1 Kings 4:23-28 Meaning: Under the Vine and Fig Tree
23ten head of fat cattle, twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, in addition to deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl.
24For he had dominion over all on this side of the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on all sides around him.
25Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
26Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27Those officers provided food for King Solomon, and for all who came to King Solomon’s table, every man in his month. They let nothing be lacking.
28They also brought barley and straw for the horses and swift steeds to the place where the officers were, each man according to his duty.
23Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.
24For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
25And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.
28Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
23ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted fowl.
24For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
25And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27And those officers provided victuals for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking.
28Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.
23ten fat oxen, and twenty feeding oxen, and a hundred sheep, apart from hart, and roe, and fallow-deer, and fatted beasts of the stalls,
24for he is ruling over all beyond the river, from Tiphsah and unto Gaza, over all the kings beyond the river, and he hath peace from all his servants round about.
25And Judah dwelleth--and Israel--in confidence, each under his vine, and under his fig-tree, from Dan even unto Beer-Sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26And Solomon hath forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27And these officers have sustained king Solomon and every one drawing near unto the table of king Solomon, each in his month; they let nothing be lacking.
28And the barley and the straw, for horses and for dromedaries, they bring in unto the place where they are, each according to his ordinance.
23ten fatted oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and fallow-deer, and fatted fowl.
24For he had dominion over all on this side the river, from Tiphsah as far as Gazah, over all the kings on this side the river; and he had peace on all sides round about.
25And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.
26And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
27And those officers provided food for king Solomon, and for all who came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they let nothing be wanting.
28And the barley, and the straw for the horses and coursers, they brought to the place where [the superintendents] were, every man according to his charge.
Meaning in one sentence
What does the detailed list of cattle, sheep, and game in Solomon's daily provisions reveal about God's blessings? Discover the peace of his reign.
Context
These verses come during a description of Solomon's kingdom at its height. Earlier in the chapter we learn that Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea, eating and drinking and making merry. Solomon ruled a vast territory, from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt. The passage gives us a concrete look at what that meant: enormous daily provisions for the royal household, extensive stables, and a well-organized system of supply. But woven through all these details is a deeper theme, peace. The people lived securely, each under his own vine and fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba. This is not just a report of wealth; it is a portrait of the kind of rest God had promised His people.
Key Words
Two phrases carry the weight of the passage. The first is “under his vine and under his fig tree.” Commentators agree this is a proverbial picture of peace and security. In ancient Israel, owning a vine and a fig tree meant you could stay in one place and enjoy the fruit of your labor. You were no longer hiding in fortified cities. The phrase appears in other parts of Scripture to describe times of God-given rest, and later prophets use it to picture the coming Messiah's kingdom.
The second phrase is “dwelt safely.” The Hebrew word behind it carries the sense of confidence, openness, and freedom from dread. It is not just the absence of enemies but a settled trust, the kind of peace that allows a man to sit under his own tree without looking over his shoulder. Both phrases together show that what Israel enjoyed under Solomon was not a mere political peace but a taste of the rest God had always wanted for His people.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this passage with a sense of longing. Matthew Henry, a Reformed pastor, saw it as a picture of the peace that Christ, the true Solomon, brings to His people. He connected the vine and fig tree to the spiritual security believers have in the Gospel. Anglican commentator Barnes noted that the phrase is used by prophets to describe the Messianic age, pointing forward to a lasting peace. On the other hand, some modern readers focus on the historical details, the numbers of horses, the size of the provisions, and note the textual discrepancy between forty thousand stalls here and four thousand in Chronicles. Catholics and Orthodox believers might see this as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, while evangelical readers might treat it as a literal example of God's blessing on obedience. All traditions agree: this passage holds up a peace that is deeper than politics and richer than material abundance.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that this passage is simply a boast about Solomon's wealth and power, a king showing off his resources. In fact, the purpose is the opposite. The writer is demonstrating that God kept His promise to Abraham, giving the people the land from the Euphrates to Egypt and making them secure. The detailed list of provisions is not a vanity project but a sign of divine faithfulness. The peace under vine and fig tree is a gift, not an achievement.
Living This Out
This passage invites you to consider what true security looks like. You may not sit under a literal vine or fig tree, but you can ask yourself: Where do I look for peace? In a steady income, a safe home, or a favorable political climate? Those are good gifts, but they can vanish. The peace that God gave Israel under Solomon was a pointer to something more lasting. This week, when you feel anxious about provision or safety, remember that God is the one who gives rest. You can sit quietly under His care, not because everything is perfect, but because He keeps His word. Let that truth settle you more than your circumstances ever could.
Main takeaway: God's blessing brings peace and abundance, but its deepest meaning is not wealth, it is the rest He gives to His people when they trust Him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God helped King Solomon take care of His people. They had plenty of food and were safe. You can thank God for giving you what you need.
For ages 9, 12
Imagine living in a time when nobody had to be afraid. Every family had their own garden with a vine and a fig tree, and they could just sit and rest. That is what it was like under King Solomon. The Bible says this peace came from God. When you feel worried about school or friends, remember that God wants to give you that kind of safe feeling, not because everything is perfect, but because He is watching over you.
Questions People Ask
What does 'under his vine and under his fig tree' mean in 1 Kings 4:25?
It is a picture of safety and contentment. In ancient times, sitting under your own vine and fig tree meant you had a stable home, enough food, and no fear of attack. The phrase became a common way to describe peace and prosperity, and it is used elsewhere in the Bible to describe the blessing of God's kingdom.
Why does 1 Kings 4:26 say forty thousand stalls for horses while 2 Chronicles 9:25 says four thousand?
Most scholars think the number in 1 Kings may have been a copying error. The Hebrew words for forty and four sound similar. The smaller number fits better with the rest of the account, which says Solomon had 1,400 chariots. Either way, the passage emphasizes that his kingdom was large and well-organized.
Is this passage teaching that material wealth is a sign of God's favor?
The passage shows that God blessed Solomon with abundance, but it does not say that rich people are more blessed than poor people. The deeper point is God's faithfulness to His promises. Throughout the Bible, wealth can be a blessing or a danger. What matters is whether we trust God more than we trust our possessions.
Was Solomon's peace a result of his wisdom?
Solomon's wisdom was a gift from God, and God also gave him peace on all sides. But the peace described here was not just human achievement. It was the fulfillment of a promise God made to Abraham, David, and the people of Israel. The peace under vine and fig tree was ultimately a foretaste of the rest that would come through the Messiah.
What are 'dromedaries' in 1 Kings 4:28?
The Hebrew word likely refers to swift horses or fast steeds, not camels. Commentators suggest they were used for communication and quick travel across Solomon's vast territory. The New King James Version translates it as 'horses and swift steeds.' The exact animal is uncertain, but the point is that Solomon's kingdom was well-run and connected.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study