2 Chronicles 9:13

KJV

¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the weight {H4948} of gold {H2091} that came {H935} to Solomon {H8010} in one {H259} year {H8141} was six {H8337} hundred {H3967} and threescore {H8346} and six {H8337} talents {H3603} of gold {H2091};

Complete Jewish Bible

The weight of the gold Shlomo received annually came to twenty-two tons,

Berean Standard Bible

The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,

American Standard Version

Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 9:13 precisely quantifies the astonishing annual gold income received by King Solomon, stating it was "six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold." This verse stands as a powerful testament to the unparalleled wealth and glory of Solomon's reign, a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises, and a vivid illustration of the peak of Israel's material prosperity under its divinely appointed king. It underscores the extraordinary abundance that characterized this period, solidifying Solomon's reputation as the richest monarch of his time.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative detailing the unparalleled wisdom, glory, and immense wealth of King Solomon, immediately following the account of the Queen of Sheba's visit and her profound admiration for Solomon's wisdom and splendor (as recounted in [2 Chronicles 9:1-12](/2_chronicles/9-1 "2 Chronicles 9:1-12 - The Queen of Sheba's Visit")). The preceding verses describe the Queen's awe at Solomon's palace, his servants, and his sacrificial offerings, all of which pointed to his extraordinary prosperity. Verse 13 then shifts to provide a specific, quantifiable measure of his wealth, serving as a concrete example and summation of the opulence just described. It functions as a direct parallel to [1 Kings 10:14](/1_kings/10-14 "1 Kings 10:14 - Solomon's Annual Gold Income"), reinforcing the consistent biblical testimony to Solomon's riches and setting the stage for further descriptions of his lavish kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a golden age for ancient Israel, characterized by peace, extensive trade, and immense prosperity. Geographically, Israel's strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes between Egypt, Arabia, and Mesopotamia facilitated significant commercial activity. Solomon actively engaged in international trade, forming alliances and establishing trade agreements that brought vast resources into the kingdom. The mention of "talents of gold" reflects the standard unit of weight for precious metals in the ancient Near East, signifying a massive quantity rather than coined money, which was less common at this time. The chronicler, writing centuries later, likely emphasized Solomon's wealth to highlight God's faithfulness to His promises and to inspire hope for a future restoration of Israel's glory, even after periods of exile and decline.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes illuminated by [2 Chronicles 9:13](/2_chronicles/9-13 "2 Chronicles 9:13 - Solomon's Annual Gold Income") include **Unprecedented Wealth and Prosperity**, which is explicitly detailed and quantified, underscoring the extraordinary economic boom during Solomon's rule. This material abundance was not merely the result of shrewd governance but a direct manifestation of **Divine Blessing**, fulfilling God's promise to grant Solomon riches along with wisdom, because he had prioritized wisdom (as seen in [1 Kings 3:13](/1_kings/3-13 "1 Kings 3:13 - God Promises Solomon Riches and Honor") and [2 Chronicles 1:12](/2_chronicles/1-12 "2 Chronicles 1:12 - God's Promise to Solomon")). Furthermore, the accumulation of such vast resources contributed significantly to **Solomon's Glory** and the overall splendor of his kingdom, reflecting the magnificence of God's chosen king and the covenant blessings upon Israel. This verse also implicitly touches upon the theme of **Stewardship**, as Solomon's immense resources were intended to be used for God's purposes, including the construction of the Temple, though later narratives also reveal the temptations and pitfalls associated with such vast wealth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Weight (Hebrew, _mishqal'_):** This term refers to the measured quantity or mass of something, emphasizing the precise and substantial nature of the gold being accounted for. It highlights that the gold was not merely acquired but was formally weighed and recorded, indicating a systematic and significant influx of wealth into the royal treasury. The use of "weight" rather than a monetary denomination underscores the ancient practice of valuing precious metals by their mass.
* **Talents (Hebrew, _kikkar'_):** A "talent" was the largest unit of weight in the ancient Near East, signifying an enormous quantity. While its exact modern equivalent varied slightly by region and period, a talent of gold is generally estimated to be around 75 pounds (approximately 34 kilograms). Therefore, "six hundred and threescore and six talents" represents an astronomical sum—over 22 tons of gold annually. The sheer scale conveyed by this unit of measurement is crucial for grasping the magnitude of Solomon's prosperity.
* **Six hundred and threescore and six (Hebrew, _shesh mē'ôt weshishîm weshēsh'_):** This specific numerical value, 666, in this historical context, simply denotes an incredibly vast quantity of wealth. While the number 666 later gains symbolic significance in other biblical contexts (e.g., [Revelation 13:18](/revelation/13-18 "Revelation 13:18 - The Number of the Beast")), in 2 Chronicles 9:13, it serves purely as a literal enumeration of the annual gold intake, emphasizing the sheer scale of Solomon's prosperity and the fulfillment of God's promise of unparalleled riches.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year":** This opening clause establishes the subject of the verse: the precise quantity of gold that flowed into Solomon's treasury. The phrase "in one year" specifies the annual recurrence of this immense income, indicating a sustained and consistent flow of wealth, likely from tribute, trade, and taxation. It sets the stage for the revelation of an extraordinary figure, highlighting the king's economic power and the kingdom's prosperity.
* **"was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;":** This clause provides the exact quantification of the annual gold intake. The number "six hundred and threescore and six" (666) talents of gold represents an almost unimaginable sum for the ancient world. This staggering figure is presented as a factual record, underscoring the literal fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon for riches beyond any king before or after him. It serves as a concrete, undeniable testament to the unparalleled glory and material abundance that characterized Solomon's reign.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler's account in [2 Chronicles 9:13](/2_chronicles/9-13 "2 Chronicles 9:13 - Solomon's Annual Gold Income") employs several literary devices to emphasize Solomon's extraordinary wealth. **Hyperbole** is implicitly used, not in the sense of exaggeration, but in the sheer scale of the number presented, which would have seemed almost unbelievable to an ancient audience, thus amplifying the sense of divine blessing and unparalleled prosperity. The precise numerical detail (666 talents) functions as a form of **Verisimilitude**, lending an air of factual accuracy and historical record to the account, making the incredible wealth seem tangible and real. Furthermore, the verse contributes to the **Symbolism** of Solomon's reign as a golden age, a period of ultimate blessing and glory for Israel, reflecting God's favor. This wealth is not merely material but also symbolic of the covenant faithfulness of God to His chosen king and nation, even if Solomon himself would later falter in his own faithfulness. The Chronicler's emphasis on such specific, grand figures serves to create a lasting impression of the kingdom's zenith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The immense wealth of Solomon, as quantified in [2 Chronicles 9:13](/2_chronicles/9-13 "2 Chronicles 9:13 - Solomon's Annual Gold Income"), serves as a powerful testament to God's covenant faithfulness and His ability to bless abundantly. This prosperity was a direct fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon in [2 Chronicles 1:12](/2_chronicles/1-12 "2 Chronicles 1:12 - God's Promise of Wisdom and Riches to Solomon"), where He declared, "riches, and wealth, and honour, are given unto thee." It illustrates the principle that when a nation or its leader seeks God's wisdom and kingdom first, material blessings can follow. However, the narrative of Solomon's life also provides a cautionary tale: while wealth is a blessing from God, it can also become a snare if not stewarded faithfully and if the heart turns away from the Giver. Solomon's later descent into idolatry, despite his immense blessings, underscores the danger of material prosperity becoming an end in itself rather than a means for God's glory.

* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "God's Blessing of Prosperity")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9 "Honoring God with Wealth")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Cannot Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's unparalleled wealth, meticulously detailed in [2 Chronicles 9:13](/2_chronicles/9-13 "2 Chronicles 9:13 - Solomon's Annual Gold Income"), invites us to reflect on the nature of divine blessing and human stewardship. While God clearly demonstrates His capacity to bless His people with material abundance, as He did with Solomon, the ultimate value lies not in the accumulation of riches but in the character of the heart that receives them. Solomon's story, in its entirety, reminds us that earthly blessings are transient and can become a source of temptation if not held loosely and used for God's glory. True and lasting riches are found in spiritual wisdom, a right relationship with God, and obedience to His commands. This verse challenges us to consider our own relationship with material possessions: do we seek them as an end, or do we view them as resources to be stewarded for God's kingdom purposes? It encourages us to trust in God's provision while remaining vigilant against the seductive power of wealth to distract us from our ultimate devotion to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's immense wealth challenge or confirm your understanding of God's blessings?**
* **What are the potential dangers or temptations that come with great material prosperity, both for individuals and nations?**
* **How can believers today steward their resources, whether great or small, in a way that truly honors God and advances His kingdom?**
* **In what ways might the pursuit of earthly riches compete with the pursuit of spiritual wisdom and a deeper relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Does the number 666 in 2 Chronicles 9:13 have any connection to the "mark of the beast" in Revelation?**

Answer: No, in the context of [2 Chronicles 9:13](/2_chronicles/9-13 "2 Chronicles 9:13 - Solomon's Annual Gold Income"), the number 666 (six hundred and threescore and six) simply represents a literal, historical quantification of the immense amount of gold Solomon received annually. It functions as a precise numerical detail to emphasize the scale of his wealth and the fulfillment of God's promise of unparalleled riches. There is no theological or symbolic connection intended with the number 666 as it appears in [Revelation 13:18](/revelation/13-18 "Revelation 13:18 - The Number of the Beast"), where it carries a distinct symbolic meaning related to human rebellion and opposition to God in an eschatological context. To conflate the two would be to misinterpret the literary and theological intent of both passages.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Chronicles 9:13](/2_chronicles/9-13 "2 Chronicles 9:13 - Solomon's Annual Gold Income") marvels at the earthly wealth and glory of King Solomon, it ultimately points to a greater King and a more enduring treasure found in Jesus Christ. Solomon's reign, with its unparalleled peace and prosperity, served as a foreshadowing of the perfect reign of the Messiah. Solomon's wisdom, though legendary, pales in comparison to Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom")). The earthly gold that flowed into Solomon's treasury, impressive as it was, is but a fleeting shadow of the spiritual riches and eternal inheritance that believers receive in Christ ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood") and [Ephesians 1:18](/ephesians/1-18 "Ephesians 1:18 - The Riches of His Glorious Inheritance")). Unlike Solomon, whose immense wealth ultimately became a source of temptation and contributed to his spiritual decline, Jesus, though "rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He offered a kingdom not of this world, where true wealth is found not in material possessions but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")). Thus, Solomon's gold points us to the immeasurable, eternal, and transforming riches of salvation and grace found in our ultimate King, Jesus Christ.

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

1 Kings 10:14

¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,

1 Kings 10:28

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

Psalms 72:10

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Psalms 72:15

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; [and] daily shall he be praised.

Psalms 68:29

Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.