2 Chronicles 9:20 kjv
And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9:20 nkjv
All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9:20 niv
All King Solomon's goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon's day.
2 Chronicles 9:20 esv
All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9:20 nlt
All of King Solomon's drinking cups were solid gold, as were all the utensils in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. They were not made of silver, for silver was considered worthless in Solomon's day!
2 Chronicles 9 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 10:21 | All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were gold, and all the articles... were of pure gold; silver was not considered valuable... | Direct parallel, emphasizing gold's abundance. |
| 1 Kgs 10:27 | The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar wood as plentiful as sycamore... | Confirms the devaluation of silver due to its abundance. |
| 2 Chron 9:21 | For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram; once every three years the ships... brought gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. | Source of Solomon's vast wealth from trade expeditions. |
| 2 Chron 9:22 | So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. | Summary statement of Solomon's preeminence. |
| 2 Chron 1:12 | ...I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as no kings have had before you, nor shall any after you have the like. | Fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 3:13 | ...And I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like you all your days. | Divine origin of Solomon's prosperity. |
| 2 Chron 8:1-6 | Details of Solomon's building projects, including his various cities and fortifications, enabled by his wealth. | Examples of Solomon's grand construction. |
| 1 Kgs 7:2 | He also built the House of the Forest of Lebanon; its length was one hundred cubits... | Description of the elaborate structure mentioned in 2 Chron 9:20. |
| Hag 2:8 | ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. | God's ultimate ownership of all material wealth. |
| Prov 10:22 | The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. | Links divine blessing to true prosperity (initially true for Solomon). |
| Deut 17:16-17 | ...He shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he multiply wives for himself... nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself. | Mosaic law warning against the accumulation of excessive royal wealth, which Solomon surpassed. |
| Matt 6:19 | Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal... | Contrast with transient earthly wealth. |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which plunge men into destruction... for the love of money is a root of all evil. | Warning about the spiritual dangers of vast wealth, a potential pitfall for Solomon. |
| Lk 12:15 | Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. | Focus on the true nature of life beyond material possessions. |
| Prov 23:5 | Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. | Fleeting nature of earthly riches. |
| Rev 21:18, 21 | The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass... And the twelve gates were twelve pearls... | Heavenly Jerusalem's surpassing glory, where even ordinary streets are pure gold, highlighting ultimate divine wealth. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | ...that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes... | Spiritual value (faith) exceeds even the most precious earthly substance. |
| Jas 5:3 | Your gold and silver are corroded... It will eat your flesh like fire. | Judgment against riches hoarded unrighteously. |
| Jn 18:36 | Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight...” | Contrast between earthly kingdoms of wealth and Christ's spiritual kingdom. |
| 2 Cor 8:9 | For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. | The ultimate spiritual riches brought by Christ's sacrifice, surpassing any earthly glory. |
| Eph 1:18 | ...what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints... | The incomparable spiritual riches of believers in Christ. |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 20 Meaning
This verse underscores the extraordinary and unprecedented wealth of King Solomon. It details that not only his personal drinking vessels but also all the vessels within the grand "House of the Forest of Lebanon" were made exclusively of gold, often of the highest purity. The sheer abundance of this precious metal was so immense that silver was deemed worthless or insignificant during his reign, highlighting a period of unparalleled opulence and prosperity in ancient Israel.
2 Chronicles 9 20 Context
This verse is situated within a lengthy description of King Solomon's immense wealth, wisdom, and unparalleled glory as presented in 2 Chronicles chapter 9, which closely parallels 1 Kings chapter 10. The Chronicler's purpose in detailing such splendor is to emphasize the high point of Israel's history under God's chosen king. Solomon's reign represents a period of peace, prosperity, and divine favor, largely due to his wisdom, which God granted him. This specific verse highlights the extravagant luxury, demonstrating how plentiful gold had become, rendering silver nearly valueless in daily use. Historically, this opulence was enabled by Solomon's extensive trade networks, particularly his fleet operating from Ezion-Geber that brought back precious materials from regions like Ophir. The "House of the Forest of Lebanon" was one of Solomon's magnificent architectural feats, named for its extensive use of cedar from Lebanon and perhaps its numerous pillars resembling a forest, functioning as an armory, treasury, or royal reception hall. The chronicler emphasizes this as a manifestation of God's blessing and a reflection of the unique honor bestowed upon Solomon among all the kings of the earth.
2 Chronicles 9 20 Word analysis
- And all the drinking vessels: (כלי שתי, keley shātî). These are not merely ceremonial vessels for special occasions but include everyday items for refreshment, highlighting the pervasive nature of luxury in Solomon's court. This detail emphasizes that gold was not just for public display but was integrated into daily life.
- of king Solomon: Refers directly to the ruler whom God had uniquely blessed with wisdom and prosperity. Solomon's personal domain reflected this divine favor.
- were of gold: Signifies the immense abundance and availability of this precious metal, setting a standard of luxury that surpassed any contemporary monarch. Gold symbolized royalty, wealth, and purity in ancient Near Eastern cultures.
- and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon: (בית יער הלבנון, beit ya'ar haL'vanon). This refers to a magnificent palace or armory Solomon built. Its name likely came from the vast amount of Lebanese cedar used in its construction, resembling a dense forest due to its many pillars. It was part of Solomon's grand royal complex in Jerusalem (along with the temple and his palace). The fact that even vessels in this auxiliary royal building were pure gold speaks volumes of the extravagance.
- were of pure gold: (זהב סגור, zahav sagûr - lit. "sealed gold" or "refined gold"). This denotes the highest quality, most refined gold, free from impurities. It points to meticulous craftsmanship and a complete disregard for cost, valuing only the most exquisite materials.
- none were of silver: (אין כסף, 'ein keseph - lit. "no silver"). A definitive and striking statement. This is not just a preference but an absolute exclusion, dramatically illustrating the overwhelming prevalence of gold.
- it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon: (נחשב לא מאומה, nechshav lo m'ûmāh - "it was reckoned as nothing"). This hyperbole accentuates the sheer volume of gold that flooded Jerusalem. Silver, typically a valuable metal used for currency, jewelry, and vessels, was so ubiquitous during Solomon's reign that it lost its economic and perceived value, being as common as stones (1 Kgs 10:27). This indicates an unprecedented level of prosperity that transformed societal standards of value.
- "drinking vessels of king Solomon" and "vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon": This grouping emphasizes the dual aspect of Solomon's golden age – personal luxury combined with the grandeur of his state-sponsored edifices. It showcases wealth permeating both the private and public spheres of the king's influence.
- "pure gold: none were of silver; it was nothing accounted of": This powerful tripartite statement creates a climax of the description of Solomon's riches. It moves from specific material quality ("pure gold") to an emphatic exclusion ("none were of silver") and culminates in the consequence of such abundance ("nothing accounted of"), firmly establishing the peak of Israel's material glory under Solomon's reign. This reflects God's fulfillment of His promise to Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9 20 Bonus section
The Chronicler's emphasis on Solomon's material glory in such detail serves several purposes. It glorifies God for fulfilling His covenant promises to David and Solomon, showing the peak of God's favor to Israel. It also provided a theological framework for post-exilic Judah, reminding them of God's past blessings and a potential future if they remained faithful. The explicit mention of silver being "nothing accounted of" acts as a form of ancient Near Eastern hyperbole, intended to profoundly impress the reader with the vastness of Solomon's treasury and influence. It sets a benchmark of wealth against which no other ruler could compare. The "House of the Forest of Lebanon" likely also housed 200 large gold shields and 300 smaller ones mentioned in previous verses (2 Chron 9:15-16), further reinforcing its status as a significant depository of royal wealth. This unprecedented abundance of gold and devaluing of silver indicates an economy thoroughly transformed by Solomon's extensive trade and tribute, elevating Jerusalem to a center of global commerce and influence at the time.
2 Chronicles 9 20 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:20 powerfully illustrates the peak of Solomon's material splendor, which was a direct fulfillment of God's promise to grant him unmatched riches. The exclusive use of gold for everyday and auxiliary vessels, coupled with silver's complete devaluation, highlights a period of unparalleled prosperity and peace for Israel under Solomon. This level of opulence reflected the abundant blessings of God upon His chosen king, showcasing Israel as a prominent and favored nation in the ancient world. However, this profound material blessing also serves as a subtle foreshadowing of potential pitfalls; the accumulation of immense wealth often came with temptations towards self-reliance, compromise, and a departure from the humble reliance on God. While this verse celebrates the glory, it implicitly prompts reflection on the transient nature of earthly riches compared to eternal spiritual treasures and the potential for God's blessings to become a snare if not stewarded faithfully.