Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 9:31
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
31. slept with his fathers ] This is not said of David (1Ch 29:28), perhaps because David’s father was not a king.
in the city of David ] 1Ch 11:7.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2Ch 9:31
And Solomon slept with his fathers.
The death of Solomon
Such is the sole record of the departure of the most magnificent king of the Israelitish nation.
1. Why is this? For it was not so with David, his father, whose last days, and almost last thoughts, last prayers and exhortations, are fully detailed.
2. Nothing on the first sight, in popular judgment, appears more excellent and full of hope than that petition of Solomon when, just called to the throne, he asked of God wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people. God granted him his request. His reign proved to be one of unexampled splendour. Prosperity almost to overflow poured in upon the nation. But as the monarchs glory increased, his personal character declined. He sank morally and religiously. He became tyrannical and despotic, and grievously oppressed his subjects. Then intense sensuality set in. So deeply did he fall that his name has been connected with the practice of the magical arts and sorceries denounced in the law of Moses.
3. How shall we account for this? Was it that from the first his heart was not set upon God, but upon self? that when he asked at first for wisdom to rule Gods people, he only thought of the honour he would gain thereby? Or is it that we here witness in an individual the corrupting influences of a civilisation not merely luxurious, but high and cultivated, when it discards the faith in God?
4. Whichever it be, by both alternatives we are warned that wisdom, even high, intellectual, and varied, is not godliness, and cannot take its place; that where it is unsanctified, a worm lies at its root.
5. It is a solemn thought that the temple, the culminating point of Solomons glory, was the harbinger, and in a degree the cause, of the decline of his nation. The exactions and the oppressive burdens its extravagant cost entailed upon the people alienated them, made the monarchy hateful, and prepared the nation for revolt:
6. Twice since has the same thing been witnessed. The sale of indulgences to help the building of St. Peters led to the disruption of a large part of Christendom. So also the gorgeous palace of the French monarch, the memorial of his boundless luxury and consequent oppression, was the prelude of that great convulsion from which the nation has never recovered. Such is the logic of mere human splendour and luxury.
7. What was the end of this renowned monarch? What was the final stamp set upon his character? Scripture is silent on the point, and Christendom has always been divided in regard to it. Those who have thought and hoped the best of him have rested their hopes chiefly on the tenor of the Book of Ecclesiastes. But no tone of repentance pervades this solemn writing; no utterance of contrition or even personal remorse; not one such anguished cry for forgiveness as pervades several of Davids psalms; no humiliation appears in it, not even such as Ahabs; no confession, even such as Sauls. Solomon appears to pass away and, make no sign, (Archdeacon Grant, D. C. L.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
[See comments on 1Ki 11:43]
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(31) Slept.Literally, lay down.
He was buried.They buried him. Kings has, he was buried. The two texts are otherwise identical.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
READER! it is truly interesting to behold the queen of the South coming from her own country, excited by the fame of Solomon to seek after his wisdom. But how much more truly interesting is it when we consider that the Holy Ghost herein beautifully represents the coming of the whole gentile church to the light of Jesus, and kings to the brightness of his rising.
It forms a subject in which every intelligent Reader cannot but feel pleased to behold the friendship between Solomon and the queen of Sheba, when he imparted to her of all her heart desired, and she presented to him the treasures of gold of Ophir, and precious stones, and algum trees. But how infinitely higher in delight doth the subject arise in our view, when we behold in this a lively representation of Jesus our Solomon receiving the poor gentile church, and every individual sinner among his redeemed ones, with his poor offerings, and bartering his grace, and wisdom, and love, with all the riches of his redemption in the wonderful exchange!
And Reader! while we look at Solomon in all the splendor in which he is here described, and before we take our farewell of him, shall we not be led from the view of him as far as the shadow goes, to the contemplation of Jesus the substance, of whom in many instances he was a lively type. Our Christ, as well as Solomon after the flesh, was the son of David; and sure I am, that as the Lord sent by Nathan to have Solomon named Jedidiah, beloved of the Lord, a voice from heaven proclaimed our Jesus under this glorious character, the beloved and only begotten Son of God, in whom Jehovah was well pleased. And who can read the account of the wisdom of Solomon, as wiser than all the men of the east, without having their thoughts directed to the contemplation of that Solomon in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! who can behold the extensiveness of Solomon’s empire, of whom it is said that the Lord gave him a largeness of heart, even as the sand which is on the sea shore: without immediately being led to consider the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion and whose power ruleth over all. Solomon was indeed the richest of all princes of the earth; for silver was as the stones of the street in Jerusalem. But what is this in comparison of the unsearchable riches of Christ! Solomon had a reign of peace during his life, and his subjects were happy under his government. But Jesus is himself, by way of emphasis called the prince of peace; for the sceptre of his kingdom is altogether righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. And if Solomon built by divine appointment the temple of the Lord, did not our Jesus himself become both the builder and the temple; for all his people are built on Jesus, the chief corner stone. He it is of whom alone it ever could be said, He shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory! Hail! holy, glorious, gracious, blessed Jesus! a greater indeed than Solomon is here. Thou art higher and more excellent than the kings of any land. Thou art the man whose name is the Branch, Under thee and thy government we shall be safe. All power is thine in heaven and in earth. Thy name shall endure forever. Thy name shall be continued as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed in thee. All nations shall call thee blessed. Blessed be thy glorious name forever; let the whole earth be filled with thy glory. Amen, and amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
slept with his fathers. See note on Deu 31:16. Solomon died at the age of sixty.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
am 3029, bc 975
slept: 2Sa 7:12, 1Ki 1:21, 1Ki 2:10
Reciprocal: 1Ki 11:43 – Rehoboam 2Ch 14:1 – slept 2Ch 21:1 – was buried Mat 1:7 – Roboam Act 13:36 – and was
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 9:31. And Solomon slept with his fathers We have here Solomon in his throne, and Solomon in his grave; for the throne could not secure him from the grave. Here is he stripped of his pomp, and leaving all his wealth and power, not to one whom he knew not whether he would be a wise man or a fool, but one he knew would be a fool! This was not only vanity, but vexation of spirit.