Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

King Solomon was king over all Israel. He had a group of leaders who served him in various roles. Azariah son of Zadok was a priest, while Elihoreph and Ahiah, sons of Shisha, worked as scribes; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud kept records for the king.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada led the army, alongside priests Zadok and Abiathar. Azariah son of Nathan oversaw other officers, while Zabud son of Nathan was a trusted advisor to the king and his close friend. Ahishar managed the royal household, and Adoniram son of Abda handled tax collection.

Solomon appointed twelve officials in charge of providing food for him and his household, with each one responsible for planning a month's provisions every year. One official was in charge of Mount Ephraim, while another oversaw several cities in the region of Makaz.

Another official had authority over Aruboth, including Sochoh and all the land of Hepher, while yet another managed the entire area of Dor, where he lived with his wife Taphath, Solomon's daughter. Baana son of Ahilud controlled Taanach and Megiddo, along with several other nearby cities.

The region of Ramoth-gilead was overseen by Geber's descendant, who also had authority over the towns of Jair, son of Manasseh, in Gilead, as well as sixty other fortified cities. Ahinadab son of Iddo managed Mahanaim, while Ahimaaz lived in Naphtali with his wife Basmath, Solomon's daughter.

Baanah son of Hushai was in charge of Asher and Aloth, while Jehoshaphat son of Paruah from Issachar was renowned for speaking three thousand proverbs and having a thousand five songs. Shimei the son of Elah in Benjamin had an extraordinary knowledge of trees and animals.

Geber son of Uri ruled over Gilead, which had been conquered by the Amorite king Sihon and the Bashanite king Og. Judah and Israel were numerous, with plenty to eat and drink, rejoicing as they grew like sand on the seashore.

Solomon's kingdom stretched from the river to the land of the Philistines and up to Egypt, where people came to bring him gifts and serve him throughout his life. He received thirty measures of fine flour and sixty measures of meal every day for food.

His provisions included ten fat oxen, twenty oxen from the pastures, a hundred sheep, as well as various wild game like ibex, roebucks, fallow deer, and domesticated birds. He ruled over all the region on this side of the river from Tiphsah to Azzah, with every king in that territory paying tribute and respecting his authority.

Judah and Israel lived safely under Solomon's rule, each man able to enjoy his vine and fig tree without fear, from Dan to Beersheba. He had forty thousand stalls for horses and twelve thousand horsemen, with those officials responsible for providing food for the king and everyone who came to eat with him.

Each official brought barley and straw for their assigned tasks, ensuring they lacked nothing. God gave Solomon exceptional wisdom, understanding, and a generous heart like the vast expanse of sand on the seashore.

His wisdom surpassed that of all people from distant lands and any wisdom found in Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including famous men like Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Chalcol, Darda, sons of Mahol, with his reputation known across all nations.

Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs and had one thousand five songs, sharing knowledge about trees from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of a wall. He also discussed animals, birds, creeping things, and fish, and people came from everywhere to hear him share his wisdom.