2 Chronicles 1 15

2 Chronicles 1:15 kjv

And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance.

2 Chronicles 1:15 nkjv

Also the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.

2 Chronicles 1:15 niv

The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.

2 Chronicles 1:15 esv

And the king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah.

2 Chronicles 1:15 nlt

The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stone. And valuable cedar timber was as common as the sycamore-fig trees that grow in the foothills of Judah.

2 Chronicles 1 verses

2 Chronicles 1 15 Meaning

This verse describes the extraordinary prosperity of King Solomon's reign in Jerusalem. It conveys that silver and gold became so abundant they were as common as ordinary stones, and the highly prized cedar wood became as plentiful as the humble sycamore trees found in the lowlands. This immense material wealth signifies the fulfillment of God's blessing and honor bestowed upon Solomon, reflecting an unprecedented golden age for Israel.

2 Chronicles 1 15 Context

This verse appears at the culmination of the account of Solomon's grand sacrifice at Gibeon and God's subsequent appearance to him. In this divine encounter, God granted Solomon an unprecedented blessing: not just wisdom, which Solomon humbly requested to govern Israel, but also immense riches and honor. Verse 15 vividly portrays the tangible manifestation of this divine promise. Historically, Solomon's reign marked the pinnacle of the unified monarchy's power, wealth, and influence, setting the stage for the building of the First Temple. The Chronicler emphasizes God's direct intervention and blessing as the source of this extraordinary prosperity, contrasting it with later declines when the kings deviated from God's ways.

2 Chronicles 1 15 Word analysis

• And the king made (וַיִּתֵּן הַמֶּלֶךְ, vayitten hammelekh): Literally "and the king gave/put." This verb often implies Solomon's role in facilitating or establishing the widespread availability of these materials within Jerusalem. It speaks to the effect of his reign and God's blessing through him.
• silver (כֶּסֶף, kesef) and gold (וְאֶת־הַזָּהָב, v'et-hazahav): These were the most valued precious metals in the ancient world, universally recognized symbols of wealth, power, and status. Their mention highlights the opulence of Solomon's kingdom.
• at Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, Birushalayim): The capital city and the future site of the Temple. Concentrating such wealth in the city signifies the centralized power and sacred prominence of Jerusalem under Solomon.
• as stones (כָּאֲבָנִים, ka'avaním): A hyperbole used to convey an almost inconceivable level of commonness and abundance. Stones were ubiquitous, found everywhere. This figure of speech elevates the extraordinary to the mundane, showcasing divine provision.
• and cedar trees (וַעֲצֵי הָאֲרָזִים, va'atzei ha'arazim): Cedar of Lebanon was a highly prized timber, renowned for its beauty, strength, durability, and aromatic quality. It was expensive, imported, and essential for the construction of palaces and the grand Temple.
• made he as the sycomore trees (כַּשִּׁקְמִים, kashikmim): "Made he" is implied from the preceding verb, describing a comparison. Sycomore trees (Ficus sycomorus) produced a common, coarser, and less valuable timber compared to cedar. They grew quickly and were easily accessible in specific regions.
• that are in the vale (אֲשֶׁר בַּשְּׁפֵלָה, asher bashefelah): Refers to the Shephelah, the lowlands of Judah. This region was known for its olive and sycamore trees. Specifying the locale emphasizes the common and native prevalence of these trees.
• for abundance (לָרֹב, larov): Literally "for multitude" or "in great quantity." This phrase explicitly confirms that the preceding comparisons ("as stones," "as sycomore trees") are meant to indicate an overwhelming, exceptional plenitude of resources.

Words-group analysis

• "silver and gold... as stones": This powerful metaphor vividly illustrates a reversal of perceived value. Items typically rare and highly coveted became as ordinary and plentiful as the most common geological elements, signaling unprecedented national prosperity facilitated by God's blessing on Solomon's reign.
• "cedar trees... as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance": This parallel hyperbole reinforces the idea of super-abundance by applying it to valuable construction timber. Cedar, usually a luxury import, becoming as common as the coarse, local sycamore, signifies not only wealth but also the vast scale of Solomon's building projects, particularly the Temple, which required massive amounts of high-quality wood. The specific mention of "the vale" grounds the commonness of the sycamore in a tangible, familiar context.

2 Chronicles 1 15 Bonus section

• The description of Solomon's wealth serves as a theological statement by the Chronicler: prosperity and success are direct consequences of seeking God's wisdom and obedience, exemplified by Solomon's wise choice at Gibeon.
• This verse (and its parallels in Kings) emphasizes the unique and perhaps unrepeatable peak of Israelite wealth and influence. It marks a "golden age" often used as a benchmark in later biblical lamentations over national decline.
• The type of sycamore mentioned, Ficus sycomorus, while providing a coarser wood, was nevertheless durable and suitable for basic construction, implying that even the ordinary aspects of daily life and less opulent building were flourishing. This paints a comprehensive picture of economic well-being across different societal strata.

2 Chronicles 1 15 Commentary

2 Chronicles 1:15 provides a concise, yet profound, summation of Solomon's unparalleled material prosperity, directly linking it to God's blessing. The exaggerated comparisons (gold as stones, cedars as sycamores) are hyperbolic literary devices common in ancient Near Eastern texts to convey extreme abundance, not necessarily literal exactness. This prosperity was not an end in itself but served several purposes: it affirmed God's faithfulness to His covenant and promises, especially to David regarding his heir; it facilitated the construction of the glorious Temple, making the necessary precious materials readily available; and it demonstrated God's desire to bless His obedient people. It emphasizes that the king's riches were a divine gift, reflecting a divinely ordered society flourishing under righteous leadership.Example: Much like a modern economy might measure success by the common availability of what were once luxury goods, this verse uses the commonness of precious materials to show the complete transformation of Israel's economic state.