Deker דֶּ֫קֶר

Deker, also known as Ben-Deker (meaning "son of Deker"), is mentioned in 1Ki.4.9 as one of the twelve officers appointed by King Solomon to oversee the provision of food for the king and his household. Each officer was responsible for supplying provisions for one month out of the year.

The passage lists the territories assigned to each officer, with Ben-Deker being responsible for Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan. These locations were likely within the tribe of Dan, situated in the western part of Israel.

The appointment of these twelve officers was part of Solomon's administrative structure, which aimed to ensure the efficient management of resources and the well-being of the royal court. By dividing the responsibility among twelve officers, Solomon could ensure a consistent supply of provisions throughout the year.

Apart from this brief mention in the context of Solomon's administration, no other details are provided about Deker or his personal life. His role as one of the twelve officers highlights the organizational structure and the prosperity of Solomon's kingdom during his reign.