14 Solomon collected chariots and horses: 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses! He stabled them in the special chariot-cities as well as in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as common as rocks, and cedar as common as the fig trees in the lowland hills. 16 His horses were brought in from Egypt and Cilicia, specially acquired by the king's agents. 17 Chariots from Egypt went for fifteen pounds of silver and a horse for about three and three-quarters of a pound of silver. Solomon carried on a brisk horse-trading business with the Hittite and Aramean royal houses.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 1:14-17
Chapter Contents
Solomon's choice of wisdom, His strength and wealth.
SOLOMON began his reign with a pious, public visit to God's altar. Those that pursue present things most eagerly, are likely to be disappointed; while those that refer themselves to the providence of God, if they have not the most, have the most comfort. Those that make this world their end, come short of the other, and are disappointed in this also; but those that make the other world their end, shall not only obtain that, and full satisfaction in it, but shall have as much of this world as is good for them, in their way. Let us then be contented, without those great things which men generally covet, but which commonly prove fatal snares to the soul.