Who was Ben-hesed in the Bible?

Ben-hesed was one of the twelve district officers appointed by King Solomon to supply provisions for the king and his household for one month of each year. He was responsible for the region of Arubboth, which included Socoh and the land of Hepher (1 Kings 4:7, 10).

What was the significance of Ben-hesed's role?

His role was crucial for administering Solomon's prosperous kingdom, ensuring the steady provision of resources from his assigned territory. This system highlights the organization and scale of Solomon's reign during a period of peace and abundance in Israel.

Are there any stories about Ben-hesed in the Bible?

No, there are no detailed stories or key events recorded about Ben-hesed's personal life. The Bible only mentions his name and administrative role, providing a glimpse into the structure of Solomon's government.

Ben-hesed

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon of hesed

Ben-hesed was one of Solomon's twelve officers over Israel.

Ben-hesed

Biography

Ben-hesed, meaning "son of Hesed" or "son of lovingkindness," was one of the twelve district officers appointed by King Solomon to provide provisions for the royal household (1 Kings 4:10). Each officer was responsible for supplying the court for one month of the year, a system designed to distribute the administrative and economic burden across the entire kingdom. Ben-hesed's district encompassed Arubboth, Socoh, and all the land of Hepher in the hill country west of the Jordan. His father Hesed's name suggests a family of some standing, though no further genealogical details are given. Ben-hesed's role exemplified the sophisticated bureaucratic infrastructure that Solomon built to sustain the wealth and grandeur of his unified kingdom.

Significance

Ben-hesed and his fellow district officers represent Solomon's organizational genius, the practical machinery that sustained the golden age of Israel's United Monarchy. Theologically, the twelve-district system echoes the tribal structure of Israel while transcending it, pointing to a new administrative order under royal authority. However, the provisioning demands also foreshadow the heavy burden Solomon placed on his people, contributing to the eventual division of the kingdom. Ben-hesed's story invites reflection on the tension between capable governance and just governance, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative of Israel's monarchy and its ultimate failure to fulfill the ideal of covenant kingship.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (1)

1Kgs

1Kgs 4:10

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]

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