13 And the weight of the gold that is coming to Solomon in one year is six hundred and sixty and six talents of gold, 14 apart from 'what' the tourists, and the merchants, are bringing in; and all the kings of Arabia, and the governors of the land, are bringing in gold and silver to Solomon. 15 And king Solomon maketh two hundred targets of alloyed gold, six hundred 'shekels' of alloyed gold he causeth to go up on the one target; 16 and three hundred shields of alloyed gold, three hundred 'shekels' of gold he causeth to go up on the one shield, and the king putteth them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. 17 And the king maketh a great throne of ivory, and overlayeth it with pure gold; 18 and six steps 'are' to the throne, and a footstool of gold, to the throne they are fastened, and hands 'are' on this 'side' and on that on the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands, 19 and twelve lions are standing there on the six steps on this 'side', and on that: it hath not been made so for any kingdom. 20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon 'are' of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon 'are' of refined gold—silver is not reckoned in the days of Solomon for anything; 21 for ships of the king are going to Tarshish, with servants of Huram: once in three years come do the ships of Tarshish bearing gold, and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. 22 And king Solomon becometh greater than any of the kings of the earth for riches and wisdom; 23 and all the kings of the earth are seeking the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom that God hath put in his heart, 24 and they are bringing in each his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. 25 And there are to Solomon four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, and he placed them in cities of the chariot, and with the king in Jerusalem. 26 And he is ruling over all the kings from the River even unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt. 27 And the king maketh the silver in Jerusalem as stones, and the cedars he hath made as sycamores, that 'are' in the low country, for abundance, 28 and they are bringing out horses from Egypt to Solomon, and from all the lands.
29 And the rest of the matters of Solomon, the first and the last, are they not written beside the matters of Nathan the prophet, and beside the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and with the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat? 30 And Solomon reigneth in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years, 31 and Solomon lieth with his fathers, and they bury him in the city of David his father, and reign doth Rehoboam his son in his stead.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9:13-31
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.