2 Chronicles 8 summary meaning ai explained commentary

2 Chronicles 8 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter details the accomplishments and reign of King Solomon after the completion of the Temple.

1. Building Projects (verses 1-6):

Solomon builds his own palace, taking thirteen years to complete it.
He constructs a separate palace for his wife, Pharaoh's daughter.
He fortifies cities captured by his father, David, including Upper Beth Horon, Lower Beth Horon, Baalath, Tamar, and Gezer.
He builds store cities, chariot cities, and cities for horsemen throughout his kingdom.

2. Forced Labor (verses 7-10):

Solomon continues to use forced labor from the descendants of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites who were not Israelites.
These people were not killed off during the conquest of Canaan and were now subject to forced labor under Solomon.

3. Religious Practices (verses 11-13):

Solomon brings Pharaoh's daughter to live in her own palace.
He maintains the daily sacrifices in the Temple, following the instructions of Moses.
He observes the prescribed festivals and Sabbath offerings.

4. Trade and Wealth (verses 14-18):

Solomon establishes a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber, near Elath, with the help of Hiram, king of Tyre.
Hiram sends experienced sailors to work with Solomon's men.
The fleet sails to Ophir and brings back gold, silver, sandalwood, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Solomon becomes incredibly wealthy and powerful, surpassing all the kings of his time.

Overall Theme:

This chapter highlights Solomon's impressive building projects, his use of forced labor, his adherence to religious practices, and his vast wealth acquired through trade. It portrays him as a powerful and prosperous king, but also hints at the potential for oppression with the use of forced labor.

2 Chronicles 8 bible study ai commentary

This chapter chronicles the peak of Solomon's reign, detailing his extensive building projects, administrative organization, adherence to prescribed worship, and international trade expeditions. It presents Solomon as the ideal king who, having completed the sacred task of building the Temple, now consolidates the kingdom's strength, security, and wealth. The Chronicler strategically frames these accomplishments to serve as a model of a well-ordered, prosperous kingdom under God for his post-exilic audience, emphasizing that national success is intrinsically linked to faithfulness in worship and adherence to God's law.

2 Chronicles 8 Context

This account is set at the zenith of the Israelite United Monarchy in the 10th century BC. This was a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity for Israel, largely due to a power vacuum in the Ancient Near East, with both Egypt and Mesopotamia being relatively weak. Kings in this era demonstrated their power through massive building programs and control over trade routes. The Chronicler, writing centuries later to the community that had returned from Babylonian exile, selectively retells this history. His primary goal is to encourage the rebuilding of their society around the Second Temple, presenting Solomon not just as a powerful king, but as a faithful administrator who perfectly implemented the worship structures established by his father, David, providing a blueprint for the new generation's leaders.

2 Chronicles 8:1-2

At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own house, Solomon rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given him, and settled the people of Israel in them.

In-depth-analysis

This passage describes the conclusion of Solomon's major 20-year building program (7 for the Temple, 13 for his palace).
It presents a significant editorial change from the parallel account in 1 Kings. Here, it states Hiram gave cities to Solomon, which Solomon then populated.
The Hebrew implies Solomon "built" (wayyiben) them, meaning he fortified or developed them for Israelite settlement.
This revision portrays Solomon in a superior position to Hiram, king of Tyre, avoiding any suggestion that Solomon was in debt or that his territory was diminished.

Bible references

1 Kings 9:10-13: "...King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee... they did not please him. Therefore they have been called the Land of Cabul to this day." (The parallel account that Chronicles alters).
2 Chronicles 7:11: "Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house..." (Marks the completion point for this new phase of activity).

Cross references

1 Kgs 5:11 (Solomon's payments to Hiram); 2 Chr 9:10-11 (Later cooperation); Amos 1:9 (Tyre condemned for breaking "covenant of brotherhood").

Polemics: The Chronicler deliberately rewrites the 1 Kings account where Solomon gives 20 cities to Hiram, who is displeased with them. By reversing the transaction, the Chronicler protects Solomon's image as an ever-successful and wise king, eliminating any hint of a bad deal or loss of promised land territory, a sensitive issue for the post-exilic community concerned with their own land.

2 Chronicles 8:3-6

And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and took it. He also built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the store cities that he built in Hamath. He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars, and Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

In-depth-analysis

Hamath-zobah: Likely a coalition or region in central and northern Syria. Solomon's military action secures the northern extent of his empire, a frontier promised in the covenant.
Tadmor in the wilderness: Famously identified with Palmyra, a critical oasis city for the trade routes connecting Mesopotamia with the Mediterranean. Controlling it meant controlling immense wealth.
Store cities (miskenot): These were administrative and military depots used to store grain, taxes, and military supplies. They were essential for managing a large kingdom.
Beth-horon & Baalath: Strategic cities controlling key mountain passes and approaches to Jerusalem, highlighting Solomon’s wisdom in national defense.
The list demonstrates Solomon's total control and expansive ambition, fulfilling the mandate to rule "in all the land of his dominion." The scale of his projects (chariot cities, etc.) reflects the immense wealth and organization of the empire.

Bible references

1 Kings 9:17-19: "And Solomon rebuilt Gezer and Lower Beth-horon and Baalath and Tamar in the wilderness..." (Parallel account, though 2 Chr mentions Tadmor instead of Tamar, likely a variant spelling or location).
Numbers 34:8: "...from Mount Hor you shall draw a line to Lebo-hamath..." (Shows Hamath as part of the northern border of the promised land).
Joshua 10:10-11: "And the LORD threw them into a panic... as they fled... the LORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died." (Beth-horon as a site of a historic, miraculous victory).

Cross references

Gen 15:18 (Promised land boundaries); Deu 17:16 (Warning against multiplying horses); 1 Kgs 4:26 (Solomon's vast stables); 1 Chr 18:3 (David's earlier victory over Zobah).

2 Chronicles 8:7-10

All the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel— from their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—these Solomon drafted for forced labor, and so they are to this day. But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves for his work; they were his soldiers, and his officers, his commanders, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and his horsemen. And these were the chief officers of King Solomon, 250, who exercised authority over the people.

In-depth-analysis

Forced Labor (mas): This passage makes a critical distinction that serves the Chronicler's purpose. The corvée labor is drawn exclusively from the remnant of the Canaanite nations, not from the Israelites.
This aligns Solomon's actions with the commands in Deuteronomy to subdue the land's inhabitants (Deu 20:11) while protecting the rights of fellow Israelites (Lev 25:39-43).
Israelite Roles: Israelites serve in high-status roles: military commanders, administrators, and chariot officers. This creates an image of a well-ordered society where Israelites govern, and foreigners serve.
250 Officers: This number differs from the 550 mentioned in 1 Kings 9:23. The discrepancy likely arises from different ways of categorizing the officials (e.g., chief vs. subordinate). The numbers are less about precise census data and more about demonstrating a large, organized bureaucracy.

Bible references

1 Kings 9:20-22: "All the people who were left of the Amorites... Solomon drafted for forced labor... But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves." (A direct parallel, emphasizing the same distinction).
Joshua 17:13: "But when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not drive them out completely." (Precedent for the policy of using Canaanites for forced labor).
Leviticus 25:42-43: "'For they are my servants... You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.'" (The basis for not enslaving fellow Israelites).
1 Kings 12:4: "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father..." (Shows that, despite this text's claims, Israelites did feel burdened by Solomon's policies, leading to the kingdom's schism).

Cross references

Gen 9:25-27 (Canaan's curse to be a servant); Exd 1:11 (Israelites under forced labor in Egypt); Jdg 1:28 (Similar practice by the tribe of Joseph).

2 Chronicles 8:11

Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places where the ark of the LORD has come are holy.”

In-depth-analysis

This verse addresses the potentially problematic marriage of Solomon to an Egyptian princess.
Word: The key justification is that the places are "holy" (qodesh). The presence of the Ark had sanctified David’s palace area.
Instead of ignoring or condemning the marriage (as 1 Kings 11 later does), the Chronicler portrays Solomon as being pious and spiritually sensitive. He acknowledges the issue and demonstrates his solution: separating the "foreign" from the "holy."
This act preserves ritual purity, a paramount concern for the post-exilic community and the Priestly tradition that heavily influenced the Chronicler. It shows Solomon upholding the sanctity of the Lord's presence.

Bible references

1 Kings 3:1: "Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the City of David..." (Initial record of the marriage).
1 Kings 9:24: "But Pharaoh's daughter went up from the City of David to her own house that Solomon had built for her..." (Parallel verse, but without the theological justification provided here).
2 Samuel 6:12: "...David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing." (The event that sanctified the City of David).

Cross references

Deu 17:17 (King should not multiply wives); Neh 13:26 (Nehemiah explicitly cites Solomon's foreign wives as the cause of his sin); Exo 19:12-13 (Warning to not touch a holy mountain).

2 Chronicles 8:12-16

Then Solomon offered up burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD that he had built before the vestibule... as the duty of each day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the three annual feasts... According to the ruling of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service... For so David the man of God had commanded... all the work of Solomon was well-ordered from the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD until it was finished.

In-depth-analysis

This section is central to the Chronicler's portrayal of Solomon. His greatness is not just in building, but in correctly implementing the national worship system.
He is shown as faithful to both the Law of Moses (Sabbaths, new moons, three annual feasts: Unleavened Bread/Passover, Weeks/Pentecost, and Tabernacles/Booths) and the ruling of David (divisions of priests and Levites).
The phrase "David the man of God" elevates David's organizational commands to the level of divine authority, making Solomon's adherence an act of obedience to God.
Verse 16 serves as a summary statement, declaring the entire project "well-ordered" (takon) from foundation to completion, emphasizing perfection and fulfillment of the divine plan.

Bible references

1 Chronicles 23-26: The chapters where David organizes the priests, Levites, singers, and gatekeepers for future Temple service.
Exodus 23:14-17: "Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me..." (The Mosaic command for the three annual pilgrimage feasts).
Numbers 28-29: Provides the detailed list and requirements for the daily, Sabbath, new moon, and festival offerings Solomon is now performing.
Ezra 3:2-4: "They kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule..." (The post-exilic community explicitly models their renewed worship on these same scriptural commands).

Cross references

Deu 16:16 (List of feasts); 2 Kgs 16:10-16 (King Ahaz sinfully alters the altar and worship); Heb 5:1-4 (The role and appointment of priests).

2 Chronicles 8:17-18

Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Eloth on the shore of the sea, in the land of Edom. And Hiram sent to him by the hand of his servants ships and servants who knew the sea, and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir and brought from there 450 talents of gold and brought it to King Solomon.

In-depth-analysis

Ezion-geber and Eloth: Port cities on the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea), giving Israel access to trade routes to Arabia and Africa. Controlling Edom was crucial for this access.
Hiram's partnership: Solomon provides the access and resources; Hiram provides the technology (ships) and expertise ("servants who knew the sea"). This highlights Solomon's wisdom in international diplomacy.
Ophir: A legendary place of immense wealth, famous for its high-quality gold. Its exact location is unknown but is thought to be in southern Arabia, East Africa, or even India.
450 Talents of Gold: This differs from the 420 talents in 1 Kings 9:28. Such numerical variations are common in ancient texts and manuscript traditions. A talent was roughly 75 lbs (34 kg), so this represents an enormous fortune (over 16 tons), symbolizing God's extravagant blessing on the obedient king.

Bible references

1 Kings 9:26-28: "King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber... and they went to Ophir and brought from there gold, 420 talents..." (The parallel account).
Genesis 2:11-12: "The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good." (Gold from a distant, almost mythical land is a theme from the beginning of Scripture).
Revelation 21:24: "By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it." (Solomon receiving wealth from Ophir is a foreshadowing of the nations bringing their treasures to the New Jerusalem).

Cross references

2 Chr 9:10, 21 (Further details of Ophir expeditions); Psa 72:10-15 (A messianic psalm where kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts); Isa 60:6 (Prophecy of nations bringing gold and frankincense to Zion).

2 Chronicles chapter 8 analysis

Typological Significance of Solomon: The Chronicler presents an idealized Solomon who acts as a type of the future Messiah. He builds the house of God, establishes perfect worship, rules in wisdom, secures peace (shalom, a root of his name), and receives tribute from the nations. Jesus is presented as the "greater than Solomon" (Mat 12:42) who builds the true temple (the Church), is the wisdom of God, and whose kingdom will encompass all nations.
The Chronicler's "Cleanup" Project: A major theme across Chronicles is the rehabilitation of David and Solomon's legacies. In this chapter, the potentially negative story of giving away land (1 Kgs 9) is reversed, the problematic nature of forced labor is neutralized by restricting it to non-Israelites, and the foreign marriage to Pharaoh's daughter is reframed as an occasion for piety. This presents a flawless model for the restoration community to emulate.
Kingdom Administration as Worship: The chapter seamlessly blends "secular" activities (building store cities, trade) with "sacred" ones (offering sacrifices, organizing priests). For the Chronicler, a kingdom operating according to God's design sees no sharp division between the two. Wise administration, defense, and economic policy are all part of serving God and are a result of putting Temple worship at the center of national life. This holistic view was a powerful message for a community trying to structure their entire society, not just their religious life, around God's law.

2 Chronicles 8 summary

After completing the Temple and his palace, Solomon fortifies his kingdom by rebuilding cities and securing its borders and trade routes. He organizes a system of forced labor using only non-Israelites while placing Israelites in positions of authority. Piously, he moves Pharaoh's daughter to a separate house to protect the sanctity of areas where the Ark had been. Critically, he establishes the full, prescribed worship at the Temple according to the laws of Moses and the plans of David. The chapter concludes by showcasing the kingdom's incredible wealth, exemplified by a successful gold-finding expedition to Ophir, portraying a kingdom blessed with peace, order, and prosperity as a direct result of its faithfulness to God.

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2 Chronicles chapter 8 kjv

¹ And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,
² That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.
³ And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.
⁴ And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.
⁵ Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;
⁶ And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.
⁷ As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel,
⁸ But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.
⁹ But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.
¹⁰ And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.
¹¹ And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.
¹² Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
¹³ Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
¹⁴ And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
¹⁵ And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.
¹⁶ Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.
¹⁷ Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.
¹⁸ And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.

2 Chronicles chapter 8 nkjv

¹ It came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own house,
² that the cities which Hiram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them; and he settled the children of Israel there.
³ And Solomon went to Hamath Zobah and seized it.
⁴ He also built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities which he built in Hamath.
⁵ He built Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars,
⁶ also Baalath and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities and the cities of the cavalry, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
⁷ All the people who were left of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who were not of Israel?
⁸ that is, their descendants who were left in the land after them, whom the children of Israel did not destroy?from these Solomon raised forced labor, as it is to this day.
⁹ But Solomon did not make the children of Israel servants for his work. Some were men of war, captains of his officers, captains of his chariots, and his cavalry.
¹⁰ And others were chiefs of the officials of King Solomon: two hundred and fifty, who ruled over the people.
¹¹ Now Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh up from the City of David to the house he had built for her, for he said, "My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places to which the ark of the LORD has come are holy."
¹² Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD which he had built before the vestibule,
¹³ according to the daily rate, offering according to the commandment of Moses, for the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the three appointed yearly feasts?the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
¹⁴ And, according to the order of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, the Levites for their duties (to praise and serve before the priests) as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate; for so David the man of God had commanded.
¹⁵ They did not depart from the command of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter or concerning the treasuries.
¹⁶ Now all the work of Solomon was well-ordered from the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was completed.
¹⁷ Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the seacoast, in the land of Edom.
¹⁸ And Hiram sent him ships by the hand of his servants, and servants who knew the sea. They went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and acquired four hundred and fifty talents of gold from there, and brought it to King Solomon.

2 Chronicles chapter 8 niv

¹ At the end of twenty years, during which Solomon built the temple of the LORD and his own palace,
² Solomon rebuilt the villages that Hiram had given him, and settled Israelites in them.
³ Solomon then went to Hamath Zobah and captured it.
⁴ He also built up Tadmor in the desert and all the store cities he had built in Hamath.
⁵ He rebuilt Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities, with walls and with gates and bars,
⁶ as well as Baalath and all his store cities, and all the cities for his chariots and for his horses?whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon and throughout all the territory he ruled.
⁷ There were still people left from the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites).
⁸ Solomon conscripted the descendants of all these people remaining in the land?whom the Israelites had not destroyed?to serve as slave labor, as it is to this day.
⁹ But Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites for his work; they were his fighting men, commanders of his captains, and commanders of his chariots and charioteers.
¹⁰ They were also King Solomon's chief officials?two hundred and fifty officials supervising the men.
¹¹ Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, "My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy."
¹² On the altar of the LORD that he had built in front of the portico, Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the LORD,
¹³ according to the daily requirement for offerings commanded by Moses for the Sabbaths, the New Moons and the three annual festivals?the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles.
¹⁴ In keeping with the ordinance of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their duties, and the Levites to lead the praise and to assist the priests according to each day's requirement. He also appointed the gatekeepers by divisions for the various gates, because this was what David the man of God had ordered.
¹⁵ They did not deviate from the king's commands to the priests or to the Levites in any matter, including that of the treasuries.
¹⁶ All Solomon's work was carried out, from the day the foundation of the temple of the LORD was laid until its completion. So the temple of the LORD was finished.
¹⁷ Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the coast of Edom.
¹⁸ And Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own men, sailors who knew the sea. These, with Solomon's men, sailed to Ophir and brought back four hundred and fifty talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon.

2 Chronicles chapter 8 esv

¹ At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own house,
² Solomon rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given to him, and settled the people of Israel in them.
³ And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and took it.
⁴ He built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the store cities that he built in Hamath.
⁵ He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars,
⁶ and Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
⁷ All the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel,
⁸ from their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed ? these Solomon drafted as forced labor, and so they are to this day.
⁹ But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves for his work; they were soldiers, and his officers, the commanders of his chariots, and his horsemen.
¹⁰ And these were the chief officers of King Solomon, 250, who exercised authority over the people.
¹¹ Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, "My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places to which the ark of the LORD has come are holy."
¹² Then Solomon offered up burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD that he had built before the vestibule,
¹³ as the duty of each day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the three annual feasts ? the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths.
¹⁴ According to the ruling of David his father, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their offices of praise and ministry before the priests as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers in their divisions at each gate, for so David the man of God had commanded.
¹⁵ And they did not turn aside from what the king had commanded the priests and Levites concerning any matter and concerning the treasuries.
¹⁶ Thus was accomplished all the work of Solomon from the day the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was completed.
¹⁷ Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Eloth on the shore of the sea, in the land of Edom.
¹⁸ And Hiram sent to him by the hand of his servants ships and servants familiar with the sea, and they went to Ophir together with the servants of Solomon and brought from there 450 talents of gold and brought it to King Solomon.

2 Chronicles chapter 8 nlt

¹ It took Solomon twenty years to build the LORD's Temple and his own royal palace. At the end of that time,
² Solomon turned his attention to rebuilding the towns that King Hiram had given him, and he settled Israelites in them.
³ Solomon also fought against the town of Hamath-zobah and conquered it.
⁴ He rebuilt Tadmor in the wilderness and built towns in the region of Hamath as supply centers.
⁵ He fortified the towns of Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, rebuilding their walls and installing barred gates.
⁶ He also rebuilt Baalath and other supply centers and constructed towns where his chariots and horses could be stationed. He built everything he desired in Jerusalem and Lebanon and throughout his entire realm.
⁷ There were still some people living in the land who were not Israelites, including the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
⁸ These were descendants of the nations whom the people of Israel had not destroyed. So Solomon conscripted them for his labor force, and they serve as forced laborers to this day.
⁹ But Solomon did not conscript any of the Israelites for his labor force. Instead, he assigned them to serve as fighting men, officers in his army, commanders of his chariots, and charioteers.
¹⁰ King Solomon appointed 250 of them to supervise the people.
¹¹ Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh's daughter, from the City of David to the new palace he had built for her. He said, "My wife must not live in King David's palace, for the Ark of the LORD has been there, and it is holy ground."
¹² Then Solomon presented burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar he had built for him in front of the entry room of the Temple.
¹³ He offered the sacrifices for the Sabbaths, the new moon festivals, and the three annual festivals ? the Passover celebration, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters ? as Moses had commanded.
¹⁴ In assigning the priests to their duties, Solomon followed the regulations of his father, David. He also assigned the Levites to lead the people in praise and to assist the priests in their daily duties. And he assigned the gatekeepers to their gates by their divisions, following the commands of David, the man of God.
¹⁵ Solomon did not deviate in any way from David's commands concerning the priests and Levites and the treasuries.
¹⁶ So Solomon made sure that all the work related to building the Temple of the LORD was carried out, from the day its foundation was laid to the day of its completion.
¹⁷ Later Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Elath, ports along the shore of the Red Sea in the land of Edom.
¹⁸ Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers and manned by experienced crews of sailors. These ships sailed to Ophir with Solomon's men and brought back to Solomon almost seventeen tons of gold.