Solomon's Twelve Governors

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Woman living at the time of United Monarchy

Abda

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Abiathar

High priest who escaped the massacre at Nob and supported King David

The last high priest from the line of Eli, Abiathar was a loyal companion to David during his exile but was eventually deposed by Solomon for supporting Adonijah.

Abinadab

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Adoram

Official in charge of forced labor who was stoned to death during the secession of the northern tribes

A high-ranking official who served as the overseer of forced labor under Kings David, Solomon, and Rehoboam during the United Monarchy.

Ahijah

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ahilud

Father of Jehoshaphat the recorder and Baana the governor

The father of Jehoshaphat the recorder and Baana the district governor during the United Monarchy of Israel.

Ahimaaz

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ahinadab

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ahishar

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Amorite

Son of Canaan and ancestral head of the powerful Amorite nation

A son of Canaan and a grandson of Ham, the patriarch whose descendants became a powerful mountain-dwelling nation in the Levant during the Patriarchal Period.

Asher

Patriarch who founded one of the twelve tribes of Israel and was noted for the fertility of his land

Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, the second born to Zilpah, and the ancestral patriarch of the Tribe of Asher, known for the fertile lands and prosperity promised in his father's blessing.

Azariah

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Azariah, Son of Zadok the Priest

Priest and high official in the court of King Solomon during the United Monarchy

A high-ranking official and priest in the court of King Solomon during the United Monarchy, descended from the line of Zadok.

Baana

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Baana

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Basemath

Woman living at the time of United Monarchy

Ben-abinadab

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ben-deker

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ben-Geber

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ben-hesed

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ben-hur

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Benaiah, Son of Jehoiada

Commander of David's bodyguard who killed a lion in a pit and became Solomon's army chief

A mighty man of valor who served as the commander of King David's elite bodyguard and eventually became the commander-in-chief of King Solomon's army.

Benjamin, Son of Jacob

Youngest son of Jacob and the full brother of Joseph whose presence in Egypt led to his family's reconciliation

The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Benjamin was the beloved patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel and a central figure in the narrative of Joseph's rise in Egypt.

Deker

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ela

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Elihoreph

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Ephraim

Son of Joseph who received the firstborn blessing from Jacob

The second son of Joseph and Asenath, Ephraim was adopted by his grandfather Jacob and received the primary blessing of the firstborn, becoming the progenitor of a dominant tribe in Israel.

Geber

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Hesed

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Hur

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Hushai

King David’s loyal counselor who served as a double agent to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel

Hushai the Archite was a loyal counselor and 'friend' to King David who served as a strategic double agent to thwart the rebellion of Absalom.

Iddo

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Israel

Patriarch who wrestled with God and fathered the twelve tribes

The third patriarch of the covenant, formerly known as Jacob, who received his name after wrestling with God and became the father of the twelve tribes.

Issachar, Ninth Son of Jacob

Ninth son of Jacob and the progenitor of the Tribe of Issachar

The ninth son of Jacob and the fifth born to Leah, Issachar was a patriarch whose descendants formed one of the prominent twelve tribes of Israel.

Jair, Son of Segub

Warrior who captured the region of Argob and renamed the villages Havvoth-jair

A prominent conqueror from the tribe of Judah who seized territories in Gilead during the conquest of the Transjordan and established the settlements known as Havvoth-jair.

Jehoiada, Father of Benaiah

Priestly leader of the house of Aaron and father of the mighty warrior Benaiah

A prominent Aaronic priest and military leader during the United Monarchy whose son Benaiah became the commander of Solomon’s army.

Jehoshaphat

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Jehoshaphat, Recorder to David and Solomon

Royal recorder who served under both King David and King Solomon

A high-ranking royal official who served as the 'recorder' for both King David and King Solomon during the United Monarchy of Israel.

Manasseh, Son of Joseph

Firstborn son of Joseph whose grandfather Jacob crossed his hands to give the younger brother the primary blessing

The firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, Manasseh became the progenitor of one of the largest and most strategically positioned tribes of Israel.

Naphtali

Patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel and sixth son of Jacob

The sixth son of Jacob and second son of Bilhah, whose descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the fertile northern Galilee region.

Nathan the Prophet

Prophet who confronted King David about Bathsheba and delivered the Davidic Covenant

A pivotal prophet during the United Monarchy who served as King David's advisor, delivered the Davidic Covenant, and confronted the king regarding his sin with Bathsheba.

Og

Giant king of Bashan who was defeated by Moses at Edrei

Og was the Amorite king of Bashan and a remnant of the giant Rephaim who was defeated by the Israelites under Moses during their journey to the Promised Land.

Paruah

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Seraiah the Scribe

Royal scribe and high official under King David and father of Solomon's secretaries

High-ranking administrative official and royal scribe serving during the reign of King David and into the early United Monarchy.

Shimei, son of Ela

Governor of Benjamin under King Solomon who remained loyal to the Davidic line during Adonijah's rebellion

A high-ranking official and tribal administrator in the court of King Solomon, noted for his loyalty to David and his oversight of the territory of Benjamin.

Sihon

King of the Amorites who was defeated by Moses at the Battle of Jahaz

The Amorite king of Heshbon who was defeated by the Israelites after refusing them passage through his territory during the Exodus journey.

Solomon

King of Israel who built the first Temple and was famous for his wisdom

The third king of Israel who built the First Temple in Jerusalem and was renowned for his God-given wisdom and immense wealth during the United Monarchy.

Taphath

Woman living at the time of United Monarchy

Uri

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Zabud

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Zadok, Priest of the United Monarchy

High priest who anointed King Solomon and established a faithful priestly dynasty

A high priest of Israel during the reigns of David and Solomon who remained loyal to the Davidic line and established a permanent priestly dynasty.