2 Chronicles 9 22

2 Chronicles 9:22 kjv

And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:22 nkjv

So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:22 niv

King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth.

2 Chronicles 9:22 esv

Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:22 nlt

So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth.

2 Chronicles 9 verses

2 Chronicles 9 22 Meaning

King Solomon's preeminence above all other kings on earth in both riches and wisdom was an unprecedented divine blessing and a direct fulfillment of God's promises. It marked a zenith of national prosperity and global influence for the kingdom of Israel under God's favor, demonstrating His abundant provision and unique endowment upon a chosen leader who had sought His wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9 22 Context

This verse (2 Chronicles 9:22) is a declarative summary statement within the account of King Solomon's reign, marking the absolute peak of his prosperity and influence before his death is recorded in the following verses.

Verse Context: Immediately preceding this verse, 2 Chronicles 9 details the incredible extent of Solomon's wealth—the vast quantities of gold, the gold shields, the elaborate ivory throne overlaid with gold, and his vast fleet bringing exotic goods. Verse 22 acts as a powerful conclusion to this description, asserting his global supremacy in both riches and wisdom as a direct result of God's favor.

Chapter Context: Chapter 9 of 2 Chronicles comprehensively showcases Solomon's unparalleled greatness. It opens with the Queen of Sheba's visit, which explicitly tests and confirms his immense wisdom and the glorious state of his kingdom. It then proceeds to detail the staggering tributes received, the massive amounts of gold and silver accumulated, and his thriving international trade. The chapter systematically presents evidence of the wealth and wisdom Solomon acquired, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promise.

Historical/Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, kings were often judged by their power, manifest in their wealth, military might, and the wisdom of their rule. Solomon's description here aligns with and vastly exceeds typical portrayals of great kings. Unlike many pagan kings who claimed divine attributes or attributed their success to their own strength or local deities, the Chronicler consistently attributes Solomon's extraordinary status directly to Yahweh's blessing. This narrative emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant with David, establishing the Israelite monarchy as uniquely blessed when aligned with divine will, serving as a model of the potential glory of theocratic kingship.

2 Chronicles 9 22 Word analysis

• So: Implies a consequence, following the detailed descriptions of his wisdom and wealth (in chapter 9, verses 1-21), presenting this verse as the conclusion derived from all that was stated.
• King Solomon: Identifies the specific ruler. Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shlomo) means "peace" or "complete," an ironic name considering his eventual apostasy, but indicative of the period of peace and prosperity under his early reign. He was the son and successor of David, chosen by God to build the Temple.
• exceeded: Hebrew גָּדַל (gadal), meaning "to be great," "to become large," "to grow," "to be magnificent." Here, it signifies surpassing others, implying not just growth but overwhelming superiority. This word emphasizes that Solomon did not merely have great wealth and wisdom, but he actively surpassed all others in these qualities. It denotes a continuous state of becoming greater, divinely enabled.
• all the kings of the earth: A sweeping, hyperbolic declaration of global supremacy. This isn't merely the kings of the known neighboring kingdoms, but literally "kings of the entire land/world" (כָּל־מַלְכֵי הָאָרֶץ, kol-malchei ha'aretz), asserting that his status was unmatched by any earthly sovereign at that time. It underscores the unparalleled nature of God's blessing.
• in riches: Hebrew בְּעֹשֶׁר (b'osher), "in wealth" or "abundance." This refers to material prosperity, specifically gold, silver, precious stones, exotic woods, and tribute from numerous nations. The Chronicler emphasizes that this wealth was not simply accumulated through human endeavor but divinely provided and a sign of blessing.
• and wisdom: Hebrew וְחָכְמָה (v'chokhmah), "and discernment," "skill," "insight," "practical knowledge." This is not merely intellectual capacity but divine understanding for governance, judicial decisions, architectural planning, and a deep understanding of God's creation, allowing him to answer complex questions and make sound judgments. It was a gift from God requested by Solomon himself, distinguishing it from ordinary human sagacity.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "So King Solomon exceeded": Highlights divine empowerment rather than purely human achievement. His greatness was ordained and enabled by God. This emphasizes the Chronicler's theological perspective: blessings stem from divine favor.
  • "all the kings of the earth": Sets an absolute standard of his unique position. It paints a picture of Israel's king as a universal ruler, albeit in influence rather than direct empire over the entire globe, foreshadowing a more perfect Messianic King. This broad comparison emphasizes the extraordinary nature of his divine endowment.
  • "in riches and wisdom": These two aspects were directly linked in God's promise to Solomon (1 Kgs 3:13, 2 Chr 1:12). They represent a comprehensive fulfillment of a blessed life under God – both material provision and intellectual/spiritual understanding. While valuable, both were temporary and, as Kings records, became sources of temptation for Solomon himself. The pairing signifies both practical power and insightful governance, essential for a prosperous and stable kingdom.

2 Chronicles 9 22 Bonus section

The Chronicler's intense focus on Solomon's unparalleled wealth and wisdom, in contrast to his selective downplaying of Solomon's moral failings, serves a specific theological purpose: to highlight what an ideal, divinely blessed kingship could look like for the returned exiles. It presented a blueprint for what happens when a ruler seeks God first, aiming to inspire faithfulness among the post-exilic community. While his prosperity was genuine, the scale of it also created vulnerabilities, showing that even good gifts, if not guarded, can lead away from dependence on the Giver. The "riches and wisdom" ultimately point beyond Solomon to the true source of all such blessings—God Himself—and the One who perfectly embodies them—the Lord Jesus Christ, who possesses all divine wisdom and offers the true eternal wealth of His kingdom. This verse serves not just as a historical record, but as a testament to God's power to raise up and bless according to His purposes.

2 Chronicles 9 22 Commentary

2 Chronicles 9:22 stands as the definitive summary statement regarding Solomon's reign, articulating his zenith of influence and prosperity. The Chronicler stresses that Solomon's unparalleled position among "all the kings of the earth" in "riches and wisdom" was not due to inherent human genius or mere geopolitical circumstance, but directly attributed to God's hand. This emphasis aligns perfectly with the Chronicler's broader theological agenda: divine blessing follows faithfulness, and national prosperity is contingent upon God's favor.

Solomon’s request for wisdom at Gibeon (2 Chr 1) and God’s subsequent grant of both wisdom and unasked-for wealth forms the foundational promise. This verse declares the magnificent realization of that promise. His wisdom, evinced by the Queen of Sheba's astonishment and his administrative capabilities, provided the means to manage and grow his immense wealth. His riches, meanwhile, signified God's abundant provision and his kingdom's standing as a world power.

However, beneath this glowing account, a crucial biblical principle applies: even divinely given blessings can become temptations if not carefully managed within God's boundaries. While 2 Chronicles is less critical of Solomon than Kings, the sheer scale of his wealth and wisdom subtly alludes to potential excesses that ultimately led to his spiritual decline (e.g., multiplication of horses, silver/gold, and foreign wives, all forbidden to a king in Deut 17).

Ultimately, Solomon's preeminence, as magnificent as it was, served as an earthly foreshadowing of a far greater king and a richer, truer wisdom found in Christ (Matt 12:42; Col 2:3). Solomon's earthly kingdom was a type of the perfect spiritual kingdom to come, and his wisdom, though unparalleled for a human, pales in comparison to the incarnate Wisdom of God Himself. For believers, this verse underscores God's ability and willingness to bless His faithful, but also the continuous need for humble dependence on Him, for true and lasting wisdom.