Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 2 Chronicles » Chapter 9 » Verse 13-21

2 Chronicles 9:13-21 King James Version (KJV)

- Read this chapter

13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;

14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

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

16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.

18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:

19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.

20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

2 Chronicles 9:13-21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

- Read this chapter

13 Now the weight H4948 of gold H2091 that came H935 to Solomon H8010 in one H259 year H8141 was six H8337 hundred H3967 and threescore H8346 and six H8337 talents H3603 of gold; H2091

14 Beside that which chapmen H582 H8446 and merchants H5503 brought. H935 And all the kings H4428 of Arabia H6152 and governors H6346 of the country H776 brought H935 gold H2091 and silver H3701 to Solomon. H8010

15 And king H4428 Solomon H8010 made H6213 two hundred H3967 targets H6793 of beaten H7820 gold: H2091 six H8337 hundred H3967 shekels of beaten H7820 gold H2091 went H5927 to one H259 target. H6793

16 And three H7969 hundred H3967 shields H4043 made he of beaten H7820 gold: H2091 three H7969 hundred H3967 shekels of gold H2091 went H5927 to one H259 shield. H4043 And the king H4428 put H5414 them in the house H1004 of the forest H3293 of Lebanon. H3844

17 Moreover the king H4428 made H6213 a great H1419 throne H3678 of ivory, H8127 and overlaid H6823 it with pure H2889 gold. H2091

18 And there were six H8337 steps H4609 to the throne, H3678 with a footstool H3534 of gold, H2091 which were fastened H270 to the throne, H3678 and stays H3027 on each side of the sitting H3427 place, H4725 and two H8147 lions H738 standing H5975 by H681 the stays: H3027

19 And twelve H8147 H6240 lions H738 stood H5975 there on the one side and on the other upon the six H8337 steps. H4609 There was not the like made H6213 in any kingdom. H4467

20 And all the drinking H4945 vessels H3627 of king H4428 Solomon H8010 were of gold, H2091 and all the vessels H3627 of the house H1004 of the forest H3293 of Lebanon H3844 were of pure H5462 gold: H2091 none were of silver; H3701 it was not any H3972 thing accounted H2803 of in the days H3117 of Solomon. H8010

21 For the king's H4428 ships H591 went H1980 to Tarshish H8659 with the servants H5650 of Huram: H2361 every three H7969 years H8141 once H259 came H935 the ships H591 of Tarshish H8659 bringing H5375 gold, H2091 and silver, H3701 ivory, H8143 and apes, H6971 and peacocks. H8500

2 Chronicles 9:13-21 American Standard (ASV)

- Read this chapter

13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold,

14 besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

15 And king Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred `shekels' of beaten gold went to one buckler.

16 And `he made' three hundred shields of beaten gold; three hundred `shekels' of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.

18 nd there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.

20 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

21 For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

2 Chronicles 9:13-21 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

- Read this chapter

13 And the weight of the gold that is coming to Solomon in one year is six hundred and sixty and six talents of gold,

14 apart from `what' the tourists, and the merchants, are bringing in; and all the kings of Arabia, and the governors of the land, are bringing in gold and silver to Solomon.

15 And king Solomon maketh two hundred targets of alloyed gold, six hundred `shekels' of alloyed gold he causeth to go up on the one target;

16 and three hundred shields of alloyed gold, three hundred `shekels' of gold he causeth to go up on the one shield, and the king putteth them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

17 And the king maketh a great throne of ivory, and overlayeth it with pure gold;

18 and six steps `are' to the throne, and a footstool of gold, to the throne they are fastened, and hands `are' on this `side' and on that on the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands,

19 and twelve lions are standing there on the six steps on this `side', and on that: it hath not been made so for any kingdom.

20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon `are' of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon `are' of refined gold -- silver is not reckoned in the days of Solomon for anything;

21 for ships of the king are going to Tarshish, with servants of Huram: once in three years come do the ships of Tarshish bearing gold, and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

2 Chronicles 9:13-21 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

- Read this chapter

13 And the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,

14 besides [what] dealers and merchants brought, and [what] all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought of gold and silver to Solomon.

15 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold, -- he applied six hundred [shekels] of beaten gold to one target;

16 and three hundred shields of beaten gold, -- he applied three hundred [shekels] of gold to one shield; and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

17 And the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold;

18 and the throne had six steps, with a footstool of gold fastened to the throne; and there were arms on each side at the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the arms;

19 and twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.

20 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of precious gold: silver was not of the least account in the days of Solomon.

21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: once in three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

2 Chronicles 9:13-21 World English Bible (WEB)

- Read this chapter

13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold,

14 besides that which the traders and merchants brought: and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

15 King Solomon made two hundred bucklers of beaten gold; six hundred [shekels] of beaten gold went to one buckler.

16 [he made] three hundred shields of beaten gold; three hundred [shekels] of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.

18 nd there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

19 Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps: there was nothing like it made in any kingdom.

20 All king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

21 For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years came the ships of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

2 Chronicles 9:13-21 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

- Read this chapter

13 Now the weight of gold which came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents;

14 And in addition to what he got from traders of different sorts, all the kings of Arabia and the rulers of the country gave gold and silver to Solomon.

15 And King Solomon made two hundred body-covers of hammered gold, every one having six hundred shekels of gold in it.

16 And he made three hundred smaller body-covers of hammered gold, using three hundred shekels of gold for every cover, and the king put them in the house of the Woods of Lebanon.

17 Then the king made a great ivory seat, plated with the best gold.

18 There were six steps up to it, and a foot-rest of gold fixed to it, and arms on the two sides of the seat, with two lions at the side of the arms.

19 And twelve lions were placed on one side and on the other side on the six steps: there was nothing like it in any kingdom.

20 All King Solomon's drinking-vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the Woods of Lebanon were of the best gold: no one gave a thought to silver in the days of Solomon.

21 For the king had Tarshish-ships sailing with the servants of Huram: once every three years the Tarshish-ships came back with gold and silver, ivory and monkeys and peacocks.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 9

Solomon here continues to appear great both at home and abroad. We had this account of his grandeur, 1 Ki. 10. Nothing is here added; but his defection towards his latter end, which we have there (ch. 11), is here omitted, and the close of this chapter brings him to the grave with an unstained reputation. Perhaps none of the chapters in the Chronicles agree so much with a chapter in the Kings as this does with 1 Ki. 10 verse for verse, only that the first two verses there are put into one here, and verse 25 here is taken from 1 Ki. 4:26, and the last three verses here from 1 Ki. 11:41-43. Here is,

  • I. The honour which the queen of Sheba did to Solomon, in the visit she made him to hear his wisdom (v. 1-12).
  • II. Many instances given of the riches and splendour of Solomon's court (v. 13-28).
  • III. The conclusion of his reign (v. 29-31).

2Ch 9:1-12

This passage of story had been largely considered in the Kings; yet, because our Saviour has proposed it as an example to us in our enquiries after him (Mt. 12:42), we must not pass it over without observing briefly,

  • 1. Those who honour God he will honour, 1 Sa. 2:30. Solomon had greatly honoured God, in building, beautifying, and dedicating the temple; all his wisdom and all his wealth were employed for the making of that a consummate piece: and now God made his wisdom and wealth to redound greatly to his reputation. The way to have both the credit and comfort of all our endowments and all our enjoyments is to consecrate them to God and use them for him.
  • 2. Those who know the worth of true wisdom will grudge no pains nor cost to obtain it. The queen of Sheba put herself to a great deal of trouble and expense to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and yet, learning from him to serve God and do her duty, she thought herself well paid for her pains. Heavenly wisdom is that pearl of great price which is a good bargain to purchase by parting with all that we have.
  • 3. As every man has received the gift so he ought to minister the same for the edification of others, as he has opportunity. Solomon was communicative of his wisdom and willing to teach others what he knew himself. Being taught of God, freely he had received, and freely he gave. Let those that are rich in wisdom, as well as wealth, learn to do good and be ready to distribute. Give to every one that asketh.
  • 4. Good order in a family, a great family, especially in the things of God, and a regular discharge of the duties of religious worship, are highly expedient, and to be much admired wherever found. The queen of Sheba was exceedingly affected to see the propriety with which Solomon's servants attended him and with which both he and they attended in the house of God. David's ascent to the house of the Lord was also pleasant and interesting, Ps. 42:4.
  • 5. Those are happy who have the opportunity of a constant converse with such as are knowing, wise, and good. The queen of Sheba thought Solomon's servants happy who continually heard his wisdom; for, it seems, even to them he was communicative. And it is observable that the posterity of those who had places in his court were willing to have the names of their ancestors forgotten, and thought themselves sufficiently distinguished and dignified when they were called the children of Solomon's servants (Ezra 2:55; Neh. 7:57); so eminent were they that it was honour enough to be named from them.
  • 6. We ought to rejoice and give God thanks for the gifts, graces, and usefulness, of others. The queen of Sheba blessed God for the honour he put upon Solomon, and the favour he did to Israel, in advancing him to the throne, v. 8. By giving God the praise of the prosperity of others, we share in the comfort of it; whereas, by envying the prosperity of others, we lose the comfort even of our own. The happiness of both king and kingdom she traces up to the fountain of all bliss, the divine favour: it was because thy God delighted in thee and because he loved Israel. Those mercies are doubly sweet in which we can taste the kindness and good will of God as our God.
  • 7. It becomes those that are wise and good to be generous according to their place and power. The queen of Sheba was so to Solomon, Solomon was so to her, v. 9, 12. They both knew how to value wisdom, and therefore were neither of them covetous of their money, but cultivated the acquaintance and confirmed the friendship they had contracted by mutual presents. Our Lord Jesus has promised to give us all our desire: Ask, and it shall be given you. Let us study what we shall render to him, and not think any thing too much to do, or suffer, or part with, for him.

2Ch 9:13-31

We have here Solomon in his throne, and Solomon in his grave; for the throne would not secure him from the grave. Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat-Death wrenches from the hand the sceptre as well as the spade.

  • I. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and power, in ease and fulness, such as, for aught I know, could never since be paralleled by any king whatsoever. I cannot pretend to be critical in comparing the grandeur of Solomon with that of some of the great princes of the earth. But I may observe that the most illustrious of them were famed for their wars, whereas Solomon reigned forty years in profound peace. Some of those that might be thought to vie with Solomon affected retirement, kept people in awe by keeping them at a great distance; nobody must see them, or come near him, upon pain of death: but Solomon went much abroad, and appeared in public business. So that, all things considered, the promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches, and wealth, and honour, such as no kings have had, or shall have, ch. 1:12.
    • 1. Never any prince appeared in public with great splendour than Solomon did, which to those that judge by the sight of the eye, as most people do, would very much recommend him. He had 200 targets and 300 shields, all of beaten gold, carried before him (v. 15, 16), and sat upon a most stately throne, v. 17-19. There was not the like in any kingdom. The lustre wherein he appeared was typical of the spiritual glory of the kingdom of the Messiah and but a faint representation of his throne, which is above every throne. Solomon's pomp was all artificial; and therefore our Saviour prefers the natural beauty of the lilies of the field before it. Mt. 6:29, Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
    • 2. Never any prince had greater plenty of gold and silver, though there were no gold or silver mines in his own kingdom. Either he made himself master of the mines in other countries, and, having a populous country, sent hands to dig out those rich metals, or, having a fruitful country, he exported the commodities of it and with them fetched home all this gold that is here spoken of, v. 13, 14-21.
    • 3. Never any prince had such presents brought him by all his neighbours as Solomon had: All the kings of Arabia, and governors of the country, brought him gold and silver (v. 14), not as tribute which he extorted from them, but as freewill offerings to procure his favour, or in a way of exchange for some of the productions of his husbandry, corn or cattle. All the kings of the earth brought him presents, that is, all in those parts of the world (v. 24, 28), because they coveted his acquaintance and friendship. Herein he was a type of Christ, to whom, as soon as he was born, the wise men of the east brought presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt. 2:11), and to whom all that are about him must bring presents, Ps. 76:11; Rom. 12:1.
    • 4. Never any prince was so renowned for wisdom, so courted, so consulted, so admired (v. 23): The kings of the earth (for it was too great a favour for common persons to pretend to) sought to hear his wisdom-his natural philosophy, or his skill in physic, or his state policy, or his rules of prudence for the conduct of human life, or perhaps the principles of his religion, and the reasons of it. The application which they then made to Solomon to hear his wisdom will aggravate, shame, and condemn, men's general contempt of Christ and his gospel. Though in them are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, yet none of the princes of this world desire to know them, for they are foolishness to them, 1 Co. 2:8, 14.
  • II. Here is Solomon dying, stripped of his pomp, and leaving all his wealth and power, not to one concerning whom he knew not whether he would be a wise man or a fool (Eccles. 2:19), but who he knew would be a fool. This was not only vanity but vexation of spirit, v. 29-31. It is very observable that no mention is here made of Solomon's departure from God in his latter days, not the least hint given of it,
    • 1. Because the Holy Ghost would teach us not to take delight in repeating the faults and follies of others. If those that have been in reputation for wisdom and honour misbehave, though it may be of use to take notice of their misconduct for warning to ourselves and others, yet we must not be forward to mention it, once the speaking of it is enough; why should that unpleasing string be again struck upon? Why can we not do as the sacred historian here does, speak largely of that in others which is praise-worthy, without saying any thing of their blemishes, yea, though they have been gross and obvious? This is but doing as we would be done by.
    • 2. Because, though he fell, yet he was not utterly cast down. His sin is not again recorded, because it was repented of, and pardoned, and became as if it had never been. Scripture-silence sometimes speaks. I am willing to believe that its silence here concerning the sin of Solomon is an intimation that none of the sins he committed were mentioned against him, Eze. 33:16. When God pardons sin he casts it behind his back and remembers it no more.