2 Chronicles Chapter 8

Commentary

Solomon's Additional Accomplishments

(1 Kings 9:15-28)

1And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house, 2That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

3And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it. 4And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath. 5Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars; 6And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.

7As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel, 8But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day. 9But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen. 10And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.

11And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.

12Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch, 13Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.

14And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded. 15And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

16Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.

17Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom. 18And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Solomon’s Additional Achievements
(1 Kings 9:10–28)

1 It happened at the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the house of Yahweh, and his own house, 2 that the cities which Huram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

3 Solomon went to Hamath Zobah, and prevailed against it. 4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath. 5 Also he built Beth Horon the upper, and Beth Horon the lower, fortified cities, with walls, gates, and bars; 6 and Baalath, and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

7 As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel; 8 of their children who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel didn’t consume, of them Solomon conscripted forced labor to this day. 9 But of the children of Israel, Solomon made no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen. 10 These were the chief officers of king Solomon, even two-hundred fifty, who ruled over the people.

11 Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her; for he said, “My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places where the ark of Yahweh has come are holy.”

12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of Yahweh, which he had built before the porch, 13 even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts, three times in the year, in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tents.

14 He appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their offices, to praise, and to minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required; the doorkeepers also by their divisions at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded. 15 They didn’t depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared to the day of the foundation of the house of Yahweh, and until it was finished. So the house of Yahweh was completed.

17 Then went Solomon to Ezion Geber, and to Eloth, on the seashore in the land of Edom. 18 Huram sent him ships and servants who had knowledge of the sea by the hands of his servants; and they came with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and fetched from there four hundred fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.

Solomon’s Additional Achievements
(1 Kings 9:10–28)

1 Now at the end of the twenty years during which Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own palace, 2 Solomon rebuilt the cities Hiram a had given him and settled Israelites there.

3 Then Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and captured it. 4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness, in addition to all the store cities that he had built in Hamath. 5 He rebuilt Upper and Lower Beth-horon as fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars, 6 as well as Baalath, all the store cities that belonged to Solomon, and all the cities for his chariots and horses b —whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout the land of his dominion.

7 As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— 8 their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to destroy—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

9 But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slave labor, because they were his men of war, his officers and captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry. 10 They were also the chief officers for King Solomon: 250 supervisors.

11 Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her. For he said, “My wife must not live in the house of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.”

12 At that time Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD he had built in front of the portico. 13 He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, c the Feast of Weeks, d and the Feast of Tabernacles. e

14 In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God. 15 They did not turn aside from the king’s command regarding the priests or the Levites or any matter concerning the treasuries.

16 Thus all the work of Solomon was carried out, from the day the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was completed.

17 Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth f on the coast of Edom. g 18 So Hiram sent him ships captained by his servants, along with crews of experienced sailors. They went with Solomon’s servants to Ophir and acquired from there 450 talents of gold, h which they delivered to King Solomon.

 

Footnotes:

2 a Hebrew Huram , a variant of Hiram ; also in verse 18
6 b Or horsemen  or charioteers
13 c That is, the seven-day period after the Passover during which no leaven may be eaten; see Exodus 12:14–20.
13 d That is, Shavuot, the late spring feast of pilgrimage to Jerusalem; it is also known as the Feast of Harvest  (see Exodus 23:16) or the Feast of Pentecost  (see Acts 2:1).
13 e That is, Sukkot, the autumn feast of pilgrimage to Jerusalem; also translated as the Feast of Booths  or the Feast of Shelters  and originally called the Feast of Ingathering  (see Exodus 23:16 and Exodus 34:22).
17 f Eloth  is a variant of Elath ; see LXX, 2 Kings 14:22, and 2 Kings 16:6.
17 g That is, along the shore of the Red Sea in the land of Edom
18 h 450 talents  is approximately 17 tons or 15.4 metric tons of gold.

Solomon's Additional Accomplishments

(1 Kings 9:15-28)

1And it cometh to pass, at the end of twenty years, that Solomon hath built the house of Jehovah, and his own house. 2As to the cities that Huram hath given to Solomon, Solomon hath built them, and there he causeth the sons of Israel to dwell.

3And Solomon goeth to Hamath-Zobah, and layeth hold upon it; 4and he buildeth Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the cities of store that he hath built in Hamath. 5And he buildeth Beth-Horon the upper, and Beth-Horon the lower -- cities of defence, with walls, two-leaved doors, and bar -- 6and Baalath, and all the cities of store that Solomon had, and all the cities of the chariot, and the cities of the horsemen, and all the desire of Solomon that he desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

7All the people who are left of the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, who are not of Israel -- 8of their sons who have been left after them in the land, whom the sons of Israel consumed not -- doth Solomon lift up a tribute unto this day. 9And none of the sons of Israel hath Solomon made servants for his work, but they are men of war, and heads of his captains, and heads of his charioteers, and of his horsemen; 10and these are heads of the officers whom king Solomon hath, two hundred and fifty who are rulers among the people.

11And the daughter of Pharaoh hath Solomon brought up from the city of David to the house that he built for her, for he said, 'My wife doth not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, for they are holy unto whom hath come the ark of Jehovah.'

12Then hath Solomon caused to ascend burnt-offerings to Jehovah on the altar of Jehovah that he built before the porch, 13even by the matter of a day in its day, to cause to ascend according to the command of Moses, on sabbaths, and on new moons, and on appointed seasons, three times in a year -- in the feast of unleavened things, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths.

14And he establisheth, according to the ordinance of David his father, the courses of the priests over their service, and of the Levites over their charges, to praise and to minister over-against the priests, according to the matter of a day in its day, and the gatekeepers in their courses at gate and gate, for so is the command of David the man of God. 15And they have not turned aside from the command of the king concerning the priests and the Levites, in reference to any matter, and to the treasures.

16And all the work of Solomon is prepared till the day of the foundation of the house of Jehovah, and till its completion; perfect is the house of Jehovah.

17Then hath Solomon gone to Ezion-Geber, and unto Elath, on the border of the sea, in the land of Edom; 18and Huram sendeth to him, by the hand of his servants, ships and servants knowing the sea, and they go with servants of Solomon to Ophir, and take thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and bring in unto king Solomon.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 8?
2Introduction to 2 Chronicles 8
3Context of 2 Chronicles 8
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
62 Chronicles 8 Unique Insights
72 Chronicles 8 Connections to Yeshua
82 Chronicles 8 Scriptural Echoes
92 Chronicles 8 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 8?

Introduction to 2 Chronicles 8

The eighth chapter of 2 Chronicles provides a fascinating glimpse into the zenith of Solomon’s reign, showcasing his remarkable administrative abilities and his dedication to proper worship. This chapter serves as a bridge between the completion of the Temple and Solomon’s later years, demonstrating how he balanced sacred and secular responsibilities while establishing Israel as a regional power.

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The significance of this chapter lies in its careful documentation of how Solomon implemented the spiritual and administrative infrastructure necessary to maintain both the Temple worship system and his expanding kingdom. It presents a model of how spiritual priorities can be harmoniously integrated with governmental responsibilities when God’s wisdom guides leadership.

Context of 2 Chronicles 8

Within the immediate context of 2 Chronicles, this chapter follows the magnificent dedication of the Temple in chapters 6-7, where God’s glory filled the Temple and He appeared to Solomon at night. Chapter 8 shows the practical outworking of God’s blessing on Solomon’s kingdom, demonstrating how divine favor manifests in both spiritual and material prosperity.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter provides crucial insights into how the Davidic covenant was being fulfilled through Solomon’s reign. It illustrates the potential of what Israel could become under godly leadership and proper Temple worship, foreshadowing aspects of the Messianic kingdom. The chapter’s emphasis on building cities, establishing trade routes, and maintaining proper worship would later serve as a contrast to Solomon’s eventual decline, highlighting how prosperity without continued spiritual vigilance can lead to compromise.

This account also serves as an important historical benchmark, showing Israel at its geographical, political, and spiritual peak. The details provided about Solomon’s administration, building projects, and worship arrangements would later become especially relevant during the post-exilic period when the returning Jews sought to restore proper Temple worship and national organization.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Built (banah בָּנָה): This Hebrew word appears multiple times in the chapter, signifying not just physical construction but also establishing and developing. It carries the connotation of laying foundations for future generations and building up God’s kingdom, both literally and figuratively.
  • Cities (עָרִים arim): The plural form used here denotes more than just urban centers; it represents centers of administration and culture. These cities were strategic points for controlling trade routes and maintaining Solomon’s influence throughout the region.
  • Offerings (עֹלוֹת olot): Specifically referring to burnt offerings, this term represents complete dedication to God. The root means “to ascend,” suggesting these offerings were seen as ascending to heaven, symbolizing total consecration to God.
  • Command (מִצְוַת mitzvat): This term implies more than just an order; it represents divine instruction and authority. Solomon’s adherence to these commands demonstrated his initial commitment to following God’s ways.
  • Storage Cities (עָרֵי הַמִּסְכְּנוֹת arei hamisk’not): These specialized cities served as strategic supply points, demonstrating Solomon’s administrative wisdom. The root word is related to “treasure” or “store,” indicating these were more than mere warehouses but centers of economic power.
  • According to the Order (כְּמִשְׁפַּט k’mishpat): This phrase refers to proper legal and ritual arrangement, suggesting that Solomon was careful to follow prescribed patterns of worship exactly as David had established them.
  • Service (עֲבֹדַת avodat): This term specifically relates to Temple service but carries broader implications of worship and dedication to God. It’s the same root used for “servant,” emphasizing the humble nature of true worship.
  • Foreigner (נָכְרִי nochri): The use of this term in describing those who were separate from Temple service highlights the distinction between sacred and common in ancient Israel’s worship system.
  • Appointed (מַעֲמַד ma’amad): This term refers to established positions or stations, indicating organized and structured service. It suggests permanence and official recognition in Temple service.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 1’s “twenty years” is specifically mentioned to connect Solomon’s building projects with the completion of both the Temple and his palace. The Hebrew construction emphasizes this as a complete period, using the phrase “וַיְהִי מִקֵּץ” (vayehi mikeitz), literally “and it was at the end of,” suggesting a significant milestone rather than just a chronological marker.
  • In verse 11, Solomon’s decision regarding Pharaoh’s daughter uses the word “לֹא-תֵשֵׁב” (lo-teshev), “shall not dwell,” rather than a simpler prohibition. This stronger construction emphasizes the absolute separation between pagan influences and sacred spaces, reflecting Solomon’s initial spiritual discernment.
  • The description of offerings in verse 13 uses precise liturgical terminology, employing “לְהַעֲלוֹת” (leha’alot), “to offer up,” rather than simpler terms for giving or presenting. This specific vocabulary emphasizes the vertical dimension of worship, suggesting movement from earth to heaven.
  • Verse 14’s description of David’s ordinances uses “כְּמִשְׁפַּט” (k’mishpat), “according to the ordinance,” rather than a more general term for instructions, emphasizing the legal and binding nature of these worship arrangements.
  • The mention of Solomon’s “desire” (חֵשֶׁק chesheq) in verse 6 uses a term that implies emotional attachment rather than mere planning, suggesting his personal investment in these projects.
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2 Chronicles 8 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of meaning that reveal profound spiritual truths. The strategic placement of storage cities throughout the kingdom parallels the rabbinic concept of “cities of refuge for the soul” – places where spiritual resources are stored and distributed. Early rabbinic commentaries noted that Solomon’s building projects followed a pattern that mirrored the layout of the Temple itself, suggesting he was attempting to extend the Temple’s sanctifying influence throughout the land.

The Targum Jonathan adds an interesting insight regarding Solomon’s treatment of Pharaoh’s daughter, suggesting that her removal from the City of David was prompted by a prophetic vision Solomon received. This traditional interpretation adds depth to understanding Solomon’s initial spiritual sensitivity and desire to maintain proper separation between sacred and secular spaces.

The chapter’s detailed description of the implementation of David’s worship orders carries significant meaning in light of the ancient Jewish understanding of “zeman” (appointed times). The precise arrangement of Levitical duties according to David’s pattern was seen as establishing a temporal sanctuary – making sacred time as important as sacred space. This concept would later influence early Messianic understanding of Yeshua as the fulfillment of both sacred space and time.

The mention of Hiram’s ships bringing gold from Ophir contains an interesting parallel to Midrash Tanchuma, which connects this trade with the spread of knowledge of the God of Israel to distant nations. This foreshadows the prophetic role of Israel as a light to the nations, ultimately fulfilled in Messiah.

2 Chronicles 8 Connections to Yeshua

Solomon’s careful administration of both sacred and secular affairs points forward to Yeshua’s perfect fulfillment of both priestly and kingly roles. The chapter’s emphasis on proper worship arrangements and the sanctity of sacred space foreshadows how Yeshua would become the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, replacing the physical Temple with His own body (John 2:19-21).

The international nature of Solomon’s kingdom, with its trade relationships and influence over surrounding nations, prefigures the universal reach of Messiah’s kingdom. Just as Solomon’s reign attracted foreign nations to acknowledge Israel’s God, Yeshua draws people from every nation into His kingdom, fulfilling the promise that through Abraham’s seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 22:18).

2 Chronicles 8 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with several other biblical passages and themes. Solomon’s building projects echo the construction of the Tabernacle under Moses (Exodus 40), while his administration of the kingdom reflects the organizational wisdom seen in Exodus 18 when Jethro advised Moses.

The careful attention to proper worship and sacrificial requirements points forward to the perfect sacrifice of Messiah described in Hebrews 9:11-14. The international scope of Solomon’s kingdom finds its ultimate fulfillment in passages like Revelation 7:9, describing people from every nation worshipping before God’s throne.

Solomon’s role as both builder and administrator prefigures Messiah’s work in building His church (Matthew 16:18) and establishing His kingdom (Isaiah 9:7).

2 Chronicles 8 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to consider how we integrate our spiritual commitments with our daily responsibilities. Solomon’s example shows that attention to practical details and administration can be an act of worship when done in service to God. How are we organizing our lives to support and enhance our worship of God?

The careful distinction Solomon maintained between sacred and common spaces prompts us to examine our own lives. What boundaries do we need to establish to protect our walk with God? How can we ensure that our success and prosperity don’t lead us away from dependence on Him?

Did You Know

  • The storage cities mentioned in this chapter served as ancient distribution centers along major trade routes, similar to modern logistics hubs. Archaeological evidence has confirmed the existence of large storage facilities dating to Solomon’s time.
  • The phrase “according to the order of David his father” uses a Hebrew legal term that implies these arrangements had the force of constitutional law in ancient Israel.
  • The mention of the Queen of Egypt’s separate residence represents the first time in biblical history that diplomatic considerations influenced architectural decisions in Jerusalem.
  • The naval expedition to Ophir mentioned in verse 18 likely involved a journey of over two years, demonstrating the extensive reach of Solomon’s trading network.
  • The system of rotating Levitical service established by David and implemented by Solomon became the model for Temple worship that continued until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
  • Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the existence of fortified cities from Solomon’s era at strategic points mentioned in this chapter, validating the historical accuracy of the account.
  • The organization of Temple personnel described here influenced the structure of early Messianic Jewish congregations, as evidenced in the New Testament accounts of church organization.
  • The gold of Ophir mentioned in verse 18 was considered the finest quality gold in the ancient world, equivalent to “24-karat” gold in modern terms.

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