2 Chronicles 1:15

KJV

And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem [as plenteous] as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that [are] in the vale for abundance.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} made {H5414} silver {H3701} and gold {H2091} at Jerusalem {H3389} as plenteous as stones {H68}, and cedar trees {H730} made {H5414} he as the sycomore trees {H8256} that are in the vale {H8219} for abundance {H7230}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king made silver and gold in Yerushalayim as common as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as sycamore-fig trees in the Sh'felah.

Berean Standard Bible

The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.

American Standard Version

And the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore-trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 1:15 vividly portrays the extraordinary material prosperity and abundance that characterized King Solomon's reign in Jerusalem. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the immediate and lavish fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon, made after the king humbly requested wisdom to govern God's people rather than personal riches or long life. It highlights an unparalleled era of national wealth and resource availability, where precious metals and valuable timber became as commonplace as the most ordinary elements of the land, signifying a golden age for the united kingdom of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the Chronicler's narrative, immediately following the pivotal account of God's appearance to Solomon at Gibeon. In this divine encounter, Solomon chose wisdom over wealth, power, or a long life, demonstrating a heart aligned with God's purposes for His people ([2 Chronicles 1:7-10](/2_chronicles/1-7 "2 Chronicles 1:7-10 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom")). As a direct consequence of this selfless request, God not only granted him the wisdom he sought but also promised him unprecedented riches, wealth, and honor, such as no king before or after him would possess ([2 Chronicles 1:11-12](/2_chronicles/1-11 "2 Chronicles 1:11-12 - God's Promise to Solomon")). Verse 15, along with the verses that follow (e.g., [2 Chronicles 1:16-17](/2_chronicles/1-16 "2 Chronicles 1:16-17 - Solomon's Trade and Chariots")), provides tangible evidence of this divine promise's rapid and comprehensive fulfillment, setting the stage for Solomon's magnificent building projects, most notably the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Construction of Solomon's Temple Begins")). It underscores the Chronicler's theological emphasis on divine blessing as a direct result of obedience and prioritizing God's kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked the zenith of Israel's power and influence in the ancient Near East. Jerusalem, as the capital, became a hub of immense wealth, largely due to Solomon's strategic alliances, extensive trade networks, and administrative acumen. He controlled vital trade routes, particularly those connecting Egypt with Mesopotamia and Arabia, facilitating the import and export of valuable goods. The comparison of "silver and gold" to "stones" and "cedar trees" to "sycomore trees" is a hyperbole that would have been profoundly understood by the original audience. Silver and gold were the primary mediums of exchange and symbols of wealth, while cedar from Lebanon was a highly prized, expensive, and durable timber, used for royal and sacred construction. Sycomore trees (Ficus sycomorus), in contrast, were common, fast-growing, and provided a softer, less valuable wood, often found in the lowlands or "vale" (Shephelah). This imagery vividly communicates that even the most precious resources were so abundant in Jerusalem that they seemed to have lost their rarity, a stark contrast to the typical scarcity of such materials in the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** The abundance described in [2 Chronicles 1:15](/2_chronicles/1-15 "2 Chronicles 1:15 - Solomon's Unprecedented Wealth") contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Chronicles. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Blessing and Fulfillment**, showcasing God's faithfulness to His covenant promises when His chosen leader seeks His wisdom above all else. This prosperity is not merely a result of Solomon's ingenuity but a direct manifestation of divine favor. Secondly, it highlights the **Unprecedented Abundance and Glory of Solomon's Kingdom**, portraying an era of unparalleled national wealth and stability. This material prosperity was intended to facilitate the grand national project of building and furnishing the Temple, reflecting God's glory and establishing Jerusalem as a spiritual and economic center. Lastly, while celebrating this peak of Israelite prosperity, the Chronicler subtly introduces the **Stewardship of God's Resources**, implying that such immense wealth carried a responsibility to be used for God's purposes and the welfare of His people, a theme that would later be tested in Solomon's reign.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stones (Hebrew, _'avanim'_):** The comparison of silver and gold to "stones" (meaning common pebbles or rocks) is a powerful hyperbole. In a world where precious metals were scarce and highly valued, this imagery conveys an almost unbelievable abundance. It suggests that gold and silver were so plentiful in Jerusalem that they were treated with the same casual regard as the most ubiquitous elements of the landscape, effectively devaluing them through sheer quantity. This emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Solomon's wealth, far surpassing typical human accumulation.
* **Sycomore trees (Hebrew, _shiqmim'_):** These trees were common in the lowlands of Judah (the "vale" or Shephelah), known for their soft, fast-growing wood, which was suitable for common construction but not for high-quality building or ornamentation. By comparing valuable "cedar trees" (imported from Lebanon, highly prized for their durability, fragrance, and beauty) to the common sycomore, the verse again employs hyperbole. It signifies that even the most expensive and rare building materials were so readily available in Jerusalem during Solomon's reign that they were as accessible and plentiful as the most ordinary local timber.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem [as plenteous] as stones,"**: This clause immediately establishes the central theme of unparalleled material wealth. The phrase "made silver and gold... as plenteous as stones" indicates that Solomon's administration, through trade, tribute, and perhaps mining, amassed such vast quantities of these precious metals that their value, relative to their abundance, diminished within Jerusalem. This was not merely a private fortune but a national treasury, indicative of the kingdom's overall economic might and the fulfillment of God's promise.
* **"and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that [are] in the vale for abundance."**: This second clause extends the hyperbolic description of abundance to building materials. Cedar, a highly prized and expensive timber typically imported from Lebanon, was essential for grand construction projects like the Temple and Solomon's palace. By making it as common as the indigenous, less valuable sycomore, the verse underscores the limitless resources at Solomon's disposal, specifically for his monumental architectural endeavors. The mention of "the vale" (Shephelah) further highlights the contrast, as sycomores were abundant in that region, making the comparison even more striking.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary devices employed in 2 Chronicles 1:15 are **Hyperbole** and **Simile**. The verse uses **Hyperbole** by exaggerating the abundance of silver, gold, and cedar trees to an almost unimaginable degree, comparing them to common "stones" and "sycomore trees." This deliberate overstatement is not meant to be taken literally but serves to impress upon the reader the extraordinary, unprecedented scale of wealth and resources available to Solomon. The comparisons themselves are **Similes**, using "as" to draw a direct parallel between the precious and the common, emphasizing the sheer quantity. Furthermore, an implicit **Contrast** is at play: the inherent value and rarity of silver, gold, and cedar are contrasted with the commonness and low value of stones and sycomore, making the abundance even more remarkable. These devices collectively create a vivid and memorable image of unparalleled prosperity, underscoring the divine blessing upon Solomon's reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a powerful theological statement about God's faithfulness and His ability to bless beyond measure when His people, especially their leaders, prioritize His wisdom and kingdom. Solomon's unprecedented wealth was not merely a personal fortune but a national endowment, directly linked to his humble request for wisdom to govern God's people. This highlights a key biblical principle: seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first can lead to unexpected and extraordinary provision, not necessarily always in material terms, but certainly in what is needed to fulfill God's purposes. The abundance described here was primarily directed towards the construction and adornment of the Temple, signifying that divine provision is often for divine purposes, enabling the expansion of God's glory and the establishment of His dwelling place among His people. It reminds us that all earthly resources ultimately belong to God and are entrusted to us for faithful stewardship.

* [1 Kings 10:27](/1_kings/10-27 "1 Kings 10:27 - Parallel Account of Solomon's Wealth")
* [2 Chronicles 1:12](/2_chronicles/1-12 "2 Chronicles 1:12 - God's Promise of Wealth to Solomon")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honoring the Lord with Your Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 1:15 offers a profound glimpse into a period of unparalleled blessing and abundance under King Solomon, serving as a historical testament to God's capacity to provide lavishly. While this verse describes a unique historical context and a specific promise to a king, its underlying principles resonate deeply with believers today. It challenges us to examine our own priorities: Do we, like Solomon, seek wisdom and a heart to serve God's purposes above personal gain or fleeting desires? The abundance described here was not an end in itself but enabled the building of the Temple, God's dwelling place. This prompts us to consider how the "abundance" God provides in our lives—whether spiritual gifts, material resources, time, or talents—is intended to be stewarded for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. It encourages us to trust in God's provision, knowing that when we prioritize His will, He is faithful to equip us for the calling He has placed upon our lives, often in ways that exceed our expectations. This verse ultimately invites us to reflect on the source of all true prosperity and the purpose for which we are blessed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's initial request for wisdom, leading to such abundance, challenge our own priorities and desires?**
* **In what ways does God provide "abundance" in our lives today, beyond merely material wealth, and how are we stewarding it?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the purpose of Solomon's wealth (building the Temple) regarding the use of our own resources for God's kingdom?**
* **How does this verse encourage us to trust in God's provision as we seek to live out His calling in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse promise material wealth to all believers today?**

Answer: No, 2 Chronicles 1:15 does not promise material wealth to all believers in a direct, prescriptive sense. This verse describes a specific historical fulfillment of a unique covenant promise made to King Solomon, who was chosen by God for a particular role in building the Temple and leading Israel. Solomon's wealth was directly tied to his wise request for governing ability and God's specific intention to establish a glorious kingdom through him. While it illustrates God's capacity to bless abundantly and the principle that prioritizing God's wisdom can lead to provision, it is not a universal guarantee of material riches for every individual believer. The New Testament emphasizes spiritual riches in Christ ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and warns against the dangers of seeking earthly wealth ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Do Not Store Up Treasures on Earth")). However, the principle that God provides for those who seek Him and His kingdom remains true, though the nature of that provision may vary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 1:15 describes the zenith of earthly prosperity under King Solomon, its ultimate fulfillment and true abundance are found in Jesus Christ. Solomon's kingdom, with its unparalleled wisdom and wealth, served as a foreshadowing of the far greater spiritual kingdom established by Christ. Solomon's wisdom, though divinely granted, was finite and eventually faltered, but in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). The material abundance of Solomon's reign, where silver and gold were as common as stones, points to the immeasurable spiritual riches available to believers in Christ. Through His sacrifice, Christ, "though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). The true "abundance" that Jesus offers is not perishable gold or cedar, but "life, and have it more abundantly" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus came that we may have life, and have it abundantly"))—eternal life, spiritual blessings, and an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). Solomon's glorious reign eventually faded, but Christ's kingdom is eternal, and the spiritual wealth He bestows upon His followers is everlasting and infinitely more valuable than any earthly treasure.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 9:27

And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that [are] in the low plains in abundance.

Amos 7:14

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I [was] no prophet, neither [was] I a prophet's son; but I [was] an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

Job 22:24

Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the [gold] of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

Job 22:25

Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

Isaiah 9:10

The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change [them into] cedars.

Isaiah 60:17

For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.

1 Kings 10:27

And the king made silver [to be] in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he [to be] as the sycomore trees that [are] in the vale, for abundance.