and these were his high officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest;
Solomon did not chase novelty in his officers; he kept his father's trusted men where they served well, and promoted the sons of Nathan the prophet to honor his memory. When a man comes into his father's estate, respect demands he employ those his father trusted, if they prove worthy. Pride shows itself in reversing a good father's choices.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 4:1-19
Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes,.... Their father Shisha, the same with Sheva, was scribe only in David's time; and he being dead very probably, both his sons were continued in the office as secretaries of state, Solomon having more business for such an office, see Sa2 20:25; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder; who was in the same office in the...
these were the princes--or chief officers, as is evident from two of them marrying Solomon's daughters. Azariah the son of Zadok the priest--rather, "the prince," as the Hebrew word frequently signifies (Gen 41:45; Exo 2:16; Sa2 8:18); so that from the precedency given to his person in the list, he seems to have been prime minister, the highest in office next the king.