1 Kings 4:20
1 Kings 4:20 in Multiple Translations
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
¶ Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were as great in number as the sand by the seaside, and they took their food and drink with joy in their hearts.
Judah and Israel had become as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They ate, they drank, they were happy.
Iudah and Israel were many, as the sand of the sea in number, eating, drinking, and making merry.
Judah and Israel [are] many, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel were numerous as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
Juda and Israel were innumerable, as the sand of the sea in multitude: eating and drinking, and rejoicing.
There were as many people in Judah and Israel as there are grains of sand [HYP] on the seashore. They had plenty to eat and drink and they were happy.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 4:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 4:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְהוּדָ֤ה
וְ/יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
רַבִּ֔ים
כַּ/ח֥וֹל
אֲשֶׁר
עַל
הַ/יָּ֖ם
לָ/רֹ֑ב
אֹכְלִ֥ים
וְ/שֹׁתִ֖ים
וּ/שְׂמֵחִֽים
יְהוּדָ֤ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
וְ/יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
Conj | N-proper
רַבִּ֔ים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
כַּ/ח֥וֹל
chôwl
H2344
sand
Prep | N-ms
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
West
Art | N-ms
לָ/רֹ֑ב
rôb
H7230
abundance
Prep | N-cs
אֹכְלִ֥ים
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal
וְ/שֹׁתִ֖ים
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
Conj | V-Qal
וּ/שְׂמֵחִֽים
sâmêach
H8056
glad
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 4:20
יְהוּדָ֤ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
וְ/יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
Conj | N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
רַבִּ֔ים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
כַּ/ח֥וֹל
chôwl
H2344
"sand"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to sand, describing it as round or whirling particles. It is used in the Bible to talk about the desert or beach, and is often translated simply as 'sand'.
Definition: sand
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: sand. See also: Genesis 22:17; Job 6:3; Psalms 78:27.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Art | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
לָ/רֹ֑ב
rôb
H7230
"abundance"
Prep | N-cs
Describes abundance or greatness in the Bible, used to talk about God's power and creation in Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) multitude, abundance, greatness 1a) multitude 1a1) abundance, abundantly 1a2) numerous 1b) greatness
Usage: Occurs in 145 OT verses. KJV: abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age). See also: Genesis 16:10; Job 32:7; Psalms 5:8.
אֹכְלִ֥ים
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וְ/שֹׁתִ֖ים
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
Conj | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
וּ/שְׂמֵחִֽים
sâmêach
H8056
"glad"
Conj | Adj
This word describes someone who is joyful or glad, like the Psalmist in Psalm 100:1, who invites all to rejoice and be glad in the Lord.
Definition: 1) joyful, merry, glad 1a) joyful, showing joy 1b) you who rejoice (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing). See also: Deuteronomy 16:15; Esther 5:14; Psalms 35:26.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 4:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 4:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 4:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 4:20
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 4:20
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 4:20
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
- Sermons on 1 Kings 4:20
Context — Solomon’s Prosperity
18Shimei son of Ela in Benjamin;
19Geber son of Uri in the land of Gilead, including the territories of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan. There was also one governor in the land of Judah.
20The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
21And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. 22Solomon’s provisions for a single day were thirty cors of fine flour, sixty cors of meal,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 22:17 | I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 3:8 | Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. |
| 3 | Genesis 32:12 | But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’” |
| 4 | Zechariah 3:10 | On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, you will each invite your neighbor to sit under your own vine and fig tree.’” |
| 5 | Zechariah 9:15 | The LORD of Hosts will shield them. They will destroy and conquer with slingstones; they will drink and roar as with wine. And they will be filled like sprinkling bowls, drenched like the corners of the altar. |
| 6 | Genesis 15:5 | And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” |
| 7 | Ecclesiastes 2:24 | Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. |
| 8 | Isaiah 22:13 | But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 30:16 | So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah. |
| 10 | Job 1:18 | While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, |
1 Kings 4:20 Summary
[This verse describes a time of great prosperity and peace in the kingdom of Israel, where the people were as numerous as the sand on the seashore and were enjoying the fruits of their labor. The people were eating, drinking, and rejoicing, which suggests a sense of physical and possibly spiritual well-being, similar to the promises made in Deuteronomy 8:10. This verse reminds us that God desires for His people to enjoy the good things He has given them, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:13, and to trust in His provision, as encouraged in Psalm 23:1. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can cultivate a sense of joy and contentment in our own lives, while remaining mindful of God's sovereignty and provision.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the people to be as numerous as the sand on the seashore?
This phrase is a figure of speech indicating a vast number of people, similar to Genesis 22:17 and Hosea 1:10, where God promises to multiply the descendants of Abraham and Israel like the sand on the seashore.
Is this verse describing a time of spiritual prosperity or just physical prosperity?
While the verse does not explicitly state the spiritual condition of the people, the fact that they are eating, drinking, and rejoicing suggests a sense of physical and possibly spiritual well-being, reminiscent of Deuteronomy 8:10, where the Israelites are commanded to rejoice and give thanks for God's provision.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse serves as a summary statement of the prosperity and peace that characterized Solomon's reign, as described in the preceding verses, and sets the stage for the description of Solomon's wisdom and wealth in the following verses, such as 1 Kings 4:21-22.
What can we learn from the fact that the people were eating, drinking, and rejoicing?
This verse teaches us that God desires for His people to enjoy the fruits of their labor and to rejoice in His provision, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:13 and 1 Timothy 6:17, where we are encouraged to enjoy the good things God has given us while remaining mindful of His sovereignty and provision.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a sense of joy and contentment in my own life, like the people in this verse?
- How can I balance the pursuit of physical provision with the pursuit of spiritual prosperity, as described in Matthew 6:33?
- What are some ways that God has provided for me in the past, and how can I give thanks for those blessings, as encouraged in Psalm 107:1?
- In what ways can I use my own resources and talents to serve others and bring joy to those around me, as seen in Acts 2:45-47?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 4:20
Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude,.... Being blessed with great fruitfulness in their families, and having no pestilential disease among them, nor wars to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 4:20
Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
1 Kings 4:20 Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.Ver. 20. As the sand which is by the sea.] A proverbial expression, and hyperbolical. See Genesis 22:17; Genesis 32:12. Eating and drinking, and making merry.] They were in a plentiful and comfortable condition; so and much more are all Christ’ s subjects, who do "eat their meat with joy, and drink their wine with gladness, because God now accepteth their works"; they have the "white stone," the "new name," enough and enough to make them everlastingly merry amidst all crosses and casualties.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
(20) Were many.—The description of the condition of the people here and in 1 Kings 4:25, as multiplied in numbers, and living in festivity and peace, is evidently designed to specify not only their general prosperity and wealth, but also the fact noticed in 1 Kings 9:20-22, that at this time they were a dominant race, relieved from all burden of labour, and ruling over the subject races, now reduced to complete subjection and serfship. (That it was otherwise hereafter is clear from the complaints to Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12:4.) Now, for the first time, did Israel enter on full possession of the territory promised in the days of the Conquest (Joshua 1:4), and so into the complete fulfilment of the promise to Abraham, alluded to in the words, “many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude” (Genesis 22:17).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
Verse 20. Eating and drinking, and making merry.] They were very comfortable, very rich, very merry, and very corrupt. And this full feeding and dissipation led to a total corruption of manners.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 4:20
20. eating and drinking, and making merry] Words added to the description of the increased population to mark the great prosperity of the land. There was abundance everywhere, and none to make them afraid. Cf. below, 1 Kings 4:25.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 4:20
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.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:20
SOLOMON’S WEALTH AND WISDOM, 1 Kings 4:20-34. 20. The statements of this verse are calculated to enhance in the mind of the reader the glory of Solomon’s reign.
Sermons on 1 Kings 4:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Eschatological End of Consumerism by Bryan Anthony | Bryan Anthony preaches on the eschatological vision of a world set aright by God's judgments and mercies, where righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit prevail. He highlig |
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That He Might Fill All Things - Part 2 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of emptying oneself and allowing God to work in their lives. He uses the example of Joseph, who started off as a conceited you |
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The Melchizedek Priesthood (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the preaching of the word of God defies analysis and critique. He mentions how scholars believe that Paul missed an opportunity in Athens |
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Vision #1 by Stephen Kaung | Stephen Kaung emphasizes the significance of having a divine vision, drawing from Proverbs 29:18, which states that without vision, people become unrestrained. He illustrates this |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 355 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of fathers in raising their children in a way that allows them to receive the blessings of God. He shares the story of Esau, |
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Genesis Finds Its Complement in the Apocalypse by E.W. Bullinger | E.W. Bullinger delves into the parallelism between Genesis and Revelation, showcasing the contrast between the beginning and the end of God's redemptive plan. From the creation of |
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Emptying Unto Fulness by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound truth that Christ, who descended and ascended, is destined to fill all things with His presence and character. He explores the necessity of |