1 Kings 4:26

And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

And Solomon {H8010} had forty {H705} thousand {H505} stalls {H723} of horses {H5483} for his chariots {H4817}, and twelve {H8147}{H6240} thousand {H505} horsemen {H6571}.

Shlomo also had 40,000 stalls for the horses used with his chariots and 12,000 horsemen.

Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his chariot horses and 12,000 horses.

And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

Commentary

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse provides a glimpse into the immense wealth and military might of King Solomon's reign, a period often considered the golden age of ancient Israel. Following his father David, Solomon ushered in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity, extending Israel's influence and dominion. In the ancient Near East, possession of a large number of horses and chariots was a direct indicator of a nation's military strength, economic power, and prestige. These were highly valuable assets, often imported from Egypt, and represented the pinnacle of military technology at the time. The numbers cited here—forty thousand stalls for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen—underscore the vast scale of Solomon's infrastructure and military establishment, reflecting the overall grandeur and stability of his kingdom described in the preceding verses of 1 Kings chapter 4.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Solomon's Magnificence and Power: The sheer quantity of horses and chariots highlights the unparalleled grandeur and military strength of Solomon's kingdom. It speaks to his ability to command vast resources and maintain a formidable defense.
  • Prosperity and Wealth: Maintaining such a large cavalry and chariot force required enormous financial resources, reflecting the economic prosperity and administrative efficiency of Solomon's reign. This military might was a direct consequence of the tributes and trade that flowed into Jerusalem.
  • Potential Spiritual Caution: While impressive, the accumulation of horses and chariots by a king of Israel was explicitly cautioned against in the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 17:16). This warning was given to prevent kings from relying on human strength and military might rather than on God, and to prevent them from leading the people back to Egypt (a source of horses). Solomon's extensive military buildup, while demonstrating earthly power, subtly foreshadows his later deviations from God's commands.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "stalls" is 'urvot (אֻרְוֹת), referring to stables or enclosures for horses. The term "horsemen" is parashim (פָּרָשִׁים), denoting cavalry troops. The numbers, though debated by some scholars regarding interpretation (some suggest "stalls" might refer to pairs of horses or a different unit of measurement), clearly convey an overwhelming sense of scale and power, emphasizing the vastness of Solomon's military apparatus.

Related Scriptures

This verse is echoed in other descriptions of Solomon's military, such as 1 Kings 10:26, which states he had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, placing them in "chariot cities" and with the king in Jerusalem. The cautionary note about multiplying horses for kings is found in Deuteronomy 17:16. This divine instruction highlights a key tension between worldly power and divine reliance, a theme also found in Psalm 20:7: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."

Practical Application

While Solomon's military strength was impressive, his ultimate decline reminds us that true security and blessing do not come from accumulated power, wealth, or military might, but from unwavering obedience and trust in God. For believers today, this verse serves as a subtle reminder to examine where we place our confidence. Do we rely on our own resources, achievements, or material possessions, or do we place our ultimate trust in the Lord? The narrative of Solomon's reign, beginning with such splendor and ending with spiritual compromise, encourages us to prioritize faithfulness to God above all earthly glory and might, understanding that victory ultimately belongs to the Lord.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 1:14 (5 votes)

    And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:25 (4 votes)

    And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

  • 2 Samuel 8:4 (3 votes)

    And David took from him a thousand [chariots], and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots.

  • 1 Kings 10:25 (2 votes)

    And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

  • 1 Kings 10:26 (2 votes)

    And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.

  • Psalms 20:7 (2 votes)

    Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

  • Deuteronomy 17:16 (2 votes)

    But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.