Zabud

Gift, the son of Nathan, who was “king’s friend” in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:5).

(given), son of Nathan, (1 Kings 4:5) is described as a priest (Authorized Version "principal officer"), and as holding at the court of Solomon the confidential post of "king’s friend," which had been occupied by Hushai the Archite during the reign of David. (2 Samuel 15:37; 16:16; 1 Chronicles 27:33) (B.C. 1012.)

za'-bud (zabhudh, "bestowed"):

(1) A son of Nathan (the prophet, probably) said in Kings to be chief minister to Solomon and also the king's friend (1Ki 4:5; 1Ch 2:36). The American Revised Version margin has "priest" for "chief minister." Benzinger (Kurz. Hand-Commentary, 18) holds that "this expression is a marginal gloss here," while Kittel (Handkomm., 31) holds it to be genuine, though it is wanting in the Septuagint. Some suggest cokhen (see SHEBNA) for kohen. The expression "king's friend" (compare 2Sa 15:37; 16:16) is, says Kittel, an old Canaanite title, found also in the Tell el-Amarna Letters.

(2) See ZACCUR, (4); PRIESTS AND LEVITES.

David Francis Roberts