Definition: And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 10:26. It’s a really significant passage about wealth and how it’s used to build something powerful. Here's a simplified explanation: Basically, Solomon was incredibly wealthy and he wanted to create a massive, impressive structure – a temple – in Jerusalem. Here’s what it means word-by-word and then put together: “And Solomon gathered together chariots…” - This refers to the enormous number of vehicles (chariots) that were built. It was a huge undertaking! “…and horsemen:” – He had a large force of riders and soldiers on horseback. “And he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen…” - This is the key part. He amassed a tremendous number of these vehicles. A thousand and four hundred chariots… that’s a huge quantity! And twelve thousand horsemen – this was a really substantial army. “…whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots…” - He gave these chariots to the people of Jerusalem, specifically to places where they could use them for warfare and transportation. “and with the king at Jerusalem.” - This is crucial. He placed himself – Solomon himself – at the center of this massive display of power and wealth. The Significance: This verse is a powerful illustration of how wealth, when used wisely and for the benefit of the people, can create something truly extraordinary and significant. It speaks to the idea that wealth isn’t just about having lots of money; it's about using that money to build things that strengthen society and honor God. In essence, it describes Solomon building a magnificent temple in Jerusalem – a symbol of his power and divine authority. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage (when was it written)? Talk about what this verse might symbolize in general?