2 Chronicles 9:30 kjv
And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
2 Chronicles 9:30 nkjv
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
2 Chronicles 9:30 niv
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
2 Chronicles 9:30 esv
Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
2 Chronicles 9:30 nlt
Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.
2 Chronicles 9 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 11:42 | "And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years." | Direct parallel in Kings |
| 1 Chr 29:27 | "David reigned over Israel forty years." | David's parallel long reign |
| Acts 13:21 | "Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul...forty years." | Another 40-year reign duration |
| Judg 3:11 | "So the land had rest forty years." | Symbolic period of peace/rest |
| 1 Kgs 4:20-21 | "...Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand...dwelt securely...Solomon ruled over all kingdoms..." | Extent of Solomon's dominion/prosperity |
| 1 Kgs 4:25 | "And Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and under his fig tree..." | Symbol of peace and prosperity |
| Psa 72:8 | "May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!" | Messianic psalm, applicable to Solomon's rule |
| Zech 9:10 | "...he shall speak peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea..." | Future messianic peace/dominion |
| Psa 72:7 | "In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!" | Description of a prosperous kingly reign |
| 2 Sam 7:12-13 | "...I will raise up your offspring...and I will establish his kingdom." | God's covenant with David about his heir |
| 2 Sam 7:16 | "Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me." | Promise of enduring Davidic dynasty |
| 1 Kgs 3:7-9 | "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil..." | Solomon's request for wisdom to govern |
| 2 Chr 1:1, 12 | "...the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great...I will give you wisdom and knowledge..." | God's blessing and enabling of Solomon |
| 2 Chr 9:26 | "He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt." | Reinforces geographical scope and power |
| 1 Kgs 10:23-24 | "Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom." | Summary of his unmatched greatness |
| 2 Chr 2:1-2 | "Solomon determined to build a temple for the name of the Lord and a royal palace for himself." | Highlights the central act of his reign, building God's house |
| Psa 122:3-4 | "Jerusalem, built as a city that is bound firmly together...tribes go up..." | Significance of Jerusalem as a united capital |
| Matt 1:6 | "...and Jesse the father of King David. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah." | Solomon in lineage of Christ |
| Matt 12:42 | "The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation...for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon..." | Recognition of Solomon's global fame |
| Lk 1:32-33 | "He will be great...the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever..." | Ultimate fulfillment of Davidic kingship in Christ |
| Heb 1:8 | "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...'" | The eternal kingdom of the Son |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 30 Meaning
This verse serves as a concise summation of King Solomon's long and stable rule, emphasizing its duration, forty years, and its geographical scope, Jerusalem, over the entirety of the unified nation of Israel. It marks the pinnacle of the Davidic kingdom's earthly splendor, peace, and administrative unity before the impending division.
2 Chronicles 9 30 Context
This verse concludes a lengthy section describing Solomon's reign, focusing on his wisdom, vast wealth, political alliances, and, most importantly, the construction and dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 9 itself emphasizes the peak of Solomon's glory, featuring the visit of the Queen of Sheba who acknowledged his extraordinary wisdom and riches. The Chronicler, focusing on the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and the central role of the Jerusalem Temple, presents Solomon's reign as a golden age—a fulfillment of God's covenant promises to David. The preceding verses highlight the international recognition of his reign, vast resources, and the overall prosperity enjoyed by the unified kingdom. Verse 30 therefore serves as a culminating summary before briefly mentioning his death and succession, setting the stage for the dramatic decline and division of the kingdom that follows in the subsequent chapter.
2 Chronicles 9 30 Word analysis
- And Solomon reigned (וַיִּמְלֹךְ שְׁלֹמֹה wa-yimloḵ shəlōmōh):
wa-yimloḵ: "And he reigned," a waw-consecutive imperfect verb. It connects this statement to the previous narrative flow, signifying the culmination of Solomon's life and reign. The root malakh (to reign) indicates royal authority and the exercise of kingship.shəlōmōh: Solomon, derived from Hebrew shalom (peace). His name itself foreshadowed the peaceful nature of his reign, a stark contrast to his father David's continuous warfare. This peace was God's blessing, enabling the building of the Temple.
- forty years (אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה arbbā‘im shānāh):
arbbā‘im: Forty. This number is often used in the Bible to signify a generation, a complete period of trial, purification, or a significant duration of time (e.g., forty years in the wilderness, forty days of flood). Here, it emphasizes a full, prosperous, and foundational reign. It signifies completeness and stability in leadership.shānāh: Years. Plural, denoting the extensive duration.
- in Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלִַם bîrūshālayim):
bîrūshālayim: "In Jerusalem." The prefixbi-means "in." Jerusalem ("City of Peace" or "Foundation of Peace") was the capital established by David, a place chosen by God for His name to dwell. Solomon made Jerusalem the undisputed religious, political, and economic center of Israel by building the Temple and his palace there. This centrality affirmed God's covenant and promises concerning Zion.
- over all Israel (עַל כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל ‘al kāl-yiśrā’ēl):
‘al: "Over," denoting authority, dominion, or rule.kāl-yiśrā’ēl: "All Israel."kāl: "All" or "every," indicating totality and unity. This phrase strongly emphasizes the singular, undivided nature of the kingdom under Solomon's reign. It implicitly affirms the unity of the twelve tribes under the Davidic covenant.yiśrā’ēl: Israel. "He struggles with God" or "God prevails." The name represents the covenant people of God, descended from Jacob, destined to be a nation distinct and consecrated to Yahweh. The phrase "all Israel" highlights a kingdom where all twelve tribes, previously with some degree of tribal autonomy, were under a single, divinely-appointed king. This unity was essential for the Chronicler's theology, promoting a singular devotion to the Jerusalem Temple.
2 Chronicles 9 30 Bonus section
The Chronicler's focus on "all Israel" in 2 Chronicles 9:30 carries significant theological weight for the post-exilic audience. While the historical reality was a divided kingdom after Solomon, the Chronicler consistently uses the term "all Israel" to refer to the twelve tribes as a unified entity, emphasizing the spiritual continuity and ideal unity of God's covenant people. This term appears hundreds of times in Chronicles, much more frequently than in Kings, signifying the Chronicler's intent to uphold the theological unity of the nation, even when geographically divided. This reinforces the singular identity of God's people centered on Jerusalem and the Temple. Furthermore, the number forty is numerically significant, echoing other key periods in Israelite history such as the wilderness wanderings, the reigns of Saul and David, and the periods of rest after judges' victories. This consistent use imbues Solomon's reign with an archetypal quality, making it a foundational and comprehensive era in the life of God's chosen people.
2 Chronicles 9 30 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:30 presents a succinct summary of King Solomon's glorious reign. The statement "And Solomon reigned forty years in Jerusalem over all Israel" marks the zenith of the Davidic kingdom's earthly power and spiritual influence. The Chronicler emphasizes three critical elements: the king (Solomon), the duration (forty years), and the extent (Jerusalem over all Israel). Solomon, the "peaceful" king, oversaw an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity, fulfilling aspects of the Davidic Covenant regarding a secure kingdom. His 40-year reign signifies a full generation, highlighting the longevity and stability of this golden age. This period was characterized by divine wisdom, immense wealth, and international acclaim, all rooted in his commitment to God, particularly evidenced by his construction of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. "All Israel" underscores the unified monarchy, with Jerusalem serving as the indispensable religious and political heart for every tribe. This verse, therefore, captures the ideal Israelite kingdom, reflecting divine blessing and a faithful ruler's capacity to lead God's people in unity and peace. This ideal provides a stark contrast to the subsequent fragmentation of the kingdom due to Solomon's later sins (though not detailed by the Chronicler at this point), subtly hinting at the prophetic warnings mentioned just prior (2 Chr 9:29).