1 Kings 4:2

“And these [were] the princes which he had, etc.] That were in office about him, in the highest posts of honour and trust: Azariah the son of Zadok the priest: or rather his grandson, since Ahimaaz was the son of Zadok, and Azariah the son of Ahimaaz, (<130608>1 Chronicles 6:8,9); though another Zadok may be meant, and his son not a priest but a prince, as the word may be rendered, and was Solomon’s prime minister of state, and the rather, since he is mentioned first.”

“these were the princes--or chief officers, as is evident from two of them marrying Solomon's daughters. Azariah the son of Zadok the priest--rather, "the prince," as the Hebrew word frequently signifies (Gen 41:45; Exo 2:16; Sa2 8:18); so that from the precedency given to his person in the list, he seems to have been prime minister, the highest in office next the king.”

“Azariah, the son of Zadok, the priest - “The priest” here belongs to Azariah, not to Zadok. The term used כהן kôhên means sometimes a priest, sometimes a civil officer, with perhaps a semi-priestly character. (See 2 Samuel 8:18 note.) In this place it has the definite article prefixed, and can only mean “the high priest.” Azariah, called here the “son,” but really the “grandson,” of Zadok, seems to have succeeded him in the priesthood 1 Chronicles 6:10. His position as high priest at the time when this list was made out gives Azariah the foremost place in it. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Princes - That is, the chief rulers or officers. The son - Or the grand - son. The priest - The second priest, or the priest that attended upon Solomon's person in holy offices and administrations. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 4:3”

“4:2 Because Zadok was now quite old, his grandson (see 1 Chr 6:8-9) Azariah succeeded him as high priest.”

“the princes: That is, great, chief, or principal men; for none of them were princes, in the common acceptation of the word. Exo 18:21; Sa2 8:15-18, Sa2 20:23-26; Co1 12:28 Azariah: Ch1 6:8-10, Ch1 27:17 priest: or, chief officer 3 Kings (1 Kings) 4:3”