Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 1:14
And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
14 17 (= 1Ki 10:26-29). Solomon’s Horses and Chariots
14. the chariot cities ] The greater part of Palestine is unsuitable for the evolutions of chariots, but flat country is found along the coast of the Mediterranean, in the plain of Esdrelon, and east of Jordan, and in these three districts the chariot cities were probably situated. Cp. G. A. Smith, Hist. Geography, p. 667, Appendix V.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This passage is very nearly identical with 1Ki 10:26-29.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. He had a thousand and four hundred chariots] For these numbers, see the notes on 1Kg 4:26.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Of this and the three following verses, See Poole “1Ki 10:26“, &c.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. Solomon gathered chariots andhorsemenHis passion for horses was greater than that of anyIsraelitish monarch before or after him. His stud comprised fourteenhundred chariots and twelve thousand horses. This was a prohibitedindulgence, whether as an instrument of luxury or power. But it wasnot merely for his own use that he imported the horses of Egypt. Theimmense equestrian establishment he erected was not for show merely,but also for profit. The Egyptian breed of horses was highly valued;and being as fine as the Arabian, but larger and more powerful, theywere well fitted for being yoked in chariots. These were light butcompact and solid vehicles, without springs. From the price stated(2Ch 1:17) as given for achariot and a horse, it appears that the chariot cost four times thevalue of a horse. A horse brought a 150 shekels, which, estimatingthe shekels at 2s. 3d. or 2s. 6d., amountto 17 2s. or 18 15s., while a chariot brought 600shekels, equal to 68 9s. or 75; and as an Egyptian chariotwas usually drawn by two horses, a chariot and pair would cost 112sterling. As the Syrians, who were fond of the Egyptian breed ofhorses, could import them into their own country only through Judea,Solomon early perceived the commercial advantages to be derived fromthis trade, and established a monopoly. His factors or agentspurchased them in the markets or fairs of Egypt and brought them tothe “chariot cities,” the depots and stables he had erectedon the frontiers of his kingdom, such as Bethmarcaboth, “thehouse of chariots,” and Hazarsusah, “the village of horses”(Jos 19:5; 1Ki 10:28).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[See comments on 2Ch 1:13]
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Solomon’s chariots, horses, and riches. – In order to prove by facts the fulfilment of the divine promise which Solomon received in answer to his prayer at Gibeon, we have in 1Ki 3:16-28 a narrative of Solomon’s wise judgment, then in 2 Chron 4 an account of his public officers; and in 2Ch 5:1-14 the royal magnificence, glory, and wisdom of his reign is further portrayed. In our Chronicle, on the contrary, we have in 2Ch 1:14-17 only a short statement as to his chariots and horses, and the wealth in silver and gold to be found in the land, merely for the purpose of showing how God had given him riches and possessions. This statement recurs verbally in 1Ki 10:26-29, in the concluding remarks on the riches and splendour of Solomon’s reign; while in the parallel passage, 2 Chron 9:13-28, it is repeated in an abridged form, and interwoven with other statements. From this we see in how free and peculiar a manner the author of the Chronicle has made use of his authorities, and how he has arranged the material derived from them according to his own special plan.
(Note: The assertion of Thenius on 1Ki 10:26., that he found this section in his authorities in two different places and in different connections, copied them mechanically, and only towards the end of the second passage remarked the repetition and then abridged the statement, is at once refuted by observing, that in the supposed repetition the first half (2Ch 9:25-26) does not at all agree with 1Ki 10:26, but coincides with the statement in 1Ki 5:6-7.)
For the commentary on this section, see on 1Ki 10:26-28.
2Ch 1:14-15 2Ch 1:14, 2Ch 1:15, with the exception of one divergence in form and one in matter, correspond word for word to 1Ki 10:26 and 1Ki 10:27. Instead of , he led them (Kings), there stands in 2Ch 1:15, as in 2Ch 9:25, the more expressive word , “he laid them” in the chariot cities; and in 2Ch 1:15 is added to , while it is omitted from both 1Ki 10:27 and also 2Ch 9:27. It is, however, very suitable in this connection, since the comparison “like stones” has reference to quantity, and Solomon had collected not only silver, but also gold, in quantity.
2Ch 1:16-17 2Ch 1:16, 2Ch 1:17 coincide with 1Ki 10:28-29, except that is used for hw’q;mi, and is altered into . For the commentary on these verses, see 1Ki 10:28.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
See note on 1Ki 10:14
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(14) And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen.Word for word as in 1Ki. 10:26; see the Notes there.
Which he placed.And he placed, or bestowed them (wayyanhhem) (2Ch. 9:25). Kings 50100 reads, and he brought them into the chariot cities (wayyanhem). The difference turns on the pointing only, and the versions there support our text; LXX., he put; Vulg., disposuit; Targum, ashrinnn, he lodged them; Syriac, he left them. The chariots (rekeb; see 1Ch. 18:4; 1Ch. 19:6) and horsemen were, of course, military. The chariot cities probably lay in the south towards Egypt. The Simeonite Beth-marcaboth (house of chariots), and Hazar-susim (court of horses) may have been included amongst them. (See 1Ch. 4:31.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(14-17) Solomons riches, and wealth, and honour illustrated (comp. 1Ki. 10:26-29). In the parallel passage of Kings, this short section closes the account of Solomons wealth and glory. 2Ch. 9:25-28 is very similar; a fact which will not surprise those who bear in mind that the chronicler is careless of repetition.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 1:14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
Ver. 14. And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. ] This is here added to show how God made good to Solomon that other part of his promise also concerning riches and honours. And here the lawgiver might dispense with that law of his, Deu 17:16 by a singular privilege to this king of Israel. See on 1Ki 4:26 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 1:14-17
2Ch 1:14-17
SOLOMON’S WICKED MULTIPLICATION OF HIS HORSES
“And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. And the king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance. And the horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt; the king’s merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price. And they fetched up and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.”
It is evident to this writer that some have missed altogether the Chronicler’s intention. The allegation that, “It was contrary to the Chronicler’s purpose to convey a too unfavorable impression of Solomon,” has often been cited; but how could that be true, in the light of this very first chapter, where practically the first thing Solomon did was to violate in the most contemptuous and wholesale manner the divine prohibition in Deuteronomy?
“Thou shalt surely set a king over thee … Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to … multiply horses.” – Deu 17:15-16.
This shameful violation of God’s word by Solomon has been remarkably confirmed by archaeological discoveries in recent times. There were many of these `chariot cities’; and, “At Megiddo, southeast of Mount Carmel, has been excavated the ruins of a single extensive stone stable capable of housing about four hundred horses.”
“This passage (2Ch 1:14-17) is very nearly identical with 1Ki 10:26-29.”
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 1:14. Smith’s Bible Dictionary says a chariot was “a vehicle used either for warlike or peaceful purposes.” Solomon did not have any wars, therefore he used the chariots for peaceful purposes. He wished to have some of them at hand and these he kept in Jerusalem. Others were kept in cities set apart for the purpose.
2Ch 1:15. These statements are for comparison to indicate the wealth of Solomon. The sycamore was a species of fig tree and abounded in that country. The cedar was a valuable and highly prized tree, but Solomon was able to have them in as great number as the common sycamore tree.
2Ch 1:16. Bringing these horses out of Egypt was contrary to Deu 17:16, but the Lord was very lenient and tolerated it for the present. The linen yarn was obtained at a price. One word used to translate the last one is “worth.” The thought here is that the linen was paid for at its full value. Smith’s Bible Dictionary says this: “Egyptian byssus, a flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, was exceedingly soft and dazzling in whiteness. This linen has been sold for twice its weight in gold.”
2Ch 1:17. Paying such a price for a chariot and a horse indicates the wealth of Solomon. In paying such a price for these things, the standard of value was set, and the kings of Syria and the other foreign nations had to pay the same if they wished to purchase them.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Solomon: 2Ch 9:25, Deu 17:16, 1Ki 4:26, 1Ki 10:16, 1Ki 10:26-29
the chariot cities: Cities where the chariots, and horses belonging to them, were kept.
Reciprocal: 2Ch 8:6 – chariot cities Son 1:9 – to a
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 1:14. And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen, which he placed in the chariot-cities, and with the king at Jerusalem Of this and the three following verses, see the notes on 1Ki 10:26, &c.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1:14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the {h} chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
(h) Which were cities appointed to keep and maintain the chariots.