II Chronicles 9:25 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 9:25 Commentary: Solomon's 4,000 Stalls
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the 4,000 stalls for horses in 2 Chronicles 9:25 and the apparent discrepancy with 1 Kings 4:26 through commentary and original language.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Solomon's military strength and wealth in horses and chariots, part of a kingdom blessed by God.
- Key words: stalls (אֻרְיָה, uncertain meaning; LXX: “brood-mares”), horsemen (פָּרָשִׁים), chariot cities.
- Main debate: Reconciling 4,000 stalls in Chronicles with 40,000 in 1 Kings 4:26; theories include textual corruption, different definitions of “stalls,” or different sources used by the Chronicler.
- Theological theme: God’s blessing versus the warning against trusting in military power (Deuteronomy 17:16).
- Best use: Teaching on the proper use of wealth and the dangers of relying on human strength rather than the Lord.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem.
KJV King James Version 1769
And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
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.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; and he placed them in the chariot-cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Solomon had forty thousand horses in the stables, and twelve thousand chariots, and horsemen, and he placed them in the cities of the chariots and where the king was in Jerusalem.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Tuvo también Salomón cuatro mil caballerizas para los caballos y carros, y doce|strong="H8147, H6240" mil jinetes, los cuales puso en las ciudades de los carros, y con el rey en Jerusalem.
Teve também Salomão quatro mil estábulos para os cavalos e carros, e doze mil cavaleiros, os quais pôs nas cidades dos carros, e com o rei em Jerusalém.
Salomon avait quatre mille crèches pour les chevaux destinés à ses chars, et douze mille cavaliers qu’ il plaça dans les villes où il tenait ses chars et à Jérusalem près du roi.
Und Salomo hatte viertausend Wagenpferde und zwölftausend Reisige; und man legte in die Wagenstädte und zu dem König nach Jerusalem.
Ook had Salomo vier duizend paardenstallen, en wagenen, en twaalf duizend ruiteren; en hij legde ze in de wagensteden, en bij den koning te Jeruzalem.
Salomone aveva delle scuderie per quattromila cavalli, de’ carri, e dodicimila cavalieri, che distribuiva nelle città dove teneva i suoi carri, e in Gerusalemme presso di sé.
I miał Salomon cztery tysiące stajen koni i wozów, a dwanaście tysięcy jezdnych, których rozsadził po miastach wozów, i przy sobie w Jeruzalemie.
И было у Соломона четыре тысячи стойл для коней и колесниц и двенадцать тысяч всадников; и он разместил их в городах колесничных и при царе — в Иерусалиме;
所羅門 有 套車 的馬 四 千 棚，有馬兵 一萬二千，安置 在屯車 的城邑 和耶路撒冷，就是 王那裡。
Solomon had four thousand buildings for his horses and his war-carriages, and twelve thousand horsemen whom he kept, some in the carriage-towns and some with the king in Jerusalem.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Chronicles 9:25
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse reports Solomon’s military assets: 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, with 12,000 horsemen stationed in chariot cities and at Jerusalem. The main difficulty is the number’s inconsistency with 1 Kings 4:26, which gives 40,000 stalls. The Cambridge Bible notes that the Hebrew word for “stalls” is uncertain; the Septuagint renders it “brood-mares.” Jamieson-Fausset-Brown mentions an older theory that “stalls” could mean a group of horses, so 4,000 stalls holding ten each would equal 40,000 horses, but says more recent critics regard the Kings text as corrupt. Keil and Delitzsch observe that this passage in Chronicles verbally agrees with 1 Kings 5:6 (Hebrew) rather than 1 Kings 4:26. Adam Clarke points to the Targum reading of “four hundred” instead of four thousand. Despite the numerical variance, all agree that Solomon possessed a vast number of horses and chariots, reflecting the peak of Israel’s power and the fulfillment of God’s promise of wisdom and wealth.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Textual corruption in 1 Kings: The number 40,000 in 1 Kings 4:26 may be a scribal error for 4,000, with arbahim (forty) confused for arbah (four).
- Different meaning of 'stalls': The Hebrew word אֻרְיָה (uriah) may refer to brood-mares or to a group of horses, so 4,000 stalls could represent 40,000 horses.
- Different source traditions: Keil and Delitzsch note that Chronicles verbally agrees with 1 Kings 5:6 rather than 4:26, suggesting the Chronicler used a different (possibly more accurate) account.
What is clear: Solomon had a very large number of horses and chariots, placing him among the most powerful kings of his era, whether the precise figure is 4,000 stalls or 40,000.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Number of stalls | Solomon had a very large number of horses and chariots, indicating his kingdom’s wealth and power. | Whether the correct figure is 4,000 (Chronicles) or 40,000 (Kings). Some see a textual error in Kings; others think the terms “stalls” and “horses” measure different things. |
| Obedience to Deuteronomy 17:16 | God warned Israel’s kings not to multiply horses or return to Egypt for them. | Catholics and Protestants agree the command exists, but differ on whether Solomon violated it here or remained within God’s will, since the Chronicler does not explicitly condemn him. |
| Portrayal of Solomon | Solomon was extraordinarily blessed with wisdom, wealth, and international influence. | Some read the Chronicler as presenting Solomon positively throughout; others see subtle critique in the mention of horses from Egypt, foreshadowing his later decline. |
| Military strength as gift or pitfall | Solomon’s resources came from God and fulfilled the promise to David. | Whether the accumulation of chariots was a legitimate use of blessing or a step toward the idolatry condemned in 1 Kings 11. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse sits in a section summarizing Solomon’s glory (2 Chronicles 9:13, 28). Surrounding verses describe the queen of Sheba’s visit, the king’s wisdom, tribute from foreign rulers, and trade networks reaching Tarshish (v.21). Solomon’s accumulation of horses and chariots was part of a wider pattern: he built a chariot army, established chariot cities (first mentioned in 2 Chronicles 1:14), and imported horses from Egypt (2 Chronicles 1:16, 17; 9:28).
This military buildup stood in tension with Deuteronomy 17:16, which forbade the king from multiplying horses or returning people to Egypt for that purpose. The Chronicler does not explicitly condemn Solomon here, but the warning is part of the Old Testament’s broader critique of trusting in military might rather than the Lord (Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1). The chariot cities were likely strategic garrisons, perhaps in the Shephelah and along trade routes, securing Solomon’s control over the region “from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt” (v.26).
Historical records from the ancient Near East confirm that chariotry was the elite arm of Iron Age armies. Solomon’s 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen (1 Kings 10:26) placed him among the major powers of his day. The numbers in Chronicles, 4,000 stalls and 12,000 horsemen, reflect the same reality: a kingdom at the height of its wealth, influence, and military readiness.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant variation within the manuscripts of 2 Chronicles 9:25 itself. The main textual issue is the parallel in 1 Kings 4:26, which reads “forty thousand stalls” instead of “four thousand.” Poole’s annotations mention that some copyists may have confused the Hebrew words arbah (four) and arbahim (forty). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown agrees that recent critics consider the Kings text corrupt. The Cambridge Bible notes that the Septuagint renders the word for “stalls” as “brood-mares,” suggesting the original Hebrew term may have a different meaning than stable or stall. The Targum on Chronicles reads “four hundred” (Clarke). These variants show that scribal transmission of numbers in the Old Testament is occasionally uncertain, but they do not affect any major theological claim.
Reception History
In early Jewish tradition, this verse was read as part of the glorious portrait of Solomon’s reign, stressing the fulfillment of God’s promises to David. The Targum’s adjustment of the number shows that interpreters already wrestled with the size of Solomon’s establishment. Christian commentators from the Reformation onward, Matthew Henry, John Gill, Adam Clarke, used the verse to illustrate both the splendor of Solomon’s kingdom and the danger of trusting in military might. Some drew a typological connection: Solomon’s wealth and wisdom pointed to Christ, the greater Son of David. Others, especially in pietist traditions, used the passage as a caution against worldly accumulation. Across traditions, the verse has been read as a demonstration of God’s power to bless, but also as a reminder that material prosperity can lead a king, or any believer, away from wholehearted dependence on the Lord.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God’s blessing extends to every area of life. Solomon’s wealth, wisdom, and military strength were gifts from God (v.22), not merely human achievements.
- Prosperity carries a warning. The very horses that demonstrated Solomon’s power also violated the command of Deuteronomy 17:16, a reminder that even good gifts can become idols.
- Wisdom means using resources well. Solomon stationed his forces strategically, in chariot cities and with the king. Good stewardship of God’s provision is part of faithful leadership.
Five-point outline
- The scale of Solomon’s kingdom (vv.25, 26), immense resources and widespread influence.
- The source of his wealth (v.22), God put wisdom in his heart and drew the nations to him.
- The temptation of military might (Deuteronomy 17:16), the constant pull to trust in armies rather than in the Lord.
- The seeds of future division, Solomon’s compromises (foreign wives, idolatry) soon led to the kingdom’s split (1 Kings 11).
- The lasting call to depend on God, not on horses or chariots.
Illustration hooks
- A business owner expands aggressively, amassing buildings and equipment, but begins cutting ethical corners. The success feels like a blessing but carries hidden costs.
- A family inherits a large estate; they enjoy the wealth but slowly drift from the faith that built it. The gifts outgrow the Giver.
- A church builds an impressive campus and parking lot; the facilities serve the mission, but some members begin to boast in brick and mortar rather than the Spirit.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Did God really approve of Solomon’s military buildup, or is the Bible just reporting it without endorsement?
- Why does the Chronicler mention the horses and chariots without criticising them, when Deuteronomy 17:16 is so clear?
- How do I tell when God’s gifts to me have become things I trust in instead of God himself?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows Solomon at the height of his power. But even at that peak, the seeds of future failure were present. As you discuss, consider how wealth and success can be both a sign of God’s blessing and a test of faithfulness.
Discussion questions
- What does this verse tell us about Solomon’s kingdom? What details stand out to you?
- Compare this verse with 1 Kings 4:26, which says 40,000 stalls. Why do you think the numbers differ? How do the commentators explain this?
- Read Deuteronomy 17:16. Why did God forbid the king from multiplying horses? Was Solomon disobeying this command?
- In what ways can material success become a spiritual danger? Share an example from your own life or from someone you know.
- How does the Chronicler’s description of Solomon’s wealth (vv.22, 28) help us understand the kind of king Solomon was? Is the tone purely positive, or is there a hint of warning?
- What does it mean to “trust in the Lord” rather than in human resources? How can we practically apply that in our work, finances, and decision-making?
- Solomon was given wisdom but still made choices that led to division. What does that teach us about the limits of human wisdom without ongoing submission to God?
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)
| Deuteronomy 17:16 | Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses; because Yahweh has said to you, “You shall not go back that way again.” |
| I Kings 4:26 | Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. |
| I Kings 10:26 | Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen. He kept them in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. |
| II Chronicles 1:14 | Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. |
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
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the numerical discrepancy between the accounts in Kings and Chronicles concerning Solomon's horse stalls, noting that the Targum reads "four hundred" instead of four thousand. He directs readers to his earlier note on 1 Kings 4:26 for a fuller discussion of the conflicting figures.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge commentary highlights a textual discrepancy between four thousand and forty thousand stalls for horses, and notes that the Hebrew word rendered "stalls" is uncertain in meaning. The Septuagint suggests "brood-mares" as an alternative reading.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note observes that Solomon's vast number of horses and chariots directly violated God's command in Deuteronomy that the king must not multiply horses. This accumulation signals a reliance on military strength rather than on the Lord, which the note treats as a serious failure in Solomon's reign.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes the numerical discrepancy between Kings and Chronicles regarding Solomon's horses. He presents two scholarly explanations: an older view that each stall held multiple horses, and a newer view that the Kings text was corrupted by a copyist. JFB leaves the matter unresolved.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch observe that the Chronicler does not simply copy the parallel account in 1 Kings but instead draws from different passages there, condensing his own earlier statements about Solomon's wealth and horse trade into one general concluding summary. The description is deliberately rounded off.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the Chronicler deliberately emphasizes Solomon's incomparable theocratic glory and religious splendor over his wisdom. The account omits the darker episodes of his reign, such as his moral failings and rebellions, to preserve an idealized portrait that serves the Chronicler's focus on the outward pomp and the religious life.