Solomon’s Rule over Israel: The NIV divides the text into sections in such a way that v. 20 is divorced from v. 19 and forms the introduction to the next section, which is headed Solomon’s Daily Provisions . It is the case, however, that the Hebrew text treats verses 1–20 as a single unit—as a single chapter in fact (Hb. ch. 4)—with our English 4:21–5:18 being treated as Hebrew chapter 5. Certainly it makes much better sense to take all of 4:1–20 together. First Kings 4:1 indicates that the following verses will concern the king’s rule over all Israel, and 4:20 provides a fitting climax to this initial description of his reign by telling us what the consequences of his organizing abilities were (Judah and Israel . . . were happy). Verses 21–34 then go on to speak about Solomon’s rule over …