Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

1 KINGS 4:15KJV
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1 Kings 4:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 4:15 mean?

1 Kings 4:15 states that Ahimaaz was assigned to the region of Naphtali, and that he married Basmath, who was a daughter of King Solomon. This verse is part of a list describing the officials Solomon appointed to oversee different parts of his kingdom and notes a family connection through marriage.

This verse appears in a section where the writer details Solomon’s administrative structure, listing the leaders responsible for various territories in Israel. Ahimaaz’s marriage to Basmath, Solomon’s daughter, suggests a strengthening of loyalty and alliance between the king and his officials. The verse helps show how Solomon organized his government and used family ties to secure his rule.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 4:15

  • נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtali, transliterated "Naphtali") refers to one of the tribes of Israel and its territory in the north. Mentioning Naphtali clarifies the specific region Ahimaaz governed.
  • לָקַח (laqach, transliterated "took") is the Hebrew word for "took," here meaning "took as wife." This word often signals a formal marriage arrangement, emphasizing the official nature of the union.
  • בַּשְׂמַת (Basmath, transliterated "Basmath") is the name of Solomon’s daughter. Naming her specifically highlights the personal connection between the king and his official.
  • בַּת (bat, transliterated "daughter") identifies Basmath’s relationship to Solomon, underlining the importance of family alliances in royal administration.
  • שְׁלֹמֹה (Shelomoh, transliterated "Solomon") is the king’s name, anchoring the verse in the context of his reign.

Why 1 Kings 4:15 matters

  • This verse shows how Solomon’s government was organized, with trusted officials assigned to different regions, helping readers understand the structure of his rule.
  • The mention of marriage between Ahimaaz and Basmath highlights how political alliances and family ties were used to secure loyalty and stability within the kingdom.
  • By listing both the administrative role and the marriage connection, the verse ties together political and personal strategies used by Solomon to strengthen his reign.

Where else these words appear

“Basmath” Hebrew H1315 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 26:34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
  • Genesis 36:4 And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;
  • Genesis 36:13 And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

“Ahimaaz” Hebrew H290 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 17:20 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
  • 2 Samuel 18:28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.

“Naphtali” Hebrew H5321 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 30:8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 1 Kings 15:20 So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.