Ben-abinadab, or “The son of Abinadab” (Contemporary English Version), was in charge of the fourth administrative district, which was located north of the third district in the northern part of the Plain of Sharon.

Naphath-dor was a city-state located about 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Mount Carmel on the seacoast. The exact meaning of Naphath is uncertain. Suggested meanings include “district,” “[sand] dune,” and “wooded country.” Anchor Bible translates “the district of Dor,” and Bible en français courant and Parole de Vie say “the region of the hills of Dor.”

He had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife: Ben-abindab was a son-in-law to Solomon since he had married his daughter Taphath. This daughter of Solomon is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Taphath and her sister “Basemath” (verse 15) are the only daughters of Solomon mentioned in the Old Testament.

As in the previous verse, the parentheses here seem unnecessary and may be omitted.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .