TRV
Translation
King James Version
And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
KJV (with Strong's)
Complete Jewish Bible
as well as all the cities that Shlomo had for storing supplies, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and the other buildings Shlomo wanted to build for himself in Yerushalayim, in the L'vanon and throughout the land he ruled.
Berean Standard Bible
as well as all the store cities that Solomon had for his chariots and horses—whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout the land of his dominion.
American Standard Version
and all the store-cities that Solomon had, and the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
World English Bible Messianic
and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And all the cities of store, that Salomon had, euen cities for charets, and cities for horsemen, and all that Salomon desired and woulde build in Ierusalem, and in Lebanon and in all the land of his dominion)
Young's Literal Translation
and all the cities of stores that king Solomon hath, and the cities of the chariots, and the cities of the horsemen, and the desire of Solomon that he desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
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In the KJVVerse 9,071 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Kings 9 verses 15–28
15 ¶ And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
16 For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.
17 And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,
18 And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,
19 And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
20 And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
21 Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.
22 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.
24 But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he build Millo.
25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.
26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
27 And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
28 And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.
We have here a further account of Solomon's greatness.
I. His buildings. He raised a great levy both of men and money, because he projected a great deal of building, which would both employ many hands and put him to a vast expense, Kg1 9:15. And he was a wise builder, who sat down first, and counted the cost, and would not begin to build till he found himself able to finish. Perhaps there was some complaint of the heaviness of the taxes, which the historian excuses from the greatness of his undertakings. He raised it, not for war (as other princes), which would spend the blood of his subjects, but for building, which would require only their labour and purses. Perhaps David observed Solomon's genius to lie towards building, and foresaw he would have his head and hands full of it, when he penned that song of degrees for Solomon, which begins, Except the Lord build the house, those labour in vain that build it (Psa 127:1), directing him to acknowledge God in all his ways, and, by prayer and faith in his providence, to take him along with him in all his designs of this kind. And Solomon verily began his work at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; and then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. If we begin with God, he will go on with us. Let the first-fruits be his, and the after-fruits will the more comfortably be ours, Mat 6:33. Solomon built a church first and then he was enabled to build houses, and cities, and walls. Those consult not their own interest that defer to the last what they design for pious uses. The further order in Solomon's buildings is observable. God's house first for religion, then his own for his own convenience, then a house for his wife, to which she removed as soon as it was ready for her (Kg1 9:24), then Millo, the town-house or guild-hall, then the wall of Jerusalem, the royal city, then some cities of note and strength in the country, which were decayed and unfortified, Hazor, Megiddo, etc. As he rebuilt these at his own charge, the inhabitants would be not only his subjects, but his tenants, which would increase the revenues of the crown for the benefit of his successors. Among the rest, he built Gezer, which Pharaoh took out of the hands of the Canaanites, and made a present of to his daughter, Solomon's wife, Kg1 9:16. See how God maketh the earth to help the woman. Solomon was not himself a warlike prince, but the king of Egypt, who was, took cities for him to build. Then he built cities for convenience, for store, for his chariots, and for his horsemen, Kg1 9:19. And, lastly, he built for pleasure in Lebanon, for his hunting perhaps, or other diversions there. Let piety begin, and profit proceed, and leave pleasure to the last.
II. His workmen and servants. In doing such great works, he must needs employ abundance of workmen. The honour of great men is borrowed from their inferiors, who do that which they have the credit of. 1. Solomon employed those who remained of the conquered and devoted nations in all the slavish work, Kg1 9:20, Kg1 9:21. We may suppose that they renounced their idolatry and submitted to Solomon's government, so that he could not, in honour, utterly destroy them, and they were so poor that he could not levy money on them; therefore he served himself of their labour. Herein he observed God's law (Lev 25:44, Thy bondmen shall be of the heathen), and fulfilled Noah's curse upon Canaan, A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren, Gen 9:25. 2. He employed Israelites in the more creditable services (Kg1 9:22, Kg1 9:23): Of them he made no bondmen, for they were God's freemen, but he made them soldiers and courtiers, and gave them offices, as he saw them qualified, among his chariots and horsemen, appointing some to support the service of the inferior labourers. Thus he preserved the dignity and liberty of Israel and honoured their relation to God as a kingdom of priests.
III. His piety and devotion (Kg1 9:25): Three times in a year he offered burnt-offerings extraordinary (namely, at the three yearly feasts, the passover, pentecost, and feast of tabernacles) in honour of the divine institution, besides what he offered at other times, both statedly and upon special occasions. With his sacrifices he burnt incense, not himself (that was king Uzziah's crime), but the priest for him, at his charge, and for his particular use. It is said, He offered on the altar which he himself built. He took care to build it, and then, 1. He himself made use of it. Many will assist the devotions of others that neglect their own. Solomon did not think his building an altar would excuse him from sacrificing, but rather engage him the more to it. 2. He himself had the benefit and comfort of it. Whatever pains we take, for the support of religion, to the glory of God and the edification of others, we ourselves are likely to have the advantage of it.
IV. His merchandise. He built a fleet of trading ships at Ezion-geber (Kg1 9:26), a port on the coast of the Red Sea, the furthest stage of the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness, Num 33:35. Probably that wilderness now began to be peopled by the Edomites, which it was not then. To them this port had belonged, but, David having subdued the Edomites, it now pertained to the crown of Judah. The fleet traded to Ophir in the East Indies, supposed to be that which is now called Ceylon. Gold was the commodity traded for, substantial wealth. It should seem, Solomon had before been Hiram's partner, or put a venture into his ships, which made him a rich return of 120 talents (Kg1 9:14), which encouraged him to build a fleet of his own. The success of others in any employment should quicken our industry; for in all labour there is profit. Solomon sent his own servants as factors, and merchants, and super-cargoes, but hired Tyrians for sailors, for they had knowledge of the sea, Kg1 9:27. Thus one nation needs another, Providence so ordering it that there may be mutual commerce and assistance; for not only as Christians, but as men, we are members one of another. The fleet brought home to Solomon 420 talents of gold, Kg1 9:28. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it, which teaches us that that part of the wealth of this world which is for hoarding and trading is not the best part of it, but that which is more immediately for the present support and comfort of life, our own and others'; such were the productions of Canaan. Solomon got much by his merchandise, but, it should seem, David got much more by his conquests. What were Solomon's 420 talents to David's 100,000 talents of gold? Ch1 22:14; Ch1 29:4. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest, having assured us from his own experience of both that the merchandise of wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold, Pro 3:14.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–28. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 9:19 provides a comprehensive overview of King Solomon's monumental building endeavors across his vast dominion, extending beyond the Temple and his palace to include strategic infrastructure. This verse highlights the construction of fortified "cities of store" for logistical and economic purposes, as well as "cities for his chariots" and "cities for his horsemen," underscoring his formidable military strength. It further encompasses his personal architectural ambitions in key regions like Jerusalem and Lebanon, serving as a powerful testament to the unprecedented wealth, power, and administrative capacity that characterized his reign, marking a period of Israelite dominance and extensive development.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Enumeration and Repetition to convey the sheer scale and comprehensive nature of Solomon's building activities. The repeated phrase "cities for his..." (chariots, horsemen) emphasizes the systematic, specialized, and extensive nature of his infrastructure development. The cumulative effect of listing these various types of cities ("cities of store," "cities for his chariots," "cities for his horsemen") alongside his personal desires to build in diverse geographical locations ("Jerusalem," "Lebanon," "all the land of his dominion") creates a sense of Hyperbole or grandiosity. This effectively paints a picture of unparalleled royal ambition and achievement, serving to impress upon the reader the magnitude of Solomon's reign and his material accomplishments, thereby setting the stage for a deeper theological reflection on the nature of earthly power and divine blessing.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While seemingly a straightforward architectural summary, this verse is deeply interwoven with the theological narrative of Solomon's reign and the broader Deuteronomistic history. It showcases the peak of Israel's earthly power and prosperity, a direct result of God's blessing and the profound wisdom granted to Solomon. However, it also subtly foreshadows the inherent dangers in such vast accumulation. The extensive building, formidable military might, and the king's personal "desire" for more, while initially signs of divine favor and a secure kingdom, could easily become objects of trust and pride, subtly diverting the king's heart from exclusive reliance on God. This verse, therefore, serves as a dual testament: to God's faithfulness in establishing a glorious kingdom and to the persistent human temptation to find security and identity in material achievements rather than in the covenant relationship with the Almighty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The extensive building projects of King Solomon, as summarized, offer profound insights for contemporary reflection on the nature of human ambition, the stewardship of resources, and the ultimate source of true security. This verse invites us to consider that while Solomon's endeavors were undeniably impressive and contributed significantly to the prosperity of his kingdom, they also highlight the potential for even divinely blessed achievements to become ends in themselves, subtly overshadowing the Giver of all good things. We are challenged to examine our own pursuits of security, comfort, and influence, asking whether our "building projects"—be they careers, financial portfolios, social standing, or even ministry endeavors—are rooted in a genuine desire for God's glory and the good of others, or if they subtly become idols that promise a stability and satisfaction only God can truly provide. The ultimate lesson is that even the grandest earthly achievements are fleeting; true and lasting security, significance, and satisfaction are found only in an unwavering and faithful relationship with the Lord.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What were "cities of store" and why were they important?
Answer: "Cities of store" (or "store cities") were fortified urban centers specifically designed and utilized for the systematic storage of essential provisions, military supplies, and other valuable goods. They served as crucial logistical hubs, administrative centers, and granaries for the kingdom. Their importance lay in ensuring national food security, supporting military campaigns by providing supplies for troops and chariots, and facilitating trade and taxation. For Solomon, these cities were integral to managing his vast resources and maintaining control over his extensive dominion, reflecting a sophisticated and centralized governmental administration.
Did Solomon's extensive building projects align with God's will?
Answer: Initially, Solomon's building of the Temple was explicitly commanded by God and was a central act of worship and covenant fulfillment (1 Kings 6:1). His unparalleled wisdom and prosperity, which enabled these projects, were also direct divine gifts (1 Kings 3:11-13). However, the sheer scale of his personal building projects, particularly the multiplication of chariots, horses, and immense wealth, began to subtly deviate from the specific warnings given to future kings in the Law (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). While not explicitly condemned at this point, the emphasis on his personal "desire to build" and the accumulation of vast military might foreshadows a dangerous shift from complete reliance on God to reliance on human strength and material possessions, which ultimately contributed to his spiritual decline and the tragic division of the kingdom.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The grandeur of Solomon's kingdom, epitomized by his vast building projects and military might, serves as a powerful Old Testament type and shadow pointing to the ultimate reign and eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ. Solomon, the son of David, built a magnificent physical temple and established an earthly empire of unparalleled splendor, yet his kingdom was temporal and eventually fractured due to human sin and idolatry. In striking contrast, Jesus, the greater Son of David, came not to build an earthly empire of stone and chariots, but to establish an eternal, spiritual kingdom, His church (Matthew 16:18). He is the true and perfect builder, constructing a spiritual temple made of living stones, His redeemed people (1 Peter 2:5). While Solomon's reign was marked by earthly peace and prosperity, Christ brings a deeper, lasting peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27) and an abundance of spiritual blessings that transcend all material wealth (Ephesians 1:3). The "dominion" of Solomon, though vast, was limited to a specific land; Christ's dominion is universal and eternal, encompassing all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Thus, Solomon's magnificent but ultimately flawed kingdom anticipates the perfect, enduring, and spiritually rich reign of Christ, who is the true King, the ultimate Builder, and the sole Source of all lasting security and fulfillment.