1 Kings 4:1 – 19 “So King Solomon ruled over Israel, and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Bnaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; Azariah son of Nathan was in charge of the governors; Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and adviser to the king; Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.
Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year, and these were their names: Ben-hur in the hill country of Ephraim; Ben-deker in Makaz, in Shaalbim, in Beth-shemesh, and in Elon-beth-hanan; Ben-hesed in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him); Ben-abinadab in Naphath-dor (Taphath, a daughter of Solomon, was his wife); Baana son of Ahilud in Taanach, in Megiddo, and in all of Beth-shean next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah and on past Jokmeam; Ben-geber in Ramoth-gilead (the villages of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead belonged to him, as well as the region of Argob in Bashan with its sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars); Ahinadab son of Iddo in Mahanaim; Ahimaaz in Naphtali (he had married Basemath, a daughter of Solomon); Baana son of Hushai in Asher and in Aloth; Jehoshaphat son of Paruah in Issachar; Shimei son of Ela in Benjamin; Geber son of Uri in the land of Gilead, including the territories of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. There was also one governor in the land of Judah.“
Looking at these names, you might think, “Oh dear! Another list of incomprehensible names!” But look at what these people were doing. Secretaries, recorders, high priests, army commanders, heads of the governors, governors, an advisor to the king and the man in charge of forced labor. Each one of these men had massive responsibilities that increased as Solomon’s kingdom grew. Then there were the twelve governors responsible for supplying the palace, no mean feat in itself. Centuries later, we know about these men because God made sure that their names were preserved. These men performed excellently and God has recognized that fact.
Later on, we will read the descriptions of the responsibilities of these men, and those responsibilities were enormous. Before Solomon’s reign was over, his kingdom was one of the richest in the entire Middle East, and these were the men who made things possible. Without the efforts of these men, none of God’s promises would have come true for Solomon.
APPLICATION: So many times, we may feel that we are merely cogs in a machine. We get so caught up in the demands of our job that we fail to remember the big picture. There is a story about two stone masons who were working on small carvings in one of the medieval cathedrals. A passer – by asked the first mason, “What are you doing?” “I’m carving one small item that will be on the roof of this building. Once my carving is in place, nobody will ever see it,” the man grumbled. Then the passer – by asked the second man the same question. “I am helping build a place of worship to the glory of God,” the second mason answered. “But your carving will be in an obscure place,” the passer – by observed. “Yes, but God will see it!” answered the mason.
When we see these lists of names in the Bible, we should be encouraged. These men have done outstanding work, and God continues to honor them long after their work is over. God sees our efforts and knows our struggles. God knows the temptation to slack off and to do as little as possible when nobody is looking. God knows the times we have come to work when we were sick or when our family was in turmoil. And God knows the times we have put forth extra effort, even though it has cost us a great deal.
Take heart! Just as God has preserved the names and reputations of these men, God will also remember you. Your struggles have not been in vain and someday God will reward you.
Isaiah 43:2 – 3 tells us, ““Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.”
Comfort yourself with the thought that God sees all your trials and all your hard work! You are precious to God, and He is with you, both now and forever!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help all those who read this to be encouraged and to trust that You are fully aware of their struggles and their needs. Help them to rely on You for their strength and inspiration. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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