1 Kings 9:19
as well as all the store cities that Solomon had for his chariots and horses--whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout the land of his dominion.
as well as all the store cities that Solomon had for his chariots and horses—
Solomon's establishment of store cities reflects his strategic military and economic planning. These cities were likely fortified locations where supplies, particularly for his chariots and horses, were stored. This indicates the importance of maintaining a strong military presence and infrastructure. The use of chariots and horses was a significant advancement in warfare during this period, and Solomon's investment in them underscores his commitment to national security and regional influence. This aligns with 1 Kings 4:26, which mentions Solomon's 4,000 stalls for chariot horses and 12,000 horses, highlighting the scale of his military resources.

whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, as the political and spiritual center of Israel, was the focal point of Solomon's building projects. His desire to build in Jerusalem included not only the Temple and his palace but also other significant structures that would enhance the city's status and functionality. This reflects Solomon's role as a king who sought to glorify God through monumental architecture, as seen in 1 Kings 6-7, where the construction of the Temple and the royal palace is detailed. The emphasis on "whatever he desired" suggests Solomon's unparalleled authority and resources, allowing him to fulfill his vision for the city.

Lebanon,
Lebanon was renowned for its cedar trees, which were highly valued for construction, particularly in the building of the Temple and Solomon's palace. The alliance with Hiram, king of Tyre, facilitated the acquisition of these materials, as described in 1 Kings 5:1-10. Lebanon's inclusion in Solomon's building projects indicates the extent of his influence and the importance of international relations in securing resources. The use of Lebanese cedar symbolizes strength and durability, qualities that Solomon sought to embody in his kingdom.

and throughout the land of his dominion.
Solomon's dominion extended beyond the traditional borders of Israel, encompassing a vast territory that required administrative and infrastructural development. His building projects throughout the land demonstrate his efforts to consolidate power and ensure the prosperity of his kingdom. This expansion is consistent with the promises made to David regarding the extent of his descendants' rule, as seen in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. Solomon's reign is often viewed as the zenith of Israel's territorial and political influence, fulfilling the covenantal promises of land and blessing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the temple in Jerusalem.

2. Jerusalem
The capital city of Israel, central to Jewish worship and the location of the temple.

3. Lebanon
A region known for its cedar trees, which were used in Solomon's building projects.

4. Store Cities
Cities built by Solomon to store supplies and resources, reflecting his wealth and administrative prowess.

5. Chariot Cities
Cities designated for housing Solomon's chariots and horses, indicating military strength and preparedness.
Teaching Points
Stewardship and Responsibility
Solomon's building projects demonstrate the importance of wise stewardship of resources. Believers are called to manage their God-given resources responsibly.

The Danger of Excess
While Solomon's wealth and power were impressive, they also serve as a warning against the dangers of excess and reliance on material wealth over spiritual wealth.

God's Sovereignty and Human Ambition
Solomon's achievements remind us of the balance between human ambition and God's sovereignty. We should seek God's guidance in our endeavors.

Legacy and Influence
Solomon's extensive building projects left a lasting legacy. Consider the legacy you are building through your actions and decisions.

Spiritual Priorities
Despite his accomplishments, Solomon's later years were marked by spiritual decline. Prioritize spiritual growth and faithfulness over worldly success.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Solomon's approach to building and expansion reflect both wisdom and potential pitfalls? Consider how this applies to modern-day pursuits.

2. In what ways can we ensure that our ambitions align with God's will, as seen in Solomon's life and other biblical examples?

3. How do the warnings in Deuteronomy 17:16 about accumulating horses and chariots apply to our lives today in terms of material possessions and security?

4. Reflect on the legacy you are building. What steps can you take to ensure it aligns with God's purposes and priorities?

5. How can we balance the pursuit of success and wealth with maintaining a strong spiritual foundation, as seen in Solomon's life and teachings in Ecclesiastes?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 4:26
This verse mentions Solomon's vast number of chariots and horses, highlighting his military might and the infrastructure needed to support it.

2 Chronicles 8:6
Provides a parallel account of Solomon's building projects, emphasizing his extensive reach and influence.

Deuteronomy 17:16
Warns against accumulating horses and chariots, which can be seen as a cautionary backdrop to Solomon's actions.

Ecclesiastes 2:4-11
Solomon reflects on his building projects and wealth, offering insight into his pursuit of meaning and fulfillment.
The Reviewed CovenantJ. Waite
People
Amorites, Canaanites, David, Geber, Gibeon, Hiram, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Ophir, Perizzites, Pharaoh, Solomon, Tamar
Places
Baalath, Beth-horon, Brook of Egypt, Cabul, Edom, Egypt, Eloth, Ezion-geber, Galilee, Gezer, Gibeon, Hazor, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Megiddo, Millo, Ophir, Red Sea, Tamar, Tyre
Topics
Build, Chariots, Cities, Desire, Desired, Dominion, Horsemen, Horses, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Pleased, Pleasure, Rule, Ruled, Solomon, Storage, Store, Store-cities, Stores, Store-towns, Territory, Throughout, Towns, War-carriages, Whatever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 9:19

     4657   horse
     5558   storing

1 Kings 9:15-19

     5119   Solomon, life of

1 Kings 9:17-19

     5315   fortifications

Library
Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gadara
There was a double Gadara. One at the shore of the Mediterranean sea: that was first called Gezer, 1 Kings 9:15. In Josephus, "Simon destroyed the city Gazara, and Joppe, and Jamnia."--And in the Book of the Maccabees, "And he fortified Joppe, which is on the sea, and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus." At length, according to the idiom of the Syrian dialect, Zain passed into Daleth; and instead of Gazara, it was called Gadara. Hence Strabo, after the mention of Jamnia, saith, "and there
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
Objection 1: It would seem that solicitude does not belong to prudence. For solicitude implies disquiet, wherefore Isidore says (Etym. x) that "a solicitous man is a restless man." Now motion belongs chiefly to the appetitive power: wherefore solicitude does also. But prudence is not in the appetitive power, but in the reason, as stated above [2746](A[1]). Therefore solicitude does not belong to prudence. Objection 2: Further, the certainty of truth seems opposed to solicitude, wherefore it is related
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Prophecy Pertains to Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. For it is written (Ecclus. 48:14) that after death the body of Eliseus prophesied, and further on (Ecclus. 49:18) it is said of Joseph that "his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied." Now no knowledge remains in the body or in the bones after death. Therefore prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. Objection 2: Further, it is written (1 Cor. 14:3): "He that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification." Now speech
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Lawful to Give and Receive Money for Spiritual Actions?
Objection 1: It seems that it is lawful to give and receive money for spiritual actions. The use of prophecy is a spiritual action. But something used to be given of old for the use of prophecy, as appears from 1 Kings 9:7,8, and 3 Kings 14:3. Therefore it would seem that it is lawful to give and receive money for a spiritual action. Objection 2: Further, prayer, preaching, divine praise, are most spiritual actions. Now money is given to holy persons in order to obtain the assistance of their prayers,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Seven Seas According to the Talmudists, and the Four Rivers Compassing the Land.
"Seven seas (say they) and four rivers compass the land of Israel. I. The Great Sea, or the Mediterranean. II. The sea of Tiberias. III. The sea of Sodom. IV. The lake of Samocho... The three first named among the seven are sufficiently known, and there is no doubt of the fourth:--only the three names of it are not to be passed by. IV. 1. The Sibbichaean. The word seems to be derived from a bush. 2. ... 3. ... V. Perhaps the sandy sea. Which fits very well to the lake of Sirbon, joining the commentary
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

How to Split a Kingdom
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt); 3. That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations,"
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean!
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR.
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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