2 Chronicles 9:31

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Solomon {H8010} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and he was buried {H6912} in the city {H5892} of David {H1732} his father {H1}: and Rehoboam {H7346} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Shlomo slept with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David his father, and Rechav'am his son became king in his place.

Berean Standard Bible

And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 9:31 succinctly marks the end of King Solomon's magnificent reign, recording his death, his burial in the royal necropolis within the city founded by his father, David, and the immediate succession of his son, Rehoboam, to the throne. This pivotal verse serves as a concise yet profound transition, drawing a close to a golden era of unparalleled prosperity and wisdom for the united kingdom of Israel, while simultaneously setting the stage for the dramatic and divisive events that would soon unfold under the new monarch.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the concluding summary of the Chronicler's extensive account of Solomon's reign, which spanned chapters 1-9. The preceding narrative meticulously details Solomon's divinely granted wisdom, his immense wealth, his diplomatic achievements, and, most significantly for the Chronicler, his construction and dedication of the glorious Temple in Jerusalem. The visit of the Queen of Sheba, symbolizing the global recognition of Solomon's wisdom and splendor, immediately precedes this verse. 2 Chronicles 9:31 acts as a necessary narrative hinge, abruptly shifting from the zenith of Israelite power to the inevitable reality of human mortality and dynastic succession. It directly prepares the reader for the subsequent tragic events of the kingdom's division, which are immediately recounted in [2 Chronicles 10](/2_chronicles/10 "2 Chronicles 10 - The Division of the Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the death of a king and the succession of an heir were moments of both continuity and potential vulnerability. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, particularly for kings, emphasizing their peaceful passing and their joining of ancestral lineages. Burial in the "city of David" (Jerusalem) was a privilege reserved for the Davidic kings, underscoring Solomon's legitimate place within this divinely ordained dynasty. This practice reinforced the continuity of the royal line and the sacredness of the capital. The immediate mention of Rehoboam's succession highlights the established custom of primogeniture and the smooth, though ultimately ill-fated, transfer of power, which was crucial for maintaining stability in the kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** 2 Chronicles 9:31 encapsulates several profound themes. Firstly, it underscores the **transience of human power and life**, even for a king as wise and powerful as Solomon, reminding readers that all earthly reigns are finite. Secondly, it emphasizes **dynastic continuity** through the Davidic covenant, as Solomon's burial in the "city of David his father" and the succession of his son, Rehoboam, directly fulfill the promise of an enduring lineage (cf. [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). This continuity, despite future challenges, ultimately points to the Messiah. Thirdly, the verse highlights **divine sovereignty in succession**, as the transfer of power, though humanly executed, is ultimately within God's overarching plan for His people. Finally, it marks the **end of a golden age** for Israel, signaling the close of a period of unparalleled unity, peace, and prosperity, and foreshadowing the subsequent decline and division.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slept with his fathers (Hebrew, שָׁכַב עִם אֲבֹתָיו, _shakav im avotav_):** This is a widely used biblical idiom for death, especially concerning kings and patriarchs. It conveys a sense of a peaceful, natural end to life, rather than a violent one. More profoundly, it signifies joining one's ancestors in the realm of the dead, emphasizing the continuity of generations and the common destiny of humanity. It connects Solomon not only to his immediate father, David, but to the broader lineage of Israel's leaders.
* **city of David (Hebrew, עִיר דָּוִיד, _ʿir Dawid_):** This refers to Jerusalem, specifically the ancient Jebusite fortress conquered by David, which became the royal capital and burial ground for the kings of Judah. Solomon's burial here firmly roots him within the Davidic dynasty and underscores the legitimacy of his reign and the continuity of the covenant line established with David. It also highlights Jerusalem's central importance as the political and religious heart of the kingdom.
* **reigned in his stead (Hebrew, וַיִּמְלֹךְ תַּחְתָּיו, _wayyimlokh taḥtav_):** This phrase denotes the immediate and official transfer of royal authority from the deceased king to his designated successor. It emphasizes the smooth, established process of succession in the Israelite monarchy, ensuring there was no power vacuum. While seemingly straightforward, this transition under Rehoboam would prove to be anything but, leading to the kingdom's fragmentation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Solomon slept with his fathers":** This clause announces the death of King Solomon. The euphemistic language "slept with his fathers" suggests a peaceful demise, contrasting with the often violent ends of other kings in the ancient world. It places Solomon within the long line of his ancestors, emphasizing his mortality and the finite nature of even the most glorious human reign.
* **"and he was buried in the city of David his father":** This part specifies Solomon's burial place. Being interred in the "city of David" (Jerusalem) signifies his royal status and his direct connection to the Davidic covenant. This location was the sacred burial ground for the kings of Judah, reinforcing the legitimacy of his rule and the continuity of the royal line that God had promised to David.
* **"and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead":** This final clause immediately identifies Solomon's successor, Rehoboam. The phrase "reigned in his stead" indicates a direct and immediate transfer of power, ensuring the continuity of the monarchy. This swift succession, however, sets the stage for the dramatic and tragic events of the kingdom's division, which would soon follow due to Rehoboam's poor leadership.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, seen in the phrase "slept with his fathers," which gracefully communicates death without explicit or graphic detail, maintaining a tone of respect and continuity. This verse also functions as a powerful moment of **Transition**, marking the abrupt end of the Chronicler's detailed and largely positive portrayal of Solomon's reign and pivoting the narrative towards the tumultuous events that follow. There is an element of **Foreshadowing** in its very brevity and the immediate mention of Rehoboam's succession, as the reader familiar with the broader biblical narrative (or about to encounter 2 Chronicles 10) knows that this seemingly smooth transition will lead to significant national upheaval. Finally, the verse's **Conciseness** is a characteristic of the Chronicler's style when summarizing the end of a king's reign, focusing on essential facts of death, burial, and succession rather than the circumstances of death, thereby maintaining narrative flow and emphasis on the Davidic line.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 9:31, though brief, is pregnant with theological significance. It powerfully underscores the universal truth of human mortality, reminding us that even the wisest and most powerful of kings, like Solomon, are ultimately subject to death. This transience of earthly power serves as a profound theological statement on the ultimate sovereignty of God over all human endeavors and reigns. Despite the grandeur of Solomon's kingdom, his death highlights that no human achievement or dynasty is eternal apart from God's sustaining hand. Yet, the verse simultaneously affirms God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Solomon's burial in the "city of David his father" and the immediate succession of his son, Rehoboam, are direct echoes of the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7), which promised an enduring dynasty. This continuity, even through flawed human leaders, points to God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan, which would ultimately culminate in the perfect and eternal reign of the Messiah.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")
* [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")
* [Ecclesiastes 1:4](/ecclesiastes/1-4 "Ecclesiastes 1:4 - Generations Come and Go")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The concise summary of Solomon's passing in 2 Chronicles 9:31 offers a potent reminder of the transient nature of all earthly power, wisdom, and glory. Even for a king whose reign was marked by unparalleled prosperity and divine favor, the ultimate reality of death brings an end to his earthly endeavors. This should humble us, encouraging us to hold loosely to worldly achievements, positions, and possessions, recognizing their temporary nature. Our focus should shift from building personal empires to investing in eternal values and contributing to God's enduring kingdom. Furthermore, the immediate succession of Rehoboam highlights the critical importance of faithful and wise leadership transitions. Whether in families, churches, or workplaces, we are called to prepare the next generation, not just for positions of authority, but for lives of integrity and service, ensuring that the legacy we leave is one that honors God and serves others. This verse ultimately invites us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that while human leaders come and go, God's sovereign plan endures, culminating in His perfect and everlasting reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the brevity of Solomon's death account challenge our perception of earthly success and power?**
* **What kind of legacy am I building that will endure beyond my lifetime, and how does it align with God's eternal purposes?**
* **In what ways am I preparing the next generation for leadership and responsibility, both spiritually and practically?**
* **How does the knowledge of human transience encourage me to trust more fully in God's unchanging character and enduring plan?**

### FAQ
**Why is Solomon's death described so briefly, especially after such a detailed account of his reign?**

Answer: The Chronicler's primary focus throughout the book is on the Davidic dynasty, the Temple, and the worship of God. While Solomon's reign was glorious, the Chronicler emphasizes the construction and dedication of the Temple, and the establishment of proper worship. The death of a king, while significant, is often summarized concisely in biblical narratives once the key aspects of their reign (from the Chronicler's perspective) have been covered. The brevity here serves to quickly transition to the next crucial event: the succession of Rehoboam and the subsequent division of the kingdom, which is of greater theological and historical interest for the Chronicler's narrative purpose. It signifies the end of an era, but the focus quickly shifts to the implications for the ongoing Davidic line.

**What is the significance of Solomon being buried in the "city of David his father"?**

Answer: Being buried in the "city of David" (Jerusalem) was a distinct honor and privilege reserved for the kings of Judah from the Davidic line. It underscored Solomon's legitimate place within this divinely appointed dynasty and reinforced the continuity of the covenant God made with David (cf. [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David")). This burial location also highlighted Jerusalem's central role as the political and spiritual capital of the united kingdom, a status established by David and cemented by Solomon's building of the Temple there. It was a symbolic act affirming the stability and continuity of the Davidic throne, even as one king passed away and another ascended.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Chronicles 9:31, marking the end of Solomon's glorious but ultimately finite reign, powerfully points to the necessity and reality of Christ's eternal and perfect kingship. Solomon, despite his unparalleled wisdom and wealth, and his role in building the Temple, was a mortal king whose reign eventually concluded, leading to a fractured kingdom. His death and the subsequent succession of Rehoboam underscore the inherent limitations and imperfections of human rule. This narrative void, the longing for a king whose reign would truly be without end and whose wisdom would never fail, is profoundly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the true Son of David, the one to whom the Davidic covenant ultimately points. Unlike Solomon, whose kingdom eventually divided, Jesus' kingdom "will have no end" (as declared in [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom")). He is the ultimate temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")), and the source of true, inexhaustible wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom")). Solomon "slept with his fathers," but Jesus conquered death, rising to reign eternally at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - The Son's Eternal Throne")). Thus, Solomon's passing, rather than being a narrative dead end, serves as a poignant reminder of the temporary nature of all earthly glory and intensifies our longing for the everlasting, perfect reign of the Lamb of God, who is King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of 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 2:10

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

2 Samuel 7:12

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Kings 1:21

Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.