."
Ralbag
"And Achishar was over the household." It implies that he was appointed to oversee the affairs of the royal household in everything that would be required there.
And Adoniram, the son of Abda, was in charge of the forced labor. He was appointed to oversee the collection of tribute from Israel and the other nations that were subject to taxation for Solomon.
Metzudat David
Over the house. All the needs of the house were done by his word.
Over the forced labor. It is the forced labor mentioned below (5:27): 'And the forced labor was thirty thousand men.'
Malbim
(6-19) "Solomon had twelve prefects over all Israel." Before recounting the magnitude of the king's table and the heaviness of its burden, for it was exceedingly great, he prefaces: 1. That the matter was arranged with wisdom in such a way as not to burden the inhabitants of his kingdom. He therefore divided his land into twelve portions, corresponding to the twelve months, so that each portion would provide for the king and maintain his table for one month. And he appointed officers to attend to this matter, such that each one would prepare throughout the entire year provisions for one month. In this way, the burden was lightened for the populace, as they were relieved of their load for eleven months.
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided victuals for the king and his household: each man had to make provision for a month in the year.
verse value 4657
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 71 letters. Notable word values: "one" ((אחד)) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "month" (חֹ֧דֶשׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "over·all·Israel" (עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל, 9 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "standing" (נִצָּבִים֙), "upon·the·one" (עַל־הָאֶחָ֖ד), "to·provide" (לְכַלְכֵּֽל). The root שנה appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 341x in I Kings); "it·will·be" (root היה, 196x in I Kings); "and·his·house" (root בית, 191x in I Kings). First appearance of the root כול ("and·they·provided") in I Kings. First appearance of the root חדש ("month") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·his·house', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֞ה [and·to·Solomon] (411) + שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֤ר [year·ten] (970) + נִצָּבִים֙ [standing] (192) + עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [over·all·Israel] (691) + וְכִלְכְּל֥וּ [and·they·provided] (112) + אֶת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [the·king] (496) + וְאֶת־בֵּית֑וֹ [and·his·house] (825) + חֹ֧דֶשׁ [month] (312) + בַּשָּׁנָ֛ה [in·the·year] (357) + יִהְיֶ֥ה [it·will·be] (30) + עַל־הָאֶחָ֖ד [upon·the·one] (118) + (אחד) [one] (13) + לְכַלְכֵּֽל [to·provide] (130) = 4657.
Rashi
"And they provided for the king." This includes all of his meals, the food for his horses, and all his other expenses.
Radak
"These are their names." "These are the names" of twelve governors. Each one was not appointed over a single tribe; rather, according to the valuation of the inheritances, they divided the entire Land of Israel into twelve portions, and they collected the tax equally.
Ben Chor. This, and the others whose names are not mentioned explicitly but rather by the names of their fathers, because they were known more by the names of their fathers than by their own names; therefore, the text did not deem it necessary to mention their own names.
Ralbag
“Twelve stood over all Israel.” This means that they were appointed over all Israel to collect this tax from them, and each one of them knew the portion of Israel that fell to his lot, in order to provide for the king and his household for his month, in the manner in which they would all provide for him throughout the entire year.
Metzudat David
Over all Israel. They were in charge of all Israel, to take from them sufficient need for the sustenance of the king's house; and each provided for a month in the year, and collected from the men of the district that he was appointed over.
Metzudat Zion
U'kalchalu. A matter of providing needs, like (II Samuel 19:33) 'and he sustained the king' (vehu kalkal et ha-melech):
And these are their names: The son of Hur, in the hill-country of Ephraim;
verse value 1632
Insights
Verse structure: 5 words, 22 letters. The shortest word is "in·mountain·of" (בְּהַ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "their·names" (שְׁמוֹתָ֔ם, 5 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "their·names" (שְׁמוֹתָ֔ם), "son·of·Hur" (בֶּן־ח֖וּר). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Hur" (root בין, 107x in I Kings); "their·names" (root שם, 66x in I Kings); "and·these" (root אלה, 28x in I Kings). First appearance of the root הר ("in·mountain·of") in I Kings. Full calculation: וְאֵ֣לֶּה [and·these] (42) + שְׁמוֹתָ֔ם [their·names] (786) + בֶּן־ח֖וּר [son·of·Hur] (266) + בְּהַ֥ר [in·mountain·of] (207) + אֶפְרָֽיִם [Ephraim] (331) = 1632.
Metzudat David
And these are their names. Of the officers.
Son of Hur. All those mentioned by their father's name were not known in their own right except by their father's name.
In the hill country of Ephraim. He was in charge in the hill country of Ephraim, to take from them to provide for the king in his month.
the son of Deker, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan;
verse value 2729
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "sun" (שָׁ֑מֶשׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·in·Shaalbim" (וּבְשַׁעַלְבִ֖ים, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Deker" (בֶּן־דֶּ֛קֶר), "in·Makaz" (בְּמָקַ֥ץ), "and·in·Shaalbim" (וּבְשַׁעַלְבִ֖ים). The root בית appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·Beth" (root בית, 191x in I Kings); "son·of·Deker" (root בין, 107x in I Kings). First appearance of the root חנן ("Hanan") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'sun', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: בֶּן־דֶּ֛קֶר [son·of·Deker] (356) + בְּמָקַ֥ץ [in·Makaz] (232) + וּבְשַׁעַלְבִ֖ים [and·in·Shaalbim] (460) + וּבֵ֣ית [and·Beth] (418) + שָׁ֑מֶשׁ [sun] (640) + וְאֵיל֖וֹן [and·Elon] (103) + בֵּ֥ית [Beth] (412) + חָנָֽן [Hanan] (108) = 2729.
the son of Hesed, in Arubboth; to him pertained Socoh, and all the land of Hepher;
verse value 1731
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 25 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֥וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֥וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·Arubboth" (בָּאֲרֻבּ֑וֹת, 6 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Hesed" (בֶּן־חֶ֖סֶד), "in·Arubboth" (בָּאֲרֻבּ֑וֹת), "Socoh" (שֹׂכֹ֖ה). 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Hesed" (root בין, 107x in I Kings); "and·all·land·of" (root ארץ, 50x in I Kings). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Arubboth', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 4 words. Full calculation: בֶּן־חֶ֖סֶד [son·of·Hesed] (124) + בָּאֲרֻבּ֑וֹת [in·Arubboth] (611) + ל֥וֹ [to·him] (36) + שֹׂכֹ֖ה [Socoh] (325) + וְכׇל־אֶ֥רֶץ [and·all·land·of] (347) + חֵֽפֶר [Hepher] (288) = 1731.
Metzudat David
Even to Shoco. Meaning: also over Shoco he was in charge, to take from them for the need of the sustenance of the king's house.
the son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife;
verse value 2964
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 35 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (לּ֖וֹ) = 36, double chai. Verse gematria: 2964 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·him" (לּ֖וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Abinadab" (בֶּן־אֲבִינָדָ֖ב, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Abinadab" (בֶּן־אֲבִינָדָ֖ב), "all·a lofty place" (כׇּל־נָ֣פַת), "Dor" (דֹּ֑אר). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "was" (root היה, 196x in I Kings); "daughter·of·Solomon" (root שלמה, 162x in I Kings); "son·of·Abinadab" (root בין, 107x in I Kings). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Dor', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 5 words. Full calculation: בֶּן־אֲבִינָדָ֖ב [son·of·Abinadab] (121) + כׇּל־נָ֣פַת [all·a lofty place] (580) + דֹּ֑אר [Dor] (205) + טָפַת֙ [Taphath] (489) + בַּת־שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה [daughter·of·Solomon] (777) + הָ֥יְתָה [was] (420) + לּ֖וֹ [to·him] (36) + לְאִשָּֽׁה [to·wife] (336) = 2964.
Rashi
"Naphath-dor." (Targum:) "Palkhei Dor" [the districts of Dor]:
Metzudat Zion
Dor. The district of Dor; likewise (Joshua 17:11) 'the three regions' (sheloshet hanafet):
Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam;
verse value 5890
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 81 letters. The shortest word is "until" (עַ֚ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Ahilud" (בֶּן־אֲחִיל֔וּד, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 351: Shean, Shean. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "Taanach" (תַּעְנַ֖ךְ), "and·Megiddo" (וּמְגִדּ֑וֹ), "and·all·Beth" (וְכׇל־בֵּ֣ית). The root בית appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "which" (root אשר, 375x in I Kings); "and·all·Beth" (root בית, 191x in I Kings); "son·of·Ahilud" (root בין, 107x in I Kings). First appearance of the root יזרעאל ("to·Jezreel") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·Megiddo', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 15 words.
Metzudat David
Even to Abel, etc. Meaning: from this side to Abel-meholah, and from there to beyond Jokmeam.
the son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him pertained the villages of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; even to him pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brazen bars;
verse value 6327
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 78 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֡וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֡וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Manasseh" (בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֜ה, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: which, which. 11 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Geber" (בֶּן־גֶּ֖בֶר), "villages·of" (חַוֺּת֩), "Jair" (יָאִ֨יר). The root גלעד appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "which" (root אשר, 375x in I Kings); "cities" (root עיר, 44x in I Kings); "great" (root גדול, 23x in I Kings). First appearance of the root רמת ("in·Ramoth") in I Kings. First appearance of the root גלעד ("Gilead") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Gilead', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 17 words.
Rashi
The district of Argob. He was appointed over them to collect the king's tax, for it is the king's right to collect his expenses from the people, as it is stated in the law of the kingdom in the Book of Samuel (1 Samuel 10:25):
Radak
"And a bronze bolt." This teaches what is written in the Torah: "doors and a bolt," for "a bronze bolt" means a bolt of bronze.
Metzudat David
The villages of Jair. Targum Jonathan: 'the villages of Jair.'
That are in Gilead. That stood in the land of Gilead.
Sixty cities. In the district of Argob there were sixty large cities with walls all around.
Metzudat Zion
Chavel. A district is called chavel, for with a cord (chavel) the inheritance was divided; likewise (Joshua 19:9) 'from the district of the children of Judah' (mechavel bnei Yehudah):
Argov. A person's name, who ruled there long ago; likewise (Deuteronomy 3:4) 'all the region of Argov' (chol chavel Argov):
Verse structure: 3 words, 17 letters. The shortest word is "son·of·Iddo" (בֶּן־עִדֹּ֖א, 5 letters) and the longest is "Ahinadab" (אֲחִינָדָ֥ב, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "Ahinadab" (אֲחִינָדָ֥ב), "son·of·Iddo" (בֶּן־עִדֹּ֖א), "in·Mahanaim" (מַחֲנָֽיְמָה). 3 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Iddo" (root בין, 107x in I Kings). Full calculation: אֲחִינָדָ֥ב [Ahinadab] (75) + בֶּן־עִדֹּ֖א [son·of·Iddo] (127) + מַחֲנָֽיְמָה [in·Mahanaim] (153) = 355.
Ahimaaz, in Naphtali; he also took Basemath the daughter of Solomon to wife;
verse value 3240
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 36 letters. Verse gematria: 3240 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "took" (לָקַ֛ח, 3 letters) and the longest is "Ahimaaz" (אֲחִימַ֖עַץ, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "Ahimaaz" (אֲחִימַ֖עַץ), "in·Naphtali" (בְּנַפְתָּלִ֑י), "also·he" (גַּם־ה֗וּא). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "daughter·of·Solomon" (root שלמה, 162x in I Kings); "took" (root לקח, 37x in I Kings); "to·wife" (root אשה, 35x in I Kings). First appearance of the root נפתלי ("in·Naphtali") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Naphtali', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 5 words. Full calculation: אֲחִימַ֖עַץ [Ahimaaz] (219) + בְּנַפְתָּלִ֑י [in·Naphtali] (572) + גַּם־ה֗וּא [also·he] (55) + לָקַ֛ח [took] (138) + אֶת־בָּשְׂמַ֥ת [Basemath] (1143) + בַּת־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה [daughter·of·Solomon] (777) + לְאִשָּֽׁה [to·wife] (336) = 3240.
Verse structure: 4 words, 20 letters. The shortest word is "Baana" (בַּֽעֲנָא֙, 4 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Hushai" (בֶּן־חוּשָׁ֔י, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Hushai" (בֶּן־חוּשָׁ֔י), "in·Asher" (בְּאָשֵׁ֖ר), "and·Bealoth" (וּבְעָלֽוֹת). 4 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·Asher" (root אשר, 375x in I Kings). Full calculation: בַּֽעֲנָא֙ [Baana] (123) + בֶּן־חוּשָׁ֔י [son·of·Hushai] (376) + בְּאָשֵׁ֖ר [in·Asher] (503) + וּבְעָלֽוֹת [and·Bealoth] (514) = 1516.
Radak
"In Asher and in Bealoth." In the territory of Asher and Bealoth, which was from the land of Judah:
Metzudat David
And Bealoth. And it was from the inheritance of Judah.
Verse structure: 3 words, 18 letters. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Paruah" (בֶּן־פָּר֖וּחַ), "in·Issachar" (בְּיִשָּׂשכָֽר). 3 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Paruah" (root בין, 107x in I Kings). Full calculation: יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט [Jehoshaphat] (410) + בֶּן־פָּר֖וּחַ [son·of·Paruah] (346) + בְּיִשָּׂשכָֽר [in·Issachar] (832) = 1588.
Verse structure: 3 words, 15 letters. The shortest word is "Shimei" (שִׁמְעִ֥י, 4 letters) and the longest is "in·Benjamin" (בְּבִנְיָמִֽן, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Ela" (בֶן־אֵלָ֖א), "in·Benjamin" (בְּבִנְיָמִֽן). 3 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Ela" (root בין, 107x in I Kings). First appearance of the root בנימן ("in·Benjamin") in I Kings. Full calculation: שִׁמְעִ֥י [Shimei] (420) + בֶן־אֵלָ֖א [son·of·Ela] (84) + בְּבִנְיָמִֽן [in·Benjamin] (154) = 658.
Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan; and one officer that was [over all the officers] in the land.
verse value 3130
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 57 letters. Notable word values: "one" (אֶחָ֖ד) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "Geber" (גֶּ֥בֶר, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Uri" (בֶּן־אֻרִ֖י, 5 letters). Words sharing gematria 293: in·land·of, in·the·land. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "son·of·Uri" (בֶּן־אֻרִ֖י), "Sihon" (סִיח֣וֹן), "and·Og" (וְעֹג֙). The root ארץ appears 3 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 375x in I Kings); "king" (root מלך, 341x in I Kings); "one" (root אחד, 61x in I Kings). First appearance of the root אמרי ("the·Amorites") in I Kings. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Gilead', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 11 words.
Rashi
"And one captain who is in the land." Rav and Shmuel dispute: One says: One is appointed over all of them; this is Azariah son of Nathan mentioned above. And the other says: [He is appointed] corresponding to the month of intercalation (Sanhedrin 12a).
Radak
"And one governor who was in the land." Throughout the entire land that was mentioned, there was one governor appointed over the twelve governors, to collect from each one the money to support the king. And our Sages of blessed memory, some of them said as explained [above], and some of them said: "And one governor for the intercalary month."
Ralbag
"And one prefect who was in the land." It is possible that there would be one officer who would rule over these officers, bringing them to provide for the king and his household, each in his own month; or perhaps there was one prefect for the intercalary month [the added leap-year month]. The first explanation is more correct. And if so, it follows that his portion of the Land of Israel would be slightly more than a third of the portion of one of the other officers who provided for the king for one month in the year.
Metzudat David
In the land of Gilead. Meaning: in the remaining places. For over the villages of Jair that stood in the land of Gilead, there was another officer.
The land of Sihon , etc. Meaning: Gilead was half belonging to Sihon and half to Og.
And one officer. Meaning: and yet one more officer who was over the entire land, in charge of them all; and he is Azariah the son of Nathan mentioned above.
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
verse value 3042
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 46 letters. Verse gematria: 3042 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·abundance" (לָרֹ֑ב, 3 letters) and the longest is "which·by·the·sea" (אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַיָּ֖ם, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Kings. Unique to this verse in I Kings (hapax): "which·by·the·sea" (אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַיָּ֖ם). The root רב appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "which·by·the·sea" (root אשר, 375x in I Kings); "and·Israel" (root ישראל, 120x in I Kings); "eating" (root אכל, 36x in I Kings). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·abundance', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: יְהוּדָ֤ה [Judah] (30) + וְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ [and·Israel] (547) + רַבִּ֔ים [many] (252) + כַּח֥וֹל [as·the·sand] (64) + אֲשֶׁר־עַל־הַיָּ֖ם [which·by·the·sea] (656) + לָרֹ֑ב [to·abundance] (232) + אֹכְלִ֥ים [eating] (101) + וְשֹׁתִ֖ים [and·drinking] (756) + וּשְׂמֵחִֽים [and·joyful] (404) = 3042.
Radak
"Like the sand that is on the seashore." Like the edge of the sea. And this narrative means that they were blessed in the days of Solomon with the fruit of their wombs, and they were numerous; likewise with the fruit of their livestock and the fruit of their land. And they ate and drank and rejoiced, for they had no fear of an enemy.
Metzudat David
By the sea. On the shore of the sea.
Malbim
2. And now it will be said that he could have enlarged his table even more, on account of the people who supported him, who were as numerous as the sand of the sea, and who had a great overflowing abundance, more than enough, such that they all ate and drank and rejoiced; and in this he did not burden them on their part. For even though, according to Abarbanel’s calculation, sixty thousand people ate at the king’s table every day, this would not be a burden upon a people as numerous as the sand of the sea, who lacked no good thing, to support such a number.
Rashi
Radak
Ralbag
Metzudat David
Malbim