Solomon’s horses were imported from EgyptSolomon's acquisition of horses from Egypt highlights the extensive trade networks and wealth during his reign. Egypt was known for its horses, which were highly valued in the ancient Near East. This practice, however, contrasts with
Deuteronomy 17:16, where God instructed Israel's kings not to acquire many horses, especially from Egypt, to prevent reliance on military might over divine trust. Solomon's actions here foreshadow potential spiritual decline, as reliance on foreign alliances and military strength could lead to idolatry and away from dependence on God.
and Kue;
Kue, also known as Cilicia, was a region in modern-day Turkey. It was renowned for its horses and chariots, indicating Solomon's far-reaching trade connections. This reflects the prosperity and influence of Solomon's kingdom, as well as the fulfillment of God's promise to make Israel a nation of prominence. The mention of Kue also underscores the geopolitical landscape of the time, where trade routes connected various cultures and economies.
the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.
The involvement of royal merchants suggests an organized and state-controlled trade system under Solomon's administration. This indicates a centralized economy and the king's direct involvement in international trade, which contributed to the wealth and splendor of his reign. The use of merchants also implies a level of sophistication and bureaucracy in Solomon's government, aligning with the biblical portrayal of his wisdom and administrative skills. This system of trade and wealth accumulation, while showcasing Solomon's success, also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for material wealth to lead to spiritual complacency.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem.
2.
EgyptA significant ancient civilization located in Northeast Africa, Egypt was often a place of refuge or trade for Israel, though it also represented a place of bondage and idolatry in Israel's history.
3.
KueAlso known as Cilicia, Kue was a region in what is now modern-day Turkey. It was known for its horses and was a significant trade partner with Israel during Solomon's reign.
4.
Royal MerchantsThese were officials or traders appointed by Solomon to conduct trade on behalf of the kingdom, ensuring the supply of horses and other goods.
5.
HorsesIn ancient times, horses were symbols of military power and wealth. Solomon's acquisition of horses from Egypt and Kue indicates his kingdom's prosperity and military strength.
Teaching Points
Wisdom and WealthSolomon's wealth and wisdom were gifts from God, but they also came with responsibilities. Believers should seek God's wisdom in how they manage their resources and influence.
Obedience to God's CommandsDespite Solomon's wisdom, his actions in acquiring horses from Egypt may reflect a disobedience to God's commands. Christians are reminded to prioritize obedience to God's Word over worldly success.
Trust in God Over Military MightThe acquisition of horses symbolizes reliance on military power. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's protection and provision rather than worldly means.
The Danger of CompromiseSolomon's dealings with Egypt, a nation associated with Israel's past bondage, serve as a warning against compromising one's faith for economic or political gain.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 1:16?
2.How does 2 Chronicles 1:16 illustrate Solomon's wealth and God's provision?
3.What can we learn about stewardship from Solomon's actions in 2 Chronicles 1:16?
4.How does Solomon's wealth compare to God's blessings in Deuteronomy 28:1-14?
5.How can we apply the principles of wise resource management in our lives today?
6.What does Solomon's wealth teach us about prioritizing God's kingdom over material gain?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 1:16 reflect the wealth and trade practices of Solomon's reign?
8.What does 2 Chronicles 1:16 reveal about ancient Israel's economic connections with Egypt?
9.How does the mention of horses in 2 Chronicles 1:16 align with biblical laws on kingship?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 1?
11.2 Chronicles 1:16–17 – Does the mention of imported chariots and horses align with known trade routes and historical trade practices of that era?
12.Why does 1 Chronicles 16 differ from 2 Samuel 6 in describing the Ark's journey and the people's offerings?
13.In what year of King Asa's reign did Baasha, King of Israel die? Twenty-sixth year (I Kings 15:33 - 16:8) Still alive in the thirty-sixth year (2 Chronicles 16:1)
14.2 Chronicles 1:7 - How could God physically appear to Solomon and speak to him, and what evidence supports this event?What Does 2 Chronicles 1:16 Mean
Immediate Setting•2 Chronicles 1 opens with Solomon establishing his throne, worshiping at Gibeon, and receiving wisdom and wealth from God (2 Chron 1:7–12).
• Verse 16 zooms in on one aspect of that wealth—his flourishing trade in horses—just after noting his abundant chariots and cavalry (2 Chron 1:14–15; cf.1 Kings 10:26–27).
The Choice of Horses• “Solomon’s horses” highlights a deliberate policy, not a casual hobby.
• Horses were the military technology of the day, symbolizing power and national security (Psalm 20:7).
• By listing them among Solomon’s early achievements, the chronicler confirms the literal fulfillment of God’s promise of riches (2 Chron 1:12).
Imported from Egypt• Egypt was famous for breeding strong warhorses (Exodus 14:9).
• Importing from Egypt denotes extensive international reach and diplomatic ties (1 Kings 10:28).
• YetDeuteronomy 17:16 specifically warns Israel’s kings, “He must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more.” The text subtly foreshadows future spiritual dangers, though at this point the narrative simply records the fact.
Imported from Kue• Kue (also spelled “Cilicia”) lay in Asia Minor, known for fine horses and timber (Isaiah 66:19 mentions Tarshish, Pul, and Lud as distant trade partners).
• Mentioning two sources underscores the scope of Solomon’s commerce: southward to Egypt, northward to Anatolia.
• The chronicler’s detail invites the reader to admire God-granted prosperity while noting its international dimension.
The Royal Merchants• “The royal merchants purchased them” points to an organized state-run trade agency, not private dealers.
• These officials functioned much like Joseph did for Pharaoh, centralizing economic activity for the crown (Genesis 41:46–57).
• Their role showcases administrative wisdom, fulfilling the prayer for understanding “to govern this great people” (2 Chron 1:10).
Spiritual Implications• Material blessing testifies to God’s faithfulness (1 Chron 28:9–10).
• At the same time, abundance can tempt the heart to rely on resources instead of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:11–14).
• Later, Solomon’s accumulation of wealth, horses, and wives contributes to decline (1 Kings 11:1–6), illustrating the need to steward God’s gifts carefully.
Takeaways for Today• Prosperity is a legitimate blessing when received with gratitude (Proverbs 10:22).
• Wise administration honors God, whether in national leadership or household budgeting (Luke 16:10–12).
• God’s Word provides both the record of blessing and the guardrails that keep blessing from becoming an idol (Psalm 119:105).
summary2 Chronicles 1:16 records how Solomon’s God-given wisdom produced an impressive horse-trade network stretching from Egypt to Kue, managed by royal merchants. The verse proves God’s promise of wealth true, while quietly reminding readers of the biblical caution not to put ultimate trust in military strength.
(16)
And Solomon had horses brought out . . .--Rather,
And the outcome (export)
of horses for Solomon was from Egypt, and the company of the king's merchants--
a company (of horses)
they would fetch at a price. The same is read in Kings, only that the word
company (
miqw?) is there spelt in the ancient fashion (
miqw?h)
, and two words are transposed ("they would fetch a company").
Miqweh means
gathering, collection (
Genesis 1:10 [of the waters]). The repetition of this term constitutes a kind of artless play on words, such as is common in the Old Testament. (Comp.
Genesis 15:2;
Judges 15:16.) Both here and in Kings the Vulg. renders the word as a proper name, "from Coa." So also the LXX. in Kings "from Thekkoue" (Tekoa); and the Syriac of Chronicles, "from the city of the Aphel?v?." These variations only prove that the text was felt to be obscure. The "linen yarn" of the Authorised version is a guess based upon the likeness of the word
miqweh to
qaw, "rope," and
tiqw?h, "line
" (
Joshua 2:18), and upon the fact that much linen was made in Egypt.
Verse 16. -
Horses brought.., out of Egypt. Later on we read that horses were imported from other countries as well (
2 Chronicles 9:24, 28), as, for instance, from Arabia and Armenia (
Ezekiel 27:14).
Linen yarn. The words are without doubt wrong here. But it is impossible to say with any certainty what should be in their place. The Vulgate shows here
from Coa, presumably meaning Tekoa, a small place on the road from Egypt to Jerusalem. It might not have been easy to surmise, however, so much as this, but for the fact that the Septuagint shows in the parallel place, "And from Tekoa" (
Amos 1:1). The Septuagint, however, has for the present place,
Καὶ ἡ τιμὴ τῶν ἐμπόρωντοῦ βασίλεως πορεύεσθαι καὶ ἠγόραζον The Hebrew word here translated "linen yarn" is
מִקְואֵ (i.q.
מִקְוֶה niph. of
קָוָה, "to be gathered together").' Gesenius, followed by De Wette (and others), and himself following Piscator (born tire. 1480) and Vatablus (born
circ. 1546), would translate the word "company," and read, "a company of the king's merchants took a company (of horses) at a price." Others would translate the word "import;" and read, "the import of the king's merchants was an import at a price,"
i.e. in money. Neither of these renderings can be considered really satisfactory. Some slight corruption of text still baulks us, therefore.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Solomon’sאֲשֶׁ֥ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thathorsesהַסּוּסִ֛ים(has·sū·sîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5483:A swallow, swift (type of bird)were importedוּמוֹצָ֧א(ū·mō·w·ṣā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4161:A place or act of going forth, issue, export, source, springfrom Egyptמִמִּצְרָ֑יִם(mim·miṣ·rā·yim)Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africaand Kue;וּמִקְוֵ֕א(ū·miq·wê)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4723:Something waited for, confidence, a collection, a pond, a caravan, drovethe royalהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingmerchantsסֹחֲרֵ֣י(sō·ḥă·rê)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5503:To go around or about, travel aboutpurchased themיִקְח֖וּ(yiq·ḥū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3947:To takein Kue.בִּמְחִֽיר׃(bim·ḥîr)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4242:Price, payment, wages
Links
2 Chronicles 1:16 NIV2 Chronicles 1:16 NLT2 Chronicles 1:16 ESV2 Chronicles 1:16 NASB2 Chronicles 1:16 KJV
2 Chronicles 1:16 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 1:16 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 1:16 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 1:16 French Bible2 Chronicles 1:16 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 1:16 The horses which Solomon had were brought (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
