Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram the son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.
Here we have, I. Solomon upon his throne (Kg1 4:1): So king Solomon was king, that is, he was confirmed and established king over all Israel, and not, as his successors, only over two tribes. He was a king, that is, he did the work and duty of a king, with the wisdom God had given him.
Commenting on 1 Kings 4:1-19
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel,.... Not with respect to the twelve tribes of Israel, for it does not appear that they had each of them a tribe under them, but some particular places in a tribe; but with respect to the twelve months of the year, in which each took his turn: which provided victuals for the king and his household: each...
Ahishar was over the household--steward or chamberlain of the palace. Adoniram--or Adoram (Sa2 20:24; Kg1 12:18), or Hadoram (Ch2 10:18), was over the tribute--not the collection of money or goods, but the levy of compulsory laborers (compare Kg1 5:13-14).