2 Chronicles 9:23

Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah,.... Of whose reign, and of the three following, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, and the account of them, from hence to the end of 2 Chronicles 36:13 , what needs explanation or reconciliation; see Gill on 2 Kings 23:31 , 2 Kings 23:32 , 2 Kings 23:33 , 2 Kings 23:34 , 2 Kings 23:35 , 2 Kings 23:36 , 2 Kings 23:37 , 2 Kings 24:5 , 2 Kings 24:6 , 2 Kings 24:8 , 2 Kings 24:10 , 2 Kings 24:17 , 2 Kings 24:18

9:13-31 The imports here mentioned, would show that prosperity drew the minds of Solomon and his subjects to the love of things curious and uncommon, though useless in themselves. True wisdom and happiness are always united together; but no such alliance exists between wealth and the enjoyment of the things of this life. Let us then acquaint ourselves with the Saviour, that we may find rest for our souls. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and power, in ease and fulness, the like of which could never since be found; for the most known of the great princes of the earth were famed for their wars; whereas Solomon reigned forty years in profound peace. The promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches and honour, such as no kings have had or shall have. The lustre wherein he appeared, was typical of the spiritual glory of the kingdom of the Messiah, and but a faint representation of His throne, which is above every throne. Here is Solomon dying, and leaving all his wealth and power to one who he knew would be a fool! Ec 2:18,19. This was not only vanity, but vexation of spirit. Neither power, wealth, nor wisdom, can ward off or prepare for the stroke of death. But thanks be to God who giveth the victory to the true believer, even over this dreaded enemy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Chronicles 9:23 . All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon — All in those parts of the world. To hear his wisdom — Either his knowledge of the works of God in creation and providence, or his skill in physic, or his state-policy, or his rules of prudence for the conduct of human life, or perhaps the principles of his religion, and the evidences of it. That God put in his heart — Which was God’s supernatural gift to him, in answer to his prayer. The application which they then made, with such eagerness, to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, will aggravate, shame, and condemn men’s general contempt of Christ and his gospel, in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; but which none of the princes of this world desire to know, for they are foolishness to them, 1 Corinthians 2:8 ; 1 Corinthians 2:14 .

In 2 Chronicles 9:22-28 , all that remained to be said of Solomon's royal glory, his riches, his wisdom, and his revenues, is in conclusion briefly summed up, as in 1 Kings 10:23-29 . From 2 Chronicles 9:25 onwards, the account given in the Chronicle diverges from that in 1 Kings 10:26 ., in so far that what is narrated in 1 Kings 10:26-28 concerning Solomon's chariots and horses, and his trade with Egypt in horses, is here partly replaced by statements similar in import to those in 1 Kings 5 , because the former matters had been already treated of in Chr. 2 Chronicles 1:14-17 .