13 Now the weight of gold which came to Solomon in one year was 666 e e talents of gold , 14 besides e that which the traders e and merchants brought ; and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon . 15 King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold , using 600 e shekels of beaten gold on each large shield . 16 He made 300 e shields of beaten gold , using three hundred shekels of gold on each shield , and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon . 17 Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold . 18 There were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne , and arms on each side of the seat e , and two lions standing beside the arms . 19 Twelve e lions were standing there on the six steps on the one side and on the other ; nothing like it was made for any other kingdom . 20 All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold , and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold ; silver was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon . 21 For the king had ships which went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram ; once every three years the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold and silver , ivory and apes and peacocks . 22 So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom . 23 And all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon , to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart . 24 They brought every man his gift , articles of silver and gold , garments , weapons , spices , horses and mules , so much year by year . 25 Now Solomon had 4,000 e stalls for horses and chariots and 12,000 e e horsemen , and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem . 26 He was the ruler over all the kings from the Euphrates River even to the land of the Philistines , and as far as the border of Egypt . 27 The king made silver as common as stones in Jerusalem , and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamore trees that are in the lowland . 28 And they were bringing horses for Solomon from Egypt and from all countries .
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.