2 Chronicles 9:13-31

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:13-27

Gold and silver. The chronicler who records these events of Solomon's reign dwells upon the abundance of gold and silver as one who takes a delight in his story. And there was something in which to triumph, if not to rejoice; for it spoke of a certain excellency and strength which has its own value. But what was (or is) the value of it? We may consider the extent to which the plentifulness of silver and gold is— I. A SOURCE OF PRESENT GRATIFICATION . Undoubtedly Solomon, his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:13-31

The glory of Solomon. I. THE VASTNESS OF HIS WEALTH . ( 2 Chronicles 9:13 , 2 Chronicles 9:14 , 2 Chronicles 9:21 , 2 Chronicles 9:24 .) 1 . Its sources. 2 . Its amount. 666 talents of gold per annum, not reckoning the silver as abundant as stones ( 2 Chronicles 9:27 ). Estimating a talent at £5475 sterling, the gold would reach the immense total of £3,646,350 sterling per annum. 3 . Its use. It was employed: 4 . Its credibility. The above account... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:15-16

Targets … shields . The Authorized Version "target" is unfortunate, though it may with somewhat grim truth represent fact. It was a very large solid shield, originally made of some common material, as basketwork or wood, and covered with leather; these with a plate of gold. The absence of the word "shekel" in each clause, both here and in Kings, leaves it open to us to suppose that the beka , or half- shekel, may be the right word. Now, the maneh (see 1 Kings 10:17 ), or pound,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:17-19

It is not necessary to suppose that the throne was made of solid ivory ( Psalms 45:9 ; Amos 3:15 ; Amos 6:4 ), or that the overlaying gold concealed the ivory, whether more or less of it. The parallel adds that "the top of the throne was round behind" ( 1 Kings 10:19 ). Comparing also the two accounts, it would appear that there were twelve lions on each side of the throne, i.e. two to each step. When it is said that there were two lions standing by the stays (or, arms ) on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:20

The house of the forest of Lebanon , The circumstance of the vessels of this house being mentioned in such close connection with the drinking-vessels of Solomon, is another indication of the close connection of the buildings themselves ( 1 Kings 7:1 , 1 Kings 7:2-5 , 1 Kings 7:6 , etc.); also that these" vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon" were like Solomon s drinking-vessels, infers the use of the apartments of the house for social or, at any rate, state occasions. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:21

To Tarshish. The parallel has, in both clauses of its verse ( 1 Kings 10:22 ), "ships of Tarshish." The order of the words in the former clause of our present verse, that compels us to read, "going to Tarshish," certifies the correct meaning. The word "Tarshish" (the subsequent Tartessus ) covered a district in South Spain, as well as named a town and river, and stretched opposite the coast of Africa. Both coasts were beneath Phoenician rule, and a voyage to Tarshish would most naturally... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:21-31

Grandeur without godliness. These words and those that precede them are as suggestive by reason of what is absent from them as by that which is contained in them. They are significant of— I. GRANDEUR WITHOUT GODLINESS . The historian is drawing his records of the reign of Solomon to a close; and, in taking his view (or his review) of it, he has much to say of the splendours of his throne and of his surroundings; of the multitude of his horses and chariots, with their stalls and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:22-23

All the kings of the earth ; i.e. of the laud of tributary sovereignties, from Euphrates to the borders of Egypt, and to the Philistines ( 1 Kings 4:21 ; also note Genesis 15:18 ; Exodus 23:31 ; Numbers 22:5 ; Joshua 1:4 ; 2 Samuel 10:16 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:24

Every man his present ; Hebrew, מִנְחָתי ; which word represents the treats, paid partly in money, partly in kind ( 2 Samuel 8:2 ; 2 Kings 17:3 , 2 Kings 17:4 ; and the parallel). A rate year by year; Hebrew, דְּבַר־שָׁנָח ; which might be simply rendered, "a yearly thing." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 9:25

Four thousand stalls . Not forty thousand, as by error in 1 Kings 4:26 . The parallel mentions one thousand four hundred as the number of the chariots ( 2 Chronicles 1:14 ). Both agree in twelve thousand as the number of horsemen. Chariot cities ( 1 Kings 9:19 ; 2 Chronicles 1:14 ). Some of the horse and chariot depots were kept near the king, but the rest in those specially chosen and prepared cities, which might be nearest or fittest against time of war-need. read more

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