2 Chronicles 9:25

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.

And Solomon {H8010} had four {H702} thousand {H505} stalls {H723} for horses {H5483} and chariots {H4818}, and twelve {H8147}{H6240} thousand {H505} horsemen {H6571}; whom he bestowed {H3240} in the chariot {H7393} cities {H5892}, and with the king {H4428} at Jerusalem {H3389}.

Shlomo also had 4,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and his 12,000 horsemen; he assigned them to the chariot cities and to the king in Yerushalayim.

Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

Context

This verse, 2 Chronicles 9:25, describes the immense military infrastructure and power of King Solomon during his reign. It immediately follows passages detailing his unparalleled wisdom, vast wealth, and widespread fame (see 2 Chronicles 9:22-24). The Chronicler emphasizes Solomon's glory and prosperity, positioning him as the epitome of a blessed king, presiding over a golden age for Israel. This particular verse highlights his military might, specifically his cavalry and chariot forces, which were crucial components of ancient Near Eastern armies.

Key Themes

  • Solomon's Unprecedented Power and Wealth: The mention of "four thousand stalls for horses and chariots" and "twelve thousand horsemen" underscores the extraordinary scale of Solomon's military establishment. This level of chariotry and cavalry was immense for the time, signifying a powerful and secure kingdom. This detail is also found in the parallel account in 1 Kings 10:26, reinforcing its significance.
  • Strategic Military Organization: The phrase "chariot cities" indicates that Solomon had a highly organized military system. These were specialized fortified locations built or designated for housing these expensive and vital military assets, along with their personnel. This strategic deployment ensured rapid response and defense capabilities across the kingdom, demonstrating Solomon's administrative prowess beyond just his wealth.
  • A King's Reliance on Earthly Might: While Solomon's reign was a period of peace and prosperity, the accumulation of such a vast military, particularly horses and chariots, subtly points to a potential deviation from the Mosaic law given to kings. Deuteronomy 17:16 explicitly warned kings not to "multiply horses to himself," lest they rely on military strength rather than on the Lord. This verse, therefore, can be viewed as both a testament to his power and a foreshadowing of future spiritual decline.

Linguistic Insights

The numbers "four thousand" and "twelve thousand" convey an overwhelming sense of magnitude. In ancient warfare, chariots were the tanks of their day—fast, powerful, and decisive. Possessing such a large number of them, along with dedicated "stalls" (housing facilities) and "horsemen" (cavalry), indicated not just wealth but also a significant technological and logistical advantage. The term "chariot cities" (often translated as "chariot towns") reflects a sophisticated level of national defense and infrastructure not commonly seen in earlier Israelite history.

Practical Application

This verse offers a valuable lesson about the nature of power and security. While Solomon built an impressive earthly kingdom with formidable military strength, true and lasting security for believers comes not from material assets or military might, but from a steadfast reliance on God. The temptation to trust in resources, wealth, or human ingenuity instead of divine provision is timeless. Solomon's story, in its entirety, reminds us that even unparalleled wisdom and prosperity can become a snare if they lead to forgetting the source of all blessings and deviating from God's commands. Our ultimate trust should always be in the Lord, who is our true strength and defense, as emphasized in Psalm 20:7: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Kings 4:26

    And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:14

    And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

  • 1 Kings 10:26

    And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.

  • Deuteronomy 17:16

    But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

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