1 Kings 4:2

Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 4:1-19

Here we have, I. Solomon upon his throne (Kg1 4:1): So king Solomon was king, that is, he was confirmed and established king over all Israel, and not, as his successors, only over two tribes. He was a king, that is, he did the work and duty of a king, with the wisdom God had given him. Those preserve the name and honour of their place that mind the business of it and make conscience of it. II. The great officers of his court, in the choice of whom, no doubt, his wisdom much appeared. It is observable, 1. That several of them are the same that were in his father's time. Zadok and Abiathar were then priests (Sa2 20:25), so they were now; only then Abiathar had the precedency, now Zadok. Jehosh…

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 4:2

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.

Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 4:2

These were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest - These were his great, chief, or principal men. None of them were princes in the common acceptation of the word.

John Gill on 1 Kings 4:2

And these were the princes which he had,.... 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, 1 Chronicles 6:8; 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.

Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Kings 4:1-6