Baana
Baana son of Hushai governed the territory of Asher and Aloth under Solomon.
Biography
Baana son of Hushai was one of the twelve district governors appointed by King Solomon to administer his kingdom (1 Kings 4:16). He held responsibility over the territory of Asher and Bealoth (also rendered Aloth), the northernmost tribal region of Israel bordering Phoenicia. Each district governor was responsible for providing provisions for the royal household for one month out of the year, ensuring the palace, court, and military remained supplied. Baana's father Hushai is likely the same Hushai the Archite who served as David's loyal counselor and foiled Ahithophel's advice during Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15–17), suggesting that Baana's appointment may reflect inherited trust in a distinguished family.
Significance
Baana son of Hushai exemplifies the administrative genius of Solomon's kingdom, which the Bible presents as a fulfillment of God's promise to give David's son wisdom and a secure reign (1 Kings 3:12–13). The twelve-district system, corresponding loosely but not exactly to the tribal territories, represented a sophisticated reorganization of governance that supported Solomon's building projects and his role as a patron of wisdom and worship. If his father is indeed the famous Hushai, Baana's position also illustrates how faithful service to God's anointed king bore fruit across generations, a pattern that reinforces the biblical principle that covenant faithfulness creates enduring legacies.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Kgs
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]