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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Bible Chapter Studies
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II CHRONICLES CHAPTER 9
Welcome to the early years of the 890s to 880B.C., where we find that we’re in the last few years of king Solomon’s reign and rule over the Nation of the House of Israel, and also his life.
King Solomon took over the Nation from his father, king David, in the year 920B.C. when Solomon was only 19 years old. He has ruled now for 33-plus years. During the first twenty years of his rule, he was busy constructing: first he built the Temple for Father, then he built the palatial complex which included his own house; the house of the Forest of Lebanon—which was also known as the Greeting House and which also housed the Nation’s Armory—the elaborate covered winding stairs which connected his house on Mount Zion to Father’s Temple on Mount Moria—from Dr. Bullinger’s Appendix 68 VII we read the following “This ascent, by which Solomon went up to the house of Jehovah, would be between the house and the outer court of the Temple, and would probably comprise two or three flights of steps or “stairs,” protected by another covered portico or “porch,” with pillars in accordance with the other buildings. The Temple area level would probably be some 15 or 20 feet above that of the king’s house, and this difference in level would admit of the construction of an “ascent” that must have possessed features of unusual interest and magnificence from the account given of the visit of the Queen of Sheba (2 Kings 10:1-10; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12)”—the house for pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken to wife; and he also had the city’s streets constructed, as well as the city’s walls.
Our last Chapter, II Chronicles 8, opened with King Solomon rebuilding the twenty cities which Huram king of Tyre had given back to Solomon. Two things concerning this brethren: (1) Solomon had given these twenty cities to Huram in return for cedar and cypress trees and gold which Huram had given to Solomon; (2) Huram gave the cities back because, he was none too pleased with the cities Solomon had given him. Why was he displeased with these cities? Because they were still inhabited with Canaanites, i.e., the Amorites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Jebusites, and the Perizzites, and they obviously had allowed these cities to decay quite extensively; we next read of Solomon bring up Pharaoh’s daughter and putting her in the house he had built for her; next we read of him offering burnt offerings and sacrifices to Father, Solomon didn’t offer these himself, he had the Priests do this, he also then set the Courses for the Priests; and lastly the Chapter closed with Solomon sending his navy to Ezion-geber and Eloth to get some gold from both those cities.
This Chapter is the last chapter devoted to Solomon as at the end of this Chapter, Solomon returns Home to Father; however, before his death, he first has a visit from the queen of Sheba, of which we’ll be reading of as the Chapter opens.
With that introduction being said, let’s go to Father and ask Him for His Blessings on our Study of His Word: “Father, I come to You right now and ask that You Oh LORD Lead me and Guide me as I try and teach Your Word, don’t allow me to mis-teach or mis-lead Your Children. We, Father, also come to You as a group who desire to Learn Your Word, to thank You for inviting us to Your table in order that we might be able to partake of and receive Your Spiritual Meat, and Father, as we prepare to dine on the sustenance which sustains our inner man, we ask that You Oh LORD open our ears and eyes, that we might be able to hear and see your Truths, open our hearts and minds and prepare us in order that we may receive Your Truth. We Pray for Your Understanding of Your Word, we seek Your Knowledge in Your Word, and most importantly Father, we Pray for and desire Your Wisdom from Your Word, in Jesus’ Precious name we Pray, thank You Father, Amen.”
I Chronicles 10:1-II Chronicles 36:21 HISTORY (UP TO
THE CAPTIVITY.) (Division.)
I Chronicles 11:1-II Chronicles 36:21 THE HOUSE of DAVID.
ESTABLISHED. (Division.)
II Chronicles 1:1-9:31 SOLOMON. (Introversion and Alternation.)
8:1-9:28 EVENTS. BUILDING OF CITIES. (Repeated Alternations.)
9:1-12 Admired. Riches and wisdom.
9:1-12 ADMIRED. RICHES AND WISDOM. (Introversion.)
9:1 Queen of Sheba. Journey.
9:1 Presents brought.
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II Chronicles 9:1 And when the queen of Sheba (an oath; or, oath) (sheb-awי) heard of the fame of Solomon (peaceful; and, peaceful) (shel-o-moי), she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem (founded peaceful; or, the habitation of peace) (Yer-oo-shaw-lahי-im), with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. —> There is an important phrase missing in this Verse which is included in it’s parallel in I Kings 10:1. What is that phrase? “…the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD…”. The fame of Solomon’s wisdom concerning Father YHVH was beginning to become known throughout the world, and as such, kings and other notable people from all over the world are wanting to come and see and hear for themselves if indeed the reports are true.
This one—the queen of Sheba—has also heard of Solomon’s wisdom through the merchandisers and commerce traders who have traded in her country. Who is this queen of Sheba? Well, we read in Genesis 10, that two of Noah’s three sons: Shem and Ham, both had in their lineage, a child named Sheba. In the case of Shem, the line goes through Arphaxad, Eber, Joktan and then down to Sheba. In the case of Ham, the line goes through Cush, to Raamah and then to Sheba. Cush is identified—when we look up his name in the Strong’s Concordance—as Hebrew word number: H3568, - כּוּשׁ, - kûsh, pronounced - koosh, and means: Probably of foreign origin; Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite: - Chush, Cush, Ethiopia. Total KJV occurrences: 30.. So, we see that because of Cush—Ethiopia—his offspring through Sheba settled the land of Ethiopia, and later became known as the nations of Nubia and North Abyssinia, where female sovereigns—queens—were not unusual. I’m not suggesting that the Ethiopia people themselves are of Ham’s lineage—as Ham is of Noah, he is Adamic, and as such, ruddy complected, i.e., able to show blood in the face—as the Ethiopian people have more melanin in their skin, I am suggesting though, that the Ethiopian people are of the Sixth Day creation; I believe that those aborigine peoples lived in the land long before Ham’s son arrived, but that it was he who the land is named after. The queen of Sheba’s name is never mentioned in Father’s Word, she referred to only as “the queen of Sheba.” So, after hearing of the fame of Solomon’s wisdom, she too had wanted to come and see and hear for herself if the stories were true. Now, the queen of Sheba and her people, the Ethiopians, had not known of the things of Father YHVH because they had turned from worshipping Father to now worshipping other false gods. The queen had heard of this great wisdom that came from Solomon’s God, and she sought to have the understanding that Solomon had, and to also see the riches of Solomon in Jerusalem. So, she decides she is going to journey to Jerusalem to pay a visit to Solomon, and as we’ll see, she is coming prepared in case the reports are true. She is bringing many gifts—i.e., incense and spices, precious stones, gold and other valuables—to bestow upon Solomon if indeed they are true; however, before she parts with her gifts, she is first going prove Solomon by asking him many things, and even some very difficult questions, proverbs and\or riddles and such.
…heard…=Kept hearing, i.e., by commercial intercourse, in other words, as the land in which she lived was rich in gold, precious stones and all variety of spices, there was much commerce taking place in her land, therefore, she was able to hear of reports of Solomon from those who did this commerce. Note her seven steps in all this: (1) heard; (2) came; (3) communed; (4) saw; (5) said; (6) gave; and (7) returned.
…with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones:…=Remember, this woman was queen of a nation, and as such, she was travelling with a very large caravan of people; military members to protect her and her company, servants to meet her every need along the way, everyday workers to cook and to minister to the animals; therefore, it stands to reason, that to transport that many people, they had to have travelled with a great number of animals. Camel was the standard animal for carrying heavy loads of both people and materials, and as this verse states, she had brought with her a large train of them in order to carry all the gifts she is about to bestow upon Solomon for his answering of her questions. We can read in bibleatlas.org the following “The Sabeans or people of Saba or Sheba, are referred to as traders in gold and spices, and as inhabiting a country remote from Palestine (I Kings 10:1; Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20; Ezekiel 27:22; Psalm 72:15; Matthew 12:42), also as slave-traders (Joel 3:8), or even desert-rangers (Job 1:15, 6:19).” And, as we see, she came with many camels loaded with this gold, precious stones and spices.
And=Notice all the “and(s)” in this verse brethren? The use of multiple and(s) in Father’s Word indicates a polysyndeton. These consecutive or multiple uses of the word and, are used to highlight and emphasize each detail and point.
Sheba=The land of Sheba was known for it vast quantities of gold, precious stones and spices; and the people thereof as merchants and traffickers of such. Solomon was visited by the “queen of Sheba” who had heard of the fame of Solomon’s knowledge concerning Father YHVH, and she desired to know if what she had heard was true; therefore, she came and visited woth Solomon, and when she came, she brought many camels loaded with gold, precious stones and spices. † For the etymology of the name Sheba, we read the following in Abarim Publications, “The name Sheba-with-aleph belongs to: A son of Raamah, son of Cush, son of Ham, son of Noah (Genesis 10:7). A son of Joktan, who is the brother of Peleg (Genesis 10:28). A son of Jokshan, son of Abraham with Keturah. Sheba is also a region or nation of which the queen journeyed to Solomon (I Kings 10:1; MATTHEW 12:42) This name Sheba is according to Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names comparable with an Ethiopic word meaning ‘man’. And so, for a meaning of this name Sheba, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Man. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary sees relations with a verb that means to make campaign or expedition, but lists : סבא (saba), meaning to imbibe (see the name Seba). The name may even have to do with : שבה (shaba) to take captive. The noun : שבא is used in the Aramaic Talmud to mean splinter, a possible derivative (says BDB Theological Dictionary) from the unused : שבב (shbb), which yields : שבבים (shebabim), splinters, and : שביב (shabib), flame. And then, there are scholars (for instance those who compiled the NOBSE Study Bible Name List), who seem to assume that the name : שבא is nothing but the name שבע (Sheba) spelled slightly different but nevertheless with the unadulterated meaning of Seven or Oath.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H7614, - שְׁבָא, - shebâ', pronounced - sheb-awי, and means: Of foreign origin; Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district: - Sheba, Sabeans. Total KJV occurrences: 23.. † Now from the Easton’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “(an oath). A kingdom in Arabia Felix. Sheba, in fact, was Saba in Southern Arabia, the Sabaeans of classical geography, who carried on the trade in spices with the other peoples of the ancient world. They were Semites, speaking one of the two main dialects of Himyaritic or South Arabic. Sheba had become a monarchy before the days of Solomon. Its queen brought him gold, spices, and precious stones (I Kings 10:1-13). She is called by our Lord the “queen of the south” (Matthew 12:42).”.
Solomon=For a detailed description of Solomon, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Jerusalem=For a detailed description of Jerusalem, including the Nations history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
9:2 What she heard.
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II Chronicles 9:2 And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. —> After arriving and the usual greeting and pleasantries had finished, the queen got right to the heart of the matter, posing her questions, proverbs and riddles to Solomon, who answered every one of them to her satisfaction. With as many people who came to Solomon seeking to observe his wisdom, I’m sure that by now, his ego is starting to get pretty inflated, it won’t be too long from this time that he starts collecting all the wives and concubines he ends up having. Brethren, it was Father who had revealed to Solomon all the answers that the Queen of Sheba sought. Brethren, if you could do this, would that make you proud of yourself? Who would you give the credit to for being able to do so? Don’t ever forget that all true wisdom comes from Father; therefore, it is He and not you who then deserves and receives all the glory and honor for it. Father gave Solomon all his wisdom back in I Kings 3 because, when Father appeared to him in that first dream, He had asked Solomon what it was that his heart desired and Solomon replied that he’d like wisdom in order to judge His—Father’s—people.
9:3 What she saw.
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II Chronicles 9:3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, —> First off, notice this verse ends with a colon, meaning it continues into the next Verse.
Again, after posing all her questions, proverbs and riddles to Solomon and his answering them to her satisfaction, Solomon next took the queen to see all the palatial complex. The only area he didn’t take her to, was the temple itself, as, she being a heathen wouldn’t have been allowed into the House of YHVH. He did though, take her to see his own house, the house of pharaoh’s daughter, and the house of the Cedar of Lebanon which is probably where he greeted and communed with her and answered all her proverbs and riddles.
9:4 What she saw.
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II Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. —> Once all the queens questions had been answered, her guided tour of the palace with Solomon’s vast wealth and such had been completed, it was time to sit down for their meal. The queen, being a queen, was used to having extravagant meals and quite a large number of servants; however, what she had witnessed in Israel took even her breath away.
…Ascent…=We never read of when Solomon actually had this covered spiral stairway ascending to the higher levels connecting Mount Zion with Mount Moriah constructed. The only readings we have of it are in I Kings 10:4-5 and in I Chronicles 26, in the phrase “Causeway of the going up.” Remember, spiral staircases were not known of, and especially not common, at this time in history, and when this queen saw the beautiful covered portico, it was most impressive upon her.
…the LORD…=This Title of Father as used here in this verse, is Father in His Role of יְהֹוָה, YHVH—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: YHVH, YAHVEH, or YEHOVAH—the sacred and personal name of Father. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, YEHOVAH is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare II Chronicles 18:31). YEHOVAH means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My YEHOVAH,” for YEHOVAH is “MY God.”.
9:5-8 What she said.
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II Chronicles 9:5 And she said to the king, “It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: —> Though a queen in her own nation, and even having heard—as this is what this word “acts” means, something that is spoken—prior to her coming to see and hear for herself, this woman was still in awe of all of Solomon’s wealth, wit and wisdom.
She continues:
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II Chronicles 9:6 Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. —> Here she explains to the full to Solomon, just how impressed she is with him; because, even having been informed of everything prior leaving Sheba to come and see for herself, the reality of what she saw, far exceeded the spoken words.
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II Chronicles 9:7 Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. —> She is laying it on pretty thick, telling Solomon that things in Israel under him, are so perfect that, even his servants and those who minister to him, always have a smile upon their faces because of their being able to hear and listen to their king speak his marvelous sayings.
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II Chronicles 9:8 Blessed be the LORD thy God, Which delighted in thee to set thee on His throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.” —> Blessed be the LORD thy God=Brethren this queen maybe a heathen; however, she has obviously heard of Father, for here she addresses Him in His roles of both YHVH: Covenant maker and keeper, and ELOHIM: Creator of all things. She may recognize Father for Who He is and how He Blessed Solomon and Israel; however, this doesn’t mean she converted to where she now honors, loves, serves and worships Him because, she still serves her own false gods and idols.
This is the main focal point of this chapter: to know and understand that Father is YHVH, and it is He Who does good things for His Children who Love, serve and worship Him. It was and is Father Who allowed all these things to happen to Solomon for His purpose. He delighted to give Solomon wisdom and riches because, Solomon gave Father all the glory for what he had received. Even this queen who came up from Sheba could see that it was Father Who did the Blessing, and it was His wisdom which flowed through Solomon. She could see the Father’s perfect order in all things in Israel.
…delighted in thee…= This is secret of all blessings—though no secret really: when Father has delight in one of His Children! Brethren, you too can have it where Father delights in you, it’s really easy, and we read all throughout His Word how to do this: be both hearers and doers of His Commandments, Judgments, Laws, Ordinances and Statutes. However, if Father doesn’t have any delight in you and has only cursings for you, then all you have to do is look to and read Deuteronomy 28:15-68 to fully understand just what it would be like to have Father angry or disappointed with, and not delight in you.
9:9-11 Presents exchanged.
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II Chronicles 9:9 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon. —> …an hundred and twenty talents of gold…=Each talent weighs—and that what this is, a measurement of weight—between 110-180 pounds. So, let’s just say that a talent weighs 145 pounds, multiply that by the 120 talents the queen gave to Solomon, and we come to the figure of 17,400 pounds, or 278,400 ounces of gold. At today’s current price of approximately $1,790.01 per ounce, we come to the approximate price of $498,338,784.00, brethren, that’s a huge chunk of gold\cash.
…spices…= Let’s look up this word spices in our Strong’s Concordance brethren, when we do, we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1314, - בֶּשֶׂם or בֹּשֶׂם, - beśem or bôśem, pronounced - behי-sem or boי-sem, and means: From the same as H1313; fragrance, by implication spicery also the balsam plant: - smell, spice, sweet (odour). Total KJV occurrences: 29.. So, as we see, these spices are odorous, sweet smelling spices; and not necessarily to add flavor to our food during or after preparing it. These were perfuming spices, and the process was laborious, thus making them expensive.
9:10 Riches. Navy.
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II Chronicles 9:10 And the servants also of Huram (whiteness; that is; noble; or, noble) (khee-rawnי or, khee-romeי), and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir (abundane; and, abundance) (o-feerי), brought algum trees and precious stones.
—> …algum…= In our parallel Chapter and Verse to this, I Kings 10:11, this reads “almug.” Let’s check out both words, beginning with “algum.” We find that in the Strong’s Concordancce, it is Hebrew word number: H418, - אַלְגּוּמִּים, - 'algûmmı̂ym, pronounced - al-goom-meemי, and means: By transposition for H484; sticks of algum wood: - algum [trees]. Totl KJV occurrences: 3., and now “almug:” H484, - אַלְמֻגִּים, - 'almuggiym, pronounced - al-moog-gheemי, and means: Probably of foreign derivation (used thus only in the plural); almug (that is, probably sandalwood) sticks: - almug trees. Compare H418. Total KJV occurrences: 3.. From the Smith’s Bible Dictionary we read the following: “It is probable that this tree is the red sandle wood, which is a native of India and Ceylon. The wood is very heavy, hard and fine grained, and of a beautiful garnet color..” So, as we see, the algum is just a transposition of the almug tree, and what they were is Red Sandalwood trees. These trees were very strong and were brought from Ophir by Hiram’s and Solomon’s men on Hiram’s ships. Solomon used these trees to build the covered spiral staircase which connected Mount Zion to Mount Moriah; to make pillars for both the Temple and his own house; and also for musical instruments.
Huram=Also sometimes called: Hiram. Huram lived and ruled Tyre during the reign of kings David and his son Solomon and was a friend to both. King Huram supplied building materials and workers to David in order to build his house and several other of the royal residences II Samuel 5:11, I Chronicles 14:1 which David needed to house his wives and their children, and later to Solomon to build the temple of Father YHVH I Kings 5:1. King Hiram and Solomon had made a contract between each other for Hiram to supply skilled laborers, who had the knowledge to hew stone and timber; knew how to fashion, form and sculpt gold, silver and other precious metals; he sent out of Lebanon algum, cedar and fir trees, and also great stone which was cut, formed and fashioned off-site and sent to Jerusalem. In return, Solomon sent to king Hiram 20,000 measures of wheat and 20 measures of pure oil every year, plus he supplied over 100,000 men to assist in the cutting down of the trees, and the moving of the trees and stone. Later—as we read in I Kings 9 and II Chronicles 2—as further payment, Solomon gave Hiram 20 cities however, when Hiram came to look at the cities, he wasn’t pleased with them and called them “the land of Cabul.” Even though Hiram felt betrayed by the payment, his anger against Solomon did not prevent him from remaining friends with Solomon. † The etymology of the name Hiram: We find that “There is no consensus among the consulted sources about the etymology of our name Hiram. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List (we assume) and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names think that the name Hiram comes from the noun חר (hor), meaning noble or nobleman, from the root חרר (hrr): The final letter mem of Hiram could be explained (as does Jones) by taking it to be an intensive. Hence Jones translates our name with Most Noble, and NOBSE reads Highborn. But NOBSE might also have taken our name from the ubiquitous verb רום (rum), meaning to be high: Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary doesn’t translate the name Hiram, but decrees that it is an abbreviated form of the name אחירם (Ahiram), and that name (says BDB) consists of the verb רום (rum), meaning to be high, and the common noun אח (ah), meaning brother: BDB Theological Dictionary equates the name Hiram with Ahiram, and that name they translate with Brother Of (The) Lofty. Also note the similarity between these names Hiram (חירם) / Huram (חורם) and the names Horem (חרם) / Harim (חרם) from the verb חרם (haram).”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H2438, - חִירָם or חִירֹם, - chı̂yrâm or chı̂yrôm, pronounced - khee-rawnי or khee-romeי, and means: Another form of H2361; whiteness, (that is), noble; Chiram or Chirom, the name of two Tyrians: - Hiram, Huram. Total KJV occurrences: 26.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “The king of Tyre who sent workmen and materials to Jerusalem, first, II Samuel 5:11; I Chronicles 14:1 to build a palace for David, whom he ever loved I Kings 5:1, and again, I Kings 5:10; 7:13; II Chronicles 2:16. To build the temple for Solomon, with whom he had a treaty of peace and commerce I Kings 5:11,12. He admitted Solomon’s ships issuing from Joppa, to a share in the profitable trade of the Mediterranean I Kings 10:22, and the Jewish sailors, under the guidance of Tyrians, were taught to bring the gold of India I Kings 9:26, to Solomon’s two harbors on the Red Sea.”.
Ophir=There is very little known of Ophir. None of the Biblical scholars can identify it’s exact location. What we do know about Ophir is that the finest and purist gold came from there and that David, Solomon and Jehoshaphat all got gold from there. † For the etymology of the name Ophir, we read the following in Abarim Publications, “A typically auriferous (meaning to yield or contain gold) land which may or may not be the land that the descendants of the first Ophir settled (I Kings 9:28, Psalm 45:9, Isaiah 13:12). The name Ophir is mostly spelled אופיר, but in Genesis 10:29 it’s אופר (Ophar) and in I Kings 10:11 it’s אפיר (Aphir). The etymology and original meaning of the name Ophir are unclear. Fuerst’s Hebrew & Chaldee lexicon to the Old Testament assumes that the name Ophir consists of two elements, and derives the first one from the root group אוה (awa): The second part of the name supposedly comes from an Arabic equivalent meaning riches. The name could thus mean Coast Of Riches or Gathering Mark Of Wealth. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List simply reads Rich. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Abundance. However, whatever the original meaning of the name Ophir might have been, a Hebrew audience would have surely noted the distinct similarity between the name אופר and the root group אפר ss(יpr): That means that the name Ophir would probably have reminded a Hebrew audience of the fleeting virtues of wealth, or at least the corrupting qualities of material wealth relative to the eternal wealth of knowledge and wisdom.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H211, - אוֹפִיר or אֹפִיר or אוֹפִר, - 'ôphı̂yr, 'ôphı̂yr or 'ôphir, pronounced - o-feerי, o-feerי or o-feerי, and means: Of uncertain derivation; Ophir, the name of a son of Joktan, and of a gold region in the East: - Ophir. Total KJV occurrences: 13.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “(abundane). A seaport or region from which the Hebrews in the time of Solomon obtained gold. The gold was proverbial for its fineness, so that “gold of Ophir” is several times used as an expression for fine gold I Chronicles 29:4; Job 28:16; Psalms 45:9; Isaiah 13:12, and in one passage Job 22:24 the word “Ophir” by itself is used for gold of Ophir, and for gold generally. In addition to gold, the vessels brought from Ophir almug wood and precious stones. The precise geographical situation of Ophir has long been a subject of doubt and discussion. The two countries which have divided the opinions of the learned have been Arabia and India, while some have placed it in Africa. In five passages Ophir is mentioned by name — I Kings 9:28; 10:11; 22:18; II Chronicles 8:18; 9:10. If the three passages of the Book of Kings are carefully examined, it will be seen that all the information given respecting Ophir is that it was a place or region accessible by sea from Ezion-geber on the Red Sea, from which imports of gold, almug trees and precious stones were brought back by the Tyrian and Hebrew sailors. The author of the tenth chapter of Genesis certainly regarded Ophir as the name of some city, region or tribe in Arabia. It is almost certain that the Ophir of Genesis is the Ophir of the Book of Kings. There is no mention, either in the Bible or elsewhere, of any other Ophir; and the idea of there having been two Ophirs evidently arose from a perception of the obvious meaning of the tenth chapter of Genesis on the one hand, coupled with the erroneous opinion, on the other that the Ophir of the Book of Kings could not have been in Arabia. (Hence we conclude that Ophir was in southern Arabia, upon the border of the Indian Ocean; for even if all the things brought over in Solomon’s ships are not now found in Arabia, but are found in India, yet, there is evidence that they once were known in Arabia and, moreover, Ophir may not have been the original place of production of some of them, but the great market for traffic in them.)”.
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II Chronicles 9:11 And the king made of the algum trees terraces to the house of the LORD, and to the king’s palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah. —> Again, these sandalwood trees were used to make railings and smaller columns for the Temple. Picture it brethren, those beautiful 27-36 foot tall brass columns in front of the Temple, and then the building itself surrounded by these smaller wooden columns and hand railings, it must have been a very inspiring sight indeed.
Notice also, that in a couple of these verses, it is mentioned that of several of these items being talked of, there was “no such,” or “no more such abundance” found or brought or seen? It is being specifically pointed out here, that all the nations surrounding Jerusalem were Blessed with these items who then brought them to Israel in order that Israel stood out for all the world to see and know, that it was Father Who Blessed them. He made these items available for just that period of time, and made them available for Blessing His People and thereby serving His purpose.
9:12 Queen of Sheba. Return.
1A12
II Chronicles 9:12 And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which she had brought unto the king. So she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her servants. —> The queen had brought a great abundance of gifts to Solomon, and Solomon likewise returned her gesture by providing her with just as many, he even asked her to look around to see if there was anything else she would like to take back to Sheba with her. After being Blessed with Solomon’s wisdom and the gifts he gave her in return for hers, being pleased with her visit, the queen then departed for home.
This visit from the queen of Sheba should put you in remembrance of another visit with a Queen, one which had taken place several years ago. Remember when our previous “occupier in chief” had first ascended to his position and all the world’s heads of state came to pay him a visit, this is exactly what this visit by the queen of Sheba should remind you of, though our former occupier in chief traveled to England and paid a visit to the Queen. Here, Solomon, though Blessed beyond measure with wisdom from Father, has still maintained a degree of humility, because he knew it all came from Father; however, our former occupier believed in his own heart he had wisdom beyond measure, when in reality he had none — as was evidenced by all his massive failures, which sadly, the supporting media failed to report in order that they don’t make their messiah look bad. Remember also, when our former occupier visited the Queen of England—from whom we came, and this Nation was formed—she presented him with the customary gift of a Signed Photo of herself and her husband, do you recall what he gave her in return? He gave her an iPod with videos recorded on it, of course, he was trying to make better with this gift to the Queen than he had given Great Brittan’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who he gave a 25 DVD gift set.
9:13-22 ACQUIRED. RICHES.(Alternation.)
9:13 Riches. Possessions.
9:13 Importation.
9:13 Gold.
1A13
II Chronicles 9:13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; —> …Six hundred threescore and six…=666. The number of the beast of Revelation 13:18. Is this a number we should fear as most Christians, agnostics and even atheists believe? The true answer is no, we have no reason to fear this number! Not if we have Studied and Know Father’s Word that is. So, just what does this number mean? It means that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return at the Seventh Trump, Seventh Seal, Seventh Vial; which are the final Trump, Seal and Vial; whereas, our adversary satan in his role of the anti-christ—the pretend to be Christ in the Greek tongue—comes at the sixth trump, sixth seal and sixth vial. To take the “mark of the beast” in our forehead, means that we would have been deceived into believing that satan is Christ and would worship satan, to take his mark in our hand, means that we are doing his works. Brethren, don’t be fooled, they could write 666 all over your body, or implant some “chip” into your body, that does not mean that you have “the mark of the beast.” So long as you know which christ comes first, or which christ is the True, you have not taken the mark — satan comes first. When the True Christ returns for His Second Advent, this Flesh Age is Over as, at His Return, we all change into our Spiritual Body and His 1,000 year Millennium begins.
Six=Six in Biblical Numerics denotes man. Man was created on the sixth day; and the first occurrence of the number—Genesis 1:31—makes it—and all multiples of it—the hall-mark of all connected with man. He works six days. The hours of his day are a multiple of six. Athaliah usurped the throne of Judah six years. The “great men” who have stood out in defiance of Father—Goliath and Nebuchadnezzar and antichrist—are all emphatically marked by this number. So, symbolically then, this number here represents the height or essence of all man’s desires; which, is all—ironically—as Solomon will proclaim: — vanity.
But in any case, this is a vast amount of gold coming into Israel every year, of course, it wasn’t wasted, it was put to good use, most of it went into Father’s Temple, and to make up the items and vessels in the Temple. Which, sadly, in the future—because of the king’s and Israel’s serving other false gods—will be removed and carried away to a capturing nation, namely: king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
9:14 Importation.
9:14 Gold.
9:14 Merchandise.
1A14
II Chronicles 9:14 Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. —> Beside that which=In other words, in addition to the 666 talents of gold which came into Israel every year from all the surrounding nations who had to pay tribute to Israel. Solomon also levied a toll on all travelling merchantmen who desired to cross, or pass through Israeli lands and utilize Israel’s roadways.
Let’s check out this word “chapmen” in our Strong’s Concordance brethren, when we do, we find that it is Hebrew word number: H8446, - תּוּר, - tûr, pronounced - toor, and means: A primitive root; to meander (causatively guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring: - chap [-man], sent to descry, be excellent, merchant [-man], search (out), seek, (e-) spy (out). Total KJV occurrences: 23.. So we see that it means “merchant” or “merchantman.” The parallel Chapter and Verse to this—I Kings 10:15—reads: I Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country. —> Dr. Bullinger in his Companion notes to this verse notes: “Chapmen. Heb: tûr, travellers, or merchants. Eng.= Cheapmen, or traffickers..” Remember, at this time—as the Suez Canal was not yet dug—so if you desired to get from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, there were only two ways: either by sea by going down and around the Horn of Africa—I’ve done that route on my first cruise when I was in the U.S. Navy, and I can tell you, that’s quite a distance—or, if going by land, by crossing over or through Israel, and it was from these, whom Solomon also collected a toll.
9:15-20 Manufacture.
1A15
II Chronicles 9:15 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of beaten gold went to one target. —> With 600 shekels of gold going into each target, this made for an extremely large shield. If you’ve watched movies which portrayed these times, then you’ve seen the men who have stood before their army holding onto these large shields; and as an example, if an enemy’s first line of offense was archery, then these men held up the shield in order to protect the men behind them by deflecting the incoming arrows. Think of the movie Braveheart with Mel Gibson and as the English Archers let fly their arrows at Dunkirk, William Wallace—Mel—and his men watched as the arrows were coming towards them, and at the last minute, they held up their shields in order to protect themselves from the arrow. This is the same thing, but on a much larger scale; as one shield instead of just protecting the man holding it, it would protect several men around the man holding the shield. These targets—shields—also had a large point of a dagger, which protruded out from it, in order to be also used as an offensive weapon.
1A16
II Chronicles 9:16 And three hundred shields made he of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. —> The targets from the previous verse were large shields with a point sticking out, known in the Hebrew tongue as the “zinnar,” these shields—“meginnaw” in the Hebrew tongue—are smaller shields.
As we see, and also had read earlier in I Kings 7:2, after constructing these shields, Solomon put them into the House of the Forest of Lebanon; so in other words, if nothing else, part of this House in the Forest of Lebanon was used as an Armory, and when we think on that aspect alone, we have to conclude that this House in the Forest of Lebanon had to just be “made up from the cedars in Lebanon,” because Solomon would not have put his armory—where he kept his weapons and shields and such—at such a great distance from Jerusalem. Also, if you know anything at all about metals, especially gold, then you know that gold is a very soft metal; therefore, you can also conclude, that these shields were not for defensive measures; but, for ceremony, in other words, for when heads of state came to visit, and or decoration in the House of Forest of Lebanon.
Sadly, we’ll read in the not too distant future—II Chronicles 12—that during the next King of the House of Judah, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam’s fifth year of his reign, these shields will be forcefully taken away by Shishak the king of Egypt, because of Israel’s turning away from Father and falling back into the sin of worshipping false gods and idols and allowing sodomy to creep back into the Nation. Let’s turn to II Chronicles 12:5 and read what Father has to say about this: II Chronicles 12:5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, “Thus saith the LORD, ‘Ye have forsaken Me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.’ ” —> Father was not happy at all with Rehoboam and our forefathers, what happens next? [12:6] Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, “The LORD is righteous.” [12:7] And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and My wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. [12:8] Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know My service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” [12:9] So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made..
…three hundred shekels of gold went to one shield…=We read in the parallel Chapter and Verse to this Verse—I Kings 10:17—the following: I King 10:17 And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. —> Looking at and comparing these two verses, we can deduce that 100 shekels weighed 1 pound. Therefore, what we’re reading here, is that each shield weighed 3 pounds.
1A17
II Chronicles 9:17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
—> This throne made of Ivory; and both it and the Throne Room where Solomon sat in the seat judgment, and also greeted the heads of State and dignitaries, was entirely lined or overlaid with the finest pure gold.
1A18
II Chronicles 9:18 And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays: —> …six steps…=These were not necessarily like the steps we use to ascend or descend to the next level of a building today. These steps most likely would have been a longer ascending stair, not a quick rising stair; and therefore, they didn’t necessarily need a handrail. Notice also that there was a footstool which was also overlaid with the purest fine gold. This footstool and the steps were both attached to the King’s throne, making it one piece.
…stays…=“Supports.” These supports were, hand, or armrests on each side of the king’s chair; and beside each of the armrests was a lion, and I’m sure these lions were fairly large.
…two lions…=Don’t forget brethren, Solomon—like his father David, his father Jesse, his father Obed, his father Boaz, his father Salmon, his father Nashon, his father Amminadab, his father Amram, his father Heron and his father Pharez—were from the Tribe of Judah; and Judah is always represented by the symbol of the lion. Why? Because it was Father YHVH Who first put the representation of such into Jacob’s mind, and he—Jacob—then stated it in Genesis 49, which reads: Genesis 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. [49:9] Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? —> We can also read in The Book of Numbers and in Ezekiel 1:10 of Judah being represented by the symbol of the lion. [49:10] The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. [49:11] Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: [49:12] His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk..
…two…=The number two in Biblical numerics denotes: “Difference. If two different persons agree in testimony it is conclusive. Otherwise two implies opposition, enmity, and division, as was the work of the Second day. Compare the use of the word “double” applied to “heart,” “tongue,” “mind,” etc.. Two also affirms that there is a difference — there is another; while One affirms that there is not another! This difference may be for good or for evil. A thing may differ from evil, and be good; or it may differ from good, and be evil. Hence, the number Two takes a two-fold colouring, according to the context. It is the first number by which we can divide another, and therefore in all its uses we may trace this fundamental idea of division or difference. The two may be, though different in character, yet one as to testimony and friendship. The Second that comes in may be for help and deliverance. But, alas! where man is concerned, this number testifies of his fall, for it more often denotes that difference which implies opposition, enmity, and oppression.”.
We read in the parallel Chapter and Verse to this verse—I Kings 10:19— the following: I Kings 10:19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. —> The upper portion of the throne behind the king’s back and head was round, sort of like “framing him in,” picture in your mind, a wicker chair if you will.
1A19
II Chronicles 9:19 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom. —> …twelve lions…=Two lions for each step of the stairs.
Brethren, do you remember how Solomon answered Father back in I Kings 3 when Father came to him in his dream and asked him “what shall I give thee?” Solomon replied that he’d like the wisdom to judge Father’s People; and Father told him that since he didn’t ask for riches and the like, that He—Father—would not only give him what he asked for; but, also what he didn’t ask for, and part of that was riches. In the splendor of the ivory, gold and such of this throne room and chair, we see those riches. Just think of all the gold, ivory and precious stones which was accumulated here in Israel. We’ll see later where the wealth had gotten to the point that each of these precious items had lost some of their true value, because there was just so much of it.
What does the lion represent today? Today, the lion is the king of the jungle; so to a degree, in this throne, we see that even the lions were subject to king Solomon.
twelve=The number twelve in Biblical numerics denotes: “Governmental perfection. It is the number of factor of all numbers connected with government: whether by Tribes or Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which have to do with government in the heavens and the earth. TWELVE is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government, or of governmental perfection. It is found as a multiple in all that has to do with rule. The sun which “rules” the day, and the moon and stars which “govern” the night, do so by their passage through the twelve signs of the Zodiac which completes the great circle of the heavens of 360 (12 x 30) degrees or divisions, and thus govern the year. Twelve is the product of 3 (the perfectly Divine and heavenly number) and 4 (the earthly, the number of what is material and organic). While seven is composed of 3 added to 4, twelve is 3 multiplied by 4, and hence denotes that which can scarcely be explained in words, but which the spiritual perception can at once appreciate, viz., organization, the products denoting production and multiplication and increase of all that is contained in the two numbers separately. The 4 is generally prominently seen in the twelve. THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON has the number twelve as the predominating factor, in contrast with the Tabernacle, which had the number five. This agrees with the grace which shines in the Tabernacle, and with the glory of the kingdom which is displayed in the Temple.”.
1A20
II Chronicles 9:20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon. —> Because of the trips Solomon had the navy making to Ophir, gold and silver were so abundant in Israel at this time, that as we’ll read in a little bit, silver will be accounted for nothing; almost like stones on the ground, just strewn about.
All this Blessing of riches from Father, because to this point in Solomon’s and because of his and Israel’s obedience to Father, His Commandments, Judgments, Laws, Ordinances and Statutes; but, because first Solomon and then his sons behind him turning to idolatry, they’ll lose it all when Shishak king of Egypt comes during the reign of Rehoboam and takes it all away.
9:21 Importation.
9:21 Means. Navy.
1A21
II Chronicles 9:21 For the king’s ships went to Tarshish (gem; and, alabaster or white crystal) (tar-sheeshי) with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. —> This reads so much better and easier in it’s parallel—I Kings 10:22—so let’s read it from there brethren: I Kings 10:22 For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. —> …the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish…=As we read here, Solomon had his own navy of ships. These ships of Tarshish, or Tharshish as they're identified in I Kings 10:22, were large open ocean sailing vessels, and the men who sailed them had to be very skilled at reading the stars, navigation and ship handling. Remember, Solomon and Hiram both having a Navy, had combined in order to go into business together. Their ships sailed from Tyre to the Western Mediterranean, from Ezion-geber to Ophir, and all over the world. Once every three years these ships would bring their wealth back to Israel and to Jerusalem. Yes, Solomon’s taxes ran a certain amount every year; however, these ships went to points so far out, that they only came home once every three years. Hiram and Solomon’s ships knew the shipping lanes and trade routes all over the world and went to exotic places where they received the taxes and goods for Solomon’s kingdom. These goods are not named as being common to the Middle east.
…ivory…apes…peacocks…=These give us a clue as to where some of Solomon’s and Hiram’s ships sailed, as these came from Africa. The ivory was garnered from the tusks of elephants, the apes were probably for entertainment; whereas, the peacocks were desired for their beauty as they strutted around with their tails spread fan-like, the same way we still admire them today.
Tarshish
Tarshish=Tarshish is the name of the Phoenician colony and is probably the same as Tartessus, in the south of Spain. Tarshish was just one location, along with Ophir, Ezion-geber, Elath and probably Africa, Solomon sent his ships to get materials, gold, silver, precious stones, ivory and other items for the kingdom and himself. † For the etymology of the name Tarshish, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “The name Tarshish (or Tharshish according to some translations) is assigned five times in the Bible: Most famous is Tarshish the city famed for its wealth and merchant fleet (I Kings 10:22), but which location is unknown; some scholars believe that it’s the same as the Tarsus mentioned in the New Testament as the birthplace of the apostle Paul (spelled Ταρσος, Tarsos; ACTS 9:11). Tarshish was located on a coast, possibly an island (Psalm 72:10, Isaiah 23:6) at a great distance from Palestine (Isaiah 66:19, Jonah 1:3). It is quite possible that the town Tarshish was located in the territory of the Javanite Tarshish, and that the Book of Genesis suggests that the town was named after the man. In the Old Testament Tarshish is firmly connected with the merchant navy; merchant ships are referred to as ‘ships of Tarshish,’ even when they sail for Ophir (I Kings 22:48). The fleet of Israel was most successful under Solomon, who built it in Ezion-geber, near Eloth. These names (and noun) Tarshish come from different languages and have different etymologies. The Persian prince was probably known as Tarshata, meaning His Excellency (says Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary). Another suggestion is a relation to the word tarsta, meaning the feared or revered (BDB Theological Dictionary). Harris Archer Waltke (HAW) Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament suggests that the name of the wealthy city Tarshish may mean Refinery, probably in the language of its most likely location. A Hebrew audience, however, may have connected the name Tarshish to words that occur in the Hebrew language. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names relates the name to the verb רשש (rashash) meaning to beat down, shatter: Hence Jones translates the name Tarshish with Breaking or Subjection, and the prefix taw would denote a thorough destruction or an ongoing one. But although Tarshish is mentioned here and there as subject of God’s wrath (Psalm 48:7, Isaiah 2:16, 23:1), it is mostly known for its great success in the economic arena. Isaiah even predicts that Tarshish is not going to be simply destroyed, as were Sodom and Gomorrah, but that its legacy will one day be employed to service God (Isaiah 60:9). It is unlikely that the name Tarshish is supposed to be linked to a verb that denotes defeat and destruction. Note that the shish-part of the name Tarshish looks a lot like the word שיש (shayish), meaning alabaster a mostly translucent or white crystal: And the tar-part looks a lot like תר (tor), meaning dove: To a Hebrew audience, the name Tarshish may have sounded like White Dove, Dove-White, or Search For Alabaster.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H8659, - תַּרְשִׁישׁ, - tarshı̂ysh, pronounced - tar-sheeshי, and means: Probably the same as H8658; (as the region of the stone, or the reverse); Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence the epithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a Persian and of an Israelite: - Tarshish, Tharshish. Total KJV occurrences: 28.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary. The definition in the Smith’s is too long to post here, so I’ll just post the link to it: Tarshish.
9:22 Possession.
9:22 Pre-eminence.
1A22
II Chronicles 9:22 And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
—> Father’s promise to Solomon which He made back in I Kings 3:11-14, is coming to pass, exactly as it always does. So long as we meet the conditions which He sets before us, He will always fulfill His promises. Let’s review what Father had told Solomon: I Kings 3:11 And God said unto him, “Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; [3:12] Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. [3:13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [3:14] And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” —> Solomon received every one of these except, long life. He didn’t receive that because, after having a successful first half of his reign, he turned and started serving and worshipping the false gods of his foreign wives during the second half of his reign; therefore, Father cut his life fairly short. He died at the age of 59, having reigned like the two kings before him, for 40 years. The number 40 denoting probation.
9:23 Acquired. Riches and wisdom.
9:23 Pre-eminence.
1A23
II Chronicles 9:23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. —> Do not overlook that key phrase at the end of this verse brethren!!! All gifts come from Father, and if you have any gift, it was Father Who gave it to you; therefore, it should be Father Who then receives the honor and glory for the use of that gift. Father is The only One Who deserves our praise. That wisdom is written in His Word, and as we read and Study His Word, we too can then also obtain Father’s Wisdom.
…all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom…=We’ll read three verses from now, just who these kings were, i.e., the kings of all the surrounding nations, from the Euphrates River, to the land of the Philistines, all the way to the border of Egypt, which helps explain the horses in the next two verses.
I’m sure that it wasn’t only the kings who heard of Solomon’s great wisdom—we just read in this Chapter that the queen of Sheba came because she had heard—I’m sure the commoner had heard as well. However, only the kings and queens, royalty and the rich could afford to come to see and hear for themselves Solomon’s wisdom and see his great riches and wealth.
9:24 Acquired. Riches and wisdom.
9:24 Gifts. Brought.
1A24
II Chronicles 9:24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. —> Each and every one of these kings brought gifts and presents with them to give to Solomon—like he really needed them. Of course, some of these items weren’t actually gifts or presents; some of them were the levy, or tax that Solomon imposed on all the kings of the surrounding nations every year. Every one of these kings was required to pay tribute to Israel a certain rate of what materials or other items that their country was in supply of; be it gold, silver, leather and other fine cloth goods, spices, perfumes, balsams, horses or mules etc..
…harnesses…=Let’s check this word out in our Strong’s Concordance brethren, when we do, we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5402, - ֶנֶשֶׁק or נֵשֶׁק, - nesheq or nêsheq, pronounced - nehי-shek or nahי-shek, and means: From H5401; military equipment, that is, (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an arsenal: - armed men, armour (-y), battle, harness, weapon. Total KJV occurrences: 10.. So, as we see, it does not mean harness as in the harness we put on a horse, it means weaponry, whether offensive or defensive. This is further confirmed in this verses parallel passage: I Kings 10:25, where we read: “…they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour…”.
9:25-28 Acquired. Riches.
9:25 Horses. Chariots. Gathered.
9:25 Stalls. Built.
1A25
II Chronicles 9:25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. —> There is a statement left out of this verse as compared to its parallel in I Kings 10:26, which reads: “And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen…”. There are several things to consider concerning this brethren: First, the “gathering of horses.” What did Father say concerning this? He told Moses back in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 not to do so. Let’s turn there and read it for ourselves: Deuteronomy 17:14 When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, ‘I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;’ —> Israel left Egypt during the exodus in the year 1,491B.C.. They wandered the wilderness for forty years due to their unbelief, and then moved into and inherited the Promised Land in the year 1,451B.C.. This was approximately 550 years ago from this time—here in Solomon’s day—and now, for roughly the past 100 years, they have indeed set a man king over them. [17:15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. —> To this point in our forefathers history, they have obeyed Father and have set the man over them whom Father chose: first Saul, then David, and now Solomon—unlike us who disobeyed Father and had indeed set a stranger over us, we allowed a foreigner, a usurper-in-charge named Obama to preside over us for 8 years—and to this point the kings of Israel have been obedient—for the most part—in not accumulating wealth unto themselves as Father is about to command them. [17:16] But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, ‘Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.’ —> Father brought our forefathers out of their bondage to the Egyptians and He didn’t want them to ever return to Egypt for anything, they were to completely leave the Egyptians alone. [17:17] Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. —> The last verse—Deuteronomy 17:16—and this one—Deuteronomy 17:17—is what got Solomon into trouble, as he did indeed accumulate horses, and those horses came from Egypt. Because Father had Blessed him with so much knowledge and wisdom, Solomon got the “big head,” in other words, a large ego. This caused him to think very highly of himself, and he not only accumulated wealth and material things; but, he accumulated women as well. These women were foreigners—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: see I Kings 11:1. In order to please these women who he brought in unto himself, Solomon turned from serving and worshipping Father only, to where he was now serving and worshipping their gods as we read back in I Kings 11:4. What’s the old addage, or saying? “where the king goes, so goes the nation.” [17:18] And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom,
that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: —> As we’ve seen by Solomon’s knowledge of “The Law,” he had obeyed this commandment and written his own copy of “The Law,” his problem began when he stopped following it. [17:19] And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear (read that, revere, i.e., honor, serve and worship) the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: —> I think it’s a safe bet to say, that for the first half of Solomon’s reign, he did indeed read and follow “The Law.” I feel it is also a safe bet to say, that sometime during the second half of his reign he stopped reading, or at least, follow all of which he was reading, and he began to pick and choose which he would still follow. [17:20] That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. —> Sadly, even after Father had Blessed him with all that knowledge, wisdom and wealth, Solomon did turn, which in turn, caused all Israel to turn, including his sons; and then after he returned Home to Father, most of his sons continued what he began — worshipping false gods and idols. Ultimately, it caused Father to first divide the House of Israel into two separate and distinct houses—the “House of Israel,” comprising of ten tribes; and the “House of Judah,” comprising the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, some of both Manasseh and Ephraim, and the majority of the Levites — the Priesthood. Both houses continued their rebellion until Father finally had enough! He sent, first the House of Israel into captivity to the Assyrians who later scattered them to the four corners of the globe — actually they went up over the Caucus Mountains and become known as the Caucasian Peoples, and settled Europe and other lands; then—two hundred years after the captivity of the House of Israel—the House of Judah was taken into captivity to the Babylonians. Father told His Prophets to tell the People that the captivity to the Babylonians would only be for 70 years, and then He would bring them back into their lands. He did as Promised, and it was Ezra and Nehemiah who led the charge to rebuild Jerusalem. However, as time wore on, the Levites again became lazy. They allowed the nethinims to retake over the Priesthood, forming the Sanhedrin who remain in charge to the time of Father being born in the flesh as His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. It was these “Jews” who ultimately crucified Him; but, with their identifying themselves as “Jews,” to this day, the world wrongly believes the “Jews” of the House of Israel crucified Him.
Secondly, the phrase “four thousand stalls for horses and chariots.” This is now the third Chapter and Verse with this phrase, or at least, a close facsimile thereof — I Kings 4:26; I Kings 11:26 and now this one here in II Chronicles 9:25. Let’s read them in the order they were written: I Kings 4:26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.; now from I Kings 11:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.; and now from our current Chapter II Chronicles 9:25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. —> In all three of these Chapters and Verses, the number of horsemen is the same at 12,000; it is the number of chariots, horses and stalls which differ. Which is correct? The answer to this is that more than likely, our current Chapter and Verse of II Chronicles 9:25 is correct. Why the difference? Because the ancient Hebrew characters were Phoenician, which can be seen on “The Moabite Stone.” The Phoenician characters were in current use until approximately 140 B.C., and were gradually replaced with the more modern Hebrew “square” characters. Still, mistakes happened, especially when copying certain characters which were similar in structure. The other thing to keep in mind was what Father told Moses and Israel in Deuteronomy 17:16—which we read above—that the king which man shall appoint over them, shall not gather to themselves horses. If this number were as written: 40,000, I’d say that that was a major gathering of horses.
But, before I digress too far, what this tells us is, Israel had a large and powerful Army in order to protect itself from any and all who dared to try and come against them. Of course, having this large an Army means that you’re now putting your trust in yourself and not in Father. Remember also, at this time, Israel had peace with all the surrounding nations, and they were the most powerful Nation in the region; and no other nation wanted to try and come up against our forefathers. Sadly, their powerhouse state did not last long, and more sadly still, the peace that they currently enjoy is about to be broken, why? Because of their choice of turning from Father. This is not recorded here in The Books of the Chronicles; no, we have to read of the reason in I Kings 11. I’ll not bring in the entire Chapter I Kings 11—you should take the time and do a separate home Study or you’ll never understand it—but I will summarize what transpired: I wrote when I brought in Deuteronomy 17:17 above, that Solomon had accumulated many women unto himself. As I said, we read in I Kings 11:1, that these were foreign women. Two Verses down, in Verse I Kings 11:3, we read that he had accumulated 700 wives and 300 concubines. In the following Verses, we read that he turned from Honoring, Serving and Worshipping Father only, to where he was now worshipping his foreign wives’ false gods. This angered Father and we read in Verse I Kings 11:11, that Father told Solomon that He was going to rend the kingdom from him; however, He would not do that while Solomon was still living, but, under his son Rehoboam’s reign and rule. That came to pass, as Father Divided the Nation of the House of Israel into two separate Nations: The House of Israel and the House of Judah. These two Nations are still divided and separate to this day in the year 2020. They will not be brought back together until our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns for His Second Advent. We can though, read of it in Ezekiel 37.
Here in I Chronicles 9, Solomon’s reign, rule and life are about to come to an end.
1A26
II Chronicles 9:26 And he reigned over all the kings from the river (this would be the Euphrates River) even unto the land of the Philistines (rolling; that is; migratory; and, immigrants) (pel-ehיsheth), and to the border of Egypt (land of the copts) (mits-rahי-yim). —> Again, every one of the kings of all the surrounding nations, from the Euphrates River, to the land of the Philistines, and all the way to the border of Egypt, did Solomon have dominion over. None of them dared or even thought of trying to come against Solomon and his army. But, also brethren, never forget, they all knew it was Father Who had His hand upon Solomon and Israel.
Philistines=For a detailed description of the Philistines, including their history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Egypt=For a detailed description of Egypt, including the nations history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
1A27
II Chronicles 9:27 And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance.
—> …silver…as stones…=Think about this brethren, silver was so abundant, that it was as stones just laying on the ground. Go outside and take a stroll, and as you do so, look down at the ground and notice all the stones and little rocks which lay on the ground, then picture all those stones and rocks in your mind as being silver. Yes, as you sit here at present and think on it, you think, wow, how nice would it be to be picking all that wealth up that easily? But remember, if was that accessible, that also means it loses its value, as it did in Israel at this time.
…sycomore trees…=These were some sort of fruit trees, either fig or mulberry; not as we think of our present day Sycomore trees.
…in the low plains…=Think of this as the lowlands, low country or a vale.
1A28
II Chronicles 9:28 And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.
—> …horses out of Egypt…=We read above that this was not to take place. Our forefathers were to get nothing from Egypt.
9:29-31 Death of Solomon.
1A29
II Chronicles 9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan (given; and, a giver) (naw-thawnי) the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah (brother (that is, worshipper) of Yah; and, friend of YAH) (akh-ee-yahי) the Shilonite (this is just saying that Ahijah was from Shiloh), and in the visions of Iddo (appointed, or timely; and, timely, or lovely) (yed-eeי or id-doי) the seer against Jeroboam ([the] people will contend; and, whose people are many) (yaw-rob-awmי) the son of Nebat (regard; and, aspect) (neb-awtי)? —> …are they not written…=Yes they are written. They are recorded in The Books of the Kings, I Kings 1-11, The Books of the Chronicles, II Chronicles 1-9, and as we read here, in books written by Nathan, Ahijah and Iddo. The life of Solomon was well chronicled. There is more recorded in The Books of the Kings than there is in The Books of the Chronicles; but, The Books of the Kings are from man’s perspective, whereas, The Books of the Chronicles are from Father’s Perspective.
Was each and every day of Solomon’s life written down? No, but, the important facts and events are recorded. We do get to read more of the events in The Books of the Kings than we do in The Books of the Chronicles. But, just think brethren, these are events which transpired 3,000 years ago and we get to read of them today. We also get to read some of what Solomon wrote in some of the Psalms, The Book of Esslesiastes, The Proverbs and also The Song of Solomon which is also known as “The Canonicals.”
Nathan=For a detailed description of Father’s prophet Nathan, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Ahijah=We are introduced to Father’s prophet Ahijah at the end of Solomon’s reign and rule over the United Kingdom of the House of Israel. † Ahijah is identified in Father’s Word as being a prophet and a Shilonite. Whether Ahijah was born in Shiloh, was an inhabitant of Shiloh, or prophesied there, we don’t know, as Father’s Word doesn’t say. Shiloh was where Joshua had set-up the Tabernacle and Father’s Ark while our forefathers subdued the people in the lands before them before moving into the Promised Land. † It was Ahijah who Father sent to Jeroboam to inform him that Father was about to divide the Nation into two separate Nations—the House of Israel, which would consist of ten tribes: the Tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Manasseh, Ephraim and some of the Levites; and the House of Judah, consisting of the Tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and some of the Levites—He did this by having Ahijah clad himself with a new garment. We can look at this new garment as a symbolical gesture of a “new set-up,” in other words, something new about to come to pass in Israel. Father will have Ahijah take a hold of his new garment and tear it into twelve pieces. It was the tearing apart of this new garment that represented exactly what happened with Solomon’s kingdom of Israel. With this garment being symbolical of Israel and the garment being on Father’s Prophet, this showed us that Israel is Father’s to do with as He pleases. Sadly, because of Solomon and Israel’s idolatry, it pleased Father to tear the Nation apart. Ahijah took ten of those pieces of his garment and gave them to Jeroboam and told Jeroboam that Father was giving the ten Tribes to him to rule over. † After taking control of the ten tribes, Jeroboam had set-up two golden calves for the ten tribes to worship so as they wouldn’t return to Jerusalem to Honor, Serve and Worship Father. This displeased Father, so Father caused Jeroboam’s son Abijah to become sick. Jeroboam, knowing he was doing wrong and that Ahijah would tell him so, told his wife to disguise herself and go see Ahijah tosee what would become of their son. Father, knowing Jeroboam and his wife’s plan, appeared to Ahijah and told him who would be coming to see him and what he should tell Jeroboam’s wife, i.e., that not only would their son die; but that Father was going to bring evil against Jeroboam and his entire male lineage, those who would die within the city, the dogs would eat and those who died outside the city, the fowls of the air would eat. † For the etymology of the name Ahijah, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “A prophet in the time of king Jeroboam (I Kings 11:29). The name Ahijah consists of two elements, which are both quite common in names. The first part comes from the enigmatic word אח ss(יah), meaning brother but not necessarily someone who is biologically kindred: The second part is יה (Yah) = יהו (Yahu) = יו (Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHVH. For a meaning of the name Ahiah or Ahijah, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Brother Of Yahveh. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names suggests alternatively Brother Of Jehovah and Brother Of The Lord. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary reads Brother Of Yah. Since Yahveh absolutely certainly has no brother in any Jewish tradition, the word אח in this name should best be translated with our word friend or perhaps ally. And indeed, the letter י (yod) tied to the word אח forms “brother of,” and the compound אחי tied to the abbreviation יה may be contracted to our name אחיה, meaning Ally Of Yah. But the yod may also singularly belong to יה, and the name may in fact be: אח יה, meaning An Ally (Brother/Friend) Is Yah.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H281, - אֲחִיָּהss or אֲחִיָּהוּ, - 'ăchı̂yâh or 'ăchı̂yâhû, pronounced - akh-ee-yawי or akh-ee-yawי-hoo, and means: From H251 and H3050; brother (that is, worshipper) of YAH; Achijah, the name of nine Israelites: - Ahiah, Ahijah. Total KJV occurrences: 24.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A prophet of Shiloh I Kings 14:2, hence called the Shilonite I Kings 11:29, of whom we have two remarkable prophecies extant, the one in I Kings 11:30-39 addressed to Jeroboam, announcing the rending of the ten tribes from Solomon; the other in I Kings 14:6-16 in which he foretold the death of Abijah, the king’s son, who was sick, and the destruction of Jeroboam’s house on account of the images which he had set up I kings 14:2,3.”.
Shiloh=For a detailed description of Shiloh, including the City’s history, the etymology of the name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of the name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Iddo=Nothing is written in Father’s Word concerning Father’s Prophet Iddo. We do know that he was a Prophet of Father’s though, because of what is written in II Chronicles 9:29, concerning what he wrote about the acts of Solomon against Jeroboam. † For the etymology of the name Iddo, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “The name יעדי belongs to a famous Biblical prophet, who wrote his own book, which never made it into the canon and was lost forever (II Chronicles 9:29). But apparently, the Book of Iddo contained acts of king Solomon, visions concerning king Jeroboam, the acts of king Rehoboam and the acts and words of king Abijah. The name Iddo should actually be pronounced as Yiddo or Yiddi (and in English Jiddo, with a J like Joseph and Jacob; names that also start with the letter י, (yod), but this prophet is named such only once, in II Chronicles 9:29. In II Chronicles 12:15 and 13:22 he is called עדו (Iddo). The version of the name Iddo possibly come from the verb עדד ss(יadad), which probably has to do with time: The letter י (yod) upon which Iddo ends, may either create an adjective (such-and-such-like, a possessive form (my such and such), whereas the letter ו (waw) upon which Iddo ends may be due to a third person possessive pronoun: his. For a meaning of the name Iddo, Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Timely, and Time Of Him. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary agrees with Jones on the etymology, lists his name under the obscure root עדד, but offers no interpretation.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5714, - עִדּוֹאss or עִדּוֹאss or עִדִּיא, - ‛iddô, ‛iddô' or ‛iddı̂y', pronounced - id-doי, id-doי or id-deeי, and means: From H5710; timely; Iddo (or Iddi), the name of five Israelites: - Iddo. Compare H3035, H3260. Total KJV occurrences: 10.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “timely or lovely. A seer whose “visions” against Jeroboam incidentally contained some of the acts of Solomon (II Chronicles 9:29). He appears to have written a chronicle or story relating to the life and reign of Abijah II Chronicles 13:22.”.
Jeroboam=For a detailed description of Jeroboam, including his history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Nebat=The only thing written in Father’s Word concerning Nebat is that his wife’s name was Zeruah and he was the father of Jeroboam, the first king of the divided House of Israel. † For the etymology of the name Nebat, we read the following in Abarim Publications: “There’s only one Nebat in the Bible, but we only know about him because he’s the father of Jeroboam and the husband of Zeruah (I Kings 11:26). Nebat himself plays no role in Scriptures. The name Nebat comes from the verb נבט (nabat), to look, regard: For a meaning of the name Nebat, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Look. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names reads Aspect.” † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H5028, - נְבָט, - nebâṭ, pronounced - neb-awtי, and means: From H5027; regard; Nebat, the father of Jeroboam (the first): - Nebat. Total KJV occurrences: 25.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Aspect. The father of Jeroboam, (I Kings 11:26; 12:2,15) etc., is described as an Ephrathite or Ephraimite of Zereda.”.
1A30
II Chronicles 9:30 And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. —> …forty years…=Solomon reigned from 920-880B.C., again, he was 59 years old when he returned Home to Father in heaven.
…forty…=The number forty in Biblical numerics denotes probation. From Dr. Bullinger’s Book, “Number in Scripture,” we read the following: “The number forty has long been universally recognized as an important number, both on account of the frequency of its occurrence, and the uniformity of its association with a period of probation, trial, and chastisement—(not judgment, like the number 9, which stands in connection with the punishment of enemies, but the chastisement of sons, and of a covenant people). It is the product of 5 and 8, and points to the action of grace (5), leading to and ending in revival and renewal (8). This is certainly the case where forty relates to a period of evident probation. But where it relates to enlarged dominion, or to renewed or extended rule, then it does so in virtue of its factors 4 and 10, and in harmony with their signification. There are 15 such periods which appear on the surface of the Scriptures, and which may be thus classified: — Forty Years of Probation by Trial: Israel in the wilderness, Deut 8:2-5; Psa 95:10; Acts 13:18 (the third 40 of Moses’ life, 120 years). Israel from the crucifixion to the destruction of Jerusalem. Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Deliverance and Rest: under Othniel, Judg 3:11, under Barak, Judg 5:31, under Gideon, Judg 8:28. Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Enlarged Dominion: under David, II Sam 5:4, under Solomon, I Kings 11:42, under Jeroboam II. See II Kings 12:17,18, 13:3,5,7,22,25, 14:12-14,23,28, under Jehoash, II Kings 12:1, under Joash, II Chron 24:1. Forty Years of Probation by Humiliation and Servitude: Israel under the Philistines, Judg 13:1. Israel in the time of Eli, I Sam 4:18. Israel under Saul, Acts 13:21. Forty Years of Probation by Waiting: Moses in Egypt, Acts 7:23. Moses in Midian, Acts 7:30. FORTY DAYS: There are eight of such great periods on the surface of the Bible: Forty days Moses was in the mount, Exo 24:18; and to receive the Law, Exo 24:18. Forty days Moses was in the mount after the sin of the Golden Calf, Deut 9:18,25. Forty days of the spies, issuing in the penal sentence of the 40 years, Num 13:26, 14:34. Forty days of Elijah in Horeb, I Kings 19:8. Forty days of Jonah and Nineveh, Jonah 3:4. Forty days Ezekiel lay on his right side to symbolize the 40 years of Judah’s transgression.* Forty days Jesus was tempted of the Devil, Matt 4:2. Forty days Jesus was seen of His disciples, speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Acts 1:2. * Thus 40 becomes a number closely connected with Judah, as 390 (Eze 4:5) is the number of separated Israel. The significance of this will be seen (on p. 215), for 40 is a multiple of 8, and 390 is a multiple of 13. It may also be noted that 65 (5x13) is the number of Ephraim, while 70 is specially connected with Jerusalem.”.
Solomon did a lot of things during his reign, and a lot of good things. For the first 20+ years he did very well. He built Father’ Temple, the palatial complex, the House of the Cedar of Lebanon, the house for pharaoh’s daughter: the queen, he brought in much gold and other sundries. It wasn’t until he got the “big head” after he completed all his building and Father appeared to him, Blessing him with all the wisdom he had, and then wanting to show off that Father Given Wisdom. It was then he started succumbing to the lust of the flesh and he started accumulating his foreign wives and concubines, and then started worshipping and building altars for his foreign wives’ false gods, and causing Israel to worship them too. Remember, all of the things that Solomon and Israel did, bringing in the wealth of the world by ships, and it happened in a short span of only forty years.
1A31
II Chronicles 9:31 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David (loving; and, well-beloved) (Daw-veedי) his father: and Rehoboam (a people has enlarged; and, enlarger of the people) (rekh-ab-awmי) his son reigned in his stead. —> Solomon has now returned Home to Father and his son Rehoboam is king over all the Nation of the House of Israel; however, it’ll only be for a short while, as the kingdom will shortly be divided into two separate Nations. As told him by Father through His Prophet Ahijah, Jeroboam will get to claim the majority of the kingdom, leaving Rehoboam with only two tribes for himself.
David=For a detailed description of David, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Rehoboam=For a detailed description of Rehoboam, including his birth, history, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
Dec 2020
This Bible Study was written by Scott Reis and is provided in order to be used as a private Bible Study Tool. Therefore, it may be copied in whole or in part and shared for private Bible Study; however, it may not be reproduced and published as an original work.
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