E. Solomon’s Successes chs. 8-9This section of the text is similar to 1 Chronicles 18-21. Those chapters showed how God kept His promises to David that the Chronicler recorded in 1 Chronicles 17:8-12. These chapters (8-9) show how God kept His promise to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 1:12 and 2 Chronicles 7:17-18. read more
3. Solomon’s economic success 8:17-9:28God gave Solomon wisdom and wealth as He had promised (2 Chronicles 1:12). The location of Ophir (2 Chronicles 8:18) is uncertain. Scholars have suggested India, Somalia on the east coast of Africa, West Arabia, and South Arabia.The Queen of Sheba attested to Solomon’s wisdom (2 Chronicles 9:1-12). God’s purpose for Israel was that His people should draw the nations to Yahweh (Exodus 19:5-6). We see Israel realizing this purpose partially in this queen’s... read more
The Visit of the Queen of Sheba. Solomon’s SplendourThis chapter is a close repetition of 1 Kings 10:1-28 and 1 Kings 11:41-43.8. On his throne] i.e. God’s throne: see on 1 Chronicles 28:5.10. 11. These vv. should follow 2 Chronicles 9:12.11. Terraces] 1 Kings 10:12 has ’pillars’ (or balustrades).12. That which she had brought] 1 Kings 10:13 has ’beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty.’21. The king’s ships went to Tarshish] If this is not a misunderstanding of the phrase ’ships... read more
(23) All the kings of the earth.—Explanatory of “all the earth were seeking” (Kings). The earth, an expression defined in 2 Chronicles 9:26. read more
6. The Queen of Sheba, Solomon’s Riches and Honors, and Solomon’s Death CHAPTER 9 1. The visit of the Queen (2 Chronicles 9:1-12 ) 2. The riches of Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:13-16 ) 3. The ivory throne (2 Chronicles 9:17-19 ) 4. Further riches and honors of Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:20-29 ) 5. The death of Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:30-31 ) The account of the visit of the Queen of Sheba is the same as it appears in 1 Kings 10:0 . The fame of Solomon had spread far and wide, and the Queen... read more
THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA (vv.1-12) The report of the visit of the Queen of Sheba with Solomon differs only in few details from the report in 1 Kings 10:1-29. But her visit is a lovely picture of the great interest in the Lord Jesus that will be awakened among the Gentiles when He takes His kingdom, and the glad response when they witness His wisdom and his glory. She came to test him with hard questions. Whatever hard questions we have, the Lord Jesus can be depended on to answer... read more
SOLOMON ’S REIGN HIS PRAYER AND ITS ANSWER (2 Chronicles 1:1-3 ) With verses three and four compare 1 Chronicles 16:0 , and especially 1 Chronicles 16:37-40 . The tabernacle at Gibeon was the legal place for worship, but the threshing-floor on Matthew Moriah was chosen by David for the reason given (1 Chronicles 21:29 ). A comparison with the corresponding place in 1 Kings will show how this account is abbreviated as the matter was not necessary to the author’s purpose. HIS POWER AND... read more
What an astonishing relation is here given of the riches, and splendor, and power, and sovereignty of Solomon. Surely never was there a king among the sons of men of equal grandeur and magnificence. And yet what is all this compared to the durable riches and righteousness of Jesus? All that Solomon possessed, he tells us himself, was but vanity. But Jesus's gifts are solid, and not liable to decay. I will cause those that love me (saith Jesus) to inherit substance; and I will fill their... read more
13-31 The imports here mentioned, would show that prosperity drew the minds of Solomon and his subjects to the love of things curious and uncommon, though useless in themselves. True wisdom and happiness are always united together; but no such alliance exists between wealth and the enjoyment of the things of this life. Let us then acquaint ourselves with the Saviour, that we may find rest for our souls. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and power, in ease and fulness, the like of which could... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:1-31
Solomon’s greatness (8:1-9:31)Other building programs of Solomon are outlined. The Chronicler adds a note that the reason Solomon built a separate palace for his Egyptian wife was to preserve the holiness of the throne. This point is important to the Chronicler, who wants to show that the Davidic kings, on the whole, tried to remain faithful to God. He notes in addition that Solomon organized the temple services according to the plan that David had laid down (8:1-18; see notes on 1 Kings... read more