1 Kings Chapter 4 · Verse 26
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
4 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
לְמֶרְכָּב֑וֹ
for his chariots
H4817
לְמֶרְכָּב֑וֹ
for his chariots
Strong's:
H4817
Word #:
7 of 11
a chariot; also a seat (in a vehicle)
עָשָׂ֥ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֥ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
9 of 11
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
Cross References
2 Chronicles 1:14And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.2 Chronicles 9:25And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.2 Samuel 8:4And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's administration and prosperity, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.