2 Chronicles 9:13–31 (September 26, 2025)

Solomon's Wealth

13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, 14 besides that which the explorers and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon. 15 King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels[a] of beaten gold went into each shield. 16 And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. 17 The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. 18 The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests, 19 while twelve lions stood there, one on each end of a step on the six steps. Nothing like it was ever made for any kingdom. 20 All King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon. 21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Hiram. Once every three years the ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.[b]

22 Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. 24 Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and of gold, garments, myrrh,[c] spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year. 25 And Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 26 And he ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates[d] to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. 27 And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. 28 And horses were imported for Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.

Solomon's Death

29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat? 30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. 31 And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father, and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 9:15 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams

2 Chronicles 9:21 Or baboons

2 Chronicles 9:24 Or armor

2 Chronicles 9:26 Hebrew the River

The Fleeting Glory of Solomon and the Eternal Wisdom of Christ

Summary

Solomon’s reign is marked by extraordinary wealth. Each year, he received 666 talents of gold, apart from additional income from traders and regional kings (vv. 13–14). He crafted shields of gold, and his throne was made of ivory overlaid with pure gold, flanked by twelve lions. “Nothing like it was made for any kingdom” (vv. 17–19). The wealth was so vast that even silver was described as common.

His fame extended worldwide. Kings of the earth sought his presence to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart, bringing annual tribute of silver, gold, garments, spices, horses, and mules (vv. 22–24). Solomon's army was great, which allowed him to rule all the lands (vv. 25–28).

But the narrative ends with his death.

Who is God?

God is the source of wisdom, glory, and prosperity. Solomon’s riches and fame came not from his own hand but as God’s gift, fulfilling the promise given at Gibeon (1:11–12). God is sovereign over kings. He raises them up and brings them low. He allowed the nations to marvel at Solomon’s splendor so that His own greatness might be revealed. Yet by recording Solomon’s death, the Chronicler reminds us that even the greatest king is mortal. God alone reigns forever.

What is our guilt?

We crave Solomon’s wealth and splendor while forgetting their fleeting nature. We envy his throne, his gold, his fame, and imagine that such abundance would make us secure. But Solomon’s end reminds us that even the most glorious human reign ends in a tomb. Like Israel after him, we put our trust in human leaders, financial stability, or worldly systems. Honestly, we love gold more than God because we mistake prosperity for permanence.

How does grace shine?

Christ is the true and the ultimate King. Solomon’s golden throne has long perished, but Christ’s throne is eternal, established in righteousness. Where Solomon died and was buried, Christ rose from the grave and lives forever. Nations once traveled to hear Solomon’s wisdom. Still, now the nations are invited to Christ, who is Himself “the power of God and the wisdom of God." In Him, we inherit a kingdom that cannot perish or fade. The fleeting glory of Solomon finds its fulfillment in the eternal reign of Jesus.

Prayer

O Lord, you are the giver of wisdom and the ruler of kings. We confess that we often desire financial stability, social status, and worldly glory more than you. Forgive us for placing our hope in what fades.

Thank you for Jesus Christ, the eternal King, whose wisdom surpasses Solomon and whose throne will never end. Teach us to seek first your kingdom, to treasure Christ above gold, and to live as citizens of His everlasting reign. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.