2 Chronicles 9 25

2 Chronicles 9:25 kjv

And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 9:25 nkjv

Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 9:25 niv

Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 9:25 esv

And Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 9:25 nlt

Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his horses and chariots, and he had 12,000 horses. He stationed some of them in the chariot cities, and some near him in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 9 verses

2 Chronicles 9 25 Meaning

This verse describes the immense scale of King Solomon's military infrastructure, specifically his vast array of horse and chariot forces. It highlights the unprecedented prosperity and power of his kingdom, demonstrating his wealth and strategic capabilities. The passage illustrates the zenith of Solomon's earthly dominion, showcasing a monarch whose resources allowed for extensive military readiness, spread across specialized cities and centered in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 9 25 Context

2 Chronicles Chapter 9 describes the peak of Solomon's reign, emphasizing his extraordinary wisdom, wealth, and international renown, particularly through the visit of the Queen of Sheba. The Chronicler meticulously details the splendor of Solomon's kingdom, his vast resources, and his administrative efficiency, all presented as direct results of God's blessing due to his early obedience and the building of the Temple. This verse, in particular, illustrates the sheer magnitude of Solomon's military infrastructure—a key indicator of his kingdom's stability and power in the ancient Near East. The Chronicler’s narrative, written after the exile, highlights these glories to encourage the post-exilic community about God’s faithfulness in blessing those who adhere to His covenant, while also subtly showing potential areas where human power could supersede reliance on God.

2 Chronicles 9 25 Word analysis

• And Solomon: U-Shlomo (וּשְׁלֹמֹה). The Hebrew name Shlomo (שלמה) means "peaceful" or "peace-giver," which ironically contrasts with the immense military power described, yet his reign was indeed a time of peace facilitated by such might.
• had: The verb here implies possession and active deployment/maintenance. It signifies Solomon's agency and control over these vast resources.
• four thousand stalls: The Hebrew ʾurvot (אֻרְווֹת) refers to stables or enclosures for animals, specifically horses. This number is unique to 2 Chronicles compared to 1 Kings 4:26 ("forty thousand stalls") or 1 Kings 10:26 ("fourteen hundred chariots"). The Chronicler may be emphasizing the number of enclosures rather than individual animals, or focusing on the general magnitude, or there may be textual transmission variations, but the overall impression of vastness remains consistent across accounts. The figure "four thousand" in 2 Chronicles may refer specifically to stall complexes or stable units, perhaps different from the way Kings accounts for horse populations or individual chariots.
• for horses and chariots: Horses were essential for chariot warfare and cavalry in the ancient world, representing peak military technology and power. Chariots were fast, heavily armed platforms used for shock assaults. The presence of both signifies a comprehensive and modern army for that era.
• and twelve thousand horsemen: U-shneym ʿaśār ʾelef pārāshım (וּשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר אֶלֶף פָּרָשִׁים). These were mounted warriors, skilled in horsemanship and combat. This significant number indicates a formidable standing army.
• which he placed: Denotes deliberate, strategic deployment by Solomon. It highlights his organizational and administrative skills in maintaining such a massive military establishment.
• in the chariot cities: Cities specifically built or designated to house Solomon’s vast military assets. These were strategic locations, often fortified, along trade routes or at key defensive points, indicating a network of military readiness throughout his kingdom.
• and with the king at Jerusalem: This signifies the concentration of some forces directly in the capital, under Solomon’s immediate command, underscoring both security and the centralized power of his rule. It implies a formidable standing army in the royal city itself.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen": This phrase paints a picture of staggering military capacity. The sheer numbers reflect not only the wealth required to acquire and maintain such forces but also the widespread peace and security achieved under Solomon’s rule, a testament to God's blessing. However, it also brings into tension the Mosaic command in Deut 17:16, which cautioned kings against multiplying horses.
• "which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem": This segment reveals Solomon's sophisticated military logistics and territorial control. It shows an empire-level organization, with military assets strategically distributed across the land to project power and maintain order, yet a significant force remained directly at the core of his rule in Jerusalem. This logistical strength allowed for swift responses and maintained his authority throughout the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 9 25 Bonus section

The Chronicler's primary purpose was to encourage the post-exilic community by highlighting the blessings that came through obedience to God and proper worship, particularly through the lineage of David and the temple. In this context, Solomon's extraordinary wealth and military power (including his cavalry and chariots) served as a powerful example of divine blessing. The vast resources mentioned demonstrate the zenith of Judah's potential under God's favor. The varying numbers between 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles regarding Solomon's horses and stalls (e.g., 4,000 in 2 Chr 9:25 vs. 40,000 in 1 Kgs 4:26 or 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen in 1 Kgs 10:26 // 2 Chr 1:14) have been a point of scholarly discussion. Some propose scribal variations, different methods of counting (e.g., individual animals versus stable units), or a focus on the effective deployment rather than the total count. Regardless of the exact number, all accounts underscore that Solomon possessed an incredibly large and advanced military, unparalleled in his time, making him a dominant force whose wealth allowed for such a formidable display.

2 Chronicles 9 25 Commentary

2 Chronicles 9:25 vividly portrays the grandeur and military strength of King Solomon's kingdom. At this point, Solomon's reign is depicted as the epitome of prosperity and might, a direct fulfillment of God's promise to bless those who walk in His ways. The immense number of stalls, horses, and horsemen reflects not only immense wealth derived from tribute and trade but also a sophisticated logistical and military apparatus. This allowed Solomon to maintain widespread peace and secure his vast kingdom, enabling the era of unparalleled national flourishing. While seemingly a testament to Solomon's glory, this detail subtly introduces a point of tension when viewed through the lens of Deuteronomic law (Deut 17:16). God had explicitly warned future kings against accumulating excessive horses, silver, and wives, fearing they would lead the king to rely on human might and worldly desires rather than God. Solomon, in his pursuit of greatness, amassed all three. Thus, the Chronicler's presentation, while celebratory of God's blessing, might also contain an implicit commentary, reminding the reader that even great blessings can tempt kings to stray from their true source of power: the Lord Himself.