TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
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,
World English Bible Messianic
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also the weight of golde that came to Salomon in one yeere, was sixe hundreth three score and sixe talents of golde,
Young's Literal Translation
And the weight of the gold that is coming to Solomon in one year is six hundred and sixty and six talents of gold,
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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9 verses 13–31
13 ¶ Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.
15 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target.
16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:
19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.
20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
22 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.
24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
25 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.
26 And he reigned over all the kings from the river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt.
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.
28 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.
29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
31 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
We have here Solomon in his throne, and Solomon in his grave; for the throne would not secure him from the grave. Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat - Death wrenches from the hand the sceptre as well as the spade.
I. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and power, in ease and fulness, such as, for aught I know, could never since be paralleled by any king whatsoever. In cannot pretend to be critical in comparing the grandeur of Solomon with that of some of the great princes of the earth. But I may observe that the most illustrious of them were famed for their wars, whereas Solomon reigned forty years in profound peace. Some of those that might be thought to vie with Solomon affected retirement, kept people in awe by keeping them at a great distance; nobody must see them, or come near him, upon pain of death: but Solomon went much abroad, and appeared in public business. So that, all things considered, the promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches, and wealth, and honour, such as no kings have had, or shall have, Ch2 1:12. 1. Never any prince appeared in public with great splendour than Solomon did, which to those that judge by the sight of the eye, as most people do, would very much recommend him. He had 200 targets and 300 shields, all of beaten gold, carried before him (Ch2 9:15, Ch2 9:16), and sat upon a most stately throne, Ch2 9:17-19. There was not the like in any kingdom. The lustre wherein he appeared was typical of the spiritual glory of the kingdom of the Messiah and but a faint representation of his throne, which is above every throne. Solomon's pomp was all artificial; and therefore our Saviour prefers the natural beauty of the lilies of the field before it. Mat 6:29, Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. 2. Never any prince had greater plenty of gold and silver, though there were no gold or silver mines in his own kingdom. Either he made himself master of the mines in other countries, and, having a populous country, sent hands to dig out those rich metals, or, having a fruitful country, he exported the commodities of it and with them fetched home all this gold that is here spoken of, Ch2 9:13, Ch2 9:14-21. 3. Never any prince had such presents brought him by all his neighbours as Solomon had: All the kings of Arabia, and governors of the country, brought him gold and silver (Ch2 9:14), not as tribute which he extorted from them, but as freewill offerings to procure his favour, or in a way of exchange for some of the productions of his husbandry, corn or cattle. All the kings of the earth brought him presents, that is, all in those parts of the world (Ch2 9:24, Ch2 9:28), because they coveted his acquaintance and friendship. Herein he was a type of Christ, to whom, as soon as he was born, the wise men of the east brought presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mat 2:11), and to whom all that are about him must bring presents, Psa 76:11; Rom 12:1. 4. Never any prince was so renowned for wisdom, so courted, so consulted, so admired (Ch2 9:23): The kings of the earth (for it was too great a favour for common persons to pretend to) sought to hear his wisdom - his natural philosophy, or his skill in physic, or his state policy, or his rules of prudence for the conduct of human life, or perhaps the principles of his religion, and the reasons of it. The application which they then made to Solomon to hear his wisdom will aggravate, shame, and condemn, men's general contempt of Christ and his gospel. Though in them are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, yet none of the princes of this world desire to know them, for they are foolishness to them, Co1 2:8, Co1 2:14.
II. Here is Solomon dying, stripped of his pomp, and leaving all his wealth and power, not to one concerning whom he knew not whether he would be a wise man or a fool (Ecc 2:19), but who he knew would be a fool. This was not only vanity but vexation of spirit, Ch2 9:29-31. It is very observable that no mention is here made of Solomon's departure from God in his latter days, not the least hint given of it, 1. Because the Holy Ghost would teach us not to take delight in repeating the faults and follies of others. If those that have been in reputation for wisdom and honour misbehave, though it may be of use to take notice of their misconduct for warning to ourselves and others, yet we must not be forward to mention it, once the speaking of it is enough; why should that unpleasing string be again struck upon? Why can we not do as the sacred historian here does, speak largely of that in others which is praise-worthy, without saying any thing of their blemishes, yea, though they have been gross and obvious? This is but doing as we would be done by. 2. Because, though he fell, yet he was not utterly cast down. His sin is not again recorded, because it was repented of, and pardoned, and became as if it had never been. Scripture-silence sometimes speaks. I am willing to believe that its silence here concerning the sin of Solomon is an intimation that none of the sins he committed were mentioned against him, Eze 33:16. When God pardons sin he casts it behind his back and remembers it no more.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 13–31. 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
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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler's account in 2 Chronicles 9:13 employs several literary devices to emphasize Solomon's extraordinary wealth. 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 to the reader. This specificity amplifies the sense of divine blessing and unparalleled prosperity, almost to the point of Hyperbole in its impact on the ancient audience, who would have found such a figure astounding. 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 under God's favor.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The immense wealth of Solomon, as quantified in 2 Chronicles 9:13, 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, 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. True prosperity, from a biblical perspective, is ultimately found in a right relationship with God, not merely in material accumulation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's unparalleled wealth, meticulously detailed in 2 Chronicles 9:13, 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, remembering that our true treasure is in heaven.
Questions for Reflection
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, 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, 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, as they are separated by centuries of history and distinct genres of biblical literature.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 9:13 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). 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 and Ephesians 1:18). 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). 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). Thus, Solomon's gold points us to the immeasurable, eternal, and transforming riches of salvation and grace found in our ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who provides a treasure that moth and rust cannot destroy (Matthew 6:19-21).