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1 Kings 4:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 4:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
1 Kings 4:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar;
18Shimei the son of Ela, in Benjamin;
19Geber the son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan; and [he was] the only officer that was in the land.
20Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
21And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
22And Solomon`s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
23ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted fowl.
← 1 Kings 4:191 Kings 4:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, etc.] Being blessed with great fruitfulness in their families, and having no pestilential disease among them, nor wars to lessen their number, and so the promise to Abraham was fulfilled, (<012217>Genesis 22:17); and which was an emblem of Christ’s spiritual subjects, especially in the latter day, whom Solomon was a type of, (see <280110>Hosea 1:10); eating, and drinking, and making merry; having a large increase of the fruits of the earth, and in no fear of any enemies; expressive of the spiritual joy of believers in the kingdom of Christ, and under the word and ordinances, (<220203>Song of Solomon 2:3,4 5:1…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There is some doubt about the proper arrangement of the remainder of this chapter. The best alteration, if we alter the Hebrew order at all, would be to place 1 Kings 4:20-21 after 1 Kings 4:25. Many ... - See 1 Kings 3:8 note; and compare Psalms 127:1-5, which is traditionally ascribed to Solomon, and which celebrates the populousness and security of Israel in his day. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:20-21 God’s promise to Abraham (Gen 15:18-21; 17:8; 22:17) finds historical fulfillment in his blessing of Solomon. The surrounding lands conquered by David and Solomon (2 Chr 8:3) remained loyal to Solomon. They sent tribute money . . . and continued to serve him throughout his long reign.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“as the sand: Kg1 3:8; Gen 13:16, Gen 15:5, Gen 22:17; Pro 14:28 eating: Sa1 30:16; Ch1 12:39; Job 1:18; Psa 72:3-7; Ecc 2:24; Isa 22:13; Mic 4:4; Zac 3:10, Zac 9:15; Act 2:46 3 Kings (1 Kings) 4:21”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“In Kg1 4:20 the account of Solomon's officers is closed by a general remark as to the prosperous condition of the whole nation; though we miss the copula Vav at the commencement. The words, "Judah and Israel were numerous as the sand by the sea," indicate that the promise given to the patriarchs ( Gen 22:17, cf. Gen 32:13) had been fulfilled. To this there is appended in Kg1 5:1 the remark concerning the extent of Solomon's sway, which prepares the way for what follows, and shows how the other portion of the promise, "thy seed will possess the gates of its enemies," had been fulfilled. - The first fourteen verses of 1 Kings 5 are therefore connected by the lxx, Vulg., Luther, and others with…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification