2 Chronicles 9:24

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.

And they brought {H935} every man {H376} his present {H4503}, vessels {H3627} of silver {H3701}, and vessels {H3627} of gold {H2091}, and raiment {H8008}, harness {H5402}, and spices {H1314}, horses {H5483}, and mules {H6505}, a rate {H1697} year {H8141} by year {H8141}.

Each one brought his present - articles of silver, articles of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses and mules; and this continued year after year.

Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

And they brought every man his tribute, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, armor, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 9:24 describes the immense wealth and international recognition that King Solomon enjoyed, as kings from all over the earth brought him annual tribute. This verse is a concise summary of the material prosperity and diplomatic influence that characterized Solomon's reign, directly flowing from his renowned wisdom and God's blessings.

Context

This verse is situated within a chapter dedicated to detailing the unparalleled glory and wealth of King Solomon. Preceding verses (2 Chronicles 9:22-23) establish that Solomon "exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom" and that "all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom." Verse 24 then specifies the nature of the gifts—vessels of silver and gold, fine clothing (raiment), military equipment (harness), spices, horses, and mules—which were brought to him "a rate year by year," signifying a continuous flow of resources and homage from other nations.

Key Themes

  • Unparalleled Royal Prosperity: The detailed list of valuable items emphasizes the extraordinary affluence of Solomon's kingdom. It showcases a period of immense material blessing for ancient Israel.
  • International Influence and Recognition: The fact that kings from across the known world brought him gifts annually underscores Solomon's diplomatic power and the widespread respect for his wisdom and authority. This was not merely trade but tribute, acknowledging his preeminence.
  • Divine Favor and Blessing: The Chronicler often highlights Solomon's prosperity as a direct result of God's favor and the fulfillment of promises made to him (e.g., 1 Kings 3:13). This wealth is presented as a visible sign of God's blessing on Israel during this golden age.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "present" translates the Hebrew term minchah (מִנְחָה), which often refers to a gift, an offering, or tribute. In this context, it clearly denotes the latter, indicating homage and acknowledgment of Solomon's superior status from foreign rulers. "Harness" (Hebrew nesheq, נֶשֶׁק) refers to military equipment, weapons, or armor, specifically for horses here, highlighting the strategic and valuable nature of these gifts.

Significance and Application

2 Chronicles 9:24 paints a vivid picture of the peak of Israel's earthly power and glory under King Solomon. It serves as a reminder of God's capacity to bless His people abundantly, fulfilling His promises when they walk in His ways. While Solomon's reign eventually faced challenges due to his later spiritual deviations, this verse captures a moment of unparalleled human achievement and divine favor. For believers today, it can prompt reflection on the nature of true wealth and influence. While earthly riches are temporary, the pursuit of Godly wisdom remains a source of enduring value and attracts a different, eternal kind of "tribute." The verse highlights the allure of genuine wisdom, which, when rooted in God, can draw others and establish a kingdom of influence, not just of material goods.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 10:25

    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 Samuel 10:27

    But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

  • 1 Kings 9:14

    And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.

  • Psalms 72:10

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

  • 1 Kings 10:10

    And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:9

    And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.

  • Job 42:11

    Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
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