This morning, I was reading 1 Kings 4, where King Solomon was appointing his governors. I noticed that one was called Ben-Hesed, and, remembering that Hesed means ‘Loving-kindness’ or mercy, I started to wonder what each of the names meant. So here is what I uncovered…

• Ben-Hur → Freedom
• Ben-Deker →the Spear (/Protection?)
• Ben-Hesed → of Steadfast Love, Loving Kindness
• Ben-Abinadab → of Generosity
• Banna Ben-Ahilud → (Banna) Building, (Ahilud) Brother/Children
• Ben-Geber → Warrior or to Prevail
• Ahinadab Ben-Iddo → God is my Witness
• Ahimazz →My Brother the Counsellor
• Banna Ben-Hushi → (Banna) Building, (Hushi) Pace, Speed
• Jehoshaphat Ben-Paruah →Flourishing, new Beginnings
• Shimel Ben-Ela → Strength, Resilience, Endurance
• Geber Ben-Uri – Light

There were two called Banna, which means either constructing or building a family.

In the culture of the time, names had meaning.

Those who were Govenors in the Kingdom were called Freedom, Protection, Loving Kindness, Generosity, Building Brotherhood, Prevail, God is my Witness, My Brother the Counsellor, Building Pace, Flourshing, Strength/Resilience/Endurance and Light.

Was Solomon appointing people who lived according to the names they had?

I find that a very encouraging prospect, and it led me to ponder what our governments would be like if those in power lived out the meanings of the names of Solomon’s’ Governors’?

It also made me think that in Jesus Christ we have been given a new name, a new family… When Jesus prayed ‘Our Father’ it included the promise of adoption into the Kingdom of God.

We have been called a new name.

When Paul writes to the early churches he often called them to live a life worthy of their calling…

So what if we lived up to the new name we have been called? – Children of God…

What would change in us to the Glory of God?