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.

And Solomon {H8010} gathered {H622} chariots {H7393} and horsemen {H6571}: and he had a thousand {H505} and four {H702} hundred {H3967} chariots {H7393}, and twelve {H8147}{H6240} thousand {H505} horsemen {H6571}, which he placed {H3240} in the chariot {H7393} cities {H5892}, and with the king {H4428} at Jerusalem {H3389}.

Shlomo amassed chariots and horsemen; he had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen; he placed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Yerushalayim.

Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

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

Commentary

2 Chronicles 1:14 details King Solomon's significant military build-up, illustrating the immense power and wealth that characterized his early reign. The verse states that Solomon "gathered chariots and horsemen," amassing "a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen," which he strategically deployed in designated "chariot cities" throughout his kingdom and also kept with him in Jerusalem.

Context of Solomon's Reign

This verse appears immediately after God's gracious response to Solomon's humble prayer for wisdom at Gibeon. Having been granted not only wisdom but also unparalleled riches and honor (as promised in 2 Chronicles 1:12), Solomon's kingdom rapidly expanded in influence and material prosperity. Chariots were the most advanced and powerful military assets of the ancient Near East, signifying a nation's military dominance and economic strength. This acquisition highlights the scale of his kingdom's burgeoning power.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Immense Prosperity and Power: The sheer numbers of chariots and horsemen underscore the extraordinary wealth and military might of Solomon's kingdom, showcasing a period of unprecedented national strength and security for Israel.
  • Strategic Military Preparedness: Solomon's decision to place these forces in "chariot cities" and in Jerusalem demonstrates a clear focus on national defense and the strategic organization of his military resources.
  • A Subtle Caution: While a sign of blessing, this accumulation of horses and chariots also introduces a subtle tension. The Mosaic Law, in Deuteronomy 17:16, specifically warned future kings against multiplying horses for themselves, lest they rely on military strength rather than on God. This act by Solomon, though part of his prosperity, foreshadows a potential area of departure from divine instruction and a reliance on earthly power.

Linguistic Insights

The specific figures mentioned—"a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen"—are consistent with other biblical accounts of Solomon's military strength (e.g., 1 Kings 10:26), emphasizing the historical reality of his vast military establishment. The term "chariot cities" (Hebrew: 'arei ha-rekhev) refers to specialized garrisons or depots built to house these valuable military assets and their associated personnel, often strategically located for defense or rapid deployment.

Practical Application and Reflection

The account of Solomon's military build-up in 2 Chronicles 1:14 offers a valuable lesson on where true security lies. While God blessed Solomon with wisdom and material wealth, the temptation to rely on these blessings, rather than on the Giver of the blessings, is ever-present. For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder that our ultimate trust should be in God alone, not in our financial stability, military might, or personal achievements. As the psalmist wisely states, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7). It encourages us to continually assess our reliance and ensure that our faith is firmly placed in divine provision and protection.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 4:26 (6 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 10:26 (5 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 10:29 (5 votes)

    And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring [them] out by their means.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:25 (4 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 9:19 (4 votes)

    And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

  • Deuteronomy 17:16 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 10:16 (3 votes)

    And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten gold: six hundred [shekels] of gold went to one target.