II Chronicles 1:17 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 1:17 Commentary: Solomon's Forbidden Horse Trade
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Solomon's chariot trade with Egypt violated Deuteronomy's prohibition and foreshadowed his apostasy. Explore the meaning of 2 Chronicles 1:17.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Solomon's agents imported chariots and horses from Egypt and exported them to Hittite and Syrian kings, recording the prices as evidence of his wealth and commerce.
- Key words: “brought up” (Hiphil of עָלָה), “brought out” (Hiphil of יָצָא), “by their hand” (בְּיָדָם), verbs stress the active role of Solomon's agents.
- Main debate: Whether the Chronicler intends this as a neutral record of greatness or as a subtle indictment of disobedience leading to apostasy.
- Theological theme: The danger of conflating divine blessing with human autonomy. God's gifts can become traps when used outside his boundaries.
- Best use: To illustrate how prosperity can test allegiance, and to warn that even the wisest and most blessed must obey the plain commands of God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.
WEB World English Bible 2000
They imported from Egypt then exported a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver and a horse for one hundred fifty. They also exported them to the Hittite kings and the Syrian kings.
KJV King James Version 1769
And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And they fetched up and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and they come up, and bring out from Egypt a chariot for six hundred silverlings, and a horse for fifty and a hundred, and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Aram--by their hand they bring out.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And they fetched up and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty; and so they brought [them] by their means, for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
A chariot of four horses for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: in like manner market was made in all the kingdoms of the Hethites, and of the kings of Syria.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y subían, y sacaban de Egipto, un carro por seiscientas piezas de plata, y un caballo por ciento y cincuenta: y así se sacaban por medio de ellos para todos los reyes de los Hetheos, y para los reyes de Siria.
E subiam, e tiravam do Egito, um carro por seiscentas peças de prata, e um cavalo por cento e cinquenta: e assim se tiravam por meio deles para todos os reis dos Heteus, e para os reis da Síria.
on faisait monter et sortir d’ Égypte un char pour six cents sicles d’ argent, et un cheval pour cent cinquante sicles. Ils en amenaient de même avec eux pour tous les rois des Héthiens et pour les rois de Syrie.
und brachten' s aus Ägypten heraus, je einen Wagen um sechshundert Silberlinge, ein Roß um hundertfünfzig. Also brachten sie auch allen Königen der Hethiter und den Königen von Syrien.
En zij brachten op, en voerden een wagen uit van Egypte voor zeshonderd sikkelen zilvers, en een paard voor eenhonderd en vijftig; en alzo voerden zij die door hun hand uit, voor alle koningen der Hethieten, en voor de koningen van Syrie.
e facevano uscire dall’Egitto e giungere a destinazione un equipaggio per il costo di seicento sicli d’argento; un cavallo per il costo di centocinquanta. Nello stesso modo, per mezzo di que’ mercanti, se ne facean venire per tutti i re degli Hittei e per i re della Siria.
A wychodzili i przywodzili z Egiptu cug woźników za sześć set srebrników, a konia za sto i za pięćdziesiąt. A tak wszyscy królowie Hetejscy, i królowie Syryjscy z rąk ich koni dostawali.
Колесница получаема и доставляема была из Египта за шестьсот сиклей серебра, а конь за сто пятьдесят. Таким же образом они руками своими доставляли это всем царям Хеттейским и царям Арамейским.
他們從埃及 買 來 的車，每輛價銀 六 百舍客勒，馬 每匹一百 五十舍客勒。赫人 諸 王 和亞蘭 諸王所買的車馬，也是按這價值 經他們手 買來的。
A war-carriage might be got from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: they got them at the same rate for all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Chronicles 1:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators generally read this verse as part of the Chronicler's demonstration of Solomon's wealth and the fulfillment of God's promise of riches (1:12). Yet the specific mention of Egypt, the prices, and the export to neighboring kings creates a direct link to the Mosaic prohibition in Deuteronomy 17:16, which forbade the king from multiplying horses from Egypt. Adam Clarke, drawing on Bishop Warburton, argues that this trade was the “original mischief” that led step by step to Solomon's idolatry. Matthew Henry likewise criticizes the accumulation of horses, noting that David never rode in a chariot. Keil and Delitzsch, however, emphasize that the Chronicler selects this material to show how God gave Solomon glory and possessions, without explicit moral commentary. The parallel in 1 Kings 10:26-29 confirms the historicity of the trade. Thus, while the Chronicler does not directly condemn, the known prohibition and the later narrative of Solomon's apostasy create an unmistakable tension. The verse stands as a quiet but serious warning about the dangers of using God's blessings in ways that violate God's commands.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Neutral historical record: The Chronicler includes the trade as part of a straightforward description of Solomon's wealth, without explicit moralizing or condemnation.
- Implicit indictment: The placement after God's gift of wisdom and the known Mosaic prohibition (Deut 17:16) signals to informed readers that Solomon is transgressing. Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry argue this.
- Theological demonstration of promise: Keil and Delitzsch note that the Chronicler selects this material to show the fulfillment of God's promise of riches and honor, not to critique.
What is clear: That Solomon imported chariots and horses from Egypt and exported them to Hittite and Syrian kings is historically clear from the text.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of the verse in the Chronicler’s narrative | The verse records Solomon's commercial activities and contributes to the picture of his wealth and influence. | Some see it as part of a straightforward demonstration that God fulfilled His promise of riches; others argue it is included with intentional ambiguity, allowing readers familiar with the law and subsequent history to discern a warning. |
| Violation of Moses' prohibition | Deuteronomy 17:16 forbids the king from multiplying horses from Egypt. Solomon’s trade clearly involves obtaining horses from Egypt. | Whether the Chronicler expected his audience to recognize the violation. Adam Clarke and Matthew Henry see explicit criticism; Keil and Delitzsch treat the passage as a factual summary without moral comment. |
| Connection to Solomon's later apostasy | The horse trade with Egypt initiated contact and alliances that are historically linked to Solomon’s marriages to foreign women and eventual idolatry. | Was the horse trade the direct cause of the fall, or merely one symptom of a deeper drift? Bishop Warburton (quoted by Clarke) argues it was the 'original mischief.' Others see it as a case study in how small compromises accumulate. |
| Relevance for today | The passage is valuable for teaching about obedience, prosperity, and the subtlety of temptation. | Christians differ on whether the primary lesson is about using God-given resources wisely, or about the specific dangers of political and commercial alliances with ungodly nations. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, Egypt was renowned for breeding superior horses and building advanced chariots. But for Israel, reliance on Egyptian cavalry was a direct violation of God's command through Moses: the king “shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt” (Deuteronomy 17:16). Solomon, the king who asked for wisdom, became a horse trader, importing from Egypt and then exporting to the Hittites and the Arameans (Syrians). The Hittites, based in Anatolia, and the Arameans, with their center in Damascus, were powerful kingdoms to the north. By acting as a middleman, Solomon enriched his kingdom and extended his political influence.
The Hebrew text uses Hiphil verbs (va.ya.a.lu and va.yo.tzi.u) indicating that Solomon's agents caused the chariots and horses to come up from Egypt and go out to the buyers. The phrase “by their hand” (be.ya.dam) emphasizes their agency. Prices are given in silver shekels: 600 for a chariot, 150 for a horse. These figures, noted by Adam Clarke as about £22 for a horse in his day, show the magnitude of the operation.
The Chronicler places this account right after Solomon's dream at Gibeon, where God promised both wisdom and wealth. The immediate context shows silver and gold as common as stones (v.15). Yet this very wealth came through a channel the Law had closed. The Chronicler's original readers, familiar with the Law and with Solomon's eventual fall, would have felt the weight of this detail. The verse serves as an example of how easily divine blessing can be turned to human expediency, especially when political power and commercial profit are at stake.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note no significant textual variants for II Chronicles 1:17. The parallel passage in 1 Kings 10:28-29 uses slightly different wording (e.g., mentioning “Kue” as a source of horses), but the Chronicler's version stands as an independent factual report. The consistency across manuscripts of Chronicles is high, and no textual difficulties affect the interpretation of the verse.
Reception History
Early Jewish interpretation likely recognized the tension with Deuteronomy, though explicit rabbinic sources are not cited in the provided material. In the Reformation period, Matthew Henry denounced the multiplication of horses, calling it an unworthy departure from David's simplicity. The Geneva Bible (1599) provided the verse without extensive comment, but its marginal notes on parallel passages often warned against trusting in military strength. In the 18th century, Bishop Warburton (quoted by Adam Clarke) developed the argument that this horse trade was the “original mischief” setting the entire chain of Solomon's apostasy in motion. Clarke himself reinforced this moral reading. By the 19th century, academic commentators like Keil and Delitzsch focused on the literary source analysis, while still affirming the connection to the promise of wealth. Throughout church history, the verse has served as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of prosperity and the need for steadfast obedience.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Blessing and boundary. God gave Solomon wisdom and wealth. But along with the blessing came clear boundaries (Deuteronomy 17:16). The verse shows that even the best blessings can be misused when we ignore God's limits.
- Commerce and compromise. Solomon's horse trade with Egypt was not just a business decision. It was a breach of covenant that opened the door to further compromises, marrying foreign women, building idol temples, dividing the kingdom.
- Prosperity as test. Wealth and influence are not signs of spiritual health by themselves. They test our allegiance. Solomon had everything, and yet the one thing he did that God forbade set him on a path away from the Lord.
Five-point outline
- Wisdom sought and given. Solomon's prayer at Gibeon sets the stage.
- Wealth appears. Silver and gold as common as stones, the promise fulfilled.
- The forbidden trade. Horses from Egypt, exported to neighbors, a direct violation of Deut 17:16.
- The slow drift. Foreign wives, foreign gods, divided heart.
- The bitter harvest. The kingdom weakened because the king forgot the Giver in the gift.
Illustration hooks
- The successful entrepreneur who starts cutting corners to maximize profit, telling themselves that the growth justifies the compromise. The business thrives, but the marriage and faith suffer.
- The hardworking parent who provides every advantage for their children but neglects family worship and spiritual training, assuming that material provision is enough.
- A church that grows in numbers and budget, and slowly relies on marketing strategies and political influence rather than on prayer and the Word. Growth feels like blessing, but the foundation has shifted.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why would Solomon, the wisest man in the world, do something so clearly forbidden?
- Does God want his people to be poor? How do we know when wealth is a blessing from God and when it is a snare?
- Are there “small compromises” in my own life that could, over time, lead me away from faith?
Leading a Discussion
This verse appears immediately after God promised Solomon wisdom and wealth. But it records a specific trade that the Law forbade. As a group, consider how the gifts of God can be used in ways that dishonor him. The Chronicler does not comment directly, he simply records the facts and lets the reader draw the conclusion.
Discussion questions
- What does the text tell us Solomon did with the chariots and horses?
- Why was trade with Egypt for horses a problem, according to Deuteronomy 17:16?
- In what ways does the Chronicler present this information: as praise, as criticism, or as simple fact? What clues hint at his attitude?
- How does the account of Solomon's later idolatry help you interpret this verse?
- Where in your own life (work, family, church) do you see God's blessings being used in ways that might compromise faithfulness?
- What keeps successful people, including believers, from recognizing their own drift away from God's commands?
- How can a community of faith help one another stay faithful in times of prosperity?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Kings 10:29 | However, Jehu didn’t depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel to sin—the golden calves that were in Bethel and that were in Dan. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke traces Solomon's eventual apostasy back to his first violation of God's law: multiplying horses from Egypt. That single forbidden trade with Egypt opened the door to marrying Pharaoh's daughter, then other foreign wives, then idol temples, and ultimately Solomon's own idolatry.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
This passage is very nearly identical with 1 Ki 10:26-29 .
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible explains that "by their means" points to Solomon's merchants as the agents who exported horses. These horses went to the kings of the Hittites and Syria, clarifying the commercial channel behind the verse.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Note draws attention to the specific costs of Solomon's imports from Egypt: a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver and a horse for one hundred fifty. These same merchants also supplied horses to the Hittite and Aramean kings through the same trade.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the kings of the Hittites in this context belonged to a branch of the powerful tribe that, after being driven out of Palestine, settled north of Lebanon and acquired territory near the Syrians.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange observes that the Chronicler presents Solomon's sacrifice at Gibeon with the full assembly of Israel’s leaders, a detail not in Kings. He emphasizes that the Chronicler omits Solomon’s peace offerings and the wise judgment between the two women, focusing instead on the brilliant and magnificent features that introduce the temple-building account.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Solomon's gathering of chariots and horsemen is not praiseworthy, since the king was forbidden to multiply horses from Egypt. He contrasts Solomon's grandeur with David's humility, who never rode in a chariot or on horseback but mounted only a mule. Henry urges excelling in goodness rather than in grandeur.