2 Chronicles 9:28 kjv
And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.
2 Chronicles 9:28 nkjv
And they brought horses to Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.
2 Chronicles 9:28 niv
Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from all other countries.
2 Chronicles 9:28 esv
And horses were imported for Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.
2 Chronicles 9:28 nlt
Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and many other countries.
2 Chronicles 9 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 17:16 | "He must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more..." | God's command to kings not to multiply horses or rely on Egypt. |
| 1 Kgs 4:26 | "Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses..." | Parallels Solomon's large number of horses/stalls. |
| 1 Kgs 10:28-29 | "Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and Kue..." | Direct parallel to 2 Chron 9:28. |
| Deut 20:1 | "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God will be with you..." | Warning against trusting in military might, like horses. |
| Ps 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." | Reliance on God, not earthly power or military. |
| Ps 33:17 | "A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save." | Futility of trusting in horse-power for salvation. |
| Isa 2:7 | "Their land is full of horses; their chariots are without number." | A lament against reliance on military strength. |
| Isa 31:1 | "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many..." | Direct prophecy against relying on Egypt and horses. |
| Hos 14:3 | "Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount horses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made..." | Rejection of foreign alliances and military reliance. |
| Ezra 1:6 | "And all their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock and with valuable gifts, in addition to all that was freely offered." | Gifts and assistance in returning, mirroring Solomon's receipt. |
| Ezek 17:15 | "But he rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt to get horses and a large army." | Rebelling by seeking help from Egypt and horses. |
| Hag 2:8 | "The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty." | God's sovereignty over all material wealth. |
| Zech 1:8 | "I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and he was standing among the myrtle trees..." | Horses as symbolic elements in divine judgment. |
| Matt 6:19-20 | "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." | Spiritual warning against earthly accumulation. |
| Luke 12:15 | "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." | Caution against the pursuit of wealth. |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith..." | Dangers of material pursuits and their impact on faith. |
| Jas 4:13-16 | "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city and spend a year there...' instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'" | Emphasizes God's sovereignty over human plans and achievements. |
| Rev 6:2-8 | "I looked, and there before me was a white horse!... Then another horse came out, a fiery red one... I looked, and there before me was a black horse!... I looked, and there before me was a pale horse!" | Horses symbolizing judgments and worldly powers in prophetic context. |
| Judg 1:19 | "The LORD was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the people living in the plains, because they had iron chariots." | Limitation of human strength, even with chariots/horses. |
| Jer 12:5 | "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?" | Figurative use of horses to denote overwhelming challenges. |
| Mic 5:10 | "In that day,' declares the LORD, 'I will destroy your horses and demolish your chariots.'" | Future judgment upon military reliance. |
| Prov 21:31 | "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD." | Final victory comes from the Lord, not military might. |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 28 Meaning
2 Chronicles 9:28 describes King Solomon's extensive acquisition of horses, specifically mentioning their origin from Egypt and various other nations. This verse highlights his vast wealth, strategic military power, and far-reaching trade networks during the peak of his reign. However, when viewed through the lens of divine instruction, it also subtly points to his non-compliance with God's commands for a king regarding the multiplication of horses and reliance on worldly strength.
2 Chronicles 9 28 Context
Chapter 9 of 2 Chronicles, alongside its parallel in 1 Kings 10, extensively details the grandeur, wisdom, and unprecedented wealth of King Solomon. This chapter follows the account of the Queen of Sheba's visit, which served to confirm the worldwide reputation of Solomon's wisdom and riches. The verses leading up to 2 Chron 9:28 (vv. 22-27) specifically itemize the extent of his dominion, the annual tribute received, and the massive amounts of gold, silver, and precious goods flowing into his treasury. The acquisition of horses is presented as another testament to his imperial prosperity and might, consistent with the description of a golden age for Israel under Solomon. However, the Chronicler's narrative, while often more favorably inclined towards Davidic kings and the Temple than Kings, still subtly prepares the informed reader for the implications of Solomon's choices, particularly concerning the Deuteronomic law.
2 Chronicles 9 28 Word analysis
- And they brought: Hebrew: וּמוֹצִיאִים (ūmōṣî’îm), a Piel participle, meaning "and bringing out" or "those who brought out." This indicates ongoing activity, perhaps by Solomon's own agents, merchants, or tribute from vassal states. It emphasizes active procurement. The Piel stem often conveys intensive or causative action, highlighting Solomon's direct involvement in orchestrating this acquisition.
- horses: Hebrew: סוּסִים (sūsîm). Horses were immensely valuable assets in the ancient world, representing military power, transportation, and luxury. A powerful cavalry and chariot force was essential for asserting and maintaining dominance. Their presence signifies strategic strength. The very mention immediately brings to mind the Deuteronomic prohibition.
- for Solomon: This directly specifies the recipient and purpose of the acquisition, emphasizing the king's central role and accumulation of resources. It denotes personal ownership and use for royal endeavors.
- out of Egypt: Hebrew: מִמִּצְרַיִם (mimmiṣrayim). Egypt was renowned in the ancient Near East as a prime source of high-quality horses and chariots. Their horse-breeding and chariotry were superior. However, this explicit sourcing from Egypt directly violates a specific divine command in Deut 17:16 for Israel's kings, instructing them "not to acquire great numbers of horses for themselves or make the people return to Egypt to get more." This is a key point of contention and implicitly casts a shadow on Solomon's apparent success.
- and out of all lands: Hebrew: וּמִכֹּל הָאֲרָצוֹת (ūmikol hā’ărāṣōwt). This phrase extends the scope beyond Egypt, indicating that Solomon's reach and influence were global, attracting horses and tribute from diverse nations. It underscores the vastness of his economic and political power.
- words-group: "they brought horses for Solomon out of Egypt": This phrase details Solomon's direct defiance of a clear divine mandate (Deut 17:16). While outwardly signifying immense prosperity and strategic might, it signifies a theological failure – the king putting his trust in chariots and horses (human power and resources) rather than solely in the Lord who gives victory.
- words-group: "out of Egypt, and out of all lands": This emphasizes the sheer scale of Solomon's accumulation and his global trading network. It implies extensive treaties, trade routes, and perhaps even military dominance over these lands, but also reiterates the specific forbidden source (Egypt), amplifying the gravity of his actions from a divine perspective.
2 Chronicles 9 28 Bonus section
The Chronicler, in his narrative, generally presents Solomon more favorably, often emphasizing the construction of the Temple and his adherence to the worship of the Lord. Yet, even within this generally positive portrayal, the inclusion of details like Solomon's vast horse acquisition (echoing 1 Kings 10:28-29) implicitly allows the informed reader to grasp the king's growing departure from divine commands. Unlike the author of Kings, the Chronicler does not explicitly state that Solomon "multiplied horses," but by listing them as coming "out of Egypt, and out of all lands," the Deuteronomic warning becomes clear without overt condemnation. This subtlety suggests a theological message embedded within the historical description – that even divinely blessed prosperity can lead to a king's over-reliance on material strength rather than the covenant God. Solomon’s choice to accumulate military power, a choice common to other ANE rulers, put him squarely in conflict with Israel's unique calling to rely solely on Yahweh.
2 Chronicles 9 28 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:28 encapsulates the outward glory and extensive reach of Solomon's reign, showcasing his unrivaled wealth and power, especially in acquiring a multitude of horses. On the surface, it portrays the epitome of a successful monarch building a strong kingdom. However, this verse carries significant theological weight due to its direct conflict with the "law of the king" in Deuteronomy 17:16. God commanded kings not to multiply horses, specifically to avoid returning to Egypt for them, as this symbolized a reliance on foreign alliances and military might rather than on the Lord for security and strength. Solomon's acquisition of horses from Egypt and "all lands" is presented factually but stands as an implicit indictment, highlighting his deviation from God's intended blueprint for kingship. His action, though making him a formidable leader by human standards, sowed seeds of distrust and reliance on worldly provisions, which would ultimately contribute to his kingdom's spiritual decline and division. This verse serves as a crucial theological comment on the danger of unchecked ambition and the illusion of self-sufficiency.