I Kings 10:26
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Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Still Solomon looks great, and every thing in this chapter adds to his magnificence. We read nothing indeed of his charity, of no hospitals he built, or alms-houses; he made his kingdom so rich that it did not need them; yet, no question, many poor were relieved from the abundance of his table. A church he had built, never to be equalled; schools or colleges he need not build any, his own palace is an academy, and his court a rendezvous of wise and learned men, as well as the centre of all the circulating riches of that part of the world. I. What abundance of wisdom there was there appears from the application the queen of Sheba made to him, and the great satisfaction she had in her entertainment there (Kg1 10:1-13), and others likewise (Kg1 10:24). II. What abundance of wealth there was there appears here by the gold imported, with other things, yearly (Kg1 10:14, Kg1 10:15), and in a triennial return (Kg1 10:22). Gold presented (Kg1 10:25), and gold used in targets and shields (Kg1 10:16, Kg1 10:17), and vessels (Kg1 10:21). A stately throne made (Kg1 10:18-20). His chariots and horsemen (Kg1 10:26). His trade with Egypt (Kg1 10:28, Kg1 10:29). And the great plenty of silver and cedars among his people (Kg1 10:27). So that, putting all together, it must be owned, as it is here said (Kg1 10:23), that "king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches, and for wisdom." Yet what was he to the King of kings? Where Christ is, by his word and Spirit, "Behold, a greater than Solomon is there."
Open source ↗10:26 1,400 chariots: Prior to Solomon, chariots were not a significant part of Israel’s army. In fact, Deut 17:16 condemns kings for accumulating horses rather than relying on God. Although archaeological confirmation of the presence of chariots in Solomon’s day is debated, his chariot cities are commonly identified as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer (1 Kgs 9:15, 19). The Assyrian king Shalmaneser III reported facing a heavy contingent of enemy chariots at the Battle of Qarqar (853 BC), 2,000 of which were supplied by King Ahab of Israel.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.
Solomon had 4,000 stalls for his chariot horses and 12,000 horses.
But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’
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.
Their land is full of silver and gold, with no limit to their treasures; their land is full of horses, with no limit to their chariots.