1 Kings 4:18

Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:

1 Kings 4:18 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to a list of twelve officers whom King Solomon appointed to supply food for the royal household, one for each month of the year (1 Kings 4:7-19). Shimei the son of Elah served over the tribe of Benjamin. The list shows the organized governance of Solomon’s kingdom, reflecting the wisdom and order God gave him.

Meaning

The name Shimei appears several times in Scripture, but this officer is not the same as Shimei the son of Gera, who cursed King David (2 Samuel 16:5-8; 1 Kings 2:8). The phrase “in Benjamin” identifies his jurisdiction, not his family line. His father Elah, whose name means “oak” or “strength,” is not mentioned elsewhere in this context. A later King Elah of Israel is a different person. This Shimei is otherwise unknown, and the Bible does not connect him with any other bearer of the name.

Biblical connections

Benjamin was the smallest tribe of Israel, yet it held great importance. It was the tribe of King Saul and lay close to Jerusalem. The tribe’s location near the capital made its provision role especially practical. This administrative role shows that faithful service in a specific, perhaps unglamorous, assignment was part of God’s order for the nation.

Application

Solomon’s orderly system reflects the wisdom God gave him. Each officer had a specific duty for one month, ensuring the kingdom ran smoothly. Faithful service in an ordinary assignment, like providing food, was part of God’s plan. Believers today can serve God in daily responsibilities without seeking public recognition. God works through human structures and faithful individuals to accomplish His purposes. This verse reminds us that God values diligence and order in the work of His people.

Reflection

This brief record reminds us that God works through human structures and faithful individuals. Even a person otherwise unknown to us had a vital role in the nation’s life. Our quiet, diligent service matters to God, who sees and values every faithful worker.