And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.

1 KINGS 4:7KJV
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1 Kings 4:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 4:7 mean?

1 Kings 4:7 describes how King Solomon appointed twelve officials over all Israel, each responsible for supplying food for the king and his household for one month out of the year. This system ensured that the needs of the royal court were met in an organized and fair way, with each officer taking turns throughout the year.

The verse is part of a section listing Solomon’s administrative structure. The writer is explaining to the reader how Solomon managed the practical affairs of his large kingdom. Each of the twelve officers had a specific region to oversee, and their main duty was to gather and provide supplies for the king’s household during their assigned month.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 4:7

  • "Officers" — נָצִב (natsiv): This word refers to someone set over others, like a supervisor or governor. It highlights that these men had real authority and responsibility in their regions.
  • "Victuals" / "Provision" — כּוּל (kul): This word means to provide or supply, especially food. The focus here is on the practical task of making sure the king’s household was always well supplied.
  • "Month" — חֹדֶשׁ (chodesh): The verse uses the regular Hebrew word for "month," showing that the system was based on the standard calendar, with each officer serving for one month.

Why 1 Kings 4:7 matters

  • This verse shows the scale and organization of Solomon’s government, giving a glimpse into how a large ancient kingdom managed its daily needs.
  • The system described here spread the burden of supporting the royal household evenly across the nation, rather than placing it all on one area or group.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the following verses, which name each officer and the region he oversaw, showing the detailed planning behind Solomon’s rule.

Where else these words appear

“victuals” Hebrew H3557 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 45:11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
  • 1 Kings 8:64 The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
  • Psalms 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

“officers” Hebrew H5324 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • Numbers 23:6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
  • 1 Kings 9:23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.