13 Now the weight of gold which came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents; 14 And in addition to what he got from traders of different sorts, all the kings of Arabia and the rulers of the country gave gold and silver to Solomon. 15 And King Solomon made two hundred body-covers of hammered gold, every one having six hundred shekels of gold in it. 16 And he made three hundred smaller body-covers of hammered gold, using three hundred shekels of gold for every cover, and the king put them in the house of the Woods of Lebanon. 17 Then the king made a great ivory seat, plated with the best gold. 18 There were six steps up to it, and a foot-rest of gold fixed to it, and arms on the two sides of the seat, with two lions at the side of the arms. 19 And twelve lions were placed on one side and on the other side on the six steps: there was nothing like it in any kingdom. 20 All King Solomon's drinking-vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the Woods of Lebanon were of the best gold: no one gave a thought to silver in the days of Solomon. 21 For the king had Tarshish-ships sailing with the servants of Huram: once every three years the Tarshish-ships came back with gold and silver, ivory and monkeys and peacocks. 22 And King Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in wealth and in wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth came to see Solomon and to give ear to his wisdom, which God had put into his heart. 24 And everyone took with him an offering, vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and robes, and coats of metal, and spices, and horses and beasts for transport, regularly year by year. 25 Solomon had four thousand buildings for his horses and his war-carriages, and twelve thousand horsemen whom he kept, some in the carriage-towns and some with the king in Jerusalem. 26 And he was ruler over all the kings from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the limit of Egypt. 27 The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem and cedars like the sycamore-trees of the lowlands in number. 28 They got horses for Solomon from Egypt and from every land.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9:13-28
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9:13-31
(Read 2 Chronicles 9:13-31)
The imports here mentioned, would show that prosperity drew the minds of Solomon and his subjects to the love of things curious and uncommon, though useless in themselves. True wisdom and happiness are always united together; but no such alliance exists between wealth and the enjoyment of the things of this life. Let us then acquaint ourselves with the Saviour, that we may find rest for our souls. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and power, in ease and fulness, the like of which could never since be found; for the most known of the great princes of the earth were famed for their wars; whereas Solomon reigned forty years in profound peace. The promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches and honour, such as no kings have had or shall have. The lustre wherein he appeared, was typical of the spiritual glory of the kingdom of the Messiah, and but a faint representation of His throne, which is above every throne. Here is Solomon dying, and leaving all his wealth and power to one who he knew would be a fool! Ecclesiastes 2:18,19. This was not only vanity, but vexation of spirit. Neither power, wealth, nor wisdom, can ward off or prepare for the stroke of death. But thanks be to God who giveth the victory to the true believer, even over this dreaded enemy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.