1 Kings 4:6

“And Abiathar [was] over the household, etc.] Steward of the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda [was] over the tribute, over those that collected the tribute, as the Targum, whether from the people of Israel or other nations, or both; this man was in the same post in David’s time, (<102024>2 Samuel 20:24).”

“Ahishar was over the household--steward or chamberlain of the palace. Adoniram--or Adoram (Sa2 20:24; Kg1 12:18), or Hadoram (Ch2 10:18), was over the tribute--not the collection of money or goods, but the levy of compulsory laborers (compare Kg1 5:13-14).”

“Over the household - Comptroller of the household, like the “Steward” of the Persian court. On the importance of this office, see 2 Kings 18:18, and compare Isaiah 22:15-25. The tribute - The marginal reading, “levy,” is preferable. The reference is to the forced laborers whom Solomon employed in his great works (marginal reference). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Abiathar was - Steward of the king's household. Tribute - The personal tribute, or the levy of men, as appears by comparing this with Kg1 5:13-14, it being very fit that there should be some one person to whom the chief conduct of that great business was committed. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 4:8”

“4:6 Ahishar functioned as manager of the palace property, an office that became powerful under Uzziah’s son Jotham (2 Kgs 15:5). Later, this position was held by Eliakim, one of Hezekiah’s representatives, who met with emissaries from King Sennacherib of Assyria during negotiations concerning the siege of Jerusalem (2 Kgs 18:18). • Adoniram was head of the corvée (the system of forced labor). Samuel had warned about this loathsome institution (1 Sam 8:12-17), and the leaders of Israel later complained about it to Solomon’s son Rehoboam (1 Kgs 12:4).”

“Adoniram: Kg1 12:18; Sa2 20:24, Adoram tribute: or, levy, Kg1 5:13, Kg1 5:14, Kg1 9:15 3 Kings (1 Kings) 4:7”