The weight of gold that came to Solomon each yearThis phrase highlights the immense wealth and prosperity of King Solomon's reign. Solomon's annual income of gold signifies the peak of Israel's economic power and influence during his rule. The accumulation of wealth was a fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon, as seen in
1 Kings 3:13, where God grants him riches and honor. This wealth also reflects the extensive trade networks and alliances Solomon established, particularly with nations like Tyre and Sheba, as described in
1 Kings 10 and
2 Chronicles 9.
was 666 talents,
The specific number, 666 talents, is significant and has sparked much discussion. A talent was a large unit of weight, approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilograms, making 666 talents an enormous amount of gold. This figure underscores Solomon's unparalleled wealth but also serves as a point of caution. The number 666 is later associated with imperfection and human fallibility inRevelation 13:18, where it is the number of the beast. This connection may suggest a subtle warning about the potential for wealth and power to lead to spiritual decline, as seen in Solomon's later years when he turned away from God (1 Kings 11:4). Solomon's wealth, while a blessing, also foreshadows the dangers of materialism and idolatry, themes that resonate throughout Scripture.
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, Solomon's reign is often seen as a high point in Israel's history.
2.
JerusalemThe capital city of Israel during Solomon's reign, Jerusalem was the political and spiritual center of the nation. It housed the Temple, which Solomon built as a place for the worship of Yahweh.
3.
GoldA precious metal that symbolized wealth and prosperity. In the context of Solomon's reign, gold was a significant indicator of the kingdom's economic strength and Solomon's personal wealth.
4.
666 talentsA measure of weight used in ancient times. The number 666 here represents the annual amount of gold that came to Solomon, highlighting the immense wealth he accumulated.
5.
Trade and TributeThe wealth mentioned in this verse was likely accumulated through trade agreements and tributes from other nations, reflecting Solomon's extensive influence and the prosperity of his kingdom.
Teaching Points
The Danger of WealthWhile wealth itself is not inherently evil, the pursuit and accumulation of wealth can lead to spiritual complacency and a departure from reliance on God. Solomon's wealth, as described in this verse, serves as a cautionary tale.
God's Provision and BlessingSolomon's wealth was a result of God's blessing and provision. It is important to recognize that all we have comes from God and should be used for His glory.
Wisdom Over WealthSolomon is known for his wisdom, which he initially valued over wealth. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding from God above material riches.
StewardshipThe resources and wealth we have should be managed wisely and used to further God's kingdom. Solomon's wealth could have been an opportunity for greater service and worship.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 9:13?
2.How does Solomon's wealth in 2 Chronicles 9:13 reflect God's blessings on obedience?
3.What lessons on stewardship can we learn from Solomon's accumulation of gold?
4.How does 2 Chronicles 9:13 compare with Jesus' teachings on wealth in Matthew 6:19-21?
5.In what ways can we prioritize spiritual riches over material wealth today?
6.How can Solomon's wealth in 2 Chronicles 9:13 inspire gratitude for God's provision?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 9:13 reflect the wealth of King Solomon?
8.What is the significance of 666 talents of gold in 2 Chronicles 9:13?
9.Does 2 Chronicles 9:13 suggest divine favor or human achievement for Solomon's wealth?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 9?
11.How can we reconcile the extravagant wealth of Solomon described in 2 Chronicles 9 (especially verses 13–28) with the lack of corresponding archaeological evidence?
12.Why does the biblical description of Solomon's wealth and empire lack external corroboration?
13.2 Chronicles 1 – Why does this passage emphasize Solomon’s grandeur when other records of his reign mention serious moral and political failures?
14.Are the massive daily provisions listed for Solomon’s household (1 Kings 4:22–23) plausible, or do they indicate exaggeration?What Does 2 Chronicles 9:13 Mean
The weight of gold• Scripture draws attention first to sheer mass: “The weight of gold…” (2 Chronicles 9:13). This is tangible, measurable wealth, not an abstract number.
• Gold in Scripture often signals glory and divine blessing (Genesis 2:12;Revelation 21:21). Here it underscores how the Lord kept His promise to magnify Solomon’s kingdom (1 Kings 3:13).
• Think of a talent as roughly 75 lbs. Multiplying that by 666 gives a load of more than 25 tons—a vivid picture of prosperity (compare1 Chronicles 29:4 for David’s donations of gold to the temple).
that came to Solomon• The verb points to continual inflow, not stockpiled reserves.1 Kings 10:15 details the stream: tribute from provinces, taxes on merchants, and gifts from neighboring kings.
• God had granted Solomon “rest on every side” (1 Kings 5:4), so wealth could flow rather than be drained by war.
• Foreign rulers sought his wisdom and rewarded it lavishly (1 Kings 10:24–25), showing how obedience to God can draw the nations’ respect (Deuteronomy 4:6–8).
each year• “Year” signals regularity; this income was dependable, not a one-time windfall.
• Israel’s calendar already taught cycles of worship and rest (Leviticus 23). Now the text highlights a yearly cycle of blessing, mirroring God’s steady provision (Deuteronomy 28:11–12).
•1 Kings 10:25 echoes, “Year after year, every man brought his tribute,” emphasizing that Solomon’s prosperity had longevity, not mere seasonal peaks.
was 666 talents• The exact figure stresses precision; the chronicler wants us to feel the literal scope.
• Six hundred sixty-six need not hint at evil here.Revelation 13:18 later assigns symbolic weight to 666, but almost five centuries separate the writings. In Solomon’s context it is simply an accounting total, paralleling1 Kings 10:14.
• Bullet points of impact:
– Personal luxury: shields of beaten gold (2 Chronicles 9:15–16).
– National prestige: a golden throne and vessels (2 Chronicles 9:17–20).
– Temple support: ample resources for worship (2 Chronicles 5:1).
• Yet the number also foreshadows the danger of trusting riches (Deuteronomy 17:17). Later chapters reveal Solomon’s slide when wealth and wives drew his heart away (1 Kings 11:4).
summary2 Chronicles 9:13 records, with bookkeeping clarity, the extraordinary blessing God funneled to Solomon—over 25 tons of gold every year. The verse showcases the Lord’s faithfulness to His promises, the magnetism of godly wisdom, and the tangible prosperity Israel enjoyed during a time of peace. At the same time, the precise figure hints that abundant gifts demand vigilant stewardship, reminding us that material success must always serve worship, not replace it.
(
b)
SOLOMON'S INCOME, SPLENDOUR, AND DOMINION--(
2Chronicles 9:13-28). Comp.
1Kings 10:14-29, and
1Kings 4:26-27.
(13)Now the weight of gold.--See1Kings 10:14, with which this verse coincides.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The weightמִשְׁקַ֣ל(miš·qal)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4948:Weight, weighingof goldהַזָּהָ֔ב(haz·zā·hāḇ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091:Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear skythatאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatcameבָּ֥א(bā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goto Solomonלִשְׁלֹמֹ֖ה(liš·lō·mōh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010:Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throneeach yearבְּשָׁנָ֣ה(bə·šā·nāh)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141:A yearwasוַיְהִי֙(way·hî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, be666שֵׁ֥שׁ(šêš)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337:Six (a cardinal number)talents,כִּכְּרֵ֥י(kik·kə·rê)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3603:A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)
Links
2 Chronicles 9:13 NIV2 Chronicles 9:13 NLT2 Chronicles 9:13 ESV2 Chronicles 9:13 NASB2 Chronicles 9:13 KJV
2 Chronicles 9:13 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 9:13 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 9:13 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 9:13 French Bible2 Chronicles 9:13 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 9:13 Now the weight of gold that came (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)