2 Chronicles 9 16

2 Chronicles 9:16 kjv

And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 9:16 nkjv

He also made three hundred shields of hammered gold; three hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. The king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 9:16 niv

He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three hundred shekels of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 9:16 esv

And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 9:16 nlt

He also made 300 smaller shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than 7 1?2 pounds. The king placed these shields in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.

2 Chronicles 9 verses

2 Chronicles 9 16 Meaning

2 Chronicles 9:16 details additional sources of King Solomon's immense wealth, clarifying that his immense daily intake of gold was supplemented by the continuous contributions from international merchants and traders, as well as tribute or gifts from various kings across Arabia and the appointed governors of his broader dominion. This verse emphasizes the unprecedented scale and diverse origins of the riches flowing into Solomon's kingdom, highlighting his unparalleled prosperity and widespread influence during his reign.

2 Chronicles 9 16 Context

2 Chronicles Chapter 9 chronicles the apex of King Solomon's reign, focusing intensely on his unrivaled wisdom, immense wealth, and extensive international influence, drawing from a parallel account in 1 Kings 10. The chapter opens with the Queen of Sheba's visit, astounded by Solomon's wisdom, his opulent palace, and the prosperity of his kingdom, acknowledging the extraordinary divine blessing upon him. Following this, the Chronicler shifts to detailing the sources and scale of Solomon's wealth. Verse 13 specifically states that 666 talents of gold came to Solomon in one year. Verse 14 then states, "besides that which the travelers and merchants brought, and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon." Verse 16 reiterates and confirms these additional sources, elaborating on who brought these riches and what they brought (gold and silver).

Historically, Solomon's reign (approximately 970-931 BC) marked a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity for Israel. Positioned at a vital crossroads between Africa, Asia, and Arabia, Jerusalem under Solomon became a hub for international trade. His famed wisdom also garnered diplomatic relationships and tributes from surrounding nations. This period represented the fulfillment of divine promises to David regarding his kingdom's stability and glory, although it also set the stage for later struggles stemming from Solomon's accumulation of wealth and foreign alliances, which were cautioned against in the Law (Deut 17:16-17).

2 Chronicles 9 16 Word analysis

• besides that which (לְבַד מִזֶּה, ləḇaḏ mizzeh): Meaning "apart from this," or "in addition to this." This crucial phrase emphasizes that the amount of 666 talents of gold mentioned in verse 13 was not the sum total of Solomon's income. It highlights the cumulative and extraordinary nature of his wealth, indicating a flow of riches that was even greater than the impressive sum already stated.
• the merchants (הַתָּרִים, hattārîm): Literally means "the travelers" or "those who journey." In this context, it refers to those who traveled great distances for trade, indicating well-established, long-distance international trade routes that flowed through or to Solomon's kingdom. These were the professional carriers of goods from foreign lands.
• and traders (וְהָרֹכְלִים, wəhāroḵəlîm): Means "and the sellers" or "the traffickers in merchandise." While "merchants" (הַתָּרִים) might denote larger scale, international commerce, "traders" here likely refers to general commercial activity, perhaps involving local or regional transactions as well. The two terms together (merchants and traders) encompass the entire spectrum of commercial exchange that contributed to Solomon's treasury, showcasing the vibrancy of Israel's economy under his rule.
• brought: The repetitive use of "brought" underscores the continuous and intentional influx of goods and precious metals. It's not a one-time gift but a steady stream of revenue from various sources.
• and all the kings of Arabia (וְכָל מַלְכֵי עֲרָב, wəḵōl maləḵê ʿărāḇ): Refers to the various tribal rulers and city-state kings throughout the Arabian peninsula. Known for their wealth in gold, spices, and precious stones, these kings likely presented tribute or diplomatic gifts, acknowledging Solomon's political stature or as part of advantageous trade agreements. This signifies the extensive diplomatic and political reach of Solomon's kingdom.
• and the governors of the country (וּפַחוֹת הָאָרֶץ, ûpaḥôṯ hā’āreṣ): "Paḥôṯ" (פַּחוֹת) are appointed regional administrators or provincial governors. These could be rulers of conquered or vassal territories under Solomon's suzerainty, or perhaps internal provincial administrators who collected and submitted taxes and tribute from their respective regions to the central treasury in Jerusalem. This phrase emphasizes Solomon's internal administrative control over his vast kingdom.
• brought gold and silver to Solomon: These precious metals were the primary forms of wealth and currency in the ancient world. Their consistent influx represents the sheer economic and political power Solomon commanded. Gold symbolized ultimate luxury and divine blessing, while silver was widely used for daily commerce, signifying broad prosperity. The phrase reinforces Solomon as the recipient and accumulator of this vast wealth, underscoring his kingly status and authority.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "besides that which the merchants and traders brought": This segment immediately expands the understanding of Solomon's income beyond a simple yearly total. It highlights that commercial enterprises—both long-distance import/export (merchants) and general trade (traders)—were a major, ongoing component of his economic engine. Solomon's wisdom facilitated stable and prosperous trade relations, positioning Israel as a key commercial hub.
  • "and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon": This part reveals the diplomatic and political dimensions of Solomon's wealth. "Kings of Arabia" signify tribute or gifts from sovereign rulers influenced by Solomon, underscoring his regional prestige and military might (even without direct conquest), which led to voluntary offerings or payments for alliances. "Governors of the country" points to internal taxation or tribute collected from within or bordering his direct sphere of influence, solidifying his administrative control. The unified phrase of "gold and silver" symbolizes both the lavishness of these tributes and the material foundation of Solomon's power and the glory of his kingdom. Together, these sources underscore that Solomon's reign was truly an economic powerhouse fueled by both commerce and geopolitical sway, reflecting God's unique blessing upon him as long as he remained faithful.

2 Chronicles 9 16 Bonus section

• The emphasis on wealth in 2 Chronicles, particularly chapter 9, underscores the Chronicler's theological point about God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises of blessing to Solomon, as prophesied through Nathan to David (2 Sam 7) and confirmed to Solomon at Gibeon (2 Chr 1:12). This unparalleled prosperity served as a testament to God's abundant favor when the king and nation walk in His ways.
• The mention of "Arabia" connects to the region historically rich in aromatic resins, such as frankincense and myrrh, alongside gold. This context helps explain why the "kings of Arabia" would be a significant source of valuable commodities, indicative of well-established trade routes like the famed Incense Route.
• For the Chronicler, the sheer magnitude of wealth, largely dedicated to temple-building and kingdom establishment, represents not merely personal luxury but a foundational element of a flourishing, God-ordained kingdom that provides for its worship infrastructure.
• The detail here helps illustrate the "Golden Age" of the Davidic monarchy, a time seen by later generations (especially those in exile or post-exilic times, for whom Chronicles was written) as the ideal period of prosperity and spiritual vibrancy, under a king blessed directly by God. It served as a reminder of what Israel could be when aligned with God's will.

2 Chronicles 9 16 Commentary

2 Chronicles 9:16 offers a snapshot of King Solomon's immense affluence, serving as a significant reinforcement of his unprecedented wealth described earlier in the chapter. It highlights that the regularly cited 666 talents of gold were merely one component of an astonishing, multi-faceted stream of income. The verse details three additional, major categories: direct commercial earnings from "merchants and traders," tribute from foreign rulers, specifically "all the kings of Arabia," and taxes or offerings from "governors of the country." This composite revenue stream not only supplied precious "gold and silver" to Solomon but also profoundly underscored the scale of divine blessing on his reign. This prosperity solidified Israel's position as a dominant economic and political force, drawing attention and resources from across the ancient world. While celebrating the pinnacle of Israel's earthly glory, the Chronicler's detailed enumeration of this wealth subtly contrasts with the Deuteronomic law warning kings against excessive accumulation, implicitly foreshadowing the challenges such abundance could pose to the king's heart.