“King Solomon was king over all Israel.
These were his high officials.
Azariah son of Zadok was the priest.
Elihoreph and Ahijah sons of Shisha were secretaries.
Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder.
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in command of the army.
Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
Azariah son of Nathan was over the officials.
Zabud son of Nathan was priest and king’s friend.
Ahishar was in charge of the palace.
Adoniram son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.”
As per usual the biblical author lists the top men in the Solomon regime. There is some dispute about the priests here since so many are mentioned. Azariah may have been the grandson of Zadok, who certainly was the high priest at the beginning of the reign of Solomon. Abiathar is listed with Zadok, but he was banned by Solomon. Benaiah took over Joab’s position being in charge of the army after the death of Joab. This is the only mention of Zabud in biblical literature so he must have played a minor role. This is the only mention of Solomon’s secretaries, Elihoreph and Ahijah as well as Ahishar. This Jehoshaphat is different from the one that will be king later. Adoniram will play a greater role later with the forced labor.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 