2 Chronicles 1 14

2 Chronicles 1:14 kjv

And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1:14 nkjv

And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1:14 niv

Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1:14 esv

Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1:14 nlt

Solomon built up a huge force of chariots and horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses. He stationed some of them in the chariot cities and some near him in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1 verses

2 Chronicles 1 14 Meaning

This verse describes King Solomon's immense military accumulation, specifically his large numbers of chariots and horsemen. It notes that he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen. These military assets were strategically stationed both in specialized "chariot cities" across his kingdom and in the capital city of Jerusalem, signaling a highly organized and powerful defense and offense capability for his realm.

2 Chronicles 1 14 Context

2 Chronicles 1:14 describes a significant aspect of King Solomon's reign, immediately following his pivotal encounter with God at Gibeon. In that event (2 Chr 1:7-12), Solomon chose wisdom over wealth or military power, and God promised to grant him wisdom, knowledge, great riches, wealth, and honor beyond any king before or after him. Verse 14 shows the immediate, tangible manifestation of that promised prosperity and influence through military accumulation. This verse illustrates the scale of his kingdom's wealth and power. Historically, this era was a period of significant geopolitical expansion and control for Israel, with Solomon maintaining trade routes and regional hegemony, particularly in horse and chariot trade with Egypt and nations to the north (like Heth and Aram). This accumulation, while signifying prosperity, also subtly alludes to a potential spiritual tension when viewed through the lens of God's earlier commands in Deuteronomy concerning the limits of a king's possessions.

2 Chronicles 1 14 Word analysis

• And Solomon gathered: The Hebrew verb for "gathered" (וַיֶּאְסֹף - wayye'sōph) indicates a deliberate, systematic collection and accumulation, suggesting a significant, organized effort to acquire these military assets. This was not a passive inheritance but an active policy.
• chariots: The Hebrew word (רֶכֶב - rechev) refers to war-chariots, a potent symbol of military power in the ancient Near East. These were often made of wood and leather, with wheels strengthened with bronze or iron, and pulled by two to four horses. Acquiring and maintaining chariots was very expensive and labor-intensive, demonstrating immense national wealth and logistical capability.
• and horsemen: The Hebrew term (פָּרָשִׁים - parashim) refers to cavalry soldiers, men who rode horses. While not as dominant as chariots in some ancient armies, horsemen provided speed, scouting, and flanking capabilities. Together with chariots, they formed a highly effective offensive and defensive force.
• a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen: These numbers represent an extraordinarily large military force for the time. Chariots were the "tanks" of the ancient world. Such numbers suggest a massive military establishment that provided both protection and projection of power over a wide domain, signifying Solomon's unparalleled wealth and strategic might, consistent with God's promise in 2 Chronicles 1:12. This level of military power would also control trade routes and subdue potential rivals.
• which he placed: The verb here (וַיַּנִּחֵם - wayyannikhem) means "he stationed them" or "he caused them to rest/settle." It implies careful, strategic deployment rather than a random collection. This indicates Solomon's tactical organization.
• in the chariot cities: The phrase (בְּעָרֵי הָרֶכֶב - bĕ'ārê hārākheb) refers to specific cities designated as garrisons or depots for chariots and horses. These were often fortified strongholds, strategically located along trade routes or borders, functioning as military bases and possibly horse-breeding or training centers. Examples mentioned elsewhere include Megiddo, Gezer, and Hazor. Their existence demonstrates sophisticated national infrastructure and military planning.
• and with the king at Jerusalem: This indicates that, in addition to scattered regional bases, a significant contingent of this military force was maintained in the capital, serving as the king's personal guard and for central defense. Jerusalem was the hub of power, and keeping military assets there ensured the king's authority and immediate security.

2 Chronicles 1 14 Bonus section

The sourcing of Solomon's chariots and horses predominantly from Egypt (as implied by 1 Kings 10:28-29 which connects his trade with Egypt and with Heth and Aram) highlights a significant international trade network. Egypt was renowned for its horse breeding and chariot technology. This trade involved complex logistical and economic arrangements, affirming Solomon's regional dominance. While impressive in terms of state power, the very act of obtaining horses from Egypt carried Deuteronomic warnings (Deut 17:16, Isa 31:1). This particular accumulation, while seemingly a sign of blessing, can also be viewed as an early sign of a subtle drift towards typical Near Eastern kingship that trusted in earthly might rather than divine protection. The Chronicler's primary goal in this context, however, is to portray the kingdom's glory and fulfillment of God's promise, setting the stage for Solomon's majestic building of the temple.

2 Chronicles 1 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 1:14, almost identical to 1 Kings 10:26, portrays Solomon's reign as a period of unprecedented military might and opulence. The accumulation of 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen directly illustrates God's promise to Solomon in the preceding verses to grant him "riches, and wealth, and honour" (2 Chr 1:12). This military buildup demonstrates Solomon's effective control over international trade routes, specifically the lucrative horse and chariot trade originating from Egypt. His strategic placement of these forces in "chariot cities" and Jerusalem highlights his administrative prowess and foresight in securing his vast kingdom.

However, the discerning reader, especially one familiar with the Law, perceives a theological tension. Deuteronomy 17:16 explicitly forbids the king from multiplying horses for himself, "nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses." This command was meant to prevent reliance on foreign military power and avoid entanglements with Egypt, keeping Israel's trust firmly in God alone. While 2 Chronicles typically emphasizes the positive aspects of the Davidic dynasty and Solomon's obedience to temple-building, it does not omit this detail of military accumulation, which, from a broader biblical perspective, prefigures a move away from absolute reliance on Yahweh. The Chronicler likely includes this detail to impress upon his audience the sheer scale and glory of Solomon's divinely bestowed kingdom, a testament to God's blessing, without directly highlighting the potential Deuteronomic transgression which later narrative will address in greater detail. The practical application is to discern between God-given prosperity and human accumulation that risks replacing dependence on God with trust in worldly power and possessions.