1 Kings 4 26

1 Kings 4:26 kjv

And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

1 Kings 4:26 nkjv

Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.

1 Kings 4:26 niv

Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses.

1 Kings 4:26 esv

Solomon also had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen.

1 Kings 4:26 nlt

Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his chariot horses, and he had 12,000 horses.

1 Kings 4 verses

1 Kings 4 26 Meaning

First Kings 4:26 describes Solomon's immense military resources, specifically his massive cavalry and chariot force. It highlights the scale of his kingdom's wealth, organizational capacity, and perceived military strength during the zenith of his reign, indicating a period of unparalleled national power and prestige for Israel.

1 Kings 4 26 Context

First Kings chapter 4 describes the immense prosperity, wisdom, and administrative prowess of King Solomon. This chapter functions as an interlude between the accounts of Solomon establishing his rule and his monumental building projects (especially the Temple). It outlines the breadth of his reign, his judicial wisdom, and the vastness of his kingdom's peace and wealth, fulfilling God's promise to David. Verse 26, specifically, focuses on his unparalleled military capacity, specifically in terms of chariot forces and cavalry, illustrating the material glory of his reign and his impressive, though potentially problematic, adherence to military might. Historically, controlling such a massive force, including the necessary infrastructure of stalls, indicated a sophisticated administrative system and a wealthy state, making Israel a significant regional power during Solomon's era.

1 Kings 4 26 Word analysis

• Solomon: (Hebrew: שְׁלֹמֹה, Shelomoh) - The son of David, King of Israel. His name means "peace" or "complete," often linked to the peace of his reign. This verse details the opulence and military might achieved under his rule, symbolizing Israel's golden age.
• also had: Implies continuity from previous descriptions of Solomon's vast resources and wisdom (1 Kgs 4:20-25). It shows the king's extensive reach and power.
• forty thousand: (Hebrew: אַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף, 'arba'im 'elef) - A numerically significant and substantial figure, emphasizing an enormous scale. This number underscores the unprecedented military establishment in Israel. There is a textual variant in 2 Chr 9:25, which states "four thousand" ('arba'at 'alafim) stalls. This discrepancy is often attributed to a scribal error, or perhaps "forty thousand" refers to total horses accommodated in an empire-wide capacity while "four thousand" refers to those for chariot teams specifically.
• stalls: (Hebrew: רֶפֶת, refet) - Refers to a stable, stall, or manger where animals are housed. The mention of stalls points to large-scale, organized infrastructure dedicated to maintaining the massive horse population for military purposes. Archeological excavations (e.g., at Megiddo) have revealed stable-like structures, which some attribute to Solomon's time.
• of horses: (Hebrew: סוּסִים, susim) - Plural of sus (horse). Horses were crucial for ancient warfare, especially for drawing chariots. Their presence in such large numbers indicates a focus on cavalry and chariotry as primary military assets, contrasting with earlier Israelite warfare that often relied on infantry and divine intervention.
• for his chariots: (Hebrew: רֶכֶב, rekeb) - Refers to chariots or chariot forces. Chariots were the ancient equivalent of modern tanks: expensive, powerful, and essential for projecting military might. Acquiring and maintaining a large chariot force was a symbol of national prestige and power. This highlights Solomon's embrace of cutting-edge military technology.
• and twelve thousand: (Hebrew: שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר אֶלֶף, shəneym 'asar 'elef) - Another substantial military number.
• horsemen: (Hebrew: פָּרָשִׁים, parashim) - Refers to cavalry, or riders on horseback. While chariots formed the shock troops, horsemen were also crucial for reconnaissance, skirmishes, and pursuit. Their inclusion demonstrates a comprehensive and modern military force.

• "Solomon also had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.": This entire phrase conveys the overwhelming scale of Solomon's military might and the extensive infrastructure required to support it. It points to a highly centralized and wealthy monarchy capable of marshaling immense resources. This impressive achievement, however, also implicitly stands in tension with the Deuteronomic law (Dt 17:16), which cautioned kings against multiplying horses, lest they lead the people back to Egypt or rely on their own strength instead of God. The prosperity is stated factually, allowing the reader to ponder the underlying theological implications concerning trust and obedience.

1 Kings 4 26 Bonus section

The discrepancy between "forty thousand" in 1 Kings 4:26 and "four thousand" in 2 Chronicles 9:25 regarding the number of stalls for horses is a notable point of scholarly discussion. Some propose that the 1 Kings number might represent the total capacity for all chariot horses, including those in active use, in reserve, or those involved in breeding and training, across Solomon's entire dominion. In contrast, 2 Chronicles could be referring more specifically to the active chariots, or perhaps only the stalls located at Jerusalem and key chariot cities. Another widely accepted explanation attributes the difference to a simple scribal error, where a single character difference in Hebrew numbers could result in such a large numerical variance (e.g., 'ālep meaning 'thousand' versus an omitted letter). Regardless, both accounts agree on Solomon possessing an extraordinarily large and well-organized military, highlighting the extent of his wealth and the strategic importance he placed on chariot forces for both defense and projection of power.

1 Kings 4 26 Commentary

First Kings 4:26 succinctly details Solomon's extraordinary military apparatus, primarily emphasizing his massive chariot and cavalry divisions. This verse, situated amidst a description of Solomon's wealth and wisdom, illustrates the pinnacle of Israelite material power under his reign. The "forty thousand stalls" (with the noted textual variant of 4,000 in 2 Chronicles 9:25) signify an immense investment in military infrastructure, suggesting a state capable of supporting thousands of horses and a specialized standing army of twelve thousand horsemen. This establishment provided the kingdom with unmatched security and influence in the region, serving as a powerful deterrent and allowing Solomon to maintain vast territories. While impressive as a display of power and blessing, Solomon's multiplication of horses, often acquired from Egypt (1 Kgs 10:28), subtly foreshadows a departure from the divine prohibition in Deuteronomy 17:16, which cautioned kings against acquiring too many horses and thereby relying on their own strength rather than the Lord. The narrator presents these facts without explicit judgment, inviting the discerning reader to consider the long-term implications of trusting in worldly power over divine faithfulness.