Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
2 Chronicles 1:17

Clarke's Commentary

Verse 2 Chronicles 1:17. A horse for a hundred and fifty — Suppose we take the shekel at the utmost value at which it has been rated, three shillings; then the price of a horse was about twenty-two pounds ten shillings.

ON Solomon's multiplying horses, Bishop Warburton has made some judicious remarks: -

"Moses had expressly prohibited the multiplying of horses, Deuteronomy 17:16, by which the future king was forbidden to establish a body of cavalry, because this could not be effected without sending into Egypt, with which people God had forbidden any communication, as this would be dangerous to religion. When Solomon had violated this law, and multiplied horses to excess, 1 Kings 4:26, it was soon attended with those fatal consequences that the law foretold: for this wisest of kings having likewise, in violation of another law, married Pharaoh's daughter, (the early fruits of this commerce,) and then, by a repetition of the same crime, but a transgression of another law, having espoused more strange women, 1 Kings 11:1; they first, in defiance of a fourth law, persuaded him to build them idol temples for their use, and afterwards, against a fifth law, brought him to erect other temples for his own. Now the original of all this mischief was the forbidden traffic with Egypt for horses; for thither were the agents of Solomon sent to mount his cavalry. Nay, this great king even turned factor for the neighbouring monarchs, 2 Chronicles 1:17, and this opprobrious commerce was kept up by his successors and attended with the same pernicious consequences. Isaiah denounces the mischiefs of this traffic; and foretells that one of the good effects of leaving it would be the forsaking of their idolatries, Isaiah 31:1; Isaiah 31:4; Isaiah 31:6-7." - See Divine Legation, vol. iii., p. 289 and Dr. Dodd's Notes.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

1:1-9:31 THE REIGN OF SOLOMON

Solomon’s wisdom and wealth (1:1-17)

The writer of Chronicles is chiefly concerned with the continuation of the dynasty of David through Solomon according to God’s promise, and therefore he omits stories that he considers irrelevant to his theme. He says nothing of Adonijah’s attempt to gain the throne, and nothing of Solomon’s alliance with Egypt (1 Kings 1:1-3). His initial emphasis is rather on Solomon’s devotion to God from the very beginning of his reign.

To demonstrate Solomon’s devotion, the writer records the impressive ceremony Solomon arranged at the tabernacle in Gibeon and his commendable request for God’s wisdom in ruling Israel (1:1-13; see notes on 1 Kings 3:4-15). However, the writer omits the examples given in 1 Kings 3:16-34 that show Solomon’s wisdom at work in the everyday affairs of the people, in his overall administration of the kingdom, and in his writings and songs.

Before describing Solomon’s plans for building the temple, the writer shows that under Solomon Israel enjoyed stability and prosperity. Such a king was well able to carry out the temple building program successfully (14-17; see notes on 1 Kings 10:26-29).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

SOLOMON'S WICKED MULTIPLICATION OF HIS HORSES

"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. And the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance. And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; the king's merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. And they fetched up and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means."

It is evident to this writer that some have missed altogether the Chronicler's intention. The allegation that, "It was contrary to the Chronicler's purpose to convey a too unfavorable impression of Solomon,"International Critical Commentary, op. cit., p. 313. has often been cited; but how could that be true, in the light of this very first chapter, where practically the first thing Solomon did was to violate in the most contemptuous and wholesale manner the divine prohibition in Deuteronomy?

"Thou shalt surely set a king over thee… Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to… multiply horses." - Deuteronomy 17:15-16.

This shameful violation of God's word by Solomon has been remarkably confirmed by archaeological discoveries in recent times. There were many of these `chariot cities'; and, "At Megiddo, southeast of Mount Carmel, has been excavated the ruins of a single extensive stone stable capable of housing about four hundred horses."Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, p. 392.

"This passage (2 Chronicles 1:14-17) is very nearly identical with 1 Kings 10:26-29."Albert Barnes, op. cit., p. 371.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

This passage is very nearly identical with 1 Kings 10:26-29.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Let's turn to II Chronicles chapter 1.

I Chronicles brought us up unto the death of David, and II Chronicles begins with the reign of Saul and it covers the remaining history of the kings of Judah. Now this is the chronicles of the kings of Judah. It does not really deal with the kings of Israel, but concentrates upon the southern kingdom, the kingdom of Judah. There were, perhaps, chronicles of the kings of Israel. Those we do not have. But these are the chronicles of the kings of Judah, and I Chronicles occupies itself primarily with the kingdom of David. For it was under David that the kingdom was brought to the zenith, the apex of its glory and power. And Solomon stepped in and following his father who had laid a beautiful foundation and enjoyed, really, the benefits of his father's reign.

Under Solomon the kingdom began to deteriorate. And just so quickly the kingdom fell apart. At the death of Solomon, when his son Rehoboam took over, the kingdom became divided, and what was once a mighty, powerful kingdom soon became a weakened, such a weakened state that the glorious treasures that had been amassed by David and by Solomon were soon taken by Shishak, the king of Egypt. And the glory and the power and the wealth of the kingdom were soon destroyed.

So, as we get into the second book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah,

Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly ( 2 Chronicles 1:1 ).

Solomon began his reign with great power. Power that was handed to him, really, from his father David. But also power from the Lord, because in the beginning Solomon's heart was right before God.

And Solomon gathered the people together at Gibeon, for the tabernacle of the Lord, at that time, was in Gibeon. Now there were two tabernacles at this time. David had erected a tent in Jerusalem for the Ark of the Covenant. When they brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, David made a tent for the Ark for the Covenant in Jerusalem. But the real worship center of the nation was still at Gibeon where the tabernacle, modeled after the tabernacle in the wilderness, existed, and the altar where they would go up to sacrifice unto God was at Gibeon.

And so Solomon gathered the people together to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation similar to the one that they had had in the wilderness. And the ark of God David had brought from Kirjathjearim to Jerusalem and had built a tent for that. And Solomon went up there to this brass altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and he offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it ( 2 Chronicles 1:3 , 2 Chronicles 1:4 , 2 Chronicles 1:6 ).

Now Solomon was an extravagant fellow. A thousand burnt offerings. And he was extravagant in all that he did.

In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee ( 2 Chronicles 1:7 ).

That's almost like some of the plots of the fairy tales that you read, you know, the fairy goddess or the genie or whatever. Ask whatever you want. I sometimes wondered myself if God should come to me and say, "Ask what you want Me to give to you." I've wondered what would I ask God for. What would be my request? And I've often thought as I mused on this, I think I would turn it right around and say, "God, You give me whatever You want to give me." Because you see, I may be thinking of much less than what God wants to give. He loves me so much that He desires to just give to me. And I might be saying, "Lord, I'd like to have a thousand dollars." And He may want to lay a million dollars on me. And why should I cut Him short?

I think that we fail to realize how much God really loves us. And what God is willing to do for us. "For if God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how much more then shall He not freely give us all things?" ( Romans 8:32 ) Look what God has already given for you. Consider it. He spared not His own Son, and if He spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for you, how much more will He freely give you all things? Jesus said, "Henceforth you've asked nothing in my name. Ask." And in the Greek it's in the intensive, which translated more literally would be, "Ask, please ask, that you may receive, that your joy may be full" ( John 16:24 ). God is wanting to bless you. God is wanting to bless your life, because God wants your life to be an instrument through which the world around you might know the joy and the blessing of serving the Lord. And so God desires, God delights in giving good things to His children.

"Ask what I shall give thee."

And Solomon said, You have showed great mercy unto David my father, and You have made me to reign in his place. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for You have made me the king over a people that are like the dust of the earth as far as number. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? ( 2 Chronicles 1:8-10 )

So Solomon's request, "Wisdom and knowledge, God. That I may know how to go in and out before these people, because the task that has been laid upon me, reigning over Your people, is greater than I can actually handle. And so, Father, grant me the wisdom and the knowledge, really, to do Your business. Grant me, Lord, that which I need to do the things that You want me to do."

What a beautiful request. Now a little further on when we get into our reading next week, we're going to find the prophet coming to Asa the king and declaring, "For the eyes of the Lord go to and fro throughout the entire earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect towards Him" ( 2 Chronicles 16:9 ). Now here's Solomon expressing a heart that's really sort of completely towards God. "Ask whatever you want, Solomon." "Lord, I like to be famous. Lord, I like my footprint in Grauman's Chinese. Lord, I'd like to be rich." No, "Lord, You've placed a big, heavy responsibility upon me. You've made me the king in the place of my father over Your people. And God, I need wisdom and I need knowledge and just knowing how to do the work that you want done."

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or you didn't ask for the life of your enemies, neither did you ask long life for yourself; but you've asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there be any after you that will have the like. Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and he reigned over Israel. And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand four hundred chariots, twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees he made as common as the sycamore trees that grow in the vale abundantly. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: and the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. And they brought up from Egypt the chariots for six hundred shekels of silver, horses for a hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all of the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means ( 2 Chronicles 1:11-17 ).

In other words, they began to be horse traders. They began to sell them to the nations around, the Hittites, and the Syrians, and so forth. Now it is interesting that Solomon began this horse trading with Egypt, it would appear, very early in his career. And in so doing, he was beginning to plant the seeds of destruction and deterioration of his kingdom. For in Deuteronomy, the Lord gave the law concerning the kings of Israel, and in the seventeenth chapter, in the fourteenth verse, the Lord said to Moses, "When the people come into the land, and they possess it, and they will say, 'We want a king like the nations that are about us.'" Then God gives requirements for the one that they should set forth as a king, but in verse sixteen, He said, "But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that they should multiply horses" ( Deuteronomy 17:14 , Deuteronomy 17:16 ).

Now what does God have against horses? Nothing. He created them. But in those days the horse was a definite, decisive kind of weapon in battle. They began to measure the strength of an army by the number of the horses. A man on horseback had a definite advantage, and a chariot was a fearsome, awesome weapon of war. Sort of like tanks against infantry today. And so God did not want them trusting in horses. And in Psalms it said, "A horse is a vain thing" ( Psalms 33:17 ) as far as something to trust in. As it speaks about the contrasting, trusting in the Lord. "Some men trust in horses and some in chariots, but we will trust in the Lord our God" ( Psalms 20:7 ). And so many of the psalms are addressed to the fact that people were putting trust in horses.

Now the fact that Solomon began to amass this great number of horses, and for a time, Bible critics sort of assailed the biblical account because of the numbers of horses that Solomon had. And it tells how he built these cities and put stables in these cities and so forth. And now in the excavations, in many of these cities that Solomon had fortified, they have found, actually, the horse stables. In the city of Megiddo at the level of excavation that was at Solomon's time, you can see these stone troughs that they had carved out for the water for the horses, and the feeding troughs and all. They are there today and in vast numbers. And it all verifies, really, the biblical account of the vast numbers of horses that Solomon gathered.

And the tendency, though, was then to trust in the fact that you have in your army a certain number of horsemen and all. So it's amazing to me that so soon Solomon would forsake the law of the Lord and would begin to sow the seeds that ultimately were to deteriorate the kingdom. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

A. Solomon’s Wisdom and Prosperity ch. 1

Solomon had some serious weaknesses that the writer of Kings pointed out. However, the Chronicler presented a generally positive picture of this great ruler because Solomon did well regarding Yahweh worship at the temple. His people’s spiritual life was one of Solomon’s primary concerns. He devoted himself to making worship and fellowship with God possible for the Israelites. In this he was similar to the promised ideal King.

One of Solomon’s first official acts as king was to worship Yahweh (2 Chronicles 1:3). This happened at Gibeon where the central sanctuary stood. David had taken the ark into Jerusalem, but the Mosaic tabernacle at Gibeon was still a legitimate place of worship. It was the only place where the priests could offer sacrifices on the bronze altar that apparently remained from the wilderness wanderings. The writer emphasized the legitimacy of Solomon’s act of worship (2 Chronicles 1:3-6). Other "high places" were contaminated by association with Baal worship and were, therefore, under God’s ban, even if the Israelites used them to worship Yahweh (cf. Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 12:2).

"The second book [of Chronicles] begins, theologically and not just geographically, at Gibeon, for ’the bronze altar . . . was there’ (2 Chronicles 1:5 a). The previous two chapters focus on what God does; these two [i.e., chs. 1 & 2] turn our attention to what man will do in response." [Note: Michael Wilcock, The Message of Chronicles, p. 122.]

Solomon requested the wisdom he needed to understand and obey the Mosaic Law by which Israel’s kings were to shepherd the nation (2 Chronicles 1:10; cf. Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Matthew 7:7; James 1:5). Solomon’s heart was right, as David’s had been. He wanted to serve God faithfully and to honor Him above himself. He was off to a good start as Israel’s shepherd.

"Solomon’s repeated reference to his father, David, shows that he was in a sense praying in David’s name. That is, he was relying on his relationship as David’s son for favor with God." [Note: J. A. Thompson, 1, 2 Chronicles, p. 205.]

"The central teaching of chapter 1 . . . lies in Solomon’s selfless prayer for wisdom, which was the precise characteristic that his father David had already invoked for him (1 Chronicles 22:12)." [Note: J. Barton Payne, "1, 2 Chronicles," in I Kings-Job, vol. 4 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 441.]

"The right place to begin was with God. His favor and direction alone could give health and peace to the nation. Once again, therefore, the king is portrayed in a favorable light not in order to obscure his sins but in order to make the point that the good things he did are what we should imitate." [Note: Thompson, p. 202.]

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

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Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.   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.   15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance.   16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.   17 And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.

      Here is, 1. Solomon's entrance upon the government (2 Chronicles 1:13; 2 Chronicles 1:13): He came from before the tabernacle, and reigned over Israel. He would not do any acts of government till he had done his acts of devotion, would not take honour to himself till he had given honour to God--first the tabernacle, and then the throne. But, when he had obtained wisdom from God, he did not bury his talent, but as he received the gift ministered the same, did not give up himself to ease and pleasure, but minded business: he reigned over Israel. 2. The magnificence of his court (2 Chronicles 1:14; 2 Chronicles 1:14): He gathered chariots and horsemen. Shall we praise him for this? We praise him not; for the king was forbidden to multiply horses, Deuteronomy 17:16. I do not remember that ever we find his good father in a chariot or on horseback; a mule was the highest he mounted. We should endeavor to excel those that went before us in goodness rather than in grandeur. 3. The wealth and trade of his kingdom. He made silver and gold very cheap and common, 2 Chronicles 1:15; 2 Chronicles 1:15. The increase of gold lowers the value of it; but the increase of grace advances its price; the more men have of that the more they value it. How much better therefore is it to get wisdom than gold! He opened also a trade with Egypt, whence he imported horses and linen-yarn, which he exported again to the kings of Syria, with great advantage no doubt, 2 Chronicles 1:16; 2 Chronicles 1:17. This we had before, 1 Kings 10:28; 1 Kings 10:29. It is the wisdom of princes to promote industry and encourage trade in their dominions. Perhaps Solomon took the hint of setting up the linen-manufacture, bringing linen-yarn out of Egypt, working it into cloth, and then sending that to other nations, from what his mother taught when she specified this as one of the characteristics of the virtuous woman, She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles of it to the merchant,Proverbs 31:24. In all labour there is profit.