2 Chronicles 8

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 8

1¶ And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,

2That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

3And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.

4And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.

5Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;

6And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion.

7[As for] all the people [that were] left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which [were] not of Israel,

8[But] of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.

9But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they [were] men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.

10And these [were] the chief of king Solomon's officers, [even] two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.

11And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because [the places are] holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come.

12¶ Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,

13Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, [even] in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.

14And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.

15And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

16Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. [So] the house of the LORD was perfected.

17Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

18And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought [them] to king Solomon.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

After twenty years, Solomon completed the Temple and his own house, then focused on building and fortifying cities across his dominion. He utilized the remaining non-Israelite peoples as tribute laborers, while Israelites served as military and administrative officers. Solomon also re-established the regular temple sacrifices and organized the priests and Levites according to David's commands. His reign was further marked by successful maritime trade, bringing vast quantities of gold from Ophir.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with the completion of Solomon's major building projects, including the Temple and his royal palace, after a period of twenty years. Following this, Solomon undertook extensive urban development, building and fortifying cities like Tadmor and Bethhoron, and those restored by Huram. He established a distinct labor policy, compelling the remaining non-Israelite inhabitants of the land to pay tribute and serve as forced laborers for his works. In contrast, the children of Israel were appointed as men of war, chief captains, and chariot and horsemen commanders. Solomon also moved Pharaoh's daughter to a new house, deeming the city of David too holy for her residence due to the Ark's presence. Furthermore, he diligently re-established the daily, weekly, and annual burnt offerings at the altar he had built, organizing the courses of priests and Levites for their service according to the commandments of Moses and the order of David. The chapter concludes with Solomon's successful maritime venture from Eziongeber to Ophir, facilitated by Huram's servants, which yielded a substantial amount of gold.

Long Summary

The narrative commences with the conclusion of Solomon's monumental building endeavors, encompassing both the house of the LORD and his own royal residence, a period spanning twenty years. Subsequently, Solomon directed his efforts towards consolidating and expanding his kingdom's infrastructure. He rebuilt and fortified cities, including those restored by Huram, and constructed strategic locations such as Tadmor in the wilderness, Bethhoron the upper and nether, and various store and chariot cities throughout his dominion. A key aspect of his administration was the distinct labor policy: the remnant of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who were not of Israel, were subjected to perpetual tribute and forced labor. Conversely, the children of Israel were not enslaved for his works but served as men of war, chief captains, and commanders of his chariots and horsemen, with two hundred and fifty officers bearing rule over the people. Solomon also relocated Pharaoh's daughter from the city of David to a house he had built for her, asserting that the places where the ark of the LORD had come were holy and thus unsuitable for her dwelling. The chapter then details Solomon's meticulous adherence to religious ordinances. He offered burnt offerings daily, on Sabbaths, new moons, and the three annual solemn feasts—Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles—in accordance with the commandment of Moses. Furthermore, he appointed the courses of the priests and Levites for their service, praise, and ministry, and the porters for their duties at every gate, following the precise order established by David, the man of God. This comprehensive organization ensured the perfection of the Temple's service from its foundation to its completion. Finally, Solomon engaged in significant international commerce, journeying to Eziongeber and Eloth on the Red Sea coast. From there, Huram dispatched skilled mariners and ships, enabling Solomon's servants to sail to Ophir, whence they returned with four hundred and fifty talents of gold, enriching the king's treasury.

Core Concepts

  • Solomon's Construction and FortificationSolomon undertook extensive building projects beyond the Temple and his palace, fortifying cities and establishing strategic centers throughout his kingdom. These efforts aimed to strengthen his dominion and provide infrastructure for his administration.
  • Labor and AdministrationA clear distinction was made in Solomon's labor policies; non-Israelite peoples were compelled to pay tribute and serve as forced laborers, while Israelites held positions of military command and administrative authority, not being subjected to servitude.
  • Temple Worship and OrderSolomon diligently re-established and maintained the prescribed daily, weekly, and annual sacrifices at the Temple. He also organized the priests, Levites, and porters into their respective courses, ensuring the systematic and continuous performance of sacred duties according to Mosaic law and David's instructions.
  • Sanctity of JerusalemThe relocation of Pharaoh's daughter from the city of David highlights Solomon's recognition of Jerusalem's unique holiness. He deemed the areas where the Ark of the Lord had resided as sacred, unsuitable for a foreign queen's dwelling.
  • International Commerce and WealthSolomon engaged in significant maritime trade, notably an expedition to Ophir from Eziongeber with assistance from Huram. This venture successfully brought a vast quantity of gold, demonstrating Solomon's economic reach and prosperity.