[3] This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the reign of Solomon over the unified kingdom of Judah and Israel (1 Kings 1 to 11).

[7][a] The structure of the first 28 verses of this chapter centers on the abundant provision of Solomon's table:[9] The section starting from 1 Kings 4:29 to 1 Kings 5:12 is organized as a chiasm:[10] The orderly structure of the kingdom shows the quality of Solomon's wisdom, resulting in happy and prosperous citizens, fulfilling not only the Abrahamic promise (Genesis 22:17), but also the fruit of Joshua's conquest (Joshua 11:23).

[11][12] A comparison with David's list of officers (2 Samuel 8:16–18; 20:23–26) demonstrate the continuity and development of the court, with the increase of the number of ministers: some remained (Ado[ni]ram] and Jehoshaphat), some removed (Joab and Abiathar), one promoted (Benaiah), and some as rewards to his party followers (Zadok's son, Azariah, and Nathan's sons in verse 5).

[5] The geographical organization of the list is interesting: beginning with the central mountains of Ephraim, moving north (Naphtali, Asher, and Issachar) and concluding with the south and south-east (Benjamin and Gad).

[13] In Solomon's time, science was already international, with the texts of wisdom from the whole of the ancient Near East (as found in archaeology) containing accumulated general knowledge.