2 Chronicles 9:11 kjv
And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD, and to the king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.
2 Chronicles 9:11 nkjv
And the king made walkways of the algum wood for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers; and there were none such as these seen before in the land of Judah.
2 Chronicles 9:11 niv
The king used the algumwood to make steps for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. Nothing like them had ever been seen in Judah.)
2 Chronicles 9:11 esv
And the king made from the algum wood supports for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, lyres also and harps for the singers. There never was seen the like of them before in the land of Judah.
2 Chronicles 9:11 nlt
The king used the sandalwood to make steps for the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and to construct lyres and harps for the musicians. Never before had such beautiful things been seen in Judah.)
2 Chronicles 9 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 10:11-12 | "And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones. And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers:..." | Parallel account, source of the wood, uses "almug". |
| 2 Chr 9:10 | "And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought almug trees and precious stones." | Immediately preceding verse, source of the wood. |
| 2 Chr 2:8-9 | "Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon... for the house which I am about to build is wonderful great." | Solomon requests valuable wood for the Temple. |
| 1 Chr 22:5 | "Now David said, ‘Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands.’" | Preparation for Temple grandeur. |
| 1 Kgs 10:23-24 | "So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon..." | Solomon's unparalleled wealth and wisdom. |
| 2 Chr 9:22 | "So King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom." | Reiterates Solomon's preeminence. |
| Isa 60:13 | "The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary..." | Prophetic vision of future Temple beauty. |
| Ezek 27:24 | "These were your traders in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of various colors, in strong woven cords, in your marketplace." | Examples of precious materials and craftsmanship. |
| Ps 150:3-5 | "Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with the harp and lyre! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with stringed instruments and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals..." | Emphasis on musical instruments in worship. |
| Ezra 3:10 | "And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel." | Continuation of music in Temple service. |
| 1 Chr 25:1 | "Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals." | Levites dedicated to music for worship. |
| Hag 2:7 | "and I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts." | Promise of a future Temple filled with glory. |
| Rev 21:26 | "They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it." | Future heavenly city with glorious offerings. |
| Acts 7:47-48 | "But Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands; as the prophet says:..." | Distinction between physical temple and God's true dwelling. |
| Matt 6:19-20 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Contrast with earthly, temporary riches. |
| 1 Chr 29:2-3 | "With all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the gold work, the silver for the silver, the bronze for the bronze, the iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, onyx stones and stones for setting..." | David's abundant provision for the Temple materials. |
| Prov 8:10-11 | "Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her." | Value of wisdom over material riches. |
| 1 Kgs 7:12 | "And the great court all around had three courses of hewn stones and a course of cedar beams, like the inner court of the house of the LORD and the porch of the house." | Description of Solomon's construction methods. |
| Ps 29:2 | "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." | Worship with excellence and splendor. |
| Rom 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Spiritual sacrifice replacing material temple. |
| Exod 25:3-7 | "This is the contribution that you shall accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair, tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones..." | God's instruction for rich materials for the Tabernacle. |
| Isa 54:11-12 | "O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires... and all your borders of pleasant stones." | Prophetic description of a future glorious Jerusalem. |
| Rev 21:19-21 | "The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire... And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass." | The incomparable glory of the New Jerusalem. |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 11 Meaning
2 Chronicles 9:11 details a specific aspect of King Solomon's immense wealth and elaborate building projects. It highlights the use of rare and precious algum wood, imported from Ophir, for constructing terraced approaches to the Temple and the royal palace, and for crafting harps and psalteries for the Temple singers. The verse emphasizes that such splendid materials and craftsmanship had never been seen before in the land of Judah, underscoring the unparalleled nature of Solomon's reign and divine favor upon him.
2 Chronicles 9 11 Context
2 Chronicles Chapter 9 vividly portrays the apex of King Solomon's reign, emphasizing his extraordinary wisdom, boundless wealth, and widespread international recognition. The chapter begins with the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who, after witnessing Solomon's splendor and hearing his wisdom, confirms the widespread reports of his greatness, declaring "the half was not told me" (2 Chr 9:5). This verse (9:11) falls within a broader description of the incredible resources Solomon accumulated and utilized for his grand building projects and the ornamentation of his kingdom. It immediately follows the mention of Hiram's ships bringing large quantities of gold, algum wood, and precious stones from Ophir. The use of such exotic and expensive materials underscores the unparalleled luxury and grandeur of Solomon's era, highlighting that even his everyday utensils and structures were made of gold (2 Chr 9:20), indicating a level of affluence unmatched in Judah's history. The verse sets the stage for a period of immense prosperity and peace under a divinely favored monarch.
2 Chronicles 9 11 Word analysis
- And the king: Refers specifically to King Solomon, whose reign is the focus of this narrative, epitomizing the height of Israel's wealth and wisdom.
- made: Indicates active construction, design, and craftsmanship, emphasizing Solomon's vast projects and the labor force at his disposal.
- of the algum trees: The Hebrew word is 'almuggim (אַלְמוּגִּים), also referred to as "almug trees" in the parallel account of 1 Kings 10:11-12. These were exotic, fragrant wood, highly prized and rare. They are thought to be a type of sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) or similar red, precious wood from distant lands like Ophir, associated with richness and durability. Its rarity signified great expense and prestige.
- terraces: The Hebrew word is mis'adot (מִסְעָדֹת), often translated as "stairs," "supports," "walkways," or "balustrades." This term implies structured architectural elements, possibly grand staircases or ramps leading up to significant buildings, or support beams for terraced gardens/approaches. It speaks of grand, functional, and decorative construction.
- to the house of the LORD: Refers to the magnificent Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. This was the spiritual and architectural center of the nation, and its embellishment signified devotion and glorification of God.
- and to the king's palace: Points to Solomon's own royal residence, emphasizing that the opulence extended beyond the sacred structure to his personal dwelling, reflecting his kingly splendor and wealth.
- and harps: Hebrew: n'valim (נְבָלִים), a stringed instrument, likely a lute or a type of harp with a resonator at the bottom.
- and psalteries: Hebrew: kinnorot (כִּנֹּרוֹת), another stringed instrument, commonly identified as a lyre, more often associated with smaller, portable string instruments used for singing and worship.
- for singers: These instruments were specifically made for the Levites who served as musicians in the Temple, underscoring the importance of music and worship in Solomon's reign and the elaborate provisions made for sacred service.
- and there were none such seen before: This phrase emphasizes the unprecedented nature of this wealth and craftsmanship. It highlights the uniqueness and unparalleled glory of Solomon's era in Israel's history.
- in the land of Judah: Specifically indicates the territorial bounds where this unparalleled splendor was observed, emphasizing its impact on the Israelite kingdom.
2 Chronicles 9 11 Bonus section
The mention of "algum trees" alongside "gold from Ophir" connects Solomon's kingdom directly to the global trade networks of the ancient world. Ophir was a legendary land known for its vast gold reserves, located potentially in Arabia, East Africa, or even India. The difficulty and expense of importing such materials further accentuates the immense wealth at Solomon's disposal. This global acquisition of resources allowed Solomon not only to build physical structures of immense grandeur but also to equip his kingdom, including the Levitical musical guilds, with instruments crafted from the finest, rarest materials. This elevated the aesthetic and audible worship experience, turning it into a truly magnificent offering. While such wealth demonstrated divine favor and wisdom in administration, it also set a precedent of material extravagance that later kings would struggle to maintain, contributing to a broader narrative within Kings and Chronicles about the fleeting nature of earthly glory when faith wavers.
2 Chronicles 9 11 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:11 serves as a snapshot of Solomon's peak, a golden age for Israel under a divinely endowed king. The exotic "algum trees," brought from distant Ophir, signify the vast international reach and commercial prowess of Solomon's kingdom. The application of this rare wood, not just for the holy Temple, but also for the King's personal palace, reveals a deliberate investment in both sacred and secular splendor. This balance highlights Solomon's role as both the builder of God's house and the earthly ruler, living in unparalleled luxury that mirrored his dedication to God's glory in the Temple. Furthermore, the dedication of such precious materials to create harps and psalteries "for singers" underscores the profound emphasis on music and artistic excellence within Temple worship during Solomon's time. This was not merely utilitarian; it was about adorning worship with beauty and unparalleled skill. The final clause, "none such seen before in the land of Judah," acts as a conclusive statement on the unparalleled nature of Solomon's reign, marking it as a unique period of prosperity, peace, and spiritual focus (despite later failings). It symbolizes divine blessing made manifest in abundant provision and magnificent artistry dedicated to God and King.